Arms & Shoulders Day

1. Stand with your back straight, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
2. Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
3. Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
5. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
6.  Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat.

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1. Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
2. Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
3. Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
4. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
5. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.

1. Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
2. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
3. Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.

1. With a dumbbell in each hand in a neutral grip,  lie face down on an incline bench. Your palms should be facing inwards.
2. Extend your arms out in front of you so that they are at right angles to the bench. Keep your legs stationary but with pressure on the balls of our feet and toes. This is the start position.
3. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, move the weights  away from each other  in an arcing motion exhaling as you do so.
4. Continue expanding your arms until they are parallel to the floor.
5. Hold and squeeze your shoulder blades together
6. Return to the starting position inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat .

1. Begin by holding a pair of dumbbells and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the dumbbells up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Adjust the cables so that the handles sit at chest height.
2. Grip the handle, across your body in a neutral grip, with both hands.
3. Keeping only a slight bend at your elbow, pull the cable back across your body using the muscles in your back.
4. Hold the flexed position for a full second before allowing the cable to pull you slowly back to the starting position.

1. Adjust the seat on the Rear Delt Machine so that your chest is against the padding and the handles are at shoulder level. Tighten your core throughout the movement.
2. Holding on to the handles in front of you, engage your rear delt muscles (back of the shoulder). Pull the weight, focusing all of the tension in your shoulder muscles.
3. Pause when the handles are at your sides then slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow the plate to touch the weight stack.

1. Begin by holding a pair of water bottles and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the water bottles up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the water bottles to the starting position.

1. Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand using an overhand grip.
2. Your arms should be fully extended and your feet shoulder width apart. This is the starting position.
3. Keeping your upper arms stationary and your back straight, curl the weights up towards your shoulders exhaling as you do so. Use only your forearms for this movement.
4. Continue curling the dumbbells up until they are at shoulder level and your biceps are fully contracted.
5. Hold for a count of one as you squeeze your biceps..
6. Return to the starting position in a smooth arc, inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat.

Do not swing your hips or arms to use momentum for this exercise. This exercise can be performed using a barbell, straight bar or E-Z bar attachment connected to the low pulley of a cable station.

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Let your arms hang by your side with your palms facing in to the side of your body.
3. Keep your elbows close to your sides.
4. Curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders. Do not swing your hips to get the weight moving.
5. Continue raising the dumbbells until they are level with your shoulders with your palms facing in. Your forearm should be in a vertical position.
6. Squeeze or flex your bicep and hold for a count of one.
7. Slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
8. Repeat.

You can also perform this exercise by alternating between left and right arms or one arm at a time.

1. Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Let your arms hang by your side with your palms facing in to the side of your body.
3. Keep your elbows close to your sides.
4. Curl the water bottles up towards your shoulders. Do not swing your hips to get the weight moving.
5. Continue raising the water bottles until they are level with your shoulders with your palms facing in. Your forearm should be in a vertical position.
6. Squeeze or flex your bicep and hold for a count of one.
7. Slowly lower the water bottles to the starting position.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Holding the handles of the band in each hand, tighten your abdominals and straighten your lower back. Keep your chest up and gaze forward.
3. Using an underhand grip or hammer fist grip, slowly pull the band towards your shoulders. Keep your upper arm in place, moving only your forearms.
4. Once you reach the top of the movement, pause, and slowly lower the band to the starting position. Do not lock out your elbows.

1. Sit on a pec deck machine with your back flat against the back rest.
2. Grip the handles and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor. If not parallel,adjust the seat or handles accordingly. This is the start position.
3. Exhale and slowly push the handles together  squeezing your chest to the middle as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
4. Inhale as you return to the starting position in a controlled movement.
5. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using an exercise band or pulleys. There are a variety of  different machines with different placement of your forearms. With these,  place your forearms on the pad, with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. Perform the exercise by squeezing your elbows together.

• Holding a pair of dumbbells, sit on a flat bench and slowly lower yourself back.
• Keep a tight core as you push the dumbbells above your chest. The dumbbells will be facing one another and held together.
• With a slight bend in the elbow, open up your chest and slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides.
• When the dumbbells are parallel with the ground, pause, and return to the starting position.

1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
7. Repeat.

1. Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
3. Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
4. Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
5. As you push the weights up, move your arms in an arc to bring the dumbbells together, until they meet over the center of your chest. Hold for a count of one.
6. Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
7. Continue lowering your arms until they are a little lower than parallel to the floor. (Your elbows should be pointing slightly towards the floor and you should feel a stretch in your chest muscles and shoulders.)
8. Repeat

Be sure to concentrate on a balanced movement when lifting the dumbbells. Use both arms equally spaced and moving at the same speed.

