Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Dumbbells, Light resistance band, Fixed table 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.
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 ↗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 ↗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 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 ↗02Gentle 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 ↗03Dumbbell shoulder press
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Stand or sit steadily with a light dumbbell beside each shoulder.
- Press overhead through a comfortable range.
- Bend your elbows and slowly return the weights to shoulder height.
What it trainsStrengthens the shoulders and triceps through overhead pressing.
- 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
From a stable position, press two light dumbbells overhead and lower slowly.
Technique cueKeep your ribs stacked above your pelvis.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the weight and range of movement to a comfortable level.
- To progress
- Gradually increase the weight while keeping your torso stable.
- Avoid this mistake
- Arching your back to complete the repetition.
View exercise guide ↗04Bottle or dumbbell lateral raise
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Hold light weights beside you with elbows slightly bent.
- Raise arms sideways to a comfortable height below shoulder level.
- Lower slowly without shrugging or swinging.
What it trainsMainly works the side 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
With arms at your sides and elbows slightly bent, raise hands sideways to a comfortable height below your shoulders. Lower slowly.
Technique cueRelax your neck with thumbs angled slightly upward.
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
- Shrugging or using leg momentum.
View exercise guide ↗05Supported rear-delt raise
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Rest one hand on a table, hinge forward and hold a light dumbbell in the other.
- Open the loaded arm sideways, elbow slightly bent, without rotating your chest.
- Lower slowly with your back still.
What it trainsWorks the rear shoulder with additional trunk support.
- 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 one hand on a firm table and hinge forward from your hips. Open the other arm sideways with a slightly bent elbow, then return slowly.
Technique cueUse a short range; move the shoulder while the trunk stays still.
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 back to open the arm.
View exercise guide ↗06Unanchored band external rotation
Train
2 × 8
How to do it- Hold a band in both hands, elbows bent and tucked beside you.
- Rotate forearms outward, separating hands without lifting elbows away.
- Slowly return with control.
What it trainsWorks the shoulder's external rotators against light band 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
Hold a band in both hands, elbows bent and tucked beside you. Rotate forearms outward to separate hands, then return slowly.
Technique cueOpen only as far as elbows stay tucked and shoulders relaxed.
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 away or forcing the end range.
View exercise guide ↗07Wall 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 ↗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 ↗10Prone 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 ↗
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.