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Shoulders & Back

2 min
 · 
22 exercises
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Back Extensions
Cable Shrugs
Cable Squat Rows
Cable Upright Rows
Close Grip Lat Pulldowns
Cross body Cable Rows
Cross body Cable Rows
Two Arm Dumbbell Front Shoulder Raises
Dumbbell Bent Over Lateral Rear Delt Raises
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
Dumbbell Cuban Press
External Cable Shoulder Rotation
Internal Cable Shoulder Rotation
Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
Lateral Raise Machine
Machine Seated Shoulder Press
Rear Delt Machine Flyes
Low Cable Back Rows
Broomstick Stretch
Standing Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
Standing Front Shoulder Plate Raises
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns
This Shoulders & Back 2 min gym workout plan effectively targets your back, chest, legs 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 22 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Shoulders & Back
2 min
 · 
22 exercises
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Back Extensions
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Lie face down on a hyper extension bench with your upper thighs and lower hips on the support pad. You must be able to bend at the waist freely.
  2. Lock your ankles under the footpads.
  3. Start with your body in a straight line head to toe.
  4. Place your arms across your chest, behind or at the side of your head.
  5. Slowly bend forward by relacing your, back and abdominal muscles.
  6. Continue as far as possible without rounding your back or raising your thighs from the support pad. You should feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings.Hold for a count of one.
  7. Return to the start position by contracting your back and abdominal muscles until your body is once again straight. Do not arch your back up at the end of the movement. Pause and repeat.

As your strength and flexibility increase, you can hold a weight plate against your chest for extra resistance.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Lie face down on a mat, with your arms fully extended above your head and your legs fully extended behind you.
  2. Lift your chest, arms and legs off the floor by arching your back. Only the tops of your quads and your lower abdomen should be in contact with the floor.
  3. Hold for a count of 2 while squeezing your abdominals and obliques.
  4. Return to the starting position for a count of one, then repeat.

This exercise can be done using one arm and it's opposite leg at a time. For example, right arm and left leg raised while your left arm and right leg remain on the floor. This method of execution allows you to use the free hand to push down on the floor to lift your chest higher from the ground.

Cable Shrugs
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand in front of a cable pulley. Feet are shoulder-width. Your core is tight and lower back is flat. Hold the cable bar and let it hang in front of you. Keep the weight close to your body.
  2. Without using your arms, exhale and bring your shoulders towards your ears.
  3. Hold the movement at the top then slowly bring the weight back down.
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps
Secondary:
Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Place your feet shoulder width apart and using an overhand grip at a little more than shoulder width, hold a barbell in front of you.
  2. Your arms should be fully extended towards the floor, palms facing in towards your thighs. This is the start position.
  3. Exhale and raise or shrug your shoulders up in a slow controlled movement. Do not use your biceps to assist in lifting the barbell.
  4. Continue as high as possible then hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
  6. Pause then repeat.

You can rotate your shoulders when performing this exercise. However this is not recommended for people with shoulder problems.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.
  2. Keep your arms extended and by your sides and with your palms facing in.
  3. Relax your shoulders so they hang as low as possible.
  4. Raise the dumbbells by slowly lifting your shoulders in a shrugging motion. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Slowly relax your shoulders to return to the start position.
  6. Repeat.

You can also rotate your shoulders in a circular movement during this exercise. One direction on the lift, the opposite direction when lowering to the start position.

Cable Squat Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Calves, Hamstrings
  • Grip a cable handle in each hand. Stand away from the cable machine so that the slack tightens. Make sure your back is straight and your core is tight.
  • Bend your knees and drive your hips back while you keep your chest up. Stand back up then pull the handles back, leading with your elbows. Tighten the back muscles then return handles to the starting position.
  • Repeat.
Cable Upright Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Attach a straight bar to the low pulley on the cable station.
  2. Stand facing the station with your feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
  3. Grip the bar with an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
  4. Keep your shoulders back.
  5. Raise the bar straight up in one smooth movement, until it is just below your chin.
  6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps and forearms.
  7. Slowly lower to the start position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Neck & Upper Traps
  1. Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
  2. The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
  3. Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
  4. Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
  5. As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
  6. Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
  7. Continue  lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
  8. Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
  9. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand,stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. The dumbbells should be resting on your thighs with your palms facing in.
  3. Lift the dumbbells straight up in single smooth movement until they are just below your chin making sure to keep your shoulders back and your elbows out.
  4. At the top of the movement, flex or squeeze your biceps and forearms. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the starting position slowly to keep tension on the muscles.
  6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a barbell,EZ bar or a cable station with a straight bar or EZ bar attachment.

