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Arms/shoulders/back

18 min
 · 
10 exercises
Barbell Curls
3 sets
12 reps
Standing Dumbbell Bicep Hammer Curls
3 sets
12 reps
Barbell Deadlifts
3 sets
12 reps
Bent Over Barbell Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Swiss Ball Back Extensions
3 sets
12 secs
Tricep Dumbbell Kickbacks
3 sets
12 reps
Barbell Clean and Press
3 sets
12 reps
Dumbbell Squat Thrusters
3 sets
12 reps
Swiss Ball Dumbbell Shoulder Press
3 sets
12 reps
This Arms/shoulders/back 18 min-minute gym workout plan effectively targets your arms, back, legs and shoulders. Easily follow this workout with confidence on your phone or printable exercise program with our clear exercise demonstrations. You can also look up step-by-step instructions for each of the 10 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Arms/shoulders/back
18 min
 · 
10 exercises
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Barbell Curls
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Stand straight holding a barbell with an underhand grip, your hands shoulder width apart and your arms fully extended towards the floor.
  2. Keep your elbows close to your sides.Your palms should be facing away from you. This is the start position.
  3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, curl the barbell forward and up in a smooth arcing motion while exhaling. Only your forearms should move.
  4. Continue upwards until  the bar is at shoulder level with your biceps fully contracted. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
  5. Inhale as you return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a cable station, with a straight bar attachment connected to the lower pulley.<em><strong> </strong></em>

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Sit on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand  with an underhand grip.
  2. Keep your back straight and shoulders back.
  3. Keep your arms fully extended with your elbows close to your sides.
  4. Rotate your palms so that they are facing in towards you. This is the start position.
  5. Keeping your upper arms upper arm stationary, start to curl the dumbbells upwards in a smooth arc.
  6. As you curl the dumbbells upwards rotate your wrists, so that your palms  face in towards you at the end of the movement.
  7. Continue the movement until  the dumbbells are at shoulder level and your biceps are fully contracted.
  8. Hold for a count of one as you squeeze your biceps.
  9. return to the start position, rotating your wrists back to an underhand grip position.
  10. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed by alternating between arms.

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  1. Set up a cable station with a straight bar attachment connected to the low pulley.
  2. Stand close to the station, feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
  3. Grip the bar with a shoulder width underhand grip.
  4. Keep your elbows close to your sides.
  5. Curls your arms upward from the elbows in a smooth arc.
  6. Continue until your forearms are vertical with your palms facing your shoulders. Hold for a count of one while flexing your biceps.
  7. Lower the bar back to the starting position in a smooth motion.
  8. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  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.
Standing Dumbbell Bicep Hammer Curls
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Stand straight holing a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
  2. Keep your arms fully extended with your palms facing in to your sides.
  3. Keep your elbows tucked in to your sides. This is the start position.
  4. Keeping your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders.
  5. Continue  raising the dumbbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
  6. Hold for a count of one and squeeze your biceps.
  7. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
  8. Repeat.

There are many ways to perform this movement. Other examples include; sitting with or without back support, using alternating arms and also using a cable station's lower pulley.

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Stand at the cable station with your feet shoulder width apart and with a slight bend at the knee.
  2. Grasp the rope with both hands and your palms facing inward.
  3. Keeping your core strong and your elbows fixed at your sides pull the rope towards the top of your chest (only the lower portion of your arms should be moving).
  4. Tense your biceps at the peak, and then slowly allow the rope to be pulled back down to the starting position.
Barbell Deadlifts
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Forearms, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Place a barbell in a clear space on the floor. (Make sure there are no obstructions in your way.
  2. Stand facing the barbell with your legs about 4-6 inches from the bar.
  3. Place your feet shoulder width apart.Your feet can be pointed straight ahead or turned outwards slightly.
  4. Squat down, keeping your back straight and grip the bar with an overhand grip at shoulder width.
  5. Keep your arms fully extended and stand up with the barbell.
  6. As you lift the barbell, your hips and shoulders should rise together and your back should be straight.
  7. As you reach the top of the lift and are standing straight, rotate your shoulders back slightly until you feel a slight stretch in them.
  8. Lower the barbell back to the floor in the same squatting motion you used to lift it.

This exercise can be very dangerous if performed incorrectly. If you are a novice, only perform this exercise with an experienced trainer's supervision.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
  1. Place two dumbbells on the floor.
  2. Stand facing the dumbbells with your feet shoulder width apart.
  3. Bend knees and hips to lower your torso in a squatting movement,keep your back straight.
  4. At the bottom of the squat grip the dumbbells with an overhand grip,keeping your arms fully extended.
  5. Return to an upright position holding the dumbbells with your palms facing towards your body and extending your hips forward. Do not round your back.
  6. Return the dumbbells to the floor in the same manner you picked them up.
  7. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Holding the handles of the resistance band, step on to the middle. Place your feet at shoulder-width with toes pointing forward. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
  2. Bend your knees slightly and drive your hips back but NOT lower than your knees. Again, keep the chest up. This is the starting position.
  3. Forcefully contract your glutes, driving them forward. Do not just lean back. Your glutes should be fully contracted. Pause then return to the starting position.
Bent Over Barbell Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Set up a barbell on the floor and stand facing it with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  2. Bend forward at your waist and grip the barbell with an overhand grip.
  3. Keep your back straight and nearly parallel to the floor.
  4. Keep your head and neck straight. This is the start position.
  5. Without moving your torso, exhale and lift the barbell up towards you.
  6. Keep your elbows close in to your bodyand use your forearms to support the weight.
  7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and sqyeeze your back muscles.
  8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so.

