Upper Body Muscles
Upper Back Muscles
• Trapezius
This is a large triangular shaped muscle that runs from the
centre of your back up to the neck, running across your shoulder
blade. Working the trapezius will help to sculpt the back of
your shoulders. As a bonus, strengthening this muscle will also
help to ward off back and neck pain - the sort of dull ache you
get from sitting at a desk or computer all day.
• Rhomboids
These are small muscles in the centre of your back, running
up to just below the base of your neck. Working the rhomboids
will help to hold your shoulders back and maintain good posture.
Shoulder Muscles
• Deltoids
These muscles wrap right around the top of your shoulders.
They are split into three areas - the front/anterior deltoid,
the side/lateral deltoid, and the rear/posterior deltoid. It is
these muscles that give your shoulders their versatility and
great range of movement. Toning these will help to give a more
defined silhouette; less rounded and sloping and a little more
sharp a shape.
• Rotator Cuff
(Rotators)
Four small muscles beneath your shoulder that help to hold
your arm in place. Firming and strengthening here helps to pull
in your underarm. Think roll-on deodorant ads, and having a
smooth looking armpit when raising your arms and getting down on
the dancefloor.
Chest Muscles
• Pectorals
These are two large, flat muscles that run across the surface
of your chest. These muscles generally come into play when
pushing something or hugging someone. The benefit of working the
pectorals is somewhat different for men and women. For men,
exercising these muscles will increase chest size and
definition. For women, these are the muscles underlying and
providing support for the bust, so toning them will help to lift
the bust.
Arm Muscles
• Biceps
The muscles at the front of your upper arm. You use these
when you bend your arm or pick things up. These are the ones you
flex when showing someone how big (or small) the muscles in
your arms are. Toning these will give shape and definition to
your upper arm.
• Triceps
These are situated at the back of your upper arms. They
oppose the biceps, and come into play when you straighten your
arm or push something. Toning your triceps will help to get rid
of the flabby bit that hangs down when you hold your arm out.
• Forearm Muscles
These are the muscles that run from your wrist to your elbow,
and there are quite a lot of them lurking under there! Working
and building these will not only help that overall toned look on
your arms (which is what we're going for) but will also help
with/ward off conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and
other wrist complaints.
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