Close Grip Lat Pulldowns
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Biceps
  1. Sit at a Lat Pulldown machine and secure your legs underneath the padded surface. Select an appropriate weight on the stack. Reach up to grab the barbell, taking a close-grip. Your hands should be at or closer than shoulder-width.
  2. Tighten your core and keep your chest up as you pull the barbell down and towards your chest. Be sure to pull with your lat muscles.
  3. Once the bar is at your chest, slowly allow it to return to the starting position but don’t let the weight stack touch. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders
  1. Secure a pair of suspension straps. Stand facing the straps, brace your lower back, and tighten your core.
  2. Lean back, letting the straps hold your weight. Your arms should be straight.
  3. Pull yourself up with your back, maintaining a tight core.
  4. Squeeze the back muscles and slowly lower yourself. Repeat.
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.

Cross body Cable Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  • Adjust a cable pulley system with the handle resting at about shin level
  • Stand next to the cable and pivot at the hips to bend over at about a 45-degree angle
  • Reach across your body with the hand that’s farthest from the cable and take a firm grip of the handle
  • Bring the handle across your body without rotating your torso, using mostly your lat muscle
  • After tensing at the peak, allow the cable to pull its way, in a controlled way, back to the starting position
Cross body Cable Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  • Adjust a cable pulley system with the handle resting at about shin level
  • Stand next to the cable and pivot at the hips to bend over at about a 45-degree angle
  • Reach across your body with the hand that’s farthest from the cable and take a firm grip of the handle
  • Bring the handle across your body without rotating your torso, using mostly your lat muscle
  • After tensing at the peak, allow the cable to pull its way, in a controlled way, back to the starting position
Two Arm Dumbbell Front Shoulder Raises
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced.
  2. Begin by lifting the dumbbells in front of you. Keep the abdominals contracted as you raise the dumbbells. Feel the contraction in the shoulder muscles.
  3. Once the dumbbells reach shoulder height, pause and slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Stand straight holding a water bottle in each hand with an overhand grip.
  2. Hold the water bottles 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 water bottle out and upwards, while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Your palms must always face down for this exercise.
  4. Continue raising the water bottle until your arm is a little above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you are raising the water bottle.
  5. Pause for a count of one.
  6. Inhale and slowly lower the water bottle to the start position.
  7. As you lower the left water bottle, begin to lift the right water bottle, duplicating the movement.
  8. When both water bottles have been raised and lowered in a cycle, that is one repetition.
  9. Repeat.
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.
Dumbbell Bent Over Lateral Rear Delt Raises
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
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:
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.
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.
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
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.
Dumbbell Cuban Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Neck & Upper Traps
  1. Standing with a tight core and flat back, hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides.
  2. Keeping the dumbbells in a horizontal position, pull them up upwards, leading with your elbows.
  3. When your upper arms are parallel with the floor, pause, then flip the dumbbells up. The dumbbells will be above your shoulders next to your head.
  4. Press the dumbbells straight up in to the air.
  5. Pause and return to the starting position.
External Cable Shoulder Rotation
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Adjust a cable machine to have the pulley handle be at the height as your elbow. Stand sideways next to the cable machine while holding the handle in the opposite hand.
  2. TIghten your core and keep your feet planted firmly. Slowly pull the handle across your body only moving the forearm.
  3. Once your hand is outside of your body, pause and feel the tension in the shoulder muscle. Slowly return to the starting position but do not allow the weight plate to touch the stack.
Internal Cable Shoulder Rotation
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Stand next to a cable machine with your left side facing it. Make sure the cable handle has been adjusted to the height of your lower chest. Hold the handle in your left hand. Stand tall with your chest up and core braced.
  2. Begin the movement by shifting your left hand across your body. Your left upper arm should remain in place, held close to your side.
  3. Pause once the handle has moved across your body and slowly release to the starting position.
Lateral Shoulder Dumbbell Raises
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Stand with your back straight, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
  2. Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
  3. Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
  4. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
  5. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
  6.  Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
  7. Repeat.