If you suffer from lower back problems, this exercise is not recommended. Always keep your back straight throughout this exercise. This exercise can be performed using an underhand grip to engage the triceps also.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Biceps, Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  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.
Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Biceps
  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.
Swiss Ball Back Extensions
3 sets
12 secs
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Lower Back
  1. Place a loaded barbell in front of you. Position your feet wider than shoulder width. Have your toes pointing out away from the body. Tighten the core and straighten the lower back.
  2. Bend at the knees, lowering your hips down above parallel. Take hold of the barbell with an overhand grip at shoulder width. Focusing the tension in your hamstrings, pull the barbell up. Be sure to keep the barbell close to your body.
  3. Drive your hips forward at the top of the movement. Slowly reverse the movement and lower the barbell while maintaining a flat back.
Tricep Dumbbell Kickbacks
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  1. Start by standing to the right of a flat bench with a dumbbell on the floor to your right.
  2. Place your left knee on the bench with your left hand palm down n the bench in front of it. In this position, keep your back straight.
  3. Pick up the dumbbell with your right hand using an overhand grip.
  4. Raise your arm until it is in line with your body, keeping your elbow tucked into your side and bent to a 90 degree angle. Your forearm should be pointing straight down to the floor.
  5. Extend your arm using your triceps to lift the weight until it is level with your shoulder.
  6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your tricep.
  7. Lower to the starting position by bending your elbow to 90 degrees.Hold and repeat.
  8. Complete the set for your right arm before changing stance to work your left arm.

Only your forearm should move during this exercise. Keep your elbow in line with your shoulders at all times throughout the movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
  1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
  2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the dumbbells back and behind you.
  3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the dumbbells and begin again.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
  1. Attach a resistance band to a door frame or other stable surface. Grab the handles of the band and walk backward until the slack tightens.
  2. Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
  3. Bring your upper arms up and tight to your side. From here, you will pull the band back using the forearms only. The contraction will be felt exclusively in the triceps.
  4. Slowly return to the starting position and begin again.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Holding a pair of water bottles with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
  2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the water bottles back and behind you.
  3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the water bottles and begin again.
Barbell Clean and Press
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Quadriceps
  1. Shoulder-width stance. Tight core and flat back. Bend at the knees and hips. Lower yourself. Arms fully extended. Chest up and gaze straight ahead.
  2. Bring knees in and shoulders up. Drive hips forward. Keep the bar close to your body. Forcefully exhale and perform a full extension of the knees and hips.
  3. Use the momentum to bring elbows high. Rotate your elbows around and under the bar. Rack the bar across the front of your shoulders.
  4. Press the barbell above your head. Lower the bar.
Dumbbell Squat Thrusters
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Neck & Upper Traps, Triceps
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with dumbbells above your shoulders.
  2. Squat down keeping your back flat and your knees over your toes.
  3. Push through your heels to return to standing while pressing the dumbbells overhead with arms fully extended.
  4. Return to starting position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Neck & Upper Traps, Triceps
  1. Clean two kettlebells to your shoulders. Clean the kettlebells to your shoulders by extending through the legs and hips as you pull the kettlebells towards your shoulders. Rotate your wrists as you do so. This will be your starting position.
  2. Begin to squat by flexing your hips and knees, lowering your hips between your legs. Maintain an upright, straight back as you descend as low as you can.
  3. At the bottom, reverse direction and stand by extending your knees and hips and pushing down through your heels. As you do so, press both kettlebells overhead by extending your arms straight up, using the momentum from the squat to help drive the weights upward.
  4. As you begin the next repetition, return the weights to the shoulders.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Lower Back
  • With water bottles at your sides, stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and feet pointing slightly outward. Look straight ahead.
  • Squat down until your upper legs are parallel with the floor by bending your knees, keep your back straight.
  • With an explosive but controlled movement, push up through your heels and press the water bottles above your head as you return to standing position.
  • Still standing, slowly lower the water bottles down to your chest and then down to your sides by extending your arms.
  • Repeat.
Swiss Ball Dumbbell Shoulder Press
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  • Holding a pair of dumbbells, carefully sit and find your balance on a stability ball.
  • Sit up straight and keep your core tight as you lift the dumbbells up to shoulder height. The dumbbells should be horizontal and your palms should be facing forward.
  • Slowly push the dumbbells overhead without locking out your elbow.
  • Pause and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Triceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Triceps
  • Keep a tight core and flat back as you remain seated in the shoulder press machine.
  • Look straight ahead as you hold on to the handles.
  • Slowly, press the handles up above your head.
  • Do not lock out your elbow.
  • Slowly, bring the handles back down but do not let the weight stack touch.
  • Repeat the movement.
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