Upper Body Workout

11 min

6 exercises

Dumbbell Bicep Reverse Curls

3 sets

15 reps

Standing Bicep Cable Curls

3 sets

15 reps

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns

3 sets

10 reps

Dumbbell Flat Bench Press

3 sets

10 reps

Dumbbell Pullovers

3 sets

10 reps

Seated Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises

3 sets

10 reps

This Upper Body Workout 11 min-minute gym workout plan effectively targets your arms, back, chest 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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Upper Body Workout

11 min

6 exercises

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Dumbbell Bicep Reverse Curls

3 sets

15 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Forearms

Secondary:

Biceps

Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand using an overhand grip.
Your arms should be fully extended and your feet shoulder width apart. This is the starting position.
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.
Continue curling the dumbbells up until they are at shoulder level and your biceps are fully contracted.
Hold for a count of one as you squeeze your biceps..
Return to the starting position in a smooth arc, inhaling as you do so.
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.

Primary muscle group(s):

Biceps

Secondary:

Abs, Forearms

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

Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
Let your arms hang by your side with your palms facing in to the side of your body.
Keep your elbows close to your sides.
Curl the water bottles up towards your shoulders. Do not swing your hips to get the weight moving.
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.
Squeeze or flex your bicep and hold for a count of one.
Slowly lower the water bottles to the starting position.

Primary muscle group(s):

Biceps

Secondary:

Forearms

Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
Holding the handles of the band in each hand, tighten your abdominals and straighten your lower back. Keep your chest up and gaze forward.
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.
Once you reach the top of the movement, pause, and slowly lower the band to the starting position. Do not lock out your elbows.

Standing Bicep Cable Curls

3 sets

15 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Biceps

Secondary:

Abs, Forearms

Set up a cable station with a straight bar attachment connected to the low pulley.
Stand close to the station, feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
Grip the bar with a shoulder width underhand grip.
Keep your elbows close to your sides.
Curls your arms upward from the elbows in a smooth arc.
Continue until your forearms are vertical with your palms facing your shoulders. Hold for a count of one while flexing your biceps.
Lower the bar back to the starting position in a smooth motion.
Repeat.

Primary muscle group(s):

Biceps

Secondary:

Forearms

Stand straight holding a barbell with an underhand grip, your hands shoulder width apart and your arms fully extended towards the floor.
Keep your elbows close to your sides.Your palms should be facing away from you. This is the start position.
Keeping your upper arms stationary, curl the barbell forward and up in a smooth arcing motion while exhaling. Only your forearms should move.
Continue upwards until the bar is at shoulder level with your biceps fully contracted. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
Inhale as you return to the starting position.
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:

Forearms

Sit on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an underhand grip.
Keep your back straight and shoulders back.
Keep your arms fully extended with your elbows close to your sides.
Rotate your palms so that they are facing in towards you. This is the start position.
Keeping your upper arms upper arm stationary, start to curl the dumbbells upwards in a smooth arc.
As you curl the dumbbells upwards rotate your wrists, so that your palms face in towards you at the end of the movement.
Continue the movement until the dumbbells are at shoulder level and your biceps are fully contracted.
Hold for a count of one as you squeeze your biceps.
return to the start position, rotating your wrists back to an underhand grip position.
Repeat.

This exercise can be performed by alternating between arms.

Primary muscle group(s):

Biceps

Secondary:

Abs, Forearms

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

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

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns

3 sets

10 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats

Secondary:

Abs, Biceps

Set up a cable station with a straight bar attached to the top pulley.
Sit on the seat facing the station. Keep your feet flat and planted firmly on the floor.
Using an overhand grip, hold the bar as wide as comfortable. (Your hands should be about 1 1/2 – 2 times body width apart.)
Lean back slightly without arching your back.
Pull the bar towards the top of your chest using your shoulders while arcing your elbows out to the sides of your body.
At the end of the movement squeeze you shoulders together slightly and hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position by arcing your elbows forward while relaxing your shoulders.
Repeat.

Primary muscle group(s):

Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps

Secondary:

Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders

Standing under a pull-up bar, reach up and hold onto the bar with an overhand grip. Make sure your hands are about twice your shoulder width apart.
Keep your arms straight and hang from the bar so that your arms are taking all of your weight.
Keeping your body straight and not swinging your weight, pull your body up towards the bar by pulling your elbows down towards your torso at an angle.
Continue lifting until your chest is nearly touching the bar. You should feel a “squeeze” at the base of your lats (about midway down your back and to the side) as they contract.
Once your lats have completely contracted at the top of the movement, slowly lower your body to the starting position.
Repeat.

By using a wide grip, your lats are doing most of the lift, rather than your biceps. It doesn't matter if you keep your legs straight or bent at the knees with your feet crossed. The important thing is that you do not use your legs to assist in lifting your body weight. As your strength increases, you can add weight by using a weight belt.

Dumbbell Flat Bench Press

3 sets

10 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Chest

Secondary:

Abs, Shoulders, Triceps

Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
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.
Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
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.)
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

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.
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.
Lower the weight directly down to the chest as you breath inwards, keeping the movement pattern slow and steady.
Once just above the chest, pause, and then press directly up again, exhaling your breath.
Continue until all reps are completed and then re-rack the barbell.

Primary muscle group(s):

Chest

Secondary:

Abs, Shoulders, Triceps

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

Primary muscle group(s):

Chest

Secondary:

Abs, Shoulders, Triceps

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.
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.
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

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.
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.
Slowly bring the water bottles down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.

Dumbbell Pullovers

3 sets

10 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Chest, Upper Back & Lower Traps

Secondary:

Abs, Shoulders, Triceps

Lie with your upper back perpendicular on a bench.
Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor and flex your hips so that your body is in line.
Grasp a dumbbell between your hands under the inner plate, palms facing up.
Position the weight over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.
Keep your elbows bent as you lower the dumbbell over your head until your upper arms are in line with your torso.
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.

Primary muscle group(s):

Abs, Chest, Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps

Secondary:

Biceps, Forearms, Triceps

With slightly bent knees and a tight core, hold a medicine ball in front of you at hip-level.
Begin by raising the medicine ball upward above your head with both hands.
Keeping your elbows bent, forcefully throw the ball at the ground.
Catch the ball as it bounces back up, and bring it back up above your head.
Repeat this slam and catch movement.

Seated Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises

3 sets

10 reps

Set 1 of 3

Rest before next set

Get ready

321GO

Start

Primary muscle group(s):

Shoulders

Secondary:

Neck & Upper Traps

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

Primary muscle group(s):

Shoulders

Sit in the lateral raise machine while keeping your core tight and back flat.
Grab and secure the handles of the machine.
Slowly, extend your arms up and out to the side.
Feel the tension in your shoulders, pause at the top, and slowly return to the starting position.
Do not allow the weight stack to touch.
Repeat the movement.

Primary muscle group(s):

Shoulders

Secondary:

Abs

Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
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.
Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.

Primary muscle group(s):

Shoulders

Hold one dumbbell at each side of your body. Keep your back straight and your knees ever-so-slightly bent.
Raise one dumbbell out to the side, keeping your arm slightly bent. Once the dumbbell reaches the same level as your ear slowly lower it back down to the starting position.
Repeat the same movement on the opposite side.

Workout done!

Exercises done

of 6

Total time

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