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Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Neck & Upper Traps
  1. Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
  2. Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
  3. Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
  4. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
  5. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. 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. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
  3. Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.
Lateral Raise Machine
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  • Sit in the lateral raise machine while keeping your core tight and back flat.
  • Grab and secure the handles of the machine.
  • Slowly, extend your arms up and out to the side.
  • Feel the tension in your shoulders, pause at the top, and slowly return to the starting position.
  • Do not allow the weight stack to touch.
  • Repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Neck & Upper Traps
  1. Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
  2. Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
  3. Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
  4. Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
  5. Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Stand with your back straight, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
  2. Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
  3. Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
  4. Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
  5. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
  6.  Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
  7. Repeat.

<strong> </strong>

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. Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
  3. Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.
Machine Seated Shoulder Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Triceps
  • Keep a tight core and flat back as you remain seated in the shoulder press machine.
  • Look straight ahead as you hold on to the handles.
  • Slowly, press the handles up above your head.
  • Do not lock out your elbow.
  • Slowly, bring the handles back down but do not let the weight stack touch.
  • Repeat the movement.
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):
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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Triceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Place a bench with a back support inside a squat rack and set up a barbell at a height that is just above your head.
  2. Grip the barbell with an overhand grip.
  3. Space your hands out so that your elbows are bent at 90 degrees.
  4. Lift the bar to around shoulder level by extending your arms.  This is the start position.
  5. Inhaling, lower the bar  to your shoulders slowly.
  6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
  7. Push the barbell back to the start position as you exhaling as you do so..
  8. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

This exercise can also be performed standing.

Rear Delt Machine Flyes
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
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):
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):
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.
Low Cable Back Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
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):
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):
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.
Broomstick Stretch
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Chest
  1. Standing with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointing out, hold a pole/pvc pipe/broomstick in front of you. You can also do this stretch with a towel.
  2. Make sure to brace your core before you lift the pole above your head in an arc motion. Keep the arms completely straight throughout.
  3. Slowly move the pole behind you, focusing the stretch in the shoulders. Hold the stretch for the specified amount of time then slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Standing with a flat back and tight core, raise your arms to the sides.
  2. While focusing on the shoulders, slowly rotate your arms in a circular motion. Start with small circles. Gradually increase the size of the circles.
  3. After completing one set of a pre-determined number (such as 10 repetitions), reverse the direction, going counter-clockwise.
Standing 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, Neck & Upper Traps, Triceps
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand straight, with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Raise the dumbbells 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 dumbbells straight up, ehaling as you do so.
  5. As your arms reach the fully extended position, bring them in towards each other until the dumbbels 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:
Chest
  1. From a push-up position push your glutes upwards and walk your feet in so that you are in a downward-dog pose.
  2. The shape of your body should look like a triangle from the side.
  3. Lower your shoulders towards the ground by bending your elbows.
  4. Allow your forehead to very lightly make contact with the ground before pushing upwards and away back into the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Triceps
  • Keep a tight core and flat back as you remain seated in the shoulder press machine.
  • Look straight ahead as you hold on to the handles.
  • Slowly, press the handles up above your head.
  • Do not lock out your elbow.
  • Slowly, bring the handles back down but do not let the weight stack touch.
  • Repeat the movement.
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.
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.
Standing Front Shoulder Plate Raises
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced.
  2. Begin by lifting the dumbbells in front of you. Keep the abdominals contracted as you raise the dumbbells. Feel the contraction in the shoulder muscles.
  3. Once the dumbbells reach shoulder height, pause and slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
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
  1. Stand straight holding a water bottle in each hand with an overhand grip.
  2. Hold the water bottles 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 water bottle out and upwards, while keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Your palms must always face down for this exercise.
  4. Continue raising the water bottle until your arm is a little above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you are raising the water bottle.
  5. Pause for a count of one.
  6. Inhale and slowly lower the water bottle to the start position.
  7. As you lower the left water bottle, begin to lift the right water bottle, duplicating the movement.
  8. When both water bottles have been raised and lowered in a cycle, that is one repetition.
  9. Repeat.
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldowns
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not 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.

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  • Mon, Oct 20
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