ActiveWorkoutsForget dumbbells – sculpt upper body muscle with this 8-move calisthenics routineWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

ActiveWorkoutsForget dumbbells – sculpt upper body muscle with this 8-move calisthenics routineWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A man performing a push up at the gym

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you thought endlessly curlingdumbbellswas the only way to get jacked arms and build your upper body, think again. Yes, it may be one of the best ways, but it’s not theonlyway. Calisthenics is a bodyweight-style of training that uses no equipment, and not only do the people who do it have serious strength and muscle, but they can also do some pretty impressive moves too. This beginner-friendly routine may not s you see doing any advanced moves, like a muscle-up, anytime soon, but it’s a good introduction to the practice.

This workout is split into threesupersets, which is where you complete two exercises one after the other without any rest. It’s a great way to overload the muscles and pack more into sessions when you’re short on time. Complete each exercise in the superset for 30 seconds, then rest for 60 seconds. Repeat each superset three times before moving on to the next one. Here’s your workout:

Superset 1

Superset 2

Superset 3

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

Superset 4

If you enjoyed that calisthenics workouts, then here’s anotherbeginner sessionfor you to try next. Again, no home gym equipment is needed, all that’s required is a solid chair (or coffee table) and around 25 minutes. A strong core is also a key component for calisthenics because it’s used in almost every exercise, so here’s aquick three-move workout, Pilates style, to really hit those deep core muscles.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Woman doing leg raises on the floor

Try this 4-week core workout plan to build strength, stability, and definitionUnlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results

Unlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results

a woman performing cat cow exercise

A fitness expert says you only need this three minute mobility routine to improve your posture – so I tried itWas three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?

Was three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?

Man doing leg press

The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help

Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help

A woman performing dumbbell squats in her living room

You only need two dumbbells and this 30-minute workout to grow your glutes at home

A man doing concentration bicep curls in the gym

Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!

It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!

A woman performing dumbbell lunges

Skip the run — blast through calories with two dumbbells and this 20-minute HIIT workoutChris Hemsworth’s trainer, Luke Zocchi, brings you a workout that’ll leave you feeling fitter and stronger

Chris Hemsworth’s trainer, Luke Zocchi, brings you a workout that’ll leave you feeling fitter and stronger

a man performing push ups

Scrap long workouts — this 20-minute session helps build muscle and strength all overDon’t want to head to the gym either? You can do this workout from the comfort of your home

Don’t want to head to the gym either? You can do this workout from the comfort of your home

A woman doing kettlebell swings

Forget long workouts – I tried Hugh Jackman’s trainer’s two-move full-body workoutIt left me feeling fitter and stronger, and all you need is a kettlebell

It left me feeling fitter and stronger, and all you need is a kettlebell

A woman performing squats while wearing a rucksack

You only need a rucksack and this 30-minute workout to boost full-body strength and fitnessIt’s also low-impact and easy on the joints

It’s also low-impact and easy on the joints