5 Body Weight exercises for your Upper Body

Toning your upper body usually requires weights, or machines or special equipment, but what if you just want something quick to do anywhere? Here, I have listed 5 awesome body weight exercises you can do anywhere to tone and strengthen your upper body.

1) Tricep dips

For this exercise, all you will need is a chair. Stand up, and put your palms on the edge of the chair. Place your feet parallel to your torso and have your knees at a right angle. Using your arms, lower you body until you elbows have a 90 degree bend, then slowly push back up. That's one rep.

2) Push ups

Push ups are known for strengthening you upper body, like your back, shoulders and chest.

First, you will want to get into a straight arm plank position. Have your back straight and have your palms directly below your shoulders. Bring your body down and bend your elbows at a right angle. Hold that for a second, then push back up. That's one rep.

Other variations include wide arm push ups, diamond pushups, and tricep pushups. Wide arm push ups is when your hands are around a meter apart. These form strengthens your chest and back. Diamond push ups are where your hands form the shape of a diamond or triangle. These push ups work your triceps, back and chest. Tricep push ups are where you have your elbows brushing against your waist. These mainly work your triceps.

3) Mountain Climbers

Start in a push up position. Bring one knee and make it touch your opposite elbow. Reset you position and repeat with your other knee. That's one rep.

These work you abdominal muscles as well as your shoulders and back.

4) Spider man Push ups

Start in a push up position. Bring one of your knees in to touch you opposite elbow. Repeat with the other knee. After both knees have touched your elbows, do a standard push up. That's one rep.

5) Plank

Start in a push up position but on your elbows. Hold this position for as long as possible.

*Make sure you keep your back straight at all times*

This tones your abdominal muscles and also strengthens your shoulders, and lower back.

That's 5! Doing these regularly will massively improve your upper body and core strength. Challenge your friends to do this with you.

Next week, I will be eating only plant based foods and will be writing about how I feel, and what I do and eat. Tomorrow, I will be writing up some recipes I will be using to get through the week.

Wish me luck!