This beginner senior upper body functional workout mimics everyday movements to build strength and confidence for daily life. Do this once a week and feel the difference! Dumbbell-based, beginner-friendly, and built for real-world upper body strength. You\'ve got this!
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!
Close out today\'s routine with some light shoulder mobility to close!
About this workout
Beginner Senior Upper Body Functional Workout is a free 28 min workout plan with 9 illustrated exercises for your core, upper back, abs and back. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
You'll need dumbbells for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.
How long does the Beginner Senior Upper Body Functional Workout take?
The full workout takes about 28 minutes, covering 9 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
Yes – this is a beginner-friendly workout. Every exercise includes an illustration and step-by-step instructions, so you can learn proper form as you go. Start with lighter weights and focus on technique.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your shoulders, chest, triceps, lower back, biceps, forearms. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
This beginner senior upper body functional workout mimics everyday movements to build strength and confidence for daily life. Do this once a week and feel the difference! Dumbbell-based, beginner-friendly, and built for real-world upper body strength. You\'ve got this!
Auto-advanceStart exercises automatically after a 5-second delay
Stand with your back straight, your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms hanging naturally by your sides
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
Lightly squeeze your shoulder muscles at this position, and then continue to elevate your arms until they are outstretched overhead
Hold briefly and then gently lower your arms back to the starting position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so
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.
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.
Slowly rotate your upper arm bringing your hands forward, keeping the same angle bend at the elbow.
Continue to rotate bringing your hands up so that they are above your shoulders and next to your head.
Pause and then slowly return to the starting position.
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.
Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
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
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.
Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
Pause once your working arm forms a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscle and push yourself back up to the starting position.
Repeat using the opposite arm.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
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.
Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
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!
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.
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.
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
Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
Place your right knee on the end of the bench.
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.
With your left hand, pick up the dumbbell with an overhand grip. The palm of your hand should be facing into you.
Keep your lower back straight. This is the start position.
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.
At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
Return to the start position inhaling as you do so. Repeat.
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
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.
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
Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a braced core and flat back throughout.
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.
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.
Once the dumbbells reach your shoulders, twist the dumbbells to have your palms face out. Now, drive the dumbbells overhead.
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.
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.
Standing up, walk forward in a straight line, holding the dumbbells at your sides.
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.
Stand with your back straight, your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms hanging naturally by your sides
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
Lightly squeeze your shoulder muscles at this position, and then continue to elevate your arms until they are outstretched overhead
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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