5 exercises for a flawless upper-body curve
What's the story
Attaining a sculpted upper-body curve entails a strategic blend of exercises targeting specific muscle groups.
These exercises focus on building strength and improving the overall aesthetic of your upper body.
By including these in your regimen, you can work on carving out a more defined physique.
So, without further ado, let's dive into these five powerful exercises that will help you master your upper-body curve.
Drive 1
Push-ups for chest and arms
Push-ups are a timeless exercise that focuses on the chest, shoulders, and triceps. They are excellent for both muscle building and endurance training.
To do a push-up, start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart.
Lower your body until your chest almost touches the floor. Then, push back up to the starting position.
You can modify this exercise by changing hand placement or doing it on your knees.
Drive 2
Pull-ups to strengthen back
Pull-ups are great for building a strong back and enhancing grip strength.
They mainly work your latissimus dorsi (aka "lats"), but also involve other muscles like biceps and shoulders.
To perform pull-ups, hang from a bar with palms facing away (overhand grip), pull your body up until your chin is over the bar, and then lower yourself back down with control.
Drive 3
Dumbbell shoulder press for deltoids
The dumbbell shoulder press primarily targets the deltoid muscles, but also involves the triceps and trapezius muscles.
Sit or stand with a stable stance (feet shoulder-width apart), holding dumbbells at shoulder height with palms facing forward.
Press the weights overhead until your arms are fully extended, and then lower them back to the starting position.
Drive 4
Bent-over rows for upper back
Bent-over rows primarily work your upper back muscles, specifically your rhomboids and trapezius.
They also engage your biceps as a secondary muscle group.
How to do it: Stand bent over slightly at the waist with dumbbells or a barbell, pull the weight up to your torso while keeping your elbows close to your body, then lower the weight with control.
Drive 5
Plank variations for core stability
Planks strengthen your core stability, which in turn helps in improving your posture.
Starting position is to lie face down, raise your body off the ground supported by your forearms and toes, ensuring a straight line from your head to your heels.
Hold this position for a set amount of time, adjusting the duration according to your fitness level.