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Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

4 MIN READ • 24th April 2017

So, you want toned triceps like Jessica Biel. Who doesn’t? The good news is that all it takes is a little focus on the right muscle groups – your biceps, triceps, front and rear shoulder muscles. And that’s what you’ll find right here – a mix of eight exercises that work you from every angle. Aim to perform the routine at least twice a week on non-consecutive days and don’t forget to work the rest of your physique by teaming this workout with another full-body routine. Ready to go?

Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

The plan

    • Lat raise

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps

      1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your arms down by your sides
      2. Raise both of your arms straight out to the sides until they reach shoulder level 3Lower both of your arms together, then pause and repeat

    • Front raise

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps
      1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Hold a weight plate (or two dumbbells) in both of your hands in front of your body at hip level
      2. Engage your abs and raise the plate up to shoulder level
      3. Lower the plate back to the starting position, pause and repeat

      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Rear band flye

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps
      1. Begin by standing tall with a straight back and raising both of your arms out in front of you at shoulder level. Hold a resistance band in each of your hands, shoulder-width apart
      2. Keeping your arms straight, pull the band out and back until you feel a squeeze between your shoulder blades
      3. Slowly return to the start and repeat
      Did you know? Resistance bands allow you to perform strength training without weights, meaning that they’re great for exercising when travelling

      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Shoulder press

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps
      1. Stand tall with dumbbells to each side of your shoulders and your elbows under your wrists
      2. Press the dumbbells from your shoulders until your arms are straight and squeeze your thighs and glutes to keep the rest of your body stable
      3. Lower back to the starting position and then press the dumbbells overhead again
      Pt tip: Hold the dumbbells in the middle of the handle with a firm grip. Ensure you keep them level throughout the move

      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Standing bicep curl

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps
      1. Stand up straight with your core engaged and your knees slightly bent
      2. With your arms straight by your sides, hold a dumbbell in each of your hands with an underhand grip (palms facing away from you)
      3. Squeeze your elbows close to your body as you curl the dumbbells up towards your chest
      4. Slowly lower the dumbbells until your arms are straight again. Repeat
      Pt tip: Focus on using your biceps to curl the dumbbells

      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Seated hammer curl

      2-3 Sets of 15-20 Reps (per arm)
      1. Sit on an exercise ball, bench or chair (any platform will do) with a dumbbell in each of your hands
      2. Hold the weights with a neutral grip (your palms should be facing each other)
      3. Curl the right dumbbell upwards by bending your elbow 4Pause for a second and lower the right dumbbell. Repeat on the left side. Continue alternating


      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Tricep extension

      1-2 Sets of 15-20 Reps
      1. Stand up straight with your core engaged and your knees slightly bent
      2. Hold a dumbbell in both hands and raise it above your head
      3. Keep your elbows close to your ears and bend them to lower the weight behind your head
      4. Pause, before raising it back up again
      Did you know? Your triceps help to stabilise your shoulder joint, so by strengthening these muscles, you increase your flexibility and range of motion


      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    • Tricep dip

      2-3 Sets oF 15-20 Reps
      1. Sit on the front edge of a sturdy surface, such as a workout bench or couch, with your palms either side of your hips
      2. Straighten your arms and shift your hips forward to just in front of the bench. Extend your legs or keep your feet flat on the floor
      3. Bend your elbows to a 90-degree angle to lower your hips towards the floor. Straighten your arms and repeat

      Show Off Your Shoulders With This 4-Week Plan

    Personal trainer: Sarah Ivory (sarah-ivory.com), Photography: Cliqq (cliqq.co.uk), Hair and make-up: Jo Adams (hairandmakeupatelier.com, Model: Emma Atkins, W Model Management, Clothing: Top: Bjorn Borg (bjornborg.com), Leggings: Sweaty Betty (sweatybetty.com), Trainers: Adidas by Stella McCartney (adidas.co.uk/a>, with thanks to Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa (stokebynayland.com/a>)

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