V-Shape Upper Body Workout

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Lower the weight directly down to the chest as you breath inwards, keeping the movement pattern slow and steady.
4. Once just above the chest, pause, and then press directly up again, exhaling your breath.
5. Continue until all reps are completed and then re-rack the barbell.

1. Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
2. Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
3. Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
4. Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
5. 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.
6. Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
7. 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.)
8. Repeat

Be sure to concentrate on a balanced movement when lifting the dumbbells. Use both arms equally spaced and moving at the same speed.

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.

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

1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
7. Repeat.

1. Lie on a flat bench, holding a barbell on your chest with an overhand grip. (Your hands should be shoulder width apart)
2. Get into starting position, raising the bar above your chest by extending your arms, but do NOT lock your elbows.
3. Keeping your arms slightly bent, slower lower the weight in a smooth arc to a position behind your head by rotating your shoulders. (as if putting your hands in the air)
4. Keep moving the barbell behind your head until you feel a slight stretch in your chest. Hold for a count of one.
5. Return to the start position in a smooth revers arc.
6. Continue holding the weight above your chest, then repeat.

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.

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

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
7. Repeat.

1. Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand using an overhand grip.
2. Your arms should be fully extended and your feet shoulder width apart. This is the starting position.
3. 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.
4. Continue curling the dumbbells up until they are at shoulder level and your biceps are fully contracted.
5. Hold for a count of one as you squeeze your biceps..
6. Return to the starting position in a smooth arc, inhaling as you do so.
7. 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.

1. Holding a dumbbell 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 dumbbells up towards your shoulders. Do not swing your hips to get the weight moving.
5. Continue raising the dumbbells 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 dumbbells to the starting position.
8. Repeat.

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

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.

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.

1. Go into a standard push-up position, supporting your weight on your toes and hands. Your back is flat and your core is tight. Your hands should be directly beneath your shoulders.
2. Lower yourself into a push-up. Focus the tension in the chest.
3. As you descend, bring your right leg up and to the side. Try to touch the knee to the elbow. As you push yourself back up, return the leg to its original position. Repeat with the other side.

1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
7. Repeat.

1. Get yourself in the push-up position with your hands flat on the ground just wider than shoulder width apart.
2. Ensuring that there is a straight line running from your neck to your heels, lift your right leg off the ground.
3. Keeping your right leg elevated, bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground until your chest is about two inches away from the floor.
4. Push your body back to the starting position and then lower your right leg to the ground.
5. Repeat the motion with the left leg elevated.

1. Start by standing to the right of a flat bench with a dumbbell on the floor to your right.
2. Place your left knee on the bench with your left hand palm down n the bench in front of it. In this position, keep your back straight.
3. Pick up the dumbbell with your right hand using an overhand grip.
4. Raise your arm until it is in line with your body, keeping your elbow tucked into your side and bent to a 90 degree angle. Your forearm should be pointing straight down to the floor.
5. Extend your arm using your triceps to lift the weight until it is level with your shoulder.
6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your tricep.
7. Lower to the starting position by bending your elbow to 90 degrees.Hold and repeat.
8. Complete the set for your right arm before changing stance to work your left arm.

Only your forearm should move during this exercise. Keep your elbow in line with your shoulders at all times throughout the movement.

1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the dumbbells back and behind you.
3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the dumbbells and begin again.

1. Attach a resistance band to a door frame or other stable surface. Grab the handles of the band and walk backward until the slack tightens.
2. Bend slightly at the knees and forward at the hips. Maintain a flat back throughout.
3. Bring your upper arms up and tight to your side. From here, you will pull the band back using the forearms only. The contraction will be felt exclusively in the triceps.
4. Slowly return to the starting position and begin again.

1. Holding a pair of water bottles with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the water bottles back and behind you.
3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the water bottles and begin again.

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.

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.

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.

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.