Upper body and posture workout

1. Stand facing bench or sturdy elevated platform. Place hands on edge of bench or platform, slightly wider than shoulder width.
2. Position forefoot back from bench or platform with arms and body straight. Arms should be perpendicular to body. Keeping body straight, lower chest to edge of box or platform by bending arms.
3. Push body up until arms are extended. Repeat.

How much: 3 sets of 8 to 12

1. Choose a flat bench and place a dumbbell on each side of it.
2. Place the right leg on top of the end of the bench, bend your torso forward from the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, and place your right hand on the other end of the bench for support.
3. Use the left hand to pick up the dumbbell on the floor and hold the weight while keeping your lower back straight. The palm of the hand should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
4. Pull the resistance straight up to the side of your chest, keeping your upper arm close to your side and keeping the torso stationary. Breathe out as you perform this step. Tip: Concentrate on squeezing the back muscles once you reach the full contracted position. Also, make sure that the force is performed with the back muscles and not the arms. Finally, the upper torso should remain stationary and only the arms should move. The forearms should do no other work except for holding the dumbbell; therefore do not try to pull the dumbbell up using the forearms.
5. Lower the resistance straight down to the starting position. Breathe in as you perform this step.
6. Repeat the movement for the specified amount of repetitions.
7. Switch sides and repeat again with the other arm.

How much: 3 sets of 10 each arm

1. Grab a couple of dumbbells and sit on a military press bench or a utility bench that has a back support on it as you place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs.
2. Clean the dumbbells up one at a time by using your thighs to bring the dumbbells up to shoulder height at each side.
3. Rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position.
4. As you exhale, push the dumbbells up until they touch at the top.
5. After a second pause, slowly come down back to the starting position as you inhale.

How much: 2 sets of 10

1. To begin, lie down on an incline bench with the chest and stomach pressing against the incline. Have the dumbbells in each hand with the palms facing each other (neutral grip).
2. Extend the arms in front of you so that they are perpendicular to the angle of the bench. The legs should be stationary while applying pressure with the ball of your toes. This is the starting position.
3. Maintaining the slight bend of the elbows, move the weights out and away from each other (to the side) in an arc motion while exhaling. Tip: Try to squeeze your shoulder blades together to get the best results from this exercise.
4. The arms should be elevated until they are parallel to the floor.
5. Feel the contraction and slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.

How much: 2 sets of 12

1. Begin with your arms extended straight out in front of you, holding the band with both hands.
2. Initiate the movement by performing a reverse fly motion, moving your hands out laterally to your sides.
3. Keep your elbows extended as you perform the movement, bringing the band to your chest. Ensure that you keep your shoulders back during the exercise.
4. Pause as you complete the movement, returning to the starting position under control.

How much: 2 sets of 15

1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand at arm's length. Keep your elbows close to your torso and rotate the palms of your hands until they are facing forward. This will be your starting position.
2. Now, keeping the upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps. Continue to raise the weights until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
3. Then, inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.

How much: 2 sets of 12

1. Start with a dumbbell in each hand and your palms facing your torso. Keep your back straight with a slight bend in the knees and bend forward at the waist. Your torso should be almost parallel to the floor. Make sure to keep your head up. Your upper arms should be close to your torso and parallel to the floor. Your forearms should be pointed towards the floor as you hold the weights. There should be a 90-degree angle formed between your forearm and upper arm. This is your starting position.
2. Now, while keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and use your triceps to lift the weights until the arm is fully extended. Focus on moving the forearm.
3. After a brief pause at the top contraction, inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

How much: 2 sets of 12