1. Position yourself with your back down on a flat bench placing the hands up on the bar using an underhand grip slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
2. After taking a deep breath in, extend the elbows and lift the bar up off the rack until elbows are extended but not locked. Pause for a brief movement as you fully extend your breath.
3. Lower the weight directly down to the chest as you breath inwards, keeping the movement pattern slow and steady.
4. Once just above the chest, pause, and then press directly up again, exhaling your breath.
5. Continue until all reps are completed and then re-rack the barbell.

1. Sit on the seat with your upper chest just above the horizontal handles.
2. Push the foot lever until you are able to grasp the lever.
3. Gras the handles using a wide overhand grip and place your elbows out to the sides just below your shoulders.
4. Release the foot lever and press the hand lever out until your arms are fully extended.
5. Return the weight until your chest muscles are slightly stretched.

1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.

1. Place a pair of water bottles on the floor. Lie on your back in between the water bottles. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
2. Grab the water bottles and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the water bottles over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
3. Slowly bring the water bottles down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.

1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
2. Place your right knee on the end of the bench.
3. Bend your torso from the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, while placing your right hand on the bench in front of you for support.
4. With your left hand, pick up the dumbbell with an overhand grip. The palm of your hand should be facing into you.
5. Keep your lower back straight. This is the start position.
6. Using your back muscles, pull the dumbbell straight up to the side of your chest, keeping your upper arm close to your side. Exhale as you do so.
7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so. Repeat.
9. Complete all repetitions for one side before switching sides.

This exercise can be performed  using a cable station, with a stirrup handle attached to either the high or low pulley.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of dumbbells at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the dumbbells up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the dumbbells to the starting point.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a braced core and flat back throughout.
3. Leading with your elbows, pull the handles of the resistance band back, bringing your shoulder blades closer together. Hold this contraction and slowly release to the starting position.

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a pair of water bottles at your side with an overhand grip. Bend slightly at the knees as you push your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Upper body should be almost parallel with the floor.
2. With your elbows at a 60-degree angle, bring the water bottles up. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor. Contract the muscle then slowly return the water bottles to the starting point.

1. Attach a straight bar to the low pulley on the cable station.
2. Stand facing the station with your feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
3. Grip the bar with an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
4. Keep your shoulders back.
5. Raise the bar straight up in one smooth movement, until it is just below your chin.
6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps and forearms.
7. Slowly lower to the start position and repeat.

1. Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
2. The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
3. Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
4. Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
5. As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
6. Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
7. Continue  lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
8. Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
9. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.

1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand,stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. The dumbbells should be resting on your thighs with your palms facing in.
3. Lift the dumbbells straight up in single smooth movement until they are just below your chin making sure to keep your shoulders back and your elbows out.
4. At the top of the movement, flex or squeeze your biceps and forearms. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the starting position slowly to keep tension on the muscles.
6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a barbell,EZ bar or a cable station with a straight bar or EZ bar attachment.

1. Stand tall facing a pulley that has been adjusted to higher than head-height.
2. Attach a rope or dual handles to the pulley and grab hold of each end with your palms facing your head.
3. Engage your abs and pull the weight towards your face. Separate your hands as you pull.

Try to keep your arms parallel to the floor.

1. Connect a V-bar attachment to the low pulley on a cable station or cable rowing machine.
2.  Sit down at the station and place your feet on the foot pads or crossbar provided, while keeping your knees slightly bent.
3. Lean forward, keeping your back straight and grip the V-bar handles with both hands.
4. Keeping your arms fully extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs.
5. Your back should be slightly arched, with your chest should be pushed out. This is the start position.
6. Keeping your torso stationary, pull the handles back towards you while squeezing your back muscles.
7. Keep your arms close to your sides until your hands reach your abdomen. Exhale as you perform this movement.
8. Hold for a count of one.
9. Inhale as you return to the start position in a smooth movement.
10. Repeat.

Do not swing or rock back and forth as you perform this exercise. Doing so can cause lower back injury. <strong></strong> You can perform this exercise using a straight bar instead of a V-Bar. You can use an underhand or overhand grip.

1. Attach a V-bar / Triangle Bar to the Lat Pulldown machine. Sit on the bench and make sure your knees are secure. Reach up and grab the V-bar with an overhand grip. Be sure to brace your core.
2. Begin the movement by leaning back slightly while pulling down on the V-bar. Be sure to engage your middle back during the movement.
3. Once the V-bar is at your chest, pause, contract the muscle, and slowly release to the starting position.

