Skip to main content
This 20-minute beginner workout focuses on prenatal arm workout safe pregnancy. Led by Danielle Harrison, it targets hips, shoulders, arms with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

15 exercises in Workout 3

Warm-up5 exercises
2m 3s
0:45
Warm-up: Shoulder Rolls and Side Stretches

Lifting up and over, slight stretch over.

shouldersspinearms
low
1:16
Warm-up: Tricep Stretch

Hand goes between the shoulder blades, gentle pull back of the elbow.

tricepsshoulders
low
1:45
Warm-up: Deep Seated Squat

Drop down into that deep seated squat for me, pushing those knees out.

hipsglutesquads
low
2:10
Warm-up: Child's Pose to Hip Drive

Driving forward. Send the hips down slightly.

hipsspinelower back
low
2:41
Warm-up: Hip Circles

Widen the knees, little circle of the hips.

hipspelvic floor
low
Strength7 exercises
3m 30s
3:55
Bent Over Row

Hinge over, bend the knees — I want you to do that slight squeeze.

upper backshouldersarms
medium
4:21
Bicep Curl into Curtsy Lunge

Dumbbells drive up towards the shoulders.

bicepsglutesquadships
medium
5:06
Tricep Extensions

Keep that core slightly tucked in.

tricepsarms
medium
5:31
RDLs (Romanian Deadlifts)

Feet are hip-width apart. Bend at the knees, hinge over slightly.

hamstringsgluteslower back
medium
11:30
Push-ups on Knees

We're gonna drop it down to our knees.

chestshoulderstricepscore
medium
12:01
Bear Shoulder Taps

Plank position, but bear.

coreshouldersarms
high
12:31
Bear Crawl

We lift off the knees, one, two, three, four.

full bodycoreshoulders
high
Cardio1 exercise
1m
14:00
Standing Oblique Knees

Driving that knee, elbow meeting in the middle.

corehipsfull body
medium
Cool-down2 exercises
1m 35s
15:15
Cool-down: Deep Squat and Side Lunges

Lunge slightly out to the side... sending my hips towards the back.

hipsinner thighsglutes
low
17:30
Cool-down: Spinal Twist

Take that knee across the chest... stretch out your back.

spinelower backhips
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

hipsshouldersarms

Secondary

glutescorespine

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • dumbbells
  • mat

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

water bottlescanned goodsresistance bandsthick towelcarpet

Available Modifications

  • Do without weights
  • Separate the bicep curl and curtsy lunge
  • Reverse step instead of curtsy
  • Tricep dips using a chair
  • Drop lower if in first trimester
  • Stop just below knees if further along

Coaching Highlights from Danielle Harrison

Drop down into that deep seated squat for me, pushing those knees out.

Form

Try to keep the back nice and straight. What we don't wanna do is overarch.

Safety

We're gonna drop it down to our knees.

Modification

Danielle's approach centers body awareness over aesthetics. She coaches the internal experience of movement, not just the mechanics.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real hips and shoulders strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. No fitness background required. Danielle Harrison 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 painbalancecardiovascularcore strengthflexibilityhip painpelvic floorposturesciaticashoulder pain

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Danielle Harrison

Danielle Harrison

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Grow & Glow. Positive prenatal fitness