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Resistance band upper body workout

November 18, 2015 //  by Di Hickman//  34 Comments

When you think sexy arms and shoulders, you might think Summer dresses and bikinis! But a toned upper body never goes out of fashion. Let’s look at 5 exercises to tone and sculpt the shoulders and arms in this resistance band upper body workout.

Resistance band upper body workout infographic

Honestly, I love using resistance tubing for home workouts. It’s versatile and compact. This is a review of the resistance tubing set I used. For a video of all the movements the hit play below.

Alternatively, stop and view it over at YouTube. Maybe you want to add it to a workout playlist? Remember to subscribe to my channel, I upload new videos every Tuesday and Friday!

Resistance Band Upper Body Exercises

Warming up is essential for any workout. So start with some gentle mobilization for the shoulders and arms. Maybe some arms circles. Or, do some air swimming. Maybe even get down on the floor and flap your butterfly wings.

Lateral Raise

Start with the feet under the hips, standing on the resistance band. Have the arms down by the sides holding the handles with the palms facing towards each other. Keep the knees soft and abs lightly engaged. Slowly lift the arms out to the sides, raising the hands level with the shoulders and lower back down with control.

Fitness instructor demonstrating Lateral raise exercise with resistance band

Repeat for 12 reps, then complete one minute of jump rope. Repeat this resistance band upper body exercise mini circuit three times before moving on to the next set.

Bicep Curl

Begin standing on your resistance band with the feet under the hips. Again, the arms down by the sides holding the handles. This time, the palms facing up. Keep the knees soft and abs engaged. Bend at the elbow raising the hands to the shoulders.Lower with control.

Personal trainer doing bicep curl with resistance bands

Again, repeat for 12 reps. Afterwards, complete one minute of jump rope. Repeat this bicep curl circuit three times.

Front Raise

Again starting with the same standing position with the arms down by the sides holding the handles. This time, palms facing back behind you. From the shoulder lift the arms in front, to shoulder height, and lower with control. Keeping the knees soft and abs engaged,

Personal trainer performing front raise with resistance tubing

Repeating again for 12 reps, then complete one minute of jump rope. This mini circuit can be repeated up to three times before moving onto the next exercise in this resistance band upper body workout.

Tricep Extension

Begin kneeling, or sitting, on the floor. The resistance band should be anchored to something behind you. Holding the handles, raise the arms overhead with the elbows pointing up and elbows bent to 90°. The palms facing in towards each other, or down to the floor. Keeping the core engaged, extend the elbow straightening the arms.

personal trainer demonstrating seated tricep exercise using resistance band

When extended the biceps will stay by the ears, keeping the elbows and upper arms in. and lower back down with control. Repeat for 12 reps, then complete one minute of jump rope. Repeat this triceps extension exercise set three times.

Tricep Pull

Begin kneeling on the floor, with the resistance band anchored to your side. Hold both of the handles. Raise the arm furthest away from the anchor out to the side and parallel to the floor. Start with the elbow up and bent. Keeping the upper arm parallel to the floor, extend the elbow straightening the arm. Return hand to shoulder with control.

personal trainer demonstrating seated tricep exercise using resistance band

Repeat for 12 reps, then repeat on the other arm. Again, afterwards perhaps do one minute of jump rope. Repeat this triceps pull exercise circuit three times. Once completed, finish with a nice stretch for the arms and shoulders! 

Resistance band upper body workout questions

  • Have you done resistance band workouts before?
  • Which upper body area is your “problem zone”
  • What workouts do you do at home?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin (@SugarCrumbs)

    November 22, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    I definitely need to start doing this. My arms are a little less than fit these days. lol.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 24, 2015 at 10:00 am

      I know! As we get older I’m sure our arms get wobblier!

      Reply
  2. Raewyn

    November 21, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    These actually look like something I would do!! I got all of my arm muscles from serving tables, but now that I’m not, I need to get back into it!! I will definitely check out this resistance band! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 22, 2015 at 5:28 pm

      Yep amazing how work often keeps up fit and healthy without us realizing!

