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Arms/Chest/Shoulders Incline Bench

1 min
 · 
6 exercises
Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
Alternating Incline Bench Dumbbell Curls
Seated Arnold Dumbbell Press
Seated Tricep Press
Reverse Flyes
Dumbbell Incline Bench Rows
This Arms/Chest/Shoulders Incline Bench 1 min 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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Arms/Chest/Shoulders Incline Bench
1 min
 · 
6 exercises
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Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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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.
Alternating Incline Bench Dumbbell Curls
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  1. Set up an incline bench at 45 degrees.
  2. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit on the bench, keeping your shoulders and back firmly against the back rest.
  3. Put your arms down by your side with your palms facing in to your body.
  4. Slowly curl your arms up, rotating your wrist outwards (thumbs pointing away from your body) until the dumbbell is level with your shoulders. (Your palms should be facing your shoulders)
  5. Flex or squeeze your bicep at the top of the movement and hold for a count of one.
  6. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the start position, turning your palms back in to your body. Repeat.

You can also perform this exercise using one arm at a time or by alternating your arms (Left, right, left, right...)

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Sit on a flat bench with your legs spread, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor with a dumbbell between your feet.
  2. Use either arm to pick the dumbbell up and hold it with an underhand grip.
  3. Place the back of that upper arm on the top of your inner thigh on the same side. Your palm should be facing away from your thigh.
  4. Keep your arm fully extended downwards without letting the dumbbell rest on the floor. This is the start position.
  5. Curl the dumbbell forward and up in a smooth arc, contracting your biceps and exhaling.
  6. Continue curling the dumbbell upward until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level.  Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps.
  7. Return to the start position in a controlled, smooth arc inhaling as you do so. Do not swing the dumbbell down.
  8. Repeat for all the repetitions for that arm then switch and repeat the movement with your other arm.

Throughout this exercise, only your forearms should move. This exercise can be performed standing in a bent over position. Here there is no upper arm support so it's important to ensure there is no movement or swinging of the upper arm. This harder version of concentration curls isn't recommended for people who suffer lower back issues.

Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  1. Set up a cable station with a straight bar attachment connected to the low pulley.
  2. Stand close to the station, feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
  3. Grip the bar with a shoulder width underhand grip.
  4. Keep your elbows close to your sides.
  5. Curls your arms upward from the elbows in a smooth arc.
  6. Continue until your forearms are vertical with your palms facing your shoulders. Hold for a count of one while flexing your biceps.
  7. Lower the bar back to the starting position in a smooth motion.
  8. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
  2. Holding the handles of the band in each hand, tighten your abdominals and straighten your lower back. Keep your chest up and gaze forward.
  3. 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.
  4. Once you reach the top of the movement, pause, and slowly lower the band to the starting position. Do not lock out your elbows.
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Let your arms hang by your side with your palms facing in to the side of your body.
  3. Keep your elbows close to your sides.
  4. Curl the water bottles up towards your shoulders. Do not swing your hips to get the weight moving.
  5. 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.
  6. Squeeze or flex your bicep and hold for a count of one.
  7. Slowly lower the water bottles to the starting position.
Seated Arnold Dumbbell Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Biceps, Neck & Upper Traps, Triceps
  1. Begin by sitting on a flat bench. Hold the dumbbell at your side with an overhand grip. Tighten your core and flatten your back.
  2. Bring the dumbbells up to shoulder height so that your palm are facing you. Push the dumbbells overhead. Rotate them as you do so.
  3. At the height of the movement, your palms should be facing away from you. Pause, contract and slowly return to the starting point through the same rotation.
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.
Seated Tricep Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
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.

Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Forearms
  1. Attach a rope to the bottom pulley of a cable station.
  2. Grip the rope with both hands using a neutral grip. Turn your body away from the cable station.
  3. Fully extend your arms until your hands are directly above your head pointing to the ceiling.
  4. Keep your elbows  close to your head. This is the start position.
  5. Slowly lower the rope behind your head, keeping your upper arms stationary, inhaling as you do so.
  6. When your triceps are fully extended, hold for a count of one while squeezing your triceps.
  7. Return to the starting position by flexing your triceps  and extending your arms. Exhale as you do so.
  8. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed  seated on a plain bench, or one that has a back support You  can also use a single dumbbell instead of the rope.

Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
  1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
  2. Push the handles of the band overhead while keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Brace your abdominals and do not arch your back.
  3. Slowly lower your hands behind your head using only the forearms. The upper arms will stay in place with the elbow pointed up.
  4. Push the handles back up, focusing the tension in the triceps.
Reverse Flyes
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. With a dumbbell in each hand in a neutral grip,  lie face down on an incline bench. Your palms should be facing inwards.
  2. Extend your arms out in front of you so that they are at right angles to the bench. Keep your legs stationary but with pressure on the balls of our feet and toes. This is the start position.
  3. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, move the weights  away from each other  in an arcing motion exhaling as you do so.
  4. Continue expanding your arms until they are parallel to the floor.
  5. Hold and squeeze your shoulder blades together
  6. Return to the starting position inhaling as you do so.
  7. Repeat .
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Begin by holding a pair of dumbbells and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
  2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the dumbbells up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
  3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the dumbbells to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Middle Back / Lats
  1. Adjust the cables so that the handles sit at chest height.
  2. Grip the handle, across your body in a neutral grip, with both hands.
  3. Keeping only a slight bend at your elbow, pull the cable back across your body using the muscles in your back.
  4. Hold the flexed position for a full second before allowing the cable to pull you slowly back to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Adjust the seat on the Rear Delt Machine so that your chest is against the padding and the handles are at shoulder level. Tighten your core throughout the movement.
  2. Holding on to the handles in front of you, engage your rear delt muscles (back of the shoulder). Pull the weight, focusing all of the tension in your shoulder muscles.
  3. Pause when the handles are at your sides then slowly return to the starting position. Do not allow the plate to touch the weight stack.
Primary muscle group(s):
Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Shoulders
  1. Begin by holding a pair of water bottles and standing with a braced core. Bend at the knees slightly and lean forward from the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
  2. Keeping your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement, lift the water bottles up and out to the side. Be sure to focus the contraction in the back of the shoulders.
  3. Pause at the top of the movement then slowly bring the water bottles to the starting position.
Dumbbell Incline Bench Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
  1. Lean forward into an incline bench
  2. Using a neutral grip, hold a dumbbell in each hand so your palms are facing in.
  3. Your arms should be fully extended and hanging straight down. This is the start position.
  4. Pull your shoulder blades back and flex your elbows to pull the dumbbells up to your sides.
  5. Hold and squeeze your shoulder and back muscles.
  6. Return to the start position in a slow, controlled movement.
  7. Repeat.
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
Secondary:
Biceps, Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Connect a V-bar attachment to the low pulley on a cable station or cable rowing machine.
  2.  Sit down at the station and place your feet on the foot pads or crossbar provided, while keeping your knees slightly bent.
  3. Lean forward, keeping your back straight and grip the V-bar handles with both hands.
  4. Keeping your arms fully extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs.
  5. Your back should be slightly arched, with your chest should be pushed out. This is the start position.
  6. Keeping your torso stationary, pull the handles back towards you while squeezing your back muscles.
  7. Keep your arms close to your sides until your hands reach your abdomen. Exhale as you perform this movement.
  8. Hold for a count of one.
  9. Inhale as you return to the start position in a smooth movement.
  10. Repeat.

Do not swing or rock back and forth as you perform this exercise. Doing so can cause lower back injury. <strong></strong> You can perform this exercise using a straight bar instead of a V-Bar. You can use an underhand or overhand grip.

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.
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