Jessica Biel Just Shared a Refreshingly Honest Take on Her Pre-Filming Workout Plan – and We’re Very Here for It
Her strong, sculpted arms in The Better Sister have been the talk of TikTok - but she's here to remind you of the reality.
The Better Sister, an eight-part American thriller show which landed on Prime last month, has been the talk of TikTok in recent weeks.
Alongside a plot-twist packed storyline, some seriously impressive performances from actors Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel, and wardrobe picks to die for, fans have been messaging Biel directly asking for the workout routine she undertook to prepare for the role.
In the show, Biel plays Chloe, a successful magazine editor, whose polished surface and high-functioning lifestyle disguise some tangled truths in her past. And one particular scene - an opening scene where Chloe is returning from an awards show - has caught fans' attention, with them immediately praising the star for her now-viral white dress, sculpted arms and toned frame.
It's important to remember that celebrities often have the time and resources to employ near round-the-clock help with their diet, nutrition and workout routines. And Biel, 43, has been refreshingly honest, taking to TikTok to stress exactly that. “The peak shape in that show is not maintainable unless you are living the strictest, most rigid lifestyle with your nutrition and with your fitness,” she said, going on to add, “which I cannot do.”
That said, she does rave about her fitness trainer and Pilates instructor friend, Ashley Brown, who she credits for helping her maintain muscle mass. She goes on to share one of her go-to workouts - a dumbbell-focused full body workout that includes hip thrusts, hamstring curls, goblet step-throughs, kettlebell dead bugs, and med ball kickbacks using a resistance band - which target her entire body, but her arms, too.
She closes the video by sharing: "My body is not 20 years old anymore, you know? So I'm adjusting my workout to what I need to do. You gotta build muscle, and that's a key part of my particular routine. Let's get older and stronger together."
If you're looking to add weights to your weekly workouts and want to improve arm strength specifically, the below arm workouts for women with weights are all expert-approved. Easily some of the best arm workouts for women, they're a simple way to progress your workouts from bodyweight and include dumbbells and kettlebells - and we've embedded Biel's exact PT-approved set, too, if you fancy giving it a go.
Why should you trust me? Well, I'm a Health Writer and qualified fitness coach, so I know what to look for when it comes to a good workout. You can take these plans to the gym with you or buy some weights to use from home and get sweaty in your living room. Get ready to reap the strength benefits in no time.
Keen to get strong, sculpted arms? 5 best arm workouts for women with weights to try
What are the benefits of trying weighted arm workouts?
Building strong arms is a core tenet of overall health and wellbeing, yet tricep exercises and bicep exercises are often skipped in favour of endorphin-boosting runs or sweaty spin sessions.
We get it - arm workouts with dumbbells and barbells can seem scary, but they needn't be. Wondering why building your arm strength is so important? Well, one 2018 study found that a training programme using free weights helped improve tricep strength in older adults by up to 111%, while a 2023 study from Nature reported that training with barbells helped women increase their strength and muscle mass and lose body fat more effectively than doing bodyweight exercise.
Of course, there are loads of different types of arm workouts that all offer the benefits boasted above. Go with whatever session you enjoy most, whether that's home arm workouts with small weights or lifting super heavy in the gym. The key is to make sure you’re progressing, says Aoife Flannery, personal trainer at Third Space London.
“One of the most important things when trying to build muscle is using progressive overload, which means increasing the weight, frequency and repetitions in the exercises gradually over time in order to avoid reaching a plateau with your progress. Increasing the weight you lift each week is one way to do this, or if you can’t do that, you can add an extra rep each week to keep challenging your body and get stronger over time,” she says.
What are the benefits of having strong arms?
Wondering why strong arms matter? Well, aside from looking great, they also promise a whole host of health benefits - we're looking at you, improved joint health, reduced risk of injury, and increased mobility.
1. They improve joint health
“Biceps and triceps play vital roles in the healthy movement of your elbow and shoulder joints,” explains Flannery. In other words, weak arms could lead to joint pain or injury - not ideal.
2. They support your upper body muscles
“For those with specific fitness goals such as being able to do a push-up or pull-up, strong biceps and triceps are essential,” says Flannery.
That’s because the muscles in the arms support the rest of your upper body. Namely, your biceps help your back muscles in pulling movements while triceps help your chest and shoulders in pushing movements.
3. They're key in daily life
Last but by no means least, think about how often you use your arms each and every day. Now, think about how important (not to mention useful) it is to make sure they're strong enough to carry you through your day-to-day tasks pain-free.
“Building muscle and strength in your arms can help with many aspects of daily living, from mobility and posture to improving hobbies like yoga and pilates,” says Flannery.
5 best arm workouts for women with weights to try
1. 5-minute weighted arm workout
What? A 5-minute weighted arm workout
Why? Only got a few minutes to squeeze in some movement, or looking for an armed-focused video you can pop onto the end of a run or workout of another kind? Look no further - in this video, you’ll use dumbbells to work the biceps and the triceps in just a few moments.
How long? 5 minutes, but you can repeat the circuit if you've got time to spare and wish to continue your workout.
2. 20-minute dumbbell workout
What? A 20-minute dumbbell upper body workout
Why? The tri-set style of this workout ensures you hit every muscle in your upper body with a special focus on your biceps and triceps. It’s a great one for improving muscle strength and overall fitness.
How long? 20 minutes.
3. Back and biceps workout
What? A back and biceps workout from Whitney Simmons.
Why? By pairing back and bicep exercises, you’ll be doubling up the effort going through the front of your arms. Get ready for those wide-to-hammer bicep curls.
How long? 30 minutes.
4. Weighted upper body workout for beginners
What? A beginner-friendly upper body workout with weights
Why? As Flannery mentioned, your arms are connected to your whole upper body, so it’s best to target them in a workout that will strengthen all of your upper body muscles. This workout does just that, using exercises like bent-over rows to work the biceps and back and press-ups for the chest and triceps. It’s also perfect for beginners thanks to the coaching cues from Hannah Oberg.
How long? 45 minutes.
5. Krissy Cela's go-to upper body workout for women
What? Krissy Cela’s ultimate upper body workout for women
Why? First, you’ll hit compound exercises that work multiple muscles in one go, like a push press that works the shoulders, back, chest and arms. Then you’ll work on unilateral moves and supersets to fire up the whole upper body.
How long? 45 minutes.
Shop MC's go-to workout kit now
This Energy bra is a firm favourite in Health Editor Ally Head's workout wardrobe rotation. It's flattering yet functional, offering support for intense weights sessions and cardio alike.
These shorts may be designed for yoga, but they sweat-wick well enough to support you through pretty much any workout. Spin? Weight lifting? Hiking? You're in luck.
Flat shoes are key when lifting weights to ensure correct form and posture and, in turn, avoid risk of injury. The Metcon's are loved for a reason - they're supportive, comfortable, and last the long run (Health Editor Ally Head has had hers for 7+ years now).
What is the best weight for women's arm workout?
This will depend on your current fitness level. If you're a total beginner, starting with your bodyweight may be a good way to get a feel for the exercises and how to complete each move with the correct form.
Then, as Aoife Flannery, personal trainer at Third Space London, advises above, progress your weights upwards each week. Start with a lower weight (that might be 2.5kg or 5kg) and progress to a heavier weight (say, 8kg to 10kg+) as you become more comfortable with the moves. Remember, you'll see the most progress when you apply progressive overload - that is, push yourself to try a new weight that you couldn't lift the week before.
If you've any concerns about your form or whether a weight is right for you or might be too hard, do check in with a PT at the gym. They'll be best placed to advise on the right weight for you and your current fitness level.
