Resistance Band Upper Body
Upper body Beginner ⏱ 20 min

Resistance Band Upper Body

Time20 mins
LevelBeginner
FocusGentle upper-body strength
WhereAt home

Photo via Pexels

Resistance bands are one of the most underrated tools for training at home - portable, joint-friendly and surprisingly tough. This 20-minute session works your whole upper body through six moves, building strength and toning the arms, chest, back and shoulders. It is beginner-friendly and brilliant if you find dumbbells hard on the joints.

Kit for this workout

Everything here can be done at home. Tick the equipment you need and add it to your basket in one tap.

Ticked items go to your Lean & Healthy basket. Already have some of the kit? Just untick it.

The workout

Beginner · about 20 minutes, start to finish.

Warm-up

  • Arm circles - 30 seconds each way
  • Band pull-aparts - 15 reps
  • Shoulder rolls - 20 seconds

Main workout

  1. Band chest press

    3 rounds x 15 reps

    Anchor the band behind you, press forward, control the return.

  2. Band row

    3 rounds x 15 reps

    Anchor it in front, pull the elbows back, squeeze the shoulder blades.

  3. Band overhead press

    3 rounds x 12 reps

    Stand on the band, press overhead without arching the back.

  4. Band pull-apart

    3 rounds x 15 reps

    Arms straight ahead, pull the band wide, squeeze the upper back.

  5. Band bicep curl

    3 rounds x 15 reps

    Stand on the band, curl up with elbows tucked in.

  6. Band tricep pushdown

    3 rounds x 15 reps

    Anchor high, push the band down, straighten the arms fully.

Coach's tip

The closer you stand or the shorter you hold the band, the harder it gets - so you control the resistance. Keep a slow, steady tempo and never let the band snap back.

This workout is general fitness information, not medical or personal-training advice. Warm up first, work within your own ability, use a weight you can control with good form, and stop if anything hurts. Check with a qualified professional before starting a new exercise programme, especially if you are pregnant, recovering from injury or managing a health condition. Equipment prices and availability are indicative and confirmed at the secure Shopify checkout.

Start
Finish

Demonstration photos from the Free Exercise DB (public domain). Shown as a movement guide; use a weight and range that suits you.