Name: Playbook - Hannah Bower - Upper Body Strength 9.12.24
Uploaded: 2025-12-03T15:39:08.814Z
Duration: 40 min
Description: Upper Body Strength 9.12.24

Upper body is always a struggle but I always love these workouts! So glad to still be pushing through this program and can’t wait to start the next one!

Kathryn

Jess

Too some much needed rest and it feels good

Delaney

Chelsea

Definitely feel it in the right places and sweated at the end.

Dominique

You will need an optional bar as well as dumbbells, band, and a bench for this workout.

You will need a bench or stable surface for this warmup

Recommended reps: 5-10
Recommended pause: 3-5 seconds

Modifications: weight is optional 

Substitutions: hands on the wall chest opener 

Form:
-Start in a hip thrust position. Heels driving into the ground with feet hip width apart, knees at a 90 degree bend, core is appropriately engaged to manage any pressure you may have, glutes engaged hips elevated.
-Maintaining this position, press a weight overhead.
-From there lower the weight behind your head
-keep a slight bend in your elbows 
-lower as far as you can opening your chest and stretching your thoracic cavity 
-pause at the depth of your rep for 3-5 seconds 
- begin to Pull that weight from behind your head back to over head while keeping hips high 
-Repeat while maintaining hip thrust position

Pullover Stretch

Recommended reps: 5-10
Recommended pause time: 3-5 seconds

Form:
-start seated on the ground with your shoulders pressed against a stable surface (bench, chair, bed)
-place your hands behind your head and point your elbows out
-lean back keeping your elbows wide and opening your chest and elbows as far as you can
-pause for a few seconds at the depth of your stretch 
-then left your chest and close your elbows as far as you can in a crunch 
-repeat

Thoracic Crunch

Recommended reps: 5-10
Recommended weight: none 

Modifications: limit range of motion/reps, perform on the ground 

Form:
-start on your knees with your elbows on a stable surface chest level 
-with an inhale you are going to very slowly begin to arch your back a single vertebra at a time pressing your elbows into the bench 
-think about dropping your chest to the ground 
-go slow
-go as far as range of motion allows
-then you will exhale expanding each vertebra at a time again 
-think about pressing your back into the ceiling 
-repeat

Bench Cat Cows

Corrective Warm-Up: Upper Body

Recommend reps: 8-10

Modifications: don’t have a rack, but have a pull-up bar? Then perform pull-ups with as much or as little support needed.

Don’t have a bar or a rack? Do you have a table/island that can hold your weight? Those work great? Don’t have that? 

Dumbbell rows, lat pull downs, reverse fly 

Other modifications: add bands for assistance, pull-up machine, can place one or both feet on a bench/safe rack in front for assistance, , spotted eccentric pull-up 
* Substitutions: pull-up,standard dumbbell/barbell row 
* Equipment substitutions: barbell/rack, coffee table/island for inverted row 
* Form: -Start hanging from a bar with your feet either in a bench or flat on the ground
-place a weight in your chest 
-begin to pull your chest to the bar, think about driving your elbows to the ground  -Spine, head, and neck are all neutral and in alignment, same with an eccentric pull-up 
-You will also be appropriately engaging your core to manage pressure (same with eccentric pull-up )
-pull your elbows to the ground to lift your chest back to the bar 
-lower all the way down 
-lift your chest back to the bar, repeat

Inverted Row

You will need a pair of weights for this superset and an optional bench

Recommended reps:8-10
Recommended weight: medium
Recommended pause: 3-5 seconds

modification: remove pause
Equipment Substitution: kettlebell, band, cables 
Form: -in a standing or seated position place your feet flat on the ground hip width distance apart -ribs stacked over your pelvis -hold your weights down by your side   -without moving your torso begin to lift your arms laterally out to the side keeping a slight bend in your elbow -do not lock out your elbow, keep a slight bend  -once your hands are parallel with your shoulders, pause this T position for 3 seconds maintaining parallel  -then lower the weights down so that they are resting on the front of your thighs  like you did in the starting position  -repeat

