Best Beginner Upper Body Workouts For Men

About

Beginner workouts often incorporate straightforward movements and easily accessible equipment, providing a lower risk of injury while ensuring an effective learning experience.

Tailored for individuals likely under 5’10”, 180 lbs, and 35 years of age but applicable to broader capacities, this program emphasizes growth potential through personalized adjustments.

Focusing on key muscle groups such as the Chest, Back, Shoulders, and Arms, exercises include foundational movements like Bench Presses, Shoulder Presses, and Rows.

In addition, specific isolation techniques enhance muscle engagement and development for a balanced upper body.

The 15 Best Beginner Upper Body Exercises for Men

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Cable Row

    SETS LOGGED
    6,108,322
    Back Strength
    98 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Row Cable
    Row Cable

    The Cable Row is an exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a cable machine for proper positioning and resistance control, helping you build muscle and strength in your upper body.

    How to do it

    The Cable Row is an exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a cable machine for proper positioning and resistance control, helping you build muscle and strength in your upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 2. Dumbbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    8,452,674
    Chest Strength
    99 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    6,618,981
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 4. Dumbbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    8,648,581
    Back Strength
    99 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 5. Lat Pulldown

    SETS LOGGED
    8,113,246
    Back Strength
    100 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Lat Pulldown Cable
    Lat Pulldown Cable

    The Lat Pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and biceps. It's similar to a Pull Up but is more stable, making it easier for beginners to control the movement and adjust the resistance.

    How to do it

    The Lat Pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and biceps. It's similar to a Pull Up but is more stable, making it easier for beginners to control the movement and adjust the resistance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 6. Barbell Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    5,529,638
    Biceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Curl is a great exercise that targets your biceps by isolating the muscle. Using a barbell helps keep your movements stable so you can focus on building strength without losing balance.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Curl is a great exercise that targets your biceps by isolating the muscle. Using a barbell helps keep your movements stable so you can focus on building strength without losing balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 7. Dip

    SETS LOGGED
    2,690,853
    Triceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dip (Parallel) Bar
    Dip (Parallel) Bar

    Dips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps. You lift and lower your body using your arms while keeping your core engaged.

    How to do it

    Dips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps. You lift and lower your body using your arms while keeping your core engaged.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 8. Dumbbell Bicep Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    10,161,709
    Biceps Strength
    99 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Bicep Curl is a popular exercise that targets the biceps, helping to build strength and muscle. Using dumbbells allows for better control and range of motion, making it an effective choice for workouts.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Bicep Curl is a popular exercise that targets the biceps, helping to build strength and muscle. Using dumbbells allows for better control and range of motion, making it an effective choice for workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 9. Dumbbell Skullcrusher

    SETS LOGGED
    5,879,914
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 10. EZ-Bar Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    4,152,468
    Biceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar

    The EZ-Bar Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening your biceps. Using an EZ-Bar offers better stability and comfort for your wrists, making it easier to concentrate on lifting weights.

    How to do it

    The EZ-Bar Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening your biceps. Using an EZ-Bar offers better stability and comfort for your wrists, making it easier to concentrate on lifting weights.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 11. Hammer Curls

    SETS LOGGED
    8,921,793
    Biceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    Hammer Curls are a bicep exercise that involve turning your wrists for a more natural grip. This helps target the long head of the bicep while building muscle and strength.

    How to do it

    Hammer Curls are a bicep exercise that involve turning your wrists for a more natural grip. This helps target the long head of the bicep while building muscle and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 12. Skullcrusher

    SETS LOGGED
    2,594,390
    Triceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Skullcrushers are a triceps exercise performed while lying on a bench. This movement focuses on isolating the triceps and can be done with an EZ-Bar for better grip and stability.

    How to do it

    Skullcrushers are a triceps exercise performed while lying on a bench. This movement focuses on isolating the triceps and can be done with an EZ-Bar for better grip and stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 13. Bicycle Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    4,691,493
    Abs Strength
    98 mScore
    Abs

    The Bicycle Crunch is an advanced ab exercise that targets your core while keeping your upper body lifted. Instead of lowering your torso, you maintain the position and move your legs in a cycling motion for better muscle engagement.

    How to do it

    The Bicycle Crunch is an advanced ab exercise that targets your core while keeping your upper body lifted. Instead of lowering your torso, you maintain the position and move your legs in a cycling motion for better muscle engagement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 14. Crunches

    SETS LOGGED
    5,557,695
    Abs Strength
    100 mScore
    Abs

    Crunches are a simple exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles. Unlike sit-ups, you only lift your shoulder blades off the ground. This makes crunches perfect for beginners wanting to improve their core strength.

    How to do it

    Crunches are a simple exercise that strengthens your abdominal muscles. Unlike sit-ups, you only lift your shoulder blades off the ground. This makes crunches perfect for beginners wanting to improve their core strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 15. Exercise Ball Crunch

    SETS LOGGED
    1,431,747
    Abs Strength
    94 mScore
    Abs
    Photo of Stability (Swiss) Ball
    Stability (Swiss) Ball

    The Exercise Ball Crunch is a challenging version of the standard Crunch that includes a medicine ball for added weight. It's perfect for beginners who want to strengthen their core muscles while using a stability ball.

    How to do it

    The Exercise Ball Crunch is a challenging version of the standard Crunch that includes a medicine ball for added weight. It's perfect for beginners who want to strengthen their core muscles while using a stability ball.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Upper Body Workouts for Men

Alternative Beginner Upper Body Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts for Men