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Upper Body Exercise
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Weekend Workout: Biceps, Triceps, and Deltoids
If you're looking for a quick workout to target your upper arms, give this strength-training routine a try. You'll need a resistance band, a set of dumbbells, and a mat. Repeat all three exercises for a total of three rounds.
Push-Up Variation: Add In a Superman
Push-ups strengthen your upper body, and here's a variation that will also work the muscles in your back — just add in another no equipment necessary move, the superman.
Music: "Two of Us" by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn
To learn how to do this exercise, read more
Push-Up Variation: Elevated Push-Up
If you're looking to tone up your upper body for the Summer, you've got to become friends with the push-up. There are so many variations to isolate certain muscle groups, and make your push-ups more exciting and challenging. Here's another variation to try.
Push-Up Variation: Grasshopper Push-Up
To tone up your upper body for strapless dress and tank top season, push-ups are my favorite. I love that you don't need any equipment to do them, and they're so effective that it only takes a few reps before you start feeling it. Here's a challenging variation that will also increase flexibility in your lower back.
Try It: Triple Clap Push-Up
Push-ups are the one exercise I always try to do when strength training. How about you? You only need to do a few and already you start to feel it in your upper arms and back.
Home Work: Stand on the Wall
I find it exhilarating to get a new perspective on the world, especially on days when I am feeling a little low energy. Going upside down is great fun and it builds your shoulder, upper back, and arm strength. Inversions can be a little tricky, but this handstand variation takes advantage of the stability provided by a wall.
Push-Up Variation: One Elbow In, One Elbow Out
Push-ups are one of the best exercises known to woman. They require no equipment, are quick to do, and target your upper arms and back beautifully. If you start incorporating push-ups into your regular workouts, you'll definitely notice a change.
Another Reason to Weight Train: Reduce Neck and Shoulder Pain
If you've been relying on cardio as your main form of exercise, it's time you think about stepping it up, especially if you suffer from neck and/or shoulder pain.
Recent research has found that women with work related neck pain (often a result of poor posture from sitting all day) experienced significant relief by regularly practicing strengthening exercises that work the neck and/or upper back. So add resistance exercises such as reverse flies, lateral raises, and rows to your plan and you'll not only tone your upper body, but you could also reap the benefits of being free of aches and pains in the long run.
No Equipment Necessary: Two-Minute Headstand
So you've never tried a headstand in your life or you can't balance whatsoever. That's OK. This exercise is all about working your shoulders and upper back and doesn't have much to do with balance.
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