Pause Delt Raise

Recommended reps: 10-12
Recommended weight: light to medium 

Modification: full range of motion, perform standing 

Substitutions: standard bicep curls

Form:
-start seated with your ribs stacked over your pelvis and your weights in your hand (wrists face the ceiling)
-begin to curl the weights to your shoulder without moving your torso 
-briefly pause when the weights are at shoulder level engaging your biceps 
-you will then lower slow and controlled until the weights hit your thigh 
-do NOT lower past your thigh, always keep a bend in your elbow 
-perform curls for the recommended amount or reps 
-

Partial Rep Bicep Curl

Pause Delt Raise SS Partial Bicep Curls

You will need a cable machine or band for this superset

Recommended reps: 8-10

Equipment Substitutions: dumbbells, kettlebells, band

Substitutions: tricep kickbacks, skull crusher, overhead tricep extension

Form:
-start standing in front of your cable, or band, close to the the tension
-chest is tall and ribs are stacked over pelvis
-grip your equipment with your wrists facing each other
-pin your upper arms to your ribs and side body
-from here, lower your wrists down keeping your torso still
-lower until your elbows are at extensions
-pause and engage your triceps
-control the tension on the way back to starting
-repeat

Tricep Extension

Recommended reps: 10-12
Recommended sets: 3-4

Equipment modifications: bands work great! 

Substitutions: Dumbbell Y raises 

Form:
-start standing in front of a cable machine or band that’s tied to a safe surface 
-grip the cable or band so that your thumbs face the ground and your pinky faces the ceiling 
-pull so that there is tension in the cable 
-keep your elbows wide as you pull the cable towards your face 
-think about retracting and engaging your scapula as you pull 
-pull your elbows as wide as you can 
-once you hit as far as range of motion allows, briefly pause 
-then release the rep slow and controlled

Face Pulls

Face-Pulls SS Tricep Extensions

You will need a dumbbell, this superset is meant to have no rest

Recommended time: 30-45 seconds

Modifications; remove elevation 

Substitutions: plank shoulder taps

Form:
-start on your hands and knees parallel to a safe elevated surface 
-keep your hands underneath your shoulders and knees under your hips 
-engage your core to appropriately manage pressure 
-press through your hands and toes to lift your knees a few inches off the ground 
-keeping your spine neutral begin to walk your hands and feet laterally up onto your surface 
-continue to walk sideways until both hands and feet are off the surface on the other side
-walk back towards the other side
-keep torso still no twisting

Bear Walks

Recommended time: 30-45 seconds per side 
Recommended weight/resistance: light to medium 

Modifications: can place bottom knee down (shown in video)

Substitution: kneeling windmills 

Form:
-start laying on your side with your forearm flat on the ground and ankles stacked on one another 
-press into your forearm and the side of your bottom foot to help lift your hips, thighs, and torso up off the ground 
-make sure that your elbow is underneath your elbow 
-have your shoulders stacked upon each other and your hips stacked upon each other 
-with your top hand, grab your weight and begin to press it overhead 
-maintain integrity of your side plank 
-press until your weight is overhead 
-lower slow and controlled without twisting your torso 
-repeat

Side Plank Shoulder Press

Bear Walks SS Side Plank Shoulder Press

Upper Body Strength 9.12.24

This workout feels humongous!!! Super high volume. It might be just me though 😂 if I push the weight in back squats and sumos, I don't much left in the tank for the single leg high volume stuff, WOOF!

Miranda

Taylor

I so wish I had more time for this one today… I’ll be coming back to it!

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 5| Lowerbody

I took my time and did all of it. I enjoyed the stretches, mobility core and also running at the beginning.

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

Will definitely go heavier on the finisher next time. Still felt it though 🙌🏻

The workout is bomb, but let’s be real…. that thoracic stretch is always clutch!

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 4| Upperbody

Rose

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 2| Upper Body

Woo always get nervous about leg workouts!! But love getting them done!

Andrea

I know my quads hate to see this workout coming

Rachel T

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 1| Lower Body

Those drop set Bulgarians got the glutes burning! Loved it!

I loved this. I didn’t get to finish due to some hip discomfort but overall it was a challenging workout!

Jaime

Those depth drops are harder than they look. And the med ball twists are harder too only because you’re trying to keep your balance at the same time. I really enjoyed the mobility at the end. One side was definitely tighter than the other. Killer workout. - I’ll be doing this one again!

Chelsi

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 5| Lowerbody

Love the incremental pause lifts! Very effective!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 4| Upperbody

I enjoyed it and did all of it through even the optionals this time. I find it very helpful and informative.

