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Strength Training: Upper-Body Power Workout

1 min
 · 
9 exercises
Time to start really hitting some upper body strength now! We're going easy on those wrists today!
Broomstick Stretch
Two Arm Dumbbell Front Shoulder Raises
Seated Chest Press
Machine Seated Shoulder Press
Bent Over Barbell Rows
Standing Cable Crossover Press
Inverted Rows
Alternate Heel Touches
Seated Bench Leg Pull-Ins
This Strength Training: Upper-Body Power Workout 1 min gym workout plan effectively targets your abs, back, chest and shoulders. Easily follow this workout with confidence on your phone or printable exercise program with our clear exercise demonstrations. You can also look up step-by-step instructions for each of the 9 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Strength Training: Upper-Body Power Workout
1 min
 · 
9 exercises
Time to start really hitting some upper body strength now! We're going easy on those wrists today!
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Broomstick Stretch
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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.
Two Arm Dumbbell Front Shoulder Raises
No sets / reps / duration specified
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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.
Seated Chest Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
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Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  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.

Machine Seated Shoulder Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
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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.

Bent Over Barbell Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
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Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Set up a barbell on the floor and stand facing it with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  2. Bend forward at your waist and grip the barbell with an overhand grip.
  3. Keep your back straight and nearly parallel to the floor.
  4. Keep your head and neck straight. This is the start position.
  5. Without moving your torso, exhale and lift the barbell up towards you.
  6. Keep your elbows close in to your bodyand use your forearms to support the weight.
  7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and sqyeeze your back muscles.
  8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so.

If you suffer from lower back problems, this exercise is not recommended. Always keep your back straight throughout this exercise. This exercise can be performed using an underhand grip to engage the triceps also.

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
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.
Standing Cable Crossover Press
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Stand between two cable stations with the dumbbell grip handles attached to the high pulleys on each side of you.
  2. Hold the handles with an overhand grip. Your arms should be outstretched.
  3. Bend your knees and hips slightly so that you are leaning forward, but not too far.
  4. Bend your elbows slightly and rotate your shoulders in towards the centre of your chest a little. Your elbows should be slightly behind you.
  5. Use a hugging motion, keeping your elbows in a fixed, bent position to bring the grip attachments together in front of your chest.
  6. Slowly return to the starting position until you feel a slight stretch in your chest muscles.
  7. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  • Holding a pair of dumbbells, sit on a flat bench and slowly lower yourself back.
  • Keep a tight core as you push the dumbbells above your chest. The dumbbells will be facing one another and held together.
  • With a slight bend in the elbow, open up your chest and slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides.
  • When the dumbbells are parallel with the ground, pause, and return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Sit on a pec deck machine with your back flat against the back rest.
  2. Grip the handles and make sure your arms are parallel to the floor. If not parallel,adjust the seat or handles accordingly. This is the start position.
  3. Exhale and slowly push the handles together  squeezing your chest to the middle as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Inhale as you return to the starting position in a controlled movement.
  5. Repeat.

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

Inverted Rows
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders
  1. Set the bar to your waist height.
  2. Lie on your back under the bar.
  3. Reach up and grip the bar with an overhand grip with both hands.
  4. Keeping your body straight,  pull yourself up towards the bar by pulling your elbows as far back as you can and trying to touch the bar with your chest.
  5. Hold and squeeze your arm and back muscles.
  6. Lower yourself back to the start position in a controlled motion.
  7. Repeat.

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

Alternate Heel Touches
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Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
  3. 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.
  4. Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
  5. Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
  6. When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
  7. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
  1. 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.
  2. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
  3. Keep your elbows in  so that they are parallel to your body.
  4. Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
  5. Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
  6. Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
  7. Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
  8. Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
  9. Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
Seated Bench Leg Pull-Ins
No sets / reps / duration specified
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Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Sit on the end of a bench with your legs fully extended in front of you angled towards the floor slightly.
  2. Grip the sides of the bench for stability.
  3. Leaning back to about a 45-degree angle from the bench. This is the start position.
  4. Pull your knees in toward you at the same time moving your torso towards them. Make sure you exhale as you perform this part of the movement. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by extending your legs out and relaxing your abdominal muscles. Breathe in as you do this. Pause and repeat.

This exercise can also be performed on the floor by placing your arms to the sides and raising your legs off the floor slightly. slightly over the floor. More advanced athletes can use a dumbbell between their feet or attach a pulley to them for added resistance.

Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Lie flat with hands under your buttocks.
  2. Keep your knees together and pull them in towards you while moving your torso towards them (lift your head, neck and shoulders up).
  3. Hold and then slowly return to starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Lower Back
  1. Lie on your back on a mat with hands under your lower buttocks on either side to support your pelvis.
  2. Legs straight out in front of you, ankles together and feet slightly off the floor.
  3. Keep your knees straight and raise your legs by flexing the hips until they are completely flexed.
  4. Return to starting position.
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  • Mon, Jul 21
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