Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Dumbbells, Resistance band, Chair and Towel
- 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.
Active walking
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Choose a clear, safe area and start walking at a comfortable pace. Take regular steps with your arms moving naturally. Keep a pace that allows conversation and slow down to finish.
What you train: Warms up the body and trains arm-leg coordination while walking.
Watch video ↗Band pull-apart
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Hold a light band in front of your chest, elbows slightly bent. Move your hands apart through a comfortable shoulder range. Slowly bring your hands together, controlling the band's tension.
What you train: Strengthens the rear shoulders and trains shoulder-blade movement.
Watch video ↗Self-resisted biceps curl
1 × 5 gentle repetitions per side
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 you train: Works the biceps against resistance provided by your other hand.
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 ↗03Standing band curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Stand on the band with both feet, holding ends palms forward.
- Bend elbows towards shoulders, upper arms beside your body.
- Lower slowly until elbows straighten, maintaining your grip.
What it trainsWorks the biceps against increasing elastic resistance.
- 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
Stand on the band's centre with both feet. Keep elbows at your sides, bend arms and return slowly without releasing the ends.
Technique cueStart with light tension and ensure the band is secure underfoot.
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
- Lifting elbows or letting the band slip free.
View exercise guide ↗04Seated concentration curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Sit with legs apart, resting the back of your upper arm against your inner thigh.
- Curl the dumbbell palm up without lifting your upper arm.
- Lower slowly to extend the elbow, then set up the other side.
What it trainsWorks one biceps with thigh support to limit momentum.
- 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 legs apart and the back of your upper arm resting against your inner thigh. Bend the elbow and lower slowly; change sides.
Technique cueRest the arm on your thigh without digging the elbow into your knee.
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 your wrist or lifting your arm from the support.
View exercise guide ↗05Bottle or dumbbell hammer curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Hold closed bottles or dumbbells at your sides with palms facing inward.
- Bend elbows to raise the weights, keeping upper arms beside your trunk.
- Lower in two seconds without turning hands or bending wrists.
What it trainsWorks elbow flexors and grip with palms facing each other.
- 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 the weights with palms facing each other. Bend elbows without moving shoulders and lower over two seconds.
Technique cueKeep wrists straight and grip direction unchanged.
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
- Swinging your back to lift the weight.
View exercise guide ↗06Seated dumbbell curl
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Sit with feet grounded and dumbbells beside you, palms forward.
- Bend elbows without moving shoulders forward or shifting your trunk.
- Lower slowly to extend arms with elbows at your sides.
What it trainsWorks the biceps while sitting helps limit body swing.
- 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 and arms at your sides. Bend elbows to raise dumbbells, then lower with control.
Technique cueKeep the trunk still; only forearms move.
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 shoulder forward.
View exercise guide ↗07Seated 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 ↗08Towel squeeze and release
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Roll a towel so one hand can comfortably wrap around it.
- Squeeze moderately for three seconds while breathing.
- Open your fingers and fully release before using the other hand.
What it trainsTrains grip strength and alternating hand pressure and relaxation.
- 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
Roll up a towel and squeeze moderately for three seconds. Release fully and alternate hands.
Technique cueFully relax between squeezes; do not seek maximum force.
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
- Maintaining a maximum contraction or holding your breath.
View exercise guide ↗09Forearm pronation and supination
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Hold a light bottle, elbow bent beside your body and forearm forward.
- Slowly turn the forearm palm up without moving your shoulder.
- Rotate palm down, keeping your elbow in place.
What it trainsTrains control of palm-up and palm-down forearm rotation.
- 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
Keep your bent elbow beside your body and slowly turn your palm up and down without moving your shoulder.
Technique cueHold the bottle near its centre to keep the weight close.
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
- Rotating your whole arm.
View exercise guide ↗10Unloaded 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 ↗
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.