This is always a welcome stretching session each week!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

I enjoyed it and I did felt my body fighting against it especially the shoulder press trying not to arch my back.

Christy

Hannah’s alter ego should be Hanz and Franz because she’s here to pump 👏 you up!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 2| Upper Body

I enjoyed it and it got easier but I still do feel it.

Zarah

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 1| Lower Body

Whew! Loved the last set with the bridges and copenhagens!! 
I was/am in a funk today and was hoping this would help and it did! Not as much as I wanted but now I’m too tired to be ambiently annoyed so calling it a win 🏆

Morgan

I enjoyed it and finished after midnight! My legs definitely are on fire 🔥

I’m love a good lift! Jello legs are the best!

Stephanie

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 5| Lowerbody

Kelsey

I enjoyed it and I did felt my arms burned in the end. I am glad I had it saved in my favorites to be able to complete it.

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 4| Upperbody

Mindset 3: Motivation

Completed yesterday but forgot to finish in app. Did stairs rather than run and was short on time so had to rush a bit but still enjoyed it!

This workout included such beautiful ranges of motion! Really felt like self care 💕

Sally

Just focused on the hip mobility. It’s 🔥

Michelle 

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

I think I’ve been converted to liking running??? I did the sprints and then just kept going? Never saw myself as a runner but I’m here for it honestly 🏃🏻‍♀️💨

I got it done and really enjoyed it! Upper body soar and tired.

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 2| Upper Body

Increased weights, feeling sluggish after the holiday so this felt good to be intentional about. Did both the knee CARs and 90/90 swivels bc I’m not quite sure I’m doing the CARs right 😅

Thank you Hannah for this post turkey day sweat! (Yes I know I’m behind on days 🙃)

Fabulous!!  Had to modify the curtsy lunges by decreasing the height and body weight, same
With the step ups. There darn joust won’t cooperate.  But amazing workout. Lifted heavier and added a set.  ❤️❤️❤️

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 1| Lower Body

Lisa

Brittany Carteaux

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 5| Lowerbody

I enjoyed it and learned some new things and my arms did burned in the end.

Loved it!!  Upper body will be sore today 🥰🥰

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 4| Upperbody

I loved this! The pvc pipe mobility definitely was surprising how well I felt things given a little extra feedback! Excited to continue to grow

Erin

Love really
Focused mobility, breath and core work! I definitely need to more of this!!

Brook

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

Very impressed with myself on those sprints!! Wasn’t sure I still had the 10mph sprints in me post vacay but I did!! Also really needed that thoracic mobility at the end after some 10hour flights. Feeing much more limber but expecting to be sore tomorrow 🤪

The timer on the AMRAP - I wish there was a way to hear the minute cues on the timer

Noelle

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 2| Upper Body

Jaci Jo Krogman

This felt so good! Just got back from a 3 week vacation and came back with a cold but really wanted to get back in the gym and back on routine so I told myself I’d try, took it easy and felt so good!! Definitely could go heavier but didn’t wanna push too hard first day back

NEW! Wrapped| Week 1 Day 1| Lower Body

Increased hip thrust from 240 to 275! And got 25 push-ups (on toes) in 45 seconds - up from 20. 💪🏻

Janessa Orwig

Max Testing Week: Hip Thrust + Push-up

I enjoyed the test and gotten more gain definitely in both since last time.

I don’t have leg press at home so tested with suitcase deadlifts and that increased from 155 to 165.

And for pull-ups. I have not yet conquered a full unassisted pull-up but when I first tested 12 weeks ago I could barely hold my chin above the bar for 3 seconds. Today I held it for a full 10 seconds and felt super strong right up to the end! HUGE progress!

Leg Press stayed at 425 but I wasn’t struggling as much as I was at the start. That equals a win!

Chin ups: 3 full pretty ones and 2 eccentric. 
Thats a slight increase of 200% 😎

Max Testing Week: Chin Up + Leg Press

A great refresher videos before doing them.

Traditional Deadlift: 170 lbs - 14% increase 

Bench Press: 160 lbs. - 7% increase

Max Testing Week: Bench Press + Deadlift

I enjoyed being challenged in the end. I really pushed myself through.

