Video: Elastic Upper-Body Workout
Here is an upper-body workout routine that you can do anywhere using only your body and an elastic resistance band.
Brock Armstrong
- You don’t have to hit the gym to lift heavy weights in order to build upper-body strength.
- Resistance bands increase in difficulty as they are stretched.
- You can perform this rountine any time during the day when you need a movement break.
One of the most attractive elements of these bands is how compact and lightweight they are. They can be stored in your junk drawer or tucked away in a cupboard, which makes them perfect for your home or office. This 4-movement workout requires no change of clothes and is also perfect for your home or office,
The Workout
After a quick warm-up rotation, do 10 reps of these 4 exercises:
- Lateral pull-downs
- Lateral raises
- Band pull-aparts
- Band chest-press
I only do one set of each exercise, in a circuit, in the video. But I suggest you go through the entire routine two or three times, depending on your fitness level and the time available.
The first time you do this workout, you may be unsure which resistance band to choose. I suggest choosing a very thin/light band at first so you don’t risk getting too sore or hurting yourself. You can always increase the level of resistance next time.
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The great thing about resistance bands is how affordable they are. I recommend TheraBand, which comes in this beginner set as well as more advanced resistance levels.
If you’re sensitive to latex, you can also get latex-free resistance bands.
Resistance band reminders
Remember that the more you stretch a resistance band, the more intense the resistance gets, and the harder the exercise becomes. By starting all of these exercises with your hands about shoulder-width apart, you should be able to keep some tension on the band at all times and get a really good workout!
The more you stretch a resistance band, the more intense the resistance gets, and the harder the exercise becomes.
Doing these movements using resistance bands can feel a little unsteady or wobbly, which means you’ll need to focus and work a little harder to maintain good form. Believe me, this is a good thing! This instability factor means your workout targets what we fitness pros call your stabilizer muscles as well as other muscle groups. This means you’re building stability while you are building strength.
For more information and a few more resistance band workout videos, check out my article called How to Use Resistance Bands for Your Home Workout.
About the Author
Brock Armstrong was the host of the Get-Fit Guy podcast between 2017 and 2021. He is a certified AFLCA Group Fitness Leader with a designation in Portable Equipment, NCCP and CAC Triathlon Coach, and a TnT certified run coach. He is also on the board of advisors for the Primal Health Coach Institute and a guest faculty member of the Human Potential Institute.