Arm & Upper Body Workout You Can Do at Home

It’s not uncommon that exercise enthusiasts will focus on their triceps, biceps and abs for body definition goals, and that’s great. What is quickly forgotten, however, is that there’s so much more too. It’s not stuck to massive gym workouts, either! There are even upper body exercises you can do in a home workout!

The chest, back and shoulders, in particular, are all huge areas of muscle, and they also deserve attention! Having an understanding of the different muscle groups and how they function not only helps success but helps with your overall goals and planning your exercise training regime too. That’s vital information.

Don’t feel as if you’re restricted because it’s an upper-body workout from home, either. There’s a variety of home exercises that you can do, with or without weights, that help you achieve your fitness goals. Below are some arm and upper body toning exercises to get you started at home.

Want to move fast? Jump to the right section below.

1. Bicep Curls
2. Hammer Curls
3. Overhead Press
4. Bicycle Crunch
5. Tricep Dips
6. Crunches
7. Floor Dumbbell Presses
8. Dumbbell Rows

1. Bicep Curls

A popular exercise, bicep curls are simple and straightforward to perform. It’s an effective exercise to define your arms and help keep motion and functionality in your day-to-day arm movements. Bicep curls can also support your back and shoulder muscles, despite being an isolation exercise.

When performing bicep curls, choose dumbbells you feel comfortable lifting but will also train your muscles. Aim to complete three sets of 8-12 repetitions of this exercise. Then, as always, increase and decrease the weight accordingly.

2. Hammer Curls

Hammer curls are very similar to bicep curls; the main difference is that you rotate your arms, so your palms are facing inwards. This exercise focuses on your biceps, as well as your brachioradialis, located in your forearm. Hitting the same muscles from different angles is an excellent way to slingshot toning.

Again, choose a weight you feel comfortable with; preferably, keep the same dumbbell weight you select for bicep curls. Complete three sets of 8-12 repetitions.

3. Overhead Press

The overhead press is an excellent upper body exercise that you may not have considered in a home workout, but you should. It can help strengthen your core and your posture, as well as your deltoids, massively. This exercise requires weights, such as a pair of dumbbells, kettlebells or barbells. It’s an effective exercise to target your front, rear and delt shoulders and improve upper body strength in one home workout.

If you’re new to the overhead press, stand upright, holding a pair of dumbbells at shoulder height. Your palms need to be positioned facing forwards, and your elbows bent.

Press the weight overhead until your arms are fully extended. It’s important to ensure your back remains flat throughout. Lower the weight back to the starting position and complete three sets of 8-12 repetitions.

4. Bicycle Crunch

This exercise doesn’t require weights, and it’s an effective way to target your abdominals and increase your heart rate, which is excellent for anyone looking to tone this area.

To perform this exercise, lie flat on your back and place your hands at the side of your head. At this point, your legs will be straight. Next, slightly raise your head and shoulders off the floor and pull one knee towards your chest.

Bring the opposite elbow towards the knee whilst twisting your upper body. Next, move your elbow and knee back to the beginning and repeat using the other knee and elbow. Remember, the aim is to create a pedalling motion with your legs whilst twisting your torso.

Try to complete this exercise at a fast pace for 30 seconds, repeating it three times.

5. Tricep Dips

This exercise does exactly what it says on the tin – works your triceps muscles by completing ‘dip’ movements. Triceps dips also target different areas of your arms and upper body by engaging your lower back, chest, shoulders and forearms.

If you have an aerobic box at home, great. If not, you can use something similar, like your sofa. It’s a straightforward exercise to complete. Put your palms on the aerobic box behind you; straighten your legs with your heels on the floor.

Your arms should remain in a straight position at this point. Bending your elbows, use your arms to lower your body. Push your body back up to the beginning. Make sure your palms are positioned well, as they’ll be helping to keep your upper body steady. Complete three sets of 8-12 repetitions of this exercise.

6. Crunches

Another common exercise completed by fitness enthusiasts. Crunches predominately target your abdominal muscles but will also strengthen your core. They are great for developing muscles and creating definition.

To perform crunches, lie on your back with your legs bent. Place your hands on the side of your head and lift your head and shoulders off the floor. Lower them back and repeat. If this is your first time performing crunches, aim to complete up to 25 reps and increase the reps as you get stronger.

7. Floor Dumbbell Presses

The dumbbell press is used mainly for the growth of chest, tricep and shoulder muscles build through the movement of pushing dumbbells upwards away from the body.

The exercise is performed by laying down on the floor to prevent the arms from going below the shoulders during the relaxation phase, before then pushing the arms upwards until practically straight and then bringing them back down. Once an ideal weight is found, the exercise should consist of 3 sets of 8-12 reps

8. Dumbbell Rows

Dumbbell rows are used to work the mid to upper back muscles, such as the lats and traps, by pulling the dumbbell to the body.

The row is carried out by bending the back to around an 80-degree angle, ideally with something to lift and rest your bent knee onto for balance and support, before pulling the dumbbell toward your torso, before relaxing and lowing it back downwards to a fully extended arm, and repeated 8-12 times for three sets.

Various arms and upper body toning exercises can be done at home, but we hope these ones help get you started. If you’re looking to gain full body definition, combine these exercises with legs and lower body ones. Whether you’re focusing on the lower body one day and the upper the next, we recommend completing 3-4, 30-45 minute sessions per week.

For more toning workouts you can do at home, check out some of these:

• Legs and Butt Kettle Bell Toning Workout
• 6 Leg and Lower Body Toning Exercises for Any Workout
• 7 Bodyweight Lower Body Toning Exercises
• Or, take a look at our full guide on toning up at home!

Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.

If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.