Upper Body Power and Strength
17/1792 – Upper Body Power and Strength
Workout Overview
This upper-body strength workout is designed to build endurance and power through controlled, compound movements and targeted isolation exercises. Using light to moderate dumbbells, this session focuses on improving muscular strength, endurance, and definition while maintaining proper form and joint safety.
Focus and Benefits
This workout targets the chest, shoulders, back, biceps, and triceps, combining steady tempos, and high-rep sets to maximize muscle engagement. The mix of circuits and an EMOM finisher ensures consistent effort, building upper-body strength and stability.
Equipment
- Light to moderate dumbbells (I’m using 10 – 20lbs)
- Optional mat for the cooldown
Tips & Helpful Information
- Focus on Form: Maintain control through each movement.
- Rest Strategically: Use rest periods to reset your form and recover before the next set.
- Choose the Right Weight: Aim for a weight that challenges you for 10 – 12 reps without compromising form.
- Every Minute on the Minute (EMOM): Choose a light weight to ensure that you hit your reps and get enough rest.
Difficulty & Modifications
Rated Level 3 out of 5, this workout is designed for intermediate fitness levels. Beginners can reduce the weight or reps, while advanced users can grab heavier weights or extend the EMOM duration for an added challenge.
Workout
Warm-Up (4 Minutes) Use light dumbbells.
- Front Raise Pause
- Cross-Body Curl Pause
- Reverse Fly Pause
- Plank to Down Dog
Main Workout. Each exercise is 45 seconds on, 30 seconds rest.
Circuit 1 (3 Rounds)
- Close Grip Chest Press
- Bent-Over Dumbbell Rows
- Dumbbell Shoulder Press
Water Break
Circuit 2 (3 Rounds)
- Wide Grip Chest Press
- Bicep Curls to Arnold Press
- Tricep Kickbacks
EMOM Finisher (5 Minutes, 5 Reps of Each Before Minute is Complete)
- Standing Chest Fly
- Lateral Raise
- Zottman Curl
Cool-Down (5 Minutes)
- Child’s Pose
- Cat-Cow Stretch
- Thread the Needle Stretch
- Overhead Tricep Stretch
- Chest Opener Stretch