1. Stand with your back straight, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
2. Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
3. Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
5. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
6.  Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
7. Repeat.

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1. Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
2. Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
3. Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
4. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
5. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.

1. Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
2. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
3. Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.

1. Sit on a bench with back support.
2. Grip a dumbbell at one end using both hands. Your palms should be facing inward.
3. Hold the dumbbell overhead with your arms fully extended.  This is the the start position.
4. Keep your upper arms close to your head (biceps roughly level with your temples) and near to 90degrees to the floor.
5. Moving only your forearms, lower the dumbbell in a smooth arc behind your head until your forearms and biceps touch. Hold for a count of one.
6. Return to the start position by using the triceps to extend your arm and raise the dumbbell. Exhale as you do this.
7. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed standing. However, it places an extra strain on your back so is not recommended for people with lower back problems. You can also perform this exercise using an EZ bar or straight bar with a close grip behind your head, palms facing forward.

1. Attach a rope to the bottom pulley of a cable station.
2. Grip the rope with both hands using a neutral grip. Turn your body away from the cable station.
3. Fully extend your arms until your hands are directly above your head pointing to the ceiling.
4. Keep your elbows  close to your head. This is the start position.
5. Slowly lower the rope behind your head, keeping your upper arms stationary, inhaling as you do so.
6. When your triceps are fully extended, hold for a count of one while squeezing your triceps.
7. Return to the starting position by flexing your triceps  and extending your arms. Exhale as you do so.
8. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed  seated on a plain bench, or one that has a back support You  can also use a single dumbbell instead of the rope.

1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
2. Push the handles of the band overhead while keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Brace your abdominals and do not arch your back.
3. Slowly lower your hands behind your head using only the forearms. The upper arms will stay in place with the elbow pointed up.
4. Push the handles back up, focusing the tension in the triceps.

1. Sit on a military press bench or bench that has a back support, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Place the dumbbells on top of your thighs with your palms facing down.
3. Raise the dumbbells to your shoulders.
4. Rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing away from you. This is the start position.
5. As you exhale,  push the dumbbells up and over your head by extending your arms until the dumbbells touch at the top of the movement.
6. Pause for a count of one.
7. Slowly return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed standing or sitting on  flat bench. For people with lower back problems, the version described is better.

1. Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand straight, with your feet shoulder width apart.
2. Raise the water bottles to head height by rotating your arms forward and up.
3. Your triceps should be parallel to the floor and your elbows bent at 90 degrees. This is the start position.
4. Keeping your back straight and using only your arms, extend through your shoulders and elbows to drive the water bottles straight up, exhaling as you do so.
5. As your arms reach the fully extended position, bring them in towards each other until the water bottles touch lightly together.
6. Hold for a count of one, while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
7. In a controlled movement, return to the starting position, inhaling as you do so.
8. Repeat.

1. Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
2. Press the handles of the resistance band up and stop once your upper arms are parallel with the ground, making a scarecrow formation. The band should be behind your arms.
3. Slowly press the resistance band overhead. Do not lock out the elbows. Lower to the starting position and begin again.

1. Lie face down on a mat, with your arms fully extended above your head and your legs fully extended behind you.
2. Lift your chest, arms and legs off the floor by arching your back. Only the tops of your quads and your lower abdomen should be in contact with the floor.
3. Hold for a count of 2 while squeezing your abdominals and obliques.
4. Return to the starting position for a count of one, then repeat.

This exercise can be done using one arm and it's opposite leg at a time. For example, right arm and left leg raised while your left arm and right leg remain on the floor. This method of execution allows you to use the free hand to push down on the floor to lift your chest higher from the ground.

1. Lie face down on a hyper extension bench with your upper thighs and lower hips on the support pad. You must be able to bend at the waist freely.
2. Lock your ankles under the footpads.
3. Start with your body in a straight line head to toe.
4. Place your arms across your chest, behind or at the side of your head.
5. Slowly bend forward by relacing your, back and abdominal muscles.
6. Continue as far as possible without rounding your back or raising your thighs from the support pad. You should feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings.Hold for a count of one.
7. Return to the start position by contracting your back and abdominal muscles until your body is once again straight. Do not arch your back up at the end of the movement. Pause and repeat.

As your strength and flexibility increase, you can hold a weight plate against your chest for extra resistance.

1. Lie prone on a swiss ball with your feet hip width apart. You can place your feet against a wall for better stability. Clasp your hands behind your head with elbows pointing out.
2. Engage your abs and raise your torso off the ball, hyperextending your spine.
3. Return your torso to the ball to the starting position.