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This 20-minute beginner workout focuses on tone arms workout. Led by Sophie Jones, it targets shoulders, upper back, arms with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

14 exercises in Workout 3

Warm-up5 exercises
1m 46s
0:25
Warm-up: Child's Pose

Really drive the fingertips as far forward as you can.

lower backupper backshoulders
low
0:41
Warm-up: Thread the Needle

Extend out, twist open, and stretch through.

shouldersupper backspine
low
1:01
Warm-up: Cat-Cow

Push up through the shoulder blades and relaxing through.

spineupper backneck
low
1:21
Warm-up: Walkout to Lat Stretch

Reach through the feet and drive it up towards the ceiling.

hamstringsshouldersupper back
low
1:51
Warm-up: Arm Circles

Five big arm circles back, get right through them shoulders.

shoulders
low
Strength8 exercises
23m 50s
2:20
Arnold Press

Keeping the tension on those rear delts, squeezing through the shoulders.

shouldersarmschest
medium
3:25
Overhead Tricep Extension

Squeeze the back of that arm, push through the ceiling.

tricepsarms
medium
7:00
Zottman Curl

Make sure my shoulder blades are pinched back, so I'm not folding forward.

bicepsforearmsarms
medium
7:55
Walkout to Push-up

You wanna get those abs engaged, so you can move as a full plank movement.

chestshoulderscorehamstrings
high
10:40
Row to Tricep Kickback

Elbows are stuck to my sides, and I'm extending my forearms behind.

upper backtricepsarms
medium
11:30
Chest Press

Squeezing through my abs, and then I'm trying to push my boobs together as I press.

chestshoulderstriceps
medium
15:15
Pushback to Push-up

I'd rather you move just at a slower rate, more controlled, than stopping.

tricepschestshoulderscore
high
16:15
L-Sit with Weight

Engage the core, drive yourself up, weight above the head.

coreshouldersarms
high
Cool-down1 exercise
2m
18:50
Cool-down: Lat & Tricep Stretch

Roll the hips underneath and just engage that core, and just stretch through those lats.

tricepsupper backshoulderslats
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

shouldersupper backarms

Secondary

tricepschestcore

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • dumbbells
  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

water bottlescanned goodsresistance bandsthick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Go lighter if it's too hard
  • Go heavier if it's too easy
  • Hold the dumbbell in a triangle cup
  • Hold on the edges of the dumbbell
  • Go into the push-up on your knees
  • Full push-up on toes
  • Pulse the kickback at the end for extra burn
  • Hold the pushback position without the push-up
  • Drop to knees for the push-up
  • Use lighter or heavier weight

Coaching Highlights from Sophie Jones

Roll the hips underneath and just engage that core, and just stretch through those lats.

Form

Find a natural path for your arms. You don't want your shoulders up by your ears.

Safety

I'd rather you move just at a slower rate, more controlled, than stopping.

Motivation

Sophie specializes in functional fitness and full-body circuits. She coaches with infectious energy and crystal-clear form cues.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real shoulders and upper back strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. No fitness background required. Sophie Jones meets you where you are.

unexplained weight gain

90% relevant

muscle mass preservation (metabolic rate); insulin sensitivity improvement; cortisol management; body composition over scale weight

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

aging appearance

90% relevant

Increased collagen production and skin elasticity through resistance training; Improved circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells; Enhanced muscle definition and tone to reduce appearance of sagging; Better posture to create a more youthful and confident appearance; Stress reduction and cortisol management (via Yoga/Pilates) to mitigate cellular aging; Improved lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

self worth decline

90% relevant

Enhances body awareness and interoception, fostering a more positive self-perception.; Builds physical strength and competence, translating to increased self-efficacy and confidence.; Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.; Offers a structured routine and sense of accomplishment, counteracting feelings of helplessness.; Improves posture and physical presence, which can positively impact self-image and how one is perceived.

difficulty losing weight

90% relevant

Increased basal metabolic rate through muscle mass development; Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation; Enhanced hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol management, estrogen metabolism); Reduced visceral fat accumulation; Improved body composition and fat-to-muscle ratio; Stress reduction and improved sleep quality (indirectly supports weight management)

Relevant For

back painbone densitycore strengthflexibilitypostureshoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Bringing Sexy Back