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Ultimate Arms Dumbbell Workout

9 min
 · 
6 exercises
Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
10 reps
Upright Dumbbell Rows
3 sets
10 reps
Front Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
10 reps
Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
3 sets
10 reps
Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
3 sets
10 reps
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extensions
3 sets
8 reps
This Ultimate Arms Dumbbell Workout 9 min-minute gym workout plan effectively targets your arms, back 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 6 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Ultimate Arms Dumbbell Workout
9 min
 · 
6 exercises
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Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
10 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  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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Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Neck & Upper Traps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  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.
Upright Dumbbell Rows
3 sets
10 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Neck & Upper Traps
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.
Front Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
10 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  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!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  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.
Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
3 sets
10 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
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):
Chest, Shoulders
Secondary:
Triceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  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.
Single Arm Dumbbell Bench Rows
3 sets
10 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.
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extensions
3 sets
8 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders
  1. Lie flat on your back on a bench and position your feet flat on the floor on either side of the bench.
  2. With a dumbbell in each hand, extend your arms over head until fully extended. Your palms should face one another and your hands should be close together.
  3. Bend the elbows and lower the weights to either side of your head.
  4. Extend your arms to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Holding a preacher curl barbell with an overhand grip, carefully sit on a bench. Slowly lie back and bring the barbell above your head. Make sure that your feet are flat on the floor and your core is braced.
  2. Keep the upper arms in place as you bend at the elbow and allow the forearms to slowly dip back towards your head.
  3. Once the barbell reaches the bottom, pause and slowly push the barbell back to the starting position.
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
Secondary:
Abs
  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.

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