At Home: Arms Workout

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 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. Stand straight holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Hold the dumbbells in in front of your thighs with your palms of the facing your thighs. Keep your arms fully extended. This is the start position.
3. Raise the left dumbbell out and upwards, while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Your palms must always face down for this exercise.
4. Continue raising the dumbbell until you arm is a little above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you are raising the dumbbell.
5. Pause for a count of one.
6. Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbell to the start position.
7. As you lower the left dumbbell, begin to lift the right dumbbell, duplicating the movement.
8. When both dumbbells have been raised and lowered in a cycle, that is one repetition.
9. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using both arms at the same time and also by substituting a barbell for the two dumbbells.

1. Holding the handle of a resistance band in each hand, step on the middle of the band with both feet. Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
2. Begin by lifting your hands straight up in front of you with an overhand grip. Be sure to keep a slight bend in the elbows at all times.
3. Pause at the top to feel the contraction then slowly lower the bands to the starting position.

1. Place a light-weighted barbell in front of you at your shins.
2. Squat down into position, driving your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Place your hands in an overhand grip on the barbell.
3. Stand up with a tight core and flat back. Keeping a slight bend in the elbows, raise the bar up and in front of you. Pause when your arms are parallel with the ground.
4. Slowly lower the barbell to your hip. Repeat the movement.

1. Sit on a bench/chair with your back straight and your arms straight along your sides with the dumbbells help in an overhand grip.
2. Bring both dumbbells up in front of your body, keeping only a slight bend at your elbow.
3. Raise the dumbbells until they are both at about eye level and be sure to brace your core and keep your back supported by the bench/chair.  
4. Lower the dumbbells back down to your sides, and prepare for that next rep!

1. Stand tall with a tight core and flat back. Hold a weight plate, dumbbell or kettlebell with both hands in front of your hips. Be sure to use an overhand grip. You can also use a resistance band secured under your feet. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
2. With a slight bend in the elbows, raise the weight plate up and in front of you. Pause and squeeze the shoulders when you reach chest level.
3. Slowly lower the plate to the starting position, immediately moving into the next repetition.

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 bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
2. Bend forward at the hips while maintaining a tight core and flat back. Keep your gaze at the ground. Be sure to maintain this position along with a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
3. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
4. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.

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. 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 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. 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. 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>

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.

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.

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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 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. 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. Place a light-weighted barbell in front of you at your shins.
2. Squat down into position, driving your hips back. Keep your chest and head up. Place your hands in an overhand grip on the barbell.
3. Stand up with a tight core and flat back. Keeping a slight bend in the elbows, raise the bar up and in front of you. Pause when your arms are parallel with the ground.
4. Slowly lower the barbell to your hip. Repeat the movement.

1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced.
2. Begin by lifting the dumbbells in front of you. Keep the abdominals contracted as you raise the dumbbells. Feel the contraction in the shoulder muscles.
3. Once the dumbbells reach shoulder height, pause and slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.

1. Stand straight holding a water bottle in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Hold the water bottles in front of your thighs with your palms of the facing your thighs. Keep your arms fully extended. This is the start position.
3. Raise the left water bottle out and upwards, while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Your palms must always face down for this exercise.
4. Continue raising the water bottle until your arm is a little above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you are raising the water bottle.
5. Pause for a count of one.
6. Inhale and slowly lower the water bottle to the start position.
7. As you lower the left water bottle, begin to lift the right water bottle, duplicating the movement.
8. When both water bottles have been raised and lowered in a cycle, that is one repetition.
9. Repeat.

1. Holding the handle of a resistance band in each hand, step on the middle of the band with both feet. Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
2. Begin by lifting your hands straight up in front of you with an overhand grip. Be sure to keep a slight bend in the elbows at all times.
3. Pause at the top to feel the contraction then slowly lower the bands to the starting position.

1. Stand straight, your feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in your left hand with your palm facing in to your body.
2. Place your right hand on your waist, palm facing in. This is the start position.
3. Keeping your back and head straight, bend only from your waist to the right. Inhale as you bend.
4. Continue as far as possible, then hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position, exhaling as you do so.
6. Repeat the movement this time bending to the left and returning to the start position.
7. Complete all repetitions holding the dumbbell with your left hand before changing hands.

This exercise can be performed with a kettlebell or a plate weight.

1. Lie on a padded surface on your left side. Stack your legs and bring your right hand behind your head. Lie your left arm in front of you or across your body. Brace your core.
2. Pulling from the obliques, bring your elbow up and towards your feet. Do NOT pull yourself with your hand.
3. Pause and feel the contraction in your obliques then slowly return to the starting position.

1. Place a barbell on the floor and stand facing it with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointing forward and your knees slightly bent. This is the start position.
2. As you exhale, bend at the waist keeping your back straight and knees slightly bent until you feel tension in your hamstrings.
3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip. Your arms should be fully extended with your hands spaced shoulder width apart.
4. Lift the barbell by extending your hips and waist in a smooth action until you have returned to the upright position, inhaling as you do so.
5. Pause for a count of 1-2.
6. Return the barbell to the floor or just above it by repeating step two.
7. Repeat.

This exercise should be avoided by those who suffer from lower back problems. To avoid injury, keep your back and torso straight at all times throughout this movement. This exercise can be performed using dumbbells or a straight bar attached to the low pulley of a cable station.

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.

1. Stand tall with a tight core while holding a pair of dumbbells. Keeping your chest up and your gaze straight ahead, shift all of your bodyweight to your left foot. Bend the right knee, allowing the right foot to lift off the ground.
2. Maintaining a flat back, tilt your upper body forward. Do not allow the dumbbells to pull you down. Control your descent. Simultaneously, allow the right foot to counterbalance the shift in weight.
3. Feel the contraction in your hamstrings and pause once your upper body is parallel with the ground. Slowly return to the starting position.

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.