Intro

An upper-body workout focused on the shoulders, back, arms, and core to complete the week's muscle-building volume.

This second Upper workout rounds out the upper-body training with push-up variations, postural exercises, and arm strengthening. It aims to reinforce the shoulders, stimulate the back, and maintain sound muscular balance.

Required equipment
Circuit 2 rounds
Warm-up

Do each exercise one after another. When you finish the list, rest then start again.

Keep the ribs down and the shoulders away from the ears to prepare for shoulder work.
Round 1: 8 - 12 Repetitions
Round 2: 8 - 12 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Walk forward slowly with a stable pelvis; the goal is to activate the core before the more demanding push-ups.
Round 1: 20 seconds - 30 seconds
Round 2: 20 seconds - 30 seconds
Chain without rest
Push the floor away at the end of the movement to prepare the muscles around the shoulder blades.
Round 1: 8 - 12 Repetitions
Round 2: 8 - 12 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Activate the rear delts and upper back to balance the pushing volume.
Round 1: 8 - 12 Repetitions Rest time : 15 seconds
Round 2: 8 - 12 Repetitions Rest time : 30 seconds
15 seconds rest between each round
Repeat 2 times
30 seconds rest
Superset
Main

Do each exercise back to back without resting between them. Rest after completing the pair.

Beginner: replace this with a standard push-up. Intermediate: use a slow lowering phase and progress to a harder variation once you can complete 12 clean reps. Read more
Beginner: replace this with a standard push-up. Intermediate: use a slow lowering phase and progress to a harder variation once you can complete 12 clean reps.
Set 1: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Set 2: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Set 3: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Set 4: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Gently squeeze the shoulder blades together at the end of the movement to strengthen the upper back and preserve shoulder balance. Read more
Gently squeeze the shoulder blades together at the end of the movement to strengthen the upper back and preserve shoulder balance.
Set 1: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 2: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 3: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 4: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Superset
Main

Do each exercise back to back without resting between them. Rest after completing the pair.

Targets the triceps; move the hands slightly wider if the wrists are uncomfortable.
Set 1: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Set 2: 6 - 12 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Apply resistance with the opposite hand; keep the elbow fixed and make the lowering phase as challenging as the lifting phase. Read more
Apply resistance with the opposite hand; keep the elbow fixed and make the lowering phase as challenging as the lifting phase.
Set 1: 10 - 15 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 2: 10 - 15 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 3: 10 - 15 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Superset
Main

Do each exercise back to back without resting between them. Rest after completing the pair.

Briefly rest the chest on the floor to remove momentum; if you exceed 14 clean reps, slow the lowering phase further.
Set 1: 8 - 14 Repetitions
Set 2: 8 - 14 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Raise the arms and legs without exaggerating the back arch; prioritize activation of the back and glutes over a large range of motion. Read more
Raise the arms and legs without exaggerating the back arch; prioritize activation of the back and glutes over a large range of motion.
Set 1: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 2: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 3: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Superset
Main

Do each exercise back to back without resting between them. Rest after completing the pair.

Raise the arms without shrugging the shoulders; this helps strengthen the lower trapezius and stabilize the shoulder blades. Read more
Raise the arms without shrugging the shoulders; this helps strengthen the lower trapezius and stabilize the shoulder blades.
Set 1: 12 - 20 Repetitions
Set 2: 12 - 20 Repetitions
Set 3: 12 - 20 Repetitions
Chain without rest
Open the arms under control; stop the set if the upper traps or neck begin to take over.
Set 1: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 2: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 3: 12 - 20 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Superset
Main

Do each exercise back to back without resting between them. Rest after completing the pair.

Drive the hips upward to strengthen the posterior chain and shoulders; shorten the hold if the wrists fatigue.
Set 1: 30 seconds - 1 minute
Set 2: 30 seconds - 1 minute
Set 3: 30 seconds - 1 minute
Chain without rest
Alternate slowly and control the rotation; do not pull on the neck as fatigue sets in.
Set 1: 20 - 40 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 2: 20 - 40 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Set 3: 20 - 40 Repetitions Rest time : 1 minute
Standard
Cool-down
Release the rear delts after the raises without pulling aggressively.
30 seconds - 40 seconds
Keep the glutes lightly engaged and reduce the range of motion if the lower back feels compressed.
20 seconds - 30 seconds
Release thoracic rotation to recover more effectively from the shoulder/back work.
30 seconds - 40 seconds

This workout is part of a complete program.

View program