Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Towel, Chair, Wall and Exercise mat
- 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.
Seated march
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Sit upright on a firm chair with both feet grounded. Lift one knee a few centimetres without leaning back. Lower the foot and alternate at a comfortable rhythm.
What you train: Activates the legs and trains coordination from a stable seated position.
Watch video ↗Wall push-up
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Place your hands on the wall at chest height and step slightly back. Bend your elbows to bring your chest towards the wall, keeping your body aligned. Push away to straighten your arms and return.
What you train: Strengthens the chest, triceps and shoulders with less load than floor push-ups.
Watch video ↗Side-lying thoracic rotation
1 × 5 gentle repetitions per side
Lie on your side with knees bent and arms in front. Open the upper arm backwards with a gentle rotation of your chest. Close the arm slowly; complete both sides.
What you train: Trains upper-back rotation while your pelvis remains supported.
Watch video ↗
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
10 exercises01Shoulder 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 ↗02Seated thoracic rotation
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- 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 it trainsTrains upper-back mobility from a stable seated position.
- 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 upright with both feet on the floor and your arms crossed over your chest. Gently rotate your torso, return to the centre and switch sides.
Technique cueKeep your hips and knees facing forward.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use a small rotation.
- To progress
- Add a two-second pause in a comfortable position.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing the rotation by pulling on the backrest or moving your pelvis.
View exercise guide ↗03Seated isometric towel row
Train
2 × 4 presses of 5 s
How to do it- Sit with a strong towel around your soles, keeping shoes on.
- Gently pull the ends without moving arms or legs; keep your chest upright.
- Hold for five seconds while breathing, then relax.
What it trainsActivates the back and arms with a sustained pull.
- Rest
- Relax 5 s between presses; rest 45 s or longer between sets.
- Tempo
- Hold 5 s while breathing, then relax 5 s between presses
The movement, step by step
Sit with a strong towel around your shod soles. Hold the ends and gently pull while arms and legs stay still. Keep your chest upright, breathe for five seconds and release the tension.
Technique cueAdjust knee bend for comfort and check the towel first.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce pressure and hold only 3 seconds for a gentler start.
- To progress
- When comfortable, slightly increase pressure while retaining the 5-second hold and normal breathing.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using a damaged towel, leaning backwards or holding your breath.
View exercise guide ↗04Isometric elbow press against a wall
Train
2 × 4 presses of 5 s
How to do it- Rest your back on a firm wall, feet slightly apart for stability.
- Bend elbows to 90° and gently press them back into the wall.
- Hold for five seconds while breathing, then relax.
What it trainsActivates the rear shoulders through sustained wall pressure.
- Rest
- Relax 5 s between presses; rest 45 s or longer between sets.
- Tempo
- Hold 5 s while breathing, then relax 5 s between presses
The movement, step by step
Rest your back on a firm wall with feet slightly apart. Bend both elbows to 90° and gently press them back into the wall for five seconds. Keep your trunk still, breathe and relax.
Technique cueKeep shoulders down and trunk still.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce pressure and hold only 3 seconds for a gentler start.
- To progress
- When comfortable, slightly increase pressure while retaining the 5-second hold and normal breathing.
- Avoid this mistake
- Pushing with your whole body, shrugging or stopping breathing.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Lie face down, forehead on a towel, arms in a W.
- Slightly lift hands and elbows while gently drawing shoulder blades together.
- Lower slowly without lifting your chest.
What it trainsStrengthens rear shoulders and trains shoulder-blade control with bent arms.
- 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
Lie face down, forehead on a towel and arms in a W. Slightly raise hands and elbows, gently bring shoulder blades together and lower.
Technique cueKeep your neck long and pelvis on the mat.
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 your chest by arching your lower back.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Lie face down with forehead supported and arms in a T, thumbs up.
- Lift arms a few centimetres without raising your head or shrugging.
- Lower slowly with control.
What it trainsStrengthens rear shoulders and trains shoulder-blade control with open arms.
- 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
Lie face down, forehead supported, arms in a T and thumbs up. Raise arms a few centimetres and lower slowly.
Technique cueUse a small range in which you feel shoulder-blade 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
- Forcing height or extending your neck.
View exercise guide ↗07Wall shoulder-blade control
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Place hands on a wall at shoulder height with elbows straight.
- Let your chest move slightly towards the wall as shoulder blades approach.
- Push the wall away to spread shoulder blades without bending elbows.
What it trainsTrains shoulder-blade control as the chest approaches and leaves the wall.
- 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 hands on a wall at shoulder height. With elbows straight, let the chest move slightly closer, then push away to spread your shoulder blades.
Technique cueMove your shoulder blades with straight arms and a stable waist.
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
- Sagging through your waist.
View exercise guide ↗08Unloaded hip hinge
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Stand a short distance in front of a wall, facing away, knees slightly bent.
- Send your hips back to lightly touch the wall as you hinge forward.
- Push through your feet to stand without moving them.
What it trainsTeaches hip-back movement and trunk coordination before loaded hinging.
- 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 with your back a short distance from a wall. With your knees slightly bent, push your hips back until they brush the wall, then stand upright again.
Technique cueUse the wall as a hip reference, not a place to drop your weight.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move closer to the wall and reduce the range of movement.
- To progress
- Move your feet a little further away; then practise without touching the wall.
- Avoid this mistake
- Bending only your back or turning the movement into a deep squat.
View exercise guide ↗09Prone Y raise
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Lie face down with forehead supported and arms in a Y, thumbs up.
- Lift arms a few centimetres without raising your chest or head.
- Slowly lower your hands and repeat the same short range.
What it trainsTrains shoulder and shoulder-blade control in an overhead position.
- 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
Lie face down with forehead supported and arms in a Y, thumbs up. Slightly lift arms without raising your chest, then lower with control.
Technique cueKeep shoulders away from ears; a slight hand lift is enough.
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
- Lower-back arching or neck tension.
View exercise guide ↗10Wall arm slide
Additional exercise
1 × 6
How to do it- Face a wall with hands or forearms resting at a comfortable height.
- Slide your arms upward without arching your back or straining your shoulders.
- Slide back down with control.
What it trainsTrains coordinated shoulder and shoulder-blade movement while raising the arms.
- 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 facing a wall and rest your hands or forearms on it at a comfortable height. Gently slide them upwards and back down without forcing your shoulders.
Technique cueKeep ribs above your pelvis; you do not need to reach the highest point.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the height of the slide.
- To progress
- Gradually increase the range of movement if you can maintain your posture.
- Avoid this mistake
- Arching your back to reach higher or pushing through discomfort.
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.