12 Exercises That Start With U

Ever felt like your workout routine has hit a plateau? Mixing things up with a few unique exercises could be exactly what you need.

Exploring exercises that start with the letter ‘U’ offers fresh challenges to keep your fitness journey exciting.

Beyond the joy of novelty, these exercises can enhance your workout intensity, test your form, and sharpen your focus on different muscle groups.

1. Up Down

The Up Down exercise is a dynamic movement that combines a quick drop to the ground and an explosive return to standing.

This exercise engages major muscle groups and enhances cardiovascular endurance.

• Begin in a standing position with your feet shoulder- width apart.
• Quickly lower into a squat, placing your hands on the ground in front of you.
• Kick your feet back, landing softly in the plank position. Ensure that your core is tight and your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
• Perform a standard push-up, keeping your elbows close to your torso as you lower down and push back up.
• Jump or step your feet back towards your hands, returning to the squat position.
• Explode upwards from the squat, extending your arms overhead as you jump vertically into the air.
• Land gently with slightly bent knees, ready to transition directly into the next repetition.

Not only are up downs simple to perform, but they’re also incredibly efficient in working out multiple muscle groups. While doing up downs, you’re targeting:

• Core muscles: for stability as you drop down and rise up.
• Chest and shoulders: as you push off the ground.
• Leg muscles: through the high-knee sprint and dynamic movement.

But wait, there’s more! Up downs are also an amazing way to get your heart pumping, which means you’re giving your cardiovascular system a solid workout. Over time, this can lead to improved heart health and increased stamina.

2. Upright Row

Upright rows are a dynamic shoulder workout that strengthens multiple upper body muscles.

This exercise engages your deltoid and trapezius muscles for better posture and upper body strength.

How to do it:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell or dumbbell in front of you.
• Keep your back straight and core engaged throughout the movement.
• Lift the weights vertically close to your body, leading with your elbows.
• Raise the weights until they’re nearly level with your chin, keeping the hands close together.
• Your elbows should be higher than your forearms at the top of the movement.
• Slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position to complete one rep.
• Perform this movement for 3 sets of 8–12 reps, depending on your fitness routine.

Including this exercise in your workouts can lead to an increase in upper-body muscular endurance. Regular practice improves flexibility in the shoulders and contributes to overall joint health.

For those new to strength training, begin with lighter weights to master form without risking injury.

Alternating between different grips can target various parts of the deltoids for balanced muscle development.

3. Upward Bow

The Upward Bow is a dynamic backbend that enhances overall spine flexibility and strength.

Whether you’re new to yoga or looking to deepen your practice, this pose can be a powerful addition to your routine.

Here’s how to get into the Upward Bow:

• Begin lying on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, hip-distance apart.
• Place your hands on the floor by your ears, fingers pointing toward your shoulders.
• Press into your palms and lift your shoulders and hips off the ground, coming onto the crown of your head.
• Take a deep breath, and on your exhale, straighten your arms and lift your head off the floor, arching your back.

So what muscles does it work? It’s targeting your spine, glutes, quads, and shoulders. Did you know it also strengthens your wrists and arms.

The benefits? They’re pretty impressive:

• Boosts flexibility in your spine and hips
• Strengthens the core and lower body
• Promotes better posture
• May alleviate some forms of back pain

4. Unilateral Lat Pulldown

The unilateral lat pulldown is your go-to exercise for a focused workout on your latissimus dorsi, commonly known as your “lats.”

This a fantastic variation of the classic lat pulldown, but with a twist—you’re working one arm at a time!

Here’s how you do it:

• Sit down at a lat pulldown machine and attach a single handle to the cable.
• Grasp the handle with one hand and maintain a neutral wrist position.
• Sit tall, engage your core, and begin to pull the handle down to the side of your chest.
• Focus on keeping tension on the lats as you pull the weight downward.
• Slowly return to the starting position, maintaining control throughout the movement.

Muscles worked & Benefits:

• This exercise primarily targets the latissimus dorsi, but your biceps and forearms will also get a good workout as they assist in the movement.
• The unilateral aspect helps to ensure both sides of your body are equally strong, reducing muscle imbalances.
• It also increases tension on the lats, which helps with muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Why give it a try? Engaging in unilateral exercises like this ensures that your dominant side isn’t doing all the work.

So if you’re aiming for a balanced, well-shaped back, and wish to enhance your overall muscle coordination, add the unilateral lat pulldown into your routine.

It’s not just about looking good; it’s about promoting muscle symmetry and function across your whole body.

5. Underhand Seated Row

Ever wondered how you can work on that back strength and keep your posture proud?

Let’s talk about an exercise that’s a real game-changer for your upper body with this exercise.

So, what exactly is an underhand seated row?

Picture yourself on a rowing machine, but instead of the usual overhand grip, your palms face up, as if you’re about to do a bicep curl.

How to do it:

• Sit on the rowing machine with knees bent and grab the cable handles with an underhand grip.
• With feet braced, lean back slightly, keeping your spine neutral – that means no hunching over!
• Pull the handles toward your waist, elbows sliding past your sides.
• As you row, squeeze those shoulder blades together like you’re crushing an imaginary grape between them.
• Slowly return to starting position, extending your arms but keeping control.

Well, the beauty of the underhand grip is in the details. It targets your back muscles, particularly the lats and rhomboids, and let’s not forget about those biceps!

Plus, since you’re sitting, your lower back gets a break, lessening the risk of strain.

Aim for about 10-12 reps per set, and you’ll find this is more than just a back booster. It’s a path to better posture and those toned arms you’ve been after.

6. Upward Facing Dog

Upward Facing Dog revitalizes your whole body by stretching and strengthening core muscles.

This exercise can enhance the flexibility of your spine while toning your arms and wrists.

How to do it:

• Start lying face-down on your mat with legs extended behind you, tops of your feet on the floor.
• Place your hands next to your lower ribs, fingers spread wide.
• Press into your hands, straighten your arms, and lift your torso and hips off the floor.
• Are your shoulders creeping up to your ears? Remember to draw them back and down to open your chest and create ample space for your neck.

Muscles worked:

• Arm and shoulder muscles: triceps, deltoids, and rotator cuffs engage to maintain the lift.
• Back muscles: your erectors are in action, keeping your spine long and strong.
• Core: a tight and solid core is essential to stabilize this pose.

Benefits:

• Improves spine mobility by stretching the back and opening the