
Bodyweight exercises work using your own weight. There are a ton of basic moves and a myriad of variations of each of these moves. Most of these can be modified for beginners or made more challenging for those who have mastered beginning and intermediate levels of fitness.
What Bodyweight Exercises Will Tone My Upper Half?
Here are a few basic moves to work your upper body.
Pushups
This tried and true move is a no-brainer for anyone seeking to improve upper body strength and toned arms, back and shoulders.
The great thing about pushups is that they can be modified any number of ways. If you’re a beginner, you can start with an easier pushup. Simply keep your knees on the ground.
From there you can move to the standard pushup. If you want to focus on different muscles, adjust arm position. For example, positioning your arms wider apart or moving hands together in front of you, for the "diamond" pushup position.
Plank
This is a great overall body move, but it makes it into the upper body category. Planks help strengthen core, deep abdominal muscles, side abdominals, back muscles, shoulders and arms, as well as the lower body.
Get into the pushup position, keeping your body in a straight line, engaging your abdominal muscles. You can either do this move with your arms straight or by resting on your forearms. Variations of this move include side planks.
Tricep Dips
The triceps can be difficult to tone, unless you know this move. Find a sturdy bench or chair for this exercise. Face away from the bench, place your hands on the edge and lower yourself down a few inches, then raise yourself back up. This will give those triceps a good workout.
If you're looking for bodyweight exercises to tone your lower body, check these out.
While bodyweight workouts at home are a great way to stay strong and toned, it is helpful to have the resources of a gym available to you. A gym gives you options, including workout equipment and machines, weights, group classes, individualized personal training, socializing and increased accountability.
At the Downtown Athletic Club in Amarillo, you will have all of the above. Consider joining us this year.