Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Light dumbbells, Chair and Towel; Clear gym space
- Before you choose
- General option for adults. Check each exercise's equipment and avoid improvised supports.
- Intensity
- Comfortable load with about 3 reps in reserve. You need not complete every set if technique worsens or you become tired.
- Warm-up
- Before the session, complete one gentle round of the three listed movements. Allow about 6 minutes for preparation, transitions and rehearsing the first exercise; extend this if needed. Rehearse the first exercise with light resistance before its sets, keeping breathing comfortable.
Duration is approximate. Prepare your equipment and take the indicated rests; needing more rest can make the workout longer.
PREPARE TO MOVEYour warm-up
Start with this gentle preparation before your working sets. The listed duration includes the warm-up.
Knee-raise march
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Stand in a clear area to march on the spot or move slowly forward. Raise one knee comfortably, coordinating the opposite arm. Place the foot down with control and alternate in a steady rhythm.
What you train: Trains arm-leg coordination and balance while raising each knee.
Watch video ↗Seated thoracic rotation
1 × 5 gentle repetitions per side
Sit upright with feet grounded and arms crossed over your chest. Gently rotate your chest to one side without moving your pelvis. Return to the centre with control and turn the other way.
What you train: Trains upper-back mobility from a stable seated position.
Watch video ↗Unloaded neck mobility
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Sit or stand, shoulders relaxed, looking forward with chin at a natural height. Slowly turn your head comfortably to one side without moving your trunk. Return to centre and turn the other way without circling.
What you train: Trains controlled neck rotation within a comfortable range.
Watch video ↗
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
10 exercises01Gentle wrist mobility
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- With relaxed arms, gently open and close your hands without maximum squeezing.
- Make small wrist circles within a comfortable range.
- Reverse direction and finish by relaxing hands and forearms.
What it trainsMobilises hands and wrists before gripping or weight-bearing exercises.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Relax your arms, open and close hands, and make small, comfortable wrist circles in both directions.
Technique cueKeep movement gentle without forcing end ranges.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving your wrist into a painful end position.
View exercise guide ↗02Shoulder circles
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Sit or stand with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- Make small, slow shoulder circles backwards.
- Reverse direction, then let your shoulders relax.
What it trainsGently mobilises the shoulders and shoulder blades before activity.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sitting or standing, let your arms relax. Make small, slow circles with your shoulders backwards, then forwards.
Technique cueKeep your head still and breathe naturally.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Make smaller circles.
- To progress
- Make the circles larger only within a comfortable range of movement.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving abruptly or tensing your neck.
View exercise guide ↗03Reverse-grip curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Hold light weights palms down, elbows close to your body.
- Bend elbows with wrists aligned with forearms.
- Lower slowly without turning palms or swinging your trunk.
What it trainsWorks elbow flexors and forearm muscles with palms down.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With palms down and elbows near your body, bend elbows and return slowly, keeping wrists neutral.
Technique cueUse less weight than a regular curl to keep wrists straight.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Bending your wrists to lift the load.
View exercise guide ↗04Supported wrist curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Sit with forearm on thigh, hand beyond your knee and palm up.
- Hold a light bottle and bend only the wrist towards your forearm.
- Lower comfortably without lifting the forearm from your thigh.
What it trainsWorks the forearm muscles that bend your wrist towards your palm.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sit with forearm resting on your thigh, hand beyond the knee and palm up. Bend only the wrist and lower slowly.
Technique cueUse a small, comfortable range with a still elbow.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving your whole arm.
View exercise guide ↗05Supported wrist extension
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Sit with forearm on thigh, palm down and hand beyond your knee.
- Hold a light bottle and raise the back of your hand, moving only the wrist.
- Lower comfortably without lifting the elbow.
What it trainsWorks the forearm muscles that lift the back of your hand.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Rest your forearm on your thigh, palm down and hand free. Raise the back of your hand, then return slowly.
Technique cueKeep your forearm supported and stop before wrist strain.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using a load that makes you move your elbow.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with arms beside your body.
- Walk with controlled steps along an obstacle-free route.
- Slow down to stop and carefully put the weights down.
What it trainsStrengthens grip and trains trunk stability while carrying weight.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Hold a dumbbell in each hand and walk with controlled steps through a clear space.
Technique cueChoose a load that allows upright walking and relaxed shoulders.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use lighter weights or a shorter distance.
- To progress
- Increase the time moderately.
- Avoid this mistake
- Turning quickly or walking through an area with obstacles.
View exercise guide ↗07Self-resisted biceps curl
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Keep one elbow beside your body; place the other hand on its wrist.
- Bend the elbow towards your shoulder against gentle hand resistance.
- Straighten slowly against that resistance, then change arms.
What it trainsWorks the biceps against resistance provided by your other hand.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Place the opposite hand on the working arm's wrist. Bend the elbow against gradually applied hand resistance; resist the descent too, then change sides.
Technique cueAdjust pressure for smooth, continuous movement.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Turning this into a strength contest between your arms.
View exercise guide ↗08Seated shoulder-blade squeeze
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Sit with feet grounded, arms relaxed and shoulders away from ears.
- Gently bring shoulder blades together without arching or lifting your chest.
- Hold three seconds, then fully relax.
What it trainsPractises drawing shoulder blades together with relaxed neck and shoulders.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sit with feet grounded, gently draw shoulder blades together for three seconds, then relax.
Technique cueUse a small movement without maximum squeezing.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Squeezing maximally or raising your shoulders.
View exercise guide ↗09Unloaded arm opening
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Sit or stand with your arms in front at a comfortable height.
- Gently open them sideways without moving your trunk.
- Slowly bring your arms back together in front.
What it trainsTrains shoulder movement and arm coordination without added load.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sitting or standing, gently open your arms at a comfortable height, then bring them back together in front. Keep your shoulders relaxed and torso stable.
Technique cueRelax your shoulders; your hands do not need to go behind your body.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Keep your arms below shoulder height.
- To progress
- Add a short pause as you open your arms without arching your back.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing your shoulder range or pushing your chest out too far.
View exercise guide ↗10Calm standing breathing
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Stand with feet firm, knees relaxed and shoulders down.
- Breathe in comfortably without shrugging or maximally filling your lungs.
- Exhale slowly and repeat the cycles in your session.
What it trainsPractises calm standing breathing and awareness of chest and rib movement.
- Rest
- Rest 45 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With feet firm and knees relaxed, inhale without shrugging and exhale slowly. Complete five comfortable cycles.
Technique cueUse a natural rhythm without forcing air in or out.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce resistance and range; keep the movement comfortable and controlled.
- To progress
- Once you complete the prescribed amount with control, add one or two repetitions; then slightly increase resistance.
- Avoid this mistake
- Becoming dizzy through breathing too fast.
View exercise guide ↗
FINISH THE SESSIONFinish and prepare your next step.
Walk slowly and breathe comfortably for 2–3 minutes. Allow at least one recovery day before repeating hard strength work for the same muscle group.
Open workout in the app →General routines for adults. If you have a health condition, an injury, are pregnant or have medical instructions, consult your professional before starting and ask for adaptations. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.