Back to Basics Complete Upper Body

Training focus: Comprehensive upper body strength, covering chest, back, shoulders, arms, and core
Performance goals: Foundational strength, muscle balance, movement control, and stability
Training context: Structured beginner-to-intermediate session designed to reinforce essential upper-body movements
Training style: Classic upper-body circuit combining pressing, pulling, and core integration
Equipment: 27.5lb adjustable dumbbells
Production: This training video is produced by Fitsentive, in collaboration with our brand, for guided at-home upper-body training.

Core & Shoulders

Plank Pike Reaches

Target your core and shoulders with this plank and pike reach movement.

Target: Core and Shoulders

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

2 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

3 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Begin in a high plank position, then shift your hips up and back into a pike (inverted 'V') position.

Note

Reach one arm back to touch the opposite shin or ankle, then immediately return to the starting plank position.

Caution

Keep your core tight to stabilize the movement and alternate sides smoothly.

Full Body Mobility

Inchworm

Target hamstrings, shoulders, and core with this full body mobility movement.

Target: Hamstrings, Shoulders, and Core (Full Body Mobility)

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

2 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

2 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

5 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Start standing tall, then bend at your waist and walk your hands out in front of you into a high plank position.

Note

Keeping your hands fixed, slowly take small steps with your feet to walk them forward until they meet your hands.

Caution

Keep your legs as straight as possible to deepen the hamstring stretch, and avoid letting your hips sag when in the plank.

Shoulders Mobility

Arm Circles

Target your shoulders with this mobility and warm-up movement.

Target: Shoulders (Mobility and Warm-up)

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

1 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

5 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Stand tall with your arms extended straight out to your sides.

Note

Begin rotating your arms in small, controlled circles, gradually increasing the size of the circles.

Caution

Maintain an upright posture and control the rotation from your shoulder joint, keeping the movement slow and deliberate.

Middle Back

Supported Row

Target your rhomboids and lats with this supported row.

Target: Middle Back (Rhomboids and Lats)

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Lean forward and rest one hand or your chest on a stable surface (like a bench) for support, holding a dumbbell in the other hand.

Note

Pull the weight toward your hip, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blade.

Caution

Keep your back flat and your neck neutral; do not let your shoulder "drop" or rotate toward the floor at the bottom.

Biceps

Bicep Curl

Target your biceps with this classic curl movement.

Target: Biceps

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward and elbows tucked at your sides.

Note

Curl the weights up toward your shoulders, squeezing the biceps at the top of the movement.

Caution

Keep your upper arms completely still and avoid using your back or shoulders to "swing" the weight up.

Shoulders & Upper Back

Around the World

Target all heads of your shoulders and upper back with this circular movement.

Target: Shoulders (All heads) and Upper Back

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

3 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

4 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Stand tall holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward, with the weights resting in front of your thighs.

Note

Keeping your arms nearly straight, sweep them out to the sides and up in a large circular arc until the dumbbells meet over your head.

Caution

Control the weights on the way down in the same circular motion; do not let them drop quickly, and avoid arching your back as the weights go overhead.

Chest

Chest Fly

Target your pectorals with this chest fly movement.

Target: Chest (Pectorals)

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

3 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Lie on your back and hold the dumbbells directly over your chest with palms facing each other and a slight bend in your elbows.

Note

Lower your arms out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest, then squeeze them back together.

Caution

Do not let your elbows drop below the level of your shoulders to avoid putting too much stress on the joints.

Triceps

Skull Crusher

Target your triceps with this lying extension movement.

Target: Triceps

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Lie on your back with your arms extended straight up, holding dumbbells with your palms facing inward.

Note

Bend only at the elbows to lower the weights toward your temples, then extend them back to the start.

Caution

Keep your upper arms vertical and completely still; the only part of your body that should move is your forearm.

Front & Side Shoulders

Front Raise Two Ways

Target your front and side shoulders with this two-way raise.

Target: Front and Side Shoulders

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

3 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Raise the dumbbells straight in front of you to shoulder height, then lower them back down.

Note

Immediately raise them out to your sides (lateral raise) to shoulder height before returning to the start.

Caution

Use a controlled tempo for both directions and avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears during the lift.

Chest, Triceps & Core

DB Pushups

Target your chest, triceps, and core with this pushup variation.

Target: Chest, Triceps, and Core

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

4 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

2 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Place two dumbbells on the floor and grip the handles to use them as your "handles" for a standard pushup.

Note

Lower your chest toward the floor between the weights, then press back up until your arms are straight.

Caution

Ensure the dumbbells are stable and won't roll; this variation allows for a deeper range of motion and is easier on the wrists.

Core & Coordination

Dumbbell Pass-Under Crunch

Target your core (abs) and coordination with this pass-under crunch.

Target: Core (Abs) and Coordination

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

3 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

2 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

2 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet lifted, holding a single dumbbell in one hand.

Note

Perform a crunch and "pass" the dumbbell under one leg to the other hand, alternating legs like a bicycle motion.

Caution

Focus on lifting your shoulder blades off the floor during the pass and keep your lower back pressed into the mat.

Recovery

Child's Pose

Promote relaxation and hip/spine stretch with this restorative pose.

Target: Relaxation and Hip/Spine Stretch

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

1 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

5 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Kneel on the floor, then sit back on your heels and allow your torso to fold forward over your thighs.

Note

Extend your arms forward or rest them by your sides, letting your head gently rest on the floor.

Caution

Use this pose for active recovery and deep stretching; focus on slow, deep breathing into your back and hips.

Thoracic & Shoulders

Thread the Needle

Improve thoracic spine mobility and shoulder stretch with this movement.

Target: Thoracic Spine Mobility and Shoulders

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

1 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

5 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Start on your hands and knees (tabletop position).

Note

Slide one arm underneath your opposite arm and across your body, allowing your head and shoulder to rest on the floor.

Caution

Hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds, allowing your upper back to gently twist open, and breathe deeply.

Neck Mobility

Neck Circles

Improve neck mobility with this gentle circular movement.

Target: Neck Mobility

Muscle & Strength

Muscle & Strength

Muscle-building impact

1 / 5
Cardio & Endurance

Cardio & Endurance

Cardiovascular demand

1 / 5
Flexibility & Mobility

Flexibility & Mobility

Range-of-motion demand

5 / 5

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow each step carefully to perform the movement correctly.

1

Step 1

Sit or stand tall and slowly roll your chin toward your chest.

Note

Gently roll your ear toward your shoulder, then continue the slow, controlled rotation in a full circle.

Caution

Perform the movement very slowly and gently; if you feel any sharp pain, stop immediately and only perform half circles (ear to shoulder).

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In-depth Reviews from Top Creators

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DB
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