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Upper Body Functional Workout for Seniors

28 min
 · 
9 exercises
This upper-body functional workout is designed to mimic the common movements you use in daily life. Doing this routine once a week will not only make those everyday tasks feel easier but will also help you build the confidence in taking on new day-to-day challenges. You've got this!
Double Arm Front Raises to Overhead Extension
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Begin by loosening up those shoulder, chest, and upper-back muscles. Nice and slowly does it.
0:30 rest
Open Scarecrows
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Perform these at a relaxed speed and never pivot past the line of your body.
0:30 rest
Wall Push-Ups
2 sets
8 reps
30 sec rest
Lower yourself slowly to the wall before driving yourself away. If in need of an extra challenge, try this with one arm!
0:30 rest
Dumbbell Floor Chest Press
3 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
There's no need to go too heavy here! Your primary goal is to exercise the full range of motion, just make sure you have something comfortable to lay on!
1:00 rest
Standing Two-Armed Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
3 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
Again, exercise that full range of motion. If this causes any disturbance in your lower back, you can use a bench for support.
1:00 rest
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
Reduce the amount of resistance used here and train those biceps and shoulders! Keep a slight bend at your knee at all times.
1:00 rest
Farmer's Walk
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Use the weight used for the chest press and take a short, 30-second stroll!
1:00 rest
Knee Plank Reaches
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Place something comfortable under your knees here and aim to complete at least 6 reps in total per set!
0:30 rest
Double Arm Lateral Raises to Overhead Extension
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Close out today's routine with some light shoulder mobility to close!
This Upper Body Functional Workout for Seniors 28 min gym workout plan effectively targets your core, upper back, abs and back.... 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 9 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Upper Body Functional Workout for Seniors
28 min
 · 
9 exercises
This upper-body functional workout is designed to mimic the common movements you use in daily life. Doing this routine once a week will not only make those everyday tasks feel easier but will also help you build the confidence in taking on new day-to-day challenges. You've got this!
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Double Arm Front Raises to Overhead Extension
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Begin by loosening up those shoulder, chest, and upper-back muscles. Nice and slowly does it.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand with your back straight, your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms hanging naturally by your sides
  2. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift your hands up and out in front of you until they reach your shoulder level, exhale as you do so
  3. Lightly squeeze your shoulder muscles at this position, and then continue to elevate your arms until they are outstretched overhead
  4. Hold briefly and then gently lower your arms back to the starting position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so
Rest
0:00
next up
Open Scarecrows
Next
Open Scarecrows
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Perform these at a relaxed speed and never pivot past the line of your body.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand strong, with your feet grounded placed at shoulder-width apart, while maintaining a tight core and flat back, pull your arms out and upwards away from your sides, leading with your elbows.
  2. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor, and your hands are hanging down towards the floor with a 90-degree bend at the elbow joint. 
  3. Slowly rotate your upper arm bringing your hands forward, keeping the same angle bend at the elbow.
  4. Continue to rotate bringing your hands up so that they are above your shoulders and next to your head.
  5. Pause and then slowly return to the starting position.
Rest
0:00
next up
Wall Push-Ups
Next
Wall Push-Ups
2 sets
8 reps
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Lower yourself slowly to the wall before driving yourself away. If in need of an extra challenge, try this with one arm!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest, Triceps
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Stand in front of a wall, extend your arms out to measure the correct distance. Brace your core and place your hands against the wall.
  2. Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
  3. Pause once your upper arms form a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscles and push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Triceps
  1. Stand in front of a wall, extend your arms out to measure the correct distance. Brace your core and place one hand against the wall.
  2. Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
  3. Pause once your working arm forms a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscle and push yourself back up to the starting position.
  4. Repeat using the opposite arm.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower 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. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Rest
0:00
next up
Dumbbell Floor Chest Press
Next
Dumbbell Floor Chest Press
3 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
There's no need to go too heavy here! Your primary goal is to exercise the full range of motion, just make sure you have something comfortable to lay on!
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.
Rest
0:00
next up
Standing Two-Armed Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
Next
Standing Two-Armed Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
3 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Again, exercise that full range of motion. If this causes any disturbance in your lower back, you can use a bench for support.
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):
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):
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.
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.
Rest
0:00
next up
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
Next
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Reduce the amount of resistance used here and train those biceps and shoulders! Keep a slight bend at your knee at all times.
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure your core is tight and your chest is up. Begin by curling the weight up towards your shoulders. Keep your upper arms tight at your sides.
  2. Once the dumbbells reach your shoulders, twist the dumbbells to have your palms face out. Now, drive the dumbbells overhead.
  3. Slowly, lower the dumbbells to your shoulders. Now, flip them back so your palms are facing you. With arms tight at your sides, lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
Rest
0:00
next up
Farmer's Walk
Next
Farmer's Walk
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Use the weight used for the chest press and take a short, 30-second stroll!
Primary muscle group(s):
Forearms, Neck & Upper Traps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells or kettlebells at your feet. Brace your core and keep your chest up as you kneel down. Pick the dumbbells up, maintaining your form and keeping your gaze straight ahead.
  2. Standing up, walk forward in a straight line, holding the dumbbells at your sides.
  3. The trick is to use very heavy dumbbells. Walk as far as you can then set the weights down. Take a short break and repeat going back the other way.
Rest
0:00
next up
Knee Plank Reaches
Next
Knee Plank Reaches
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Place something comfortable under your knees here and aim to complete at least 6 reps in total per set!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Lower Back
Secondary:
Shoulders
  1. Get into a face-down position on the floor supporting your upper body on your forearms. Your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, supporting yourself on your knees, with your feet elevated behind you.
  3. Keep your body in a straight line by tightening your abdominal and oblique muscles.
  4. When feeling secure, slowly lift one forearm off the floor while transferring the weight to your grounded forearm.
  5. Straighten the now-elevated arm out in front of you, reaching forward with your fingertips.
  6. Bring the elevated arm back in and to the floor, redistribute your weight, and repeat on the other side.
Rest
0:00
next up
Double Arm Lateral Raises to Overhead Extension
Next
Double Arm Lateral Raises to Overhead Extension
2 sets
15 secs
15 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Close out today's routine with some light shoulder mobility to close!
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand with your back straight, your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms hanging naturally by your sides
  2. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift your hands out to your sides and up until they reach your shoulder level, exhale as you do so
  3. Lightly squeeze your shoulder muscles at this position, and then continue to elevate your arms until they are outstretched overhead
  4. Hold briefly and then gently lower your arms back to the starting position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 9
Total time
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  • Mon, Aug 4
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