I’m always amazed when I do these! I know I’ve put on muscle and feel stronger but testing it is so eye opening to how much my body has changed in 12 weeks. 

Squat increased from 170 to 190.
Military press increased from 80 to 100.

Max Squat: 165 lbs. - 10% increase 
Max Military Press: 65 lbs. - 8.33% increase

LETS. GOOOOOO!!

Max Testing Week: Squat + Overhead Military Press

11/10/25: Single Arm Row- 50 lbs 11% increase from the start

I did good for getting back into it after being off and on sick last month.

Max Testing Week:  Row + 1 Mile Run

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Added a couple sets on some bc I was feeling good!

Hannah….we have to talk. I almost cursed you out on the split lunge box jump superwoman move. I’m not there yet. I cannot do that move at all LOL. I did try tho 🥲
However, the rest was really good 😛

This one felt hard today, but I did it anyway!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 4 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Great range of motion. I need to work on my balance !

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 3| Sprints + Core

Kara

Gabi

It may be “shorter” but it’s still 🔥 🔥 🔥

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

Lexi Lou Williams

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

I love the finisher for this one! I was able to recruit my back way more with the Superman rainbows this week. So much so that I had to drop the weight a bit for the last round 😅

😲 
👆🏻
the face I made when I did 5 full, unassisted pull ups! 😎🥹🎉

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Whew this was hard today. Felt unfocused and a lil negative so those split squat jumps had me saying some bad words but the finisher cheered me up ☺️

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 3 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Whew!! Thought I might die but I didn’t and I did the sprints at 11 mph which still doesn’t seem real to me but I didn’t that!!!!!!

Bruh…. This will give you the best sweat sesh and making you feel like you can do ALLLL the things! Great start to the day!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 3| Sprints + Core

Increased weights in just about everything, 1000% sure I’ll be feeling that tomorrow 🤪

Slow and steady makes ya sweat and the muscles B U R N

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
First 30min I was feeling pretty good and confident… and then I got the accessories and got my butt kicked!! Felt good tho and hit some prs on the dead stop squat 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

This one has quickly become one of my all time favorites! It’s such a good workout and will make you ✨ glisten ✨ like Glenda!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Arpita Malhotra

Beast mode activated. 🥵 this phase is my FAVORITE.

Jordan

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 2 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Courtney

Ariana

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 3| Sprints + Core

I already know I’m gonna be sore from those plyo pushups again 😅

Got more done than I thought I would! Increased weights in just about everything and kept it pushing! Feeling good, know I’ll feel like mellow tomorrow 😮‍💨

Emily

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

I always leave the gym looking like I don’t know what hit me after your workouts 😆

Upped weights and got my butt kicked but think I could still go a bit heavier for some. Very cool to see and feel the strength built from phases 1&2

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

I’m over here fighting for my life with these workouts and the grandpas at the gym keep coming up to me telling me I’m kicking butt 😆

Anna

Birthday workout today!! Those Superman’s were the death of me.  Def something to improve on.

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Had a lot of people watching the split jump ups! Never knew I had that much power in each leg until today!!💪🏼🫶🏽

Madison

Awesome workout. I had to modify the jumps due to my bad hips. But overall I got a great sweat and feel great

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 1 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Those sprints! Fast and flat felt so much more doable after phase 2 with the 8 percent incline

Omg this hurt so good!! Loved it, I didn’t know I could run that fast!!

Perfect Saturday workout after night shift 🤩🤩🤩

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 3| Sprints + Core

This was an awesome upper body. Love this new program ❤️❤️

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

Got to finish it all but the core! Next time!

Sweaty mess. First workout in 2 weeks because of life.  I feel like I lost all my progress. Extremely frustrating. But I showed up for myself.

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

Phase 2 FORGE| Week 4 Day 5| Glutes, Hamstrings & Abductors

Phase 2 | DELOAD Forge| Week 4 Day 4| Upper Body + Core

I won’t lie I do this workout at least once or twice a week now. I know it’s a series but it’s so fun to do this full body workout!

Really enjoyed the run today and didn’t have to take any breaks! This deload week has been nice to feel the progress I’ve made in the prior phases with lower weights or reps and it feeling easier

Phase 2|DELOAD FORGE| Week 4 Day 3| FullBody Strength

Just what I needed today. Really have loved the running on upper body days

Upper Body Strength 9.12.24

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