6 Exercises That Will Help You Tone Your Upper Body
|6 Exercises That Will Help You Tone Your Upper Body
When it comes to your upper body, you want to have toned arms but you may not know where to start. The good news is that there are a lot of exercises that can help you achieve the look you desire. In this blog post, we will discuss six exercises that target the upper body and help you get those rock-hard arms you’ve always wanted!
1. The Overhead Press
One of the best exercises you can do to tone your upper body is the overhead press. This exercise works your shoulders, triceps, and chest all at once. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells over your head so that your arms are extended straight. From here, you should slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
If you want to make this exercise a little more challenging, try using heavier dumbbells or adding a few repetitions to your set. You can also try doing the overhead press with one arm at a time to really work those muscles. You will notice a difference in the toning of your upper body in no time!
2. Shoulder Press
Another great exercise is the shoulder press. This one also works on your shoulders, triceps, and chest. Start by sitting on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells to shoulder level and then press them up so that your arms are extended straight. Lower the dumbbells back down to shoulder level and repeat.
As with the overhead press, you can make this exercise more challenging by using heavier dumbbells or adding more repetitions to your set. Get creative with your grip to work different muscles in your arms, too.
3. Pull-ups
Pull-ups are a great exercise for toning your upper body, specifically your back and biceps. Start by gripping the bar with your hands shoulder-width apart. Pull yourself up so that your chin is over the bar. Lower yourself back down to the starting position and repeat. Namely, one analysis showed that you can make this exercise more challenging by adding weight to your body or doing more repetitions. If you can’t do a traditional pull-up, try using an assisted pull-up machine or holding onto a TRX Suspension Trainer.
4. Bench Press
The bench press is another great exercise for your upper body. This one targets your chest and triceps. Start by lying on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Lower the dumbbells to your chest and then press them back up to the starting position.
When doing this exercise, be sure to use a spotter if you are using heavier weights. This is a great exercise to add to your routine if you are looking to tone your upper body. You can also try variations of this exercise, such as the incline bench press or the decline bench press.
5. Bent-over Row
The bent-over row is an excellent exercise for your back and biceps. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. Bend at the waist so that your upper body is parallel to the ground. From here, row the dumbbells up to your chest and then lower them back down to the starting position. This is a great exercise for toning your back and biceps. Be sure to keep your back straight when performing this exercise. This will prevent injury and help you get the most out of the exercise. A good way to do this is to focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together when you row the dumbbells up.
6. Triceps Extension
This exercise targets your triceps. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells over your head so that your arms are extended straight. From here, lower the dumbbells behind your head and then press them back up to the starting position.
This is a great exercise for toning your triceps. You can make this exercise more challenging by using heavier dumbbells or adding more repetitions to your set. If you want an even bigger challenge, try doing this exercise with one arm at a time.
Don’t Forget To Cool Down
After your workout, be sure to cool down with some stretching. This will help your muscles recover and prevent injury. Stretching is an important part of any workout routine. You can adjust the intensity and duration of your workout to fit your needs, but be sure to include some stretching at the end.
These are just a few exercises that will help you tone your upper body. Remember to focus on form and breathing as you perform each exercise. And, as always, consult with a physician before beginning any new workout routine. With these exercises, you’ll be on your way to toned arms in no time!
Author: Allen Brown.