Building upper body strength is a crucial part of overall good health. If gyms aren’t your thing, all is not lost. It’s easy to tone up and build strong muscles by exercising in the privacy of your own apartment. The following exercises can be done right at home, and they don’t require much equipment, so no more excuses! Check out our favorite upper body workouts you can do in your apartment below.
Classic Bicep Curl with Overhead Press
This basic exercise is a tried and true favorite for building upper body strength.
Begin by holding dumbbells in front of your body. Have your palms facing upward, then curl the dumbbells towards your shoulders. Next, rotate your hands so that the dumbbells are parallel to one another, then push them up and over your head. Slowly bring the dumbbells back down to the starting position, and repeat.
Push Ups
Push Ups are a classic exercise move that truly works, making it one of the most popular upper body workouts you can do in your apartment.
Begin in the plank position. Make sure your arms are slightly wider than the width of your shoulders and that your body is parallel to the floor. Slowly bend your elbows, bringing your chest close to the floor. Then push yourself up to your starting position, and repeat.
Inchworm
The Inchworm might look a little silly, but it’s a serious workout that will lead to results fast.
Begin in a standing position with your feet firmly on the ground. Roll down from your hips until your hands reach the floor, then slowly walk your hands out until you’re in the standard plank position. Take small steps forward with your feet until they reach your hands. Then walk your hands out forward until you’re in the plank position again. Repeat as desired for a full workout.
Plank Ups
Plank Ups provide a great stretch as well as a solid upper body workout.
Begin in an upright position. Bend down from your hips until your hands are flat on the floor. Slowly walk your hands forward until you are in the standard plank position. Make sure your body is straight and parallel to the floor. Slowly walk your hands back towards your feet and stand upright in your starting position. Repeat as necessary.
