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V-Shape Upper Body Gym Workout

15 min
 · 
8 exercises
Incline Bench Dumbbell Flyes
3 sets
12 reps
Triceps Dips
3 sets
12 reps
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns
3 sets
12 reps
Seated Machine Flyes
3 sets
12 reps
Inverted Rows
3 sets
12 reps
Front Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
12 reps
Dumbbell Pullovers
3 sets
12 reps
Standing Dumbbell Bicep Hammer Curls
3 sets
12 reps
This V-Shape Upper Body Gym Workout 15 min 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 8 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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V-Shape Upper Body Gym Workout
15 min
 · 
8 exercises
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Incline Bench Dumbbell Flyes
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders
  1. Set up an incline bench at about 30 degrees.
  2. Lie on the bench and hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
  3. Make sure you keep your back flat and your shoulders pushed back
  4. Turn your hands in so that your palms are facing each other, holding the dumbbells over your chest with your elbows slightly bent and pointing outwards. (As if you are hugging someone)
  5. Lower the dumbbells out to the side of your shoulders, while keeping your elbows slightly bent in a smooth arcing motion.
  6. Continue lowering them until you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders. Pause for a count of one.
  7. Bring the dumbbells back to the starting position in the same smooth arc with your elbows slightly bent until the dumbbells are nearly touching.
  8. Repeat
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  • Holding a pair of dumbbells, sit on a flat bench and slowly lower yourself back.
  • Keep a tight core as you push the dumbbells above your chest. The dumbbells will be facing one another and held together.
  • With a slight bend in the elbow, open up your chest and slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides.
  • When the dumbbells are parallel with the ground, pause, and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Sit on a pec deck machine with your back flat against the back rest.
  2. Grip the handles and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor. If not parallel,adjust the seat or handles accordingly. This is the start position.
  3. Exhale and slowly push the handles together  squeezing your chest to the middle as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Inhale as you return to the starting position in a controlled movement.
  5. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using an exercise band or pulleys. There are a variety of  different machines with different placement of your forearms. With these,  place your forearms on the pad, with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. Perform the exercise by squeezing your elbows together.

Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
  2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
  3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
  4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
  5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
  6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
  7. Repeat.
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.
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns
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
  1. Set up a cable station with a straight bar attached to the top pulley.
  2. Sit on the seat facing the station. Keep your feet flat and planted firmly on the floor.
  3. Using an overhand grip, hold the bar as wide as comfortable. (Your hands should be about 1 1/2 – 2 times body width apart.)
  4. Lean back slightly without arching your back.
  5. Pull the bar towards the top of your chest using your shoulders while arcing your elbows out to the sides of your body.
  6. At the end of the movement squeeze you shoulders together slightly and hold for a count of one.
  7. Return to the start position by arcing your elbows forward while relaxing your shoulders.
  8. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
  1. 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.
  2. Keep your arms straight and hang from the bar so that your arms are taking all of your weight.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5.  Once your lats have completely contracted at the top of the movement, slowly lower your body to the starting position.
  6. 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.

Seated Machine Flyes
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Sit on a pec deck machine with your back flat against the back rest.
  2. Grip the handles and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor. If not parallel,adjust the seat or handles accordingly. This is the start position.
  3. Exhale and slowly push the handles together  squeezing your chest to the middle as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Inhale as you return to the starting position in a controlled movement.
  5. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using an exercise band or pulleys. There are a variety of  different machines with different placement of your forearms. With these,  place your forearms on the pad, with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. Perform the exercise by squeezing your elbows together.

Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  • Holding a pair of dumbbells, sit on a flat bench and slowly lower yourself back.
  • Keep a tight core as you push the dumbbells above your chest. The dumbbells will be facing one another and held together.
  • With a slight bend in the elbow, open up your chest and slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides.
  • When the dumbbells are parallel with the ground, pause, and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
  2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
  3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
  4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
  5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
  6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
  7. Repeat.
Inverted 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. Set the bar to your waist height.
  2. Lie on your back under the bar.
  3. Reach up and grip the bar with an overhand grip with both hands.
  4. Keeping your body straight,  pull yourself up towards the bar by pulling your elbows as far back as you can and trying to touch the bar with your chest.
  5. Hold and squeeze your arm and back muscles.
  6. Lower yourself back to the start position in a controlled motion.
  7. Repeat.

For this exercise, you can use a Smith machine bar, an Olympic bar on a rack or any other straight, sturdy bar set to the right height. The lower the bar is to the floor, the more intense it will be due to the starting angles of your arms.

Front Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
3 sets
12 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 Pullovers
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
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.

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.
Standing Dumbbell Bicep Hammer Curls
3 sets
12 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Stand straight holing a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
  2. Keep your arms fully extended with your palms facing in to your sides.
  3. Keep your elbows tucked in to your sides. This is the start position.
  4. Keeping your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders.
  5. Continue  raising the dumbbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
  6. Hold for a count of one and squeeze your biceps.
  7. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
  8. Repeat.

There are many ways to perform this movement. Other examples include; sitting with or without back support, using alternating arms and also using a cable station's lower pulley.

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Stand at the cable station with your feet shoulder width apart and with a slight bend at the knee.
  2. Grasp the rope with both hands and your palms facing inward.
  3. Keeping your core strong and your elbows fixed at your sides pull the rope towards the top of your chest (only the lower portion of your arms should be moving).
  4. Tense your biceps at the peak, and then slowly allow the rope to be pulled back down to the starting position.
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