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Chest & Back

12 min
 · 
6 exercises
Incline Barbell Bench Chest Press
3 sets
12 reps
Dumbbell Flat Bench Press
3 sets
12 reps
Bent Over Barbell Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Straight Arm Pulldowns
3 sets
12 reps
Triceps Dips
3 sets
12 reps
Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
3 sets
12 reps
This Chest & Back 12 min-minute gym workout plan effectively targets your arms, back and chest. 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 6 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Chest & Back
12 min
 · 
6 exercises
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Incline Barbell Bench Chest Press
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Set up an incline bench in front of a weight rack, making sure you adjust the incline to a comfortable position. The back of the bench should be facing the weight stack.
  2. Sit on the bench placing your back firmly against the backrest.
  3. Using an overhand grip, grasp the bar with your hands spaced about twice your shoulder width apart.
  4. Lift the bar from the rack by pushing up with your chest muscles and hold it straight over your chest with your arms fully extended. This is the start position.
  5. As you inhale, lower the barbell slowly until it touches your upper chest.
  6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your chest muscles.
  7. Return to the start position as you exhale, pushing the bar using your chest muscles. Hold for a count of one.
  8. Repeat.

If you are new at this exercise, you should use a spotter. If there is no-one available to spot for you, be conservative with the amount of weight you use. Do not let the bar drift too far forward. The bar to should touch down on your chest only. When performing this exercise, you should use a 2:1:1 count. That is a count of two on the downward movement. A count of one to hold and squeeze.a count of one for the upward movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Set up a bench or stable elevated surface. Begin with both hands on the bench at shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width.
  2. Place your feet straight behind you while you tighten your abs and engage the hips. Your hips should not dip or elevate too high during the movement.
  3. Slowly lower yourself towards the bench. Once your upper arms are parallel with the floor, pause, and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Facing down, place yourself on the ground with your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Place your feet on top of a bench or box. Only your toes and balls of your feet should be touching the floor.
  3. Maintain a flat back and tight core before lowering your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms. Do not lock out your elbows.
  5. Repeat.
Dumbbell Flat Bench Press
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Shoulders, Triceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Triceps
  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.
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.
Straight Arm Pulldowns
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Keep the lower back straight and the core tight. Reach up and grab a pull-down bar with a wide grip.
  2. Keeping your arms straight with a very slight bend in the elbow, pull the bar down to your hips. Breathe out and flex your lats as you do so.
  3. Pause and slowly return to the top of the movement. Do not let the weight rest against the stack. Repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Lie on a flat bench, holding a barbell on your chest with an overhand grip. (Your hands should be shoulder width apart)
  2. Get into starting position, raising the bar above your chest by extending your arms, but do NOT lock your elbows.
  3. Keeping your arms slightly bent, slower lower the weight in a smooth arc to a position behind your head by rotating your shoulders. (as if putting your hands in the air)
  4. Keep moving the barbell behind your head until you feel a slight stretch in your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position in a smooth revers arc.
  6. Continue holding the weight above your chest, then repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Lie with your upper back perpendicular on a bench.
  2. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor and flex your hips so that your body is in line.
  3. Grasp a dumbbell between your hands under the inner plate, palms facing up.
  4. Position the weight over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.
  5. Keep your elbows bent as you lower the dumbbell over your head until your upper arms are in line with your torso.
  6. To return to the starting position, pull the dumbbell up and over your chest.

Try to avoid raising your hips and maintain a small bend in your elbows throughout the movement.

Triceps Dips
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Chest, Forearms, Shoulders
  1. Standing between the bars of a dip station, grip the bars with an overhand grip,keeping your elbows tucked in close to your body.
  2. Allow your body weigh to hang so it is being supported by your arms and shoulders. Keep your hips straight.
  3. Push down through your palms with your arms, lifting your body up until your arms are almost straight. (Do not lock your elbows)
  4. Lower your body by slowly bending your elbows and continue down until you feel a slight stretch in your shoulders.
  5. Pause, then push yourself back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat.

By keeping your back straight and not leaning forward, you will work your triceps harder.If you wish to work on your chest leaning forward puts more emphasis on your pecs. As your strength increases, you can add weight by using a dip belt.

Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Chest
  1. Begin by using the weight stack to offset your bodyweight on an Assisted Dip machine. Now, position your knees securely on the padded surface while holding on to the bars on either side of you.
  2. Before lowering yourself, make sure that your core is tight and that your elbows are pointing directly behind you. Slowly, lower yourself until your upper arms are parallel with the floor.
  3. Push yourself back to the starting position and squeeze your triceps at the top. Lower yourself again slowly for the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
  1. Sit at the Triceps Dip machine but make sure to brace your core throughout the movement. Place your hands on the bar with your elbows pointing behind you. Your arms will make a 90 degree angle.
  2. Slowly push down on the bars, focusing all the movement in your triceps.
  3. When you reach the bottom, pause and do not lock out your elbows. Slowly return to the starting position but do not let the weight touch the stack.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Shoulders
  1. Sit on a chair with your hands either next to your hips or slightly under the hips.
  2. Lift up onto your hands and bring your hips forward.
  3. Bend your elbows and lower your hips down, keeping shoulders down and hips close to the chair.
  4. Push back up but don’t lock your elbows and repeat.
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.
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