      Reply
  3. Eileen xo

    November 21, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    Great work-out idea. I love that I can do these at home

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 6:07 pm

      Totally! Home workouts are extra little bonus workouts for me!

      Reply
  4. WholeFoodBellies

    November 21, 2015 at 10:13 am

    This is great! I love the step by steps and the photo instructions. I haven’t worked on my arms in a long time, really need to get back into it!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 12:03 pm

      Thanks! I’m working on doing more workout posts, let me know if you’d like to see anything specific!

      Reply
  5. Pam

    November 20, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    This looks like a good workout! It also reminded me that I still need to invest in a resistance band! Currently, I use my hand weights for most exercises.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      They are a great addition to a home gym!

      Reply
  6. Debra

    November 20, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    I actually really like using a resistance band! I am going to try these out!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      Great! Glad it helped!

      Reply
  7. Jaime

    November 20, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    What awesome workouts! I am definitely going to implement them!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Great! Let me know how you like it!

      Reply
  8. CourtneyLynne

    November 20, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Omg what a great workout!!! My arms definitely need some help. Definitely going to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 11:54 am

      Awesome! Glad I could help!

      Reply
  9. laura londergan

    November 20, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    YAY! i totally needed this right now as I have been eating clean and doing great but need to start some work out & have resistance bands so this helps! thanks – pinned it! 😉

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 21, 2015 at 11:53 am

      Thanks so much Laura! Glad you liked it. I have more workouts and health info coming 🙂

      Reply
  10. Brittany @ Everyday Thoughts

    November 20, 2015 at 11:13 am

    My arms are my biggest weakness. I can squat and lung until the cows come home but I really need to start focusing on my upper body. This seems like an awesome circuit – thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  11. JanetGoingCrazy

    November 20, 2015 at 7:17 am

    This looks like a great workout. I have a ways to go before I’ll be doing resistance training, but I’m on my way!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 20, 2015 at 3:19 pm

      Why Janet? what’s stopping you doing resistance training?

      Reply
  12. Lexie

    November 20, 2015 at 6:10 am

    Love love resistant band workouts!!!
    This one looks great! I’ll have to try it out sometime! 🙂 thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 20, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      Yes do! Resistance bands are super cool for home workouts!

      Reply
  13. Kiersten Millican

    November 20, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Great tutorials! I love using resistance bands!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 20, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      Thanks! Yes me too!

      Reply
  14. Mimi B

    November 20, 2015 at 5:02 am

    I’m so terrible at getting motivated to workout from home. I love that you go outside to get yours done. I suppose if I had some of the gear that would be helpful, too. =) My arms definitely need some definition.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 20, 2015 at 3:16 pm

      Yep pretty much all my workouts are done by the poolside. I do yoga there too. Unfortunately this also means it can be blazing hot or freezing cold. So picking the right window of time is essential!

      Reply
  15. The Cuteness

    November 20, 2015 at 4:50 am

    Cool! Looks like a great workout!

    Reply
  16. Ana De Jesus

    November 19, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Some great tips. I have injured my right deltoid and they have recommended light exercise because it is in bad shape.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 19, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      How did you injure your delt? Which section: posterior/anterior/medial?
      Are they sure it’s the deltoid and not rotator cuff muscles?
      I injured my right shoulder a few years ago doing barre class so I feel ya!

      Reply
  17. Cynthia @craftoflaughter

    November 19, 2015 at 10:22 am

    I have bands but have never used them due to lack of confidence. I may dig them out now!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 19, 2015 at 8:38 pm

      Definitely do! THey are super easy to use, and great for home workouts!

      Reply
  18. Primp and Prime Beauty

    November 19, 2015 at 9:43 am

    I need to work on my arms so badly, especially after having a second baby. They feel more like wings right now lol

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      November 19, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      Hahahaha. Make sure you get the all clear to exercise from your gyno then get back into it!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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