Feeling the Pump: Diving Deep into Zarina Briggs' Upper-Body Routine
Ten-minute arm-strengthening exercise regimen proposed by a fitness trainer; personal experience detailed following the trial.
As a personal trainer, there's nothing quite like a good arm day. And when I stumbled upon Zarina Briggs' four-move upper-body dumbbell workout on Instagram, I was excited to give it a whirl. Here's my take on her routine:
A Fun Way to Test Your Limits
For anyone who's been lifting for a while, standard biceps and triceps moves can seem a bit routine. But Zarina's routine introduces advanced exercises like the Zottman curl, bringing a fresh challenge to the table. I definitely felt my biceps the next day, an indication that these muscles had been worked in a new way. I'm a big fan of adding variety to my exercises, so I'll be adding this move to my arsenal.
A Solid Foundation, but With Room for Improvement
This routine is great if your goal is to tone your biceps and triceps, but it's important to remember that our upper bodies are made up of more than just these two muscle groups. A well-rounded workout should include exercises that target the chest, shoulders, and back as well. So, while this routine is a good starting point, it could benefit from some additional exercises to create a more balanced routine.
Quick, Efficient, and Easy to Follow
One of the biggest obstacles to workouts is finding the time. This routine is simple, straightforward, and doesn't take long to learn, making it perfect for those with busy schedules. I managed to complete four rounds in under 10 minutes, but even two or three rounds would provide a solid workout in a pinch.
Bringing It All Together
If you're looking to add some variety to your upper-body routine, Zarina's four-move dumbbell workout is a great place to start. However, to ensure a well-rounded routine, consider incorporating additional exercises that target other areas like the chest, shoulders, and back.
Want to elevate your upper-body workouts? Check out these suggested exercises that will help you build a more balanced routine:
- Rear Delt Flys
- Face Pulls
- Bent-Over Rows
- Around-the-World Shoulder Circles
- Rotator Cuff Exercises (External Rotation)
- Forearm Curls and Reverse Curls
Incorporating these exercises will help ensure a balanced upper-body strength and muscle development. Happy lifting!
Get Moving with the Fit&Well Newsletter
Start your week off right with achievable workout ideas, health tips, and wellbeing advice delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up today!
Get Your Hands on the Right Equipment
If you're looking to follow exercises like Zarina's at home, adjustable dumbbells are a great option. Here are some top picks that are sure to meet your needs:
- Best for Rapid Weight Changes: Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
- Best Budget Pick: CAP Barbell 50 lb Adjustable Dumbbell Set
- Best Overall: York Fitness 71 Adjustable Dumbbell Set
These picks have been tried and tested by our team, so you can trust that they'll deliver the results you're after. Get moving!
This fitness routine, featuring exercises like the Zottman curl, is a fun and challenging way to test your upper-body limits, offering a fresh approach to standard biceps and triceps moves. However, for a well-rounded health-and-wellness regimen, it's essential to incorporate exercises for the chest, shoulders, back, and other areas beyond biceps and triceps, as suggested by adding Rear Delt Flys, Face Pulls, Bent-Over Rows, Around-the-World Shoulder Circles, Rotator Cuff Exercises, and Forearm Curls to your fitness-and-exercise routine.
