- Position yourself on the Cross Trainer by stepping up onto the pedals. Keep your chest up and back straight. Extend your arms to grab the moving poles on each side. Before beginning to move, make sure you are in a comfortable position that allows for full range of motion.
- Begin by moving the left foot forward as you pull the moving pole with the right hand. Now move through and step forward with the right as you pull with the left hand.
- Continue this back and forth motion. Adjust the resistance level to provide yourself with more of a challenge.
Light Upper Body + Core 52-min Gym Workout
52 min
·
9 exercises
We're going to balance things out with some light upper body work. There's no need to go too heavy today, just build up a sweat and begin crafting that solid abdomen!
Spend 5 minutes getting your upper body good to go!
1:00 rest
Curl the dumbbells and push them all the way up and over!
1:00 rest
Try to follow a 4-seconds-per-rep rhythm.
1:00 rest
If feeling adventurous enough, go for the full push up!
1:00 rest
The lower the bar, the more difficult this exercise becomes. Try the lowest you can for 12 reps!
1:00 rest
Onto the abs! Aim for 20 reps per side per set :D
1:00 rest
That's another 20 per side per set, easy!
1:00 rest
You're almost there, hit those lower abs!
1:00 rest
Our final exercises of the day. Hold onto a nice amount of weight and twist 20 times per side per set.
About this workout
Light Upper Body + Core 52-min Gym Workout is a free 52 min workout plan with 9 illustrated exercises for your abs, arms, back, chest and shoulders. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
Workout details
- Duration: 52 min
- Exercises: 9
- Training focus: Abs, arms, back, chest and shoulders
- Equipment: Full gym
- Level: Intermediate
- Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF
For more ready-made training plans, try WorkoutLabs Fit. You can follow visual workouts, build your own routines, manage your training calendar and track your progress. Sign up today to claim your free week.
Questions about this workout
What equipment do I need for this workout?
You'll need full gym for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.
How long does the Light Upper Body + Core 52-min Gym Workout take?
The full workout takes about 52 minutes, covering 9 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
This is an intermediate workout, best suited to people with some training experience. Beginners can still follow it by reducing the weight, doing fewer sets or resting longer between sets – each exercise includes illustrated form instructions.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your glutes & hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, biceps, shoulders, triceps. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
Light Upper Body + Core 52-min Gym Workout
52 min
·
9 exercises
We're going to balance things out with some light upper body work. There's no need to go too heavy today, just build up a sweat and begin crafting that solid abdomen!
Cross Trainer
Spend 5 minutes getting your upper body good to go!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Biceps, Calves, Triceps
Dumbbell Biceps Curl to Shoulder Press
Curl the dumbbells and push them all the way up and over!
Primary muscle group(s):
Biceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
- Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure your core is tight and your chest is up. Begin by curling the weight up towards your shoulders. Keep your upper arms tight at your sides.
- Once the dumbbells reach your shoulders, twist the dumbbells to have your palms face out. Now, drive the dumbbells overhead.
- Slowly, lower the dumbbells to your shoulders. Now, flip them back so your palms are facing you. With arms tight at your sides, lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
Seated Tricep Press
Try to follow a 4-seconds-per-rep rhythm.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs
- Sit on a bench with back support.
- Grip a dumbbell at one end using both hands. Your palms should be facing inward.
- Hold the dumbbell overhead with your arms fully extended. This is the the start position.
- Keep your upper arms close to your head (biceps roughly level with your temples) and near to 90degrees to the floor.
- 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.
- Return to the start position by using the triceps to extend your arm and raise the dumbbell. Exhale as you do this.
- 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
- Attach a rope to the bottom pulley of a cable station.
- Grip the rope with both hands using a neutral grip. Turn your body away from the cable station.
- Fully extend your arms until your hands are directly above your head pointing to the ceiling.
- Keep your elbows close to your head. This is the start position.
- Slowly lower the rope behind your head, keeping your upper arms stationary, inhaling as you do so.
- When your triceps are fully extended, hold for a count of one while squeezing your triceps.
- Return to the starting position by flexing your triceps and extending your arms. Exhale as you do so.
- 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
- Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
- Push the handles of the band overhead while keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Brace your abdominals and do not arch your back.
- Slowly lower your hands behind your head using only the forearms. The upper arms will stay in place with the elbow pointed up.
- Push the handles back up, focusing the tension in the triceps.
Knee Push-ups
If feeling adventurous enough, go for the full push up!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
- Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
- Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
- Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
- Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
- Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
- Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
- Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
- Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
- Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
- Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
- Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
- 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.
- Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
- Repeat.
Inverted Rows
The lower the bar, the more difficult this exercise becomes. Try the lowest you can for 12 reps!
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders
- Set the bar to your waist height.
- Lie on your back under the bar.
- Reach up and grip the bar with an overhand grip with both hands.
- 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.
- Hold and squeeze your arm and back muscles.
- Lower yourself back to the start position in a controlled motion.
- 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.
Bicycles
Onto the abs! Aim for 20 reps per side per set :D
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
- Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
- Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
- Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
- Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
- As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
- After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
- Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
- Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.
Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lie on your back. Bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle. Shins should be parallel to the floor. Place your hands behind your head and bring your shoulders off the ground.
- Exhale and contract your abdominals. Bring your head towards your knees while moving your knees toward your chest.
- Pause and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
- Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
- Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.
Alternate Heel Touches
That's another 20 per side per set, easy!
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
- Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
- Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
- Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
- When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
- Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
- Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
- Keep your elbows in so that they are parallel to your body.
- Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
- Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
- Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
- Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
- Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
- Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
Flutter Kicks
You're almost there, hit those lower abs!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Lie on a mat with your hands under your buttocks and raise your legs slightly, keeping knees straight and ankles together.
- Keep abs engaged and perform short kicks in an alternating fashion.
- Repeat as needed and then lower legs to the ground.
Weighted Russian Twists
Our final exercises of the day. Hold onto a nice amount of weight and twist 20 times per side per set.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Lower Back
- Sit on an exercise mat with your legs fully extended and your upper body upright.
- Grip a weight plate between both hands.
- Hold the plate out in front of your abdominals keeping your arms bent slightly.
- Cross your your ankles and raise them off the floor slightly.
- Bend your knees towards you slightly.
- Lean back about 15 degrees to balance your body. This is the start position.
- In a smooth motion,turn your torso to the left and touch the plate on the floor. Make sure you exhale as you do this.
- Return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
- Repeat the same movement, this time to your right side, again exhaling as you do so.
- Return to start position and repeat.
When performing this exercise, use smooth controlled movements. Jerking or using momentum to swing the weight can cause serious lower back injury.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
- Lie flat on an exercise mat on the floor keeping your lower back straight with no arching of your spine and with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Place your hands lightly on the sides of your head.
- Curl your torso upwards so your shoulders are slightly raised off the floor..
- Raise your knees until your thighs are at a right angle to the floor and your calves are parallel to the floor. This is the start position.
- Slowly move your legs in a pedaling action as if you are riding a bicycle.
- As you do so, exhale and bring your opposing elbow close to each knee by crunching to one side. Left elbow to right knee. Right elbow to left knee.
- After each crunch, return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
- Without pausing, repeat the movement to the other side.
- Repeat without pausing for the desired number of repetitions to each side.
Do not use your hands to pull your head and neck up during this exercise. Doing so may cause injury. Concentrate on a slow rhythmic cycle from side to side with perfect form for each repetition.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 9
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