Five upper body daily dose exercises

By: John Griffin, MSc

Daily dose routines are mini movement routines that you can do at the same time as certain activities that you do every day. In the first series of exercises, the focus was on our lower body. In this series of exercises, we will work on our upper body. The exercises in these routines are designed to improve your flexibility, muscular endurance, strength, joint stability, and balance.

Be sure to consult with a physician, physical therapist, or other trained health or exercise professional before doing a new exercise routine, in case you have medical and physical conditions that affect the exercises and how they are applied.

This mini-routine is associated with getting dressed/undressed in your bedroom. One set equals performing an exercise for the number of counts specified.

Do 3 sets per day.

Wall Push-Up

1. Stand upright, place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, with your feet about 24” from the wall.
2. Slowly lower your forehead to the wall, then return to the starting position.
3. Complete this exercise 10 times. .

Pretend you are the victim of a “stickup,” or robbery.

1. Raise your arms to shoulder height, elbows bent, hands open and palms facing out.
2. Slowly pull your shoulder blades back and together, then return your shoulders to a forward position.
3. Perform this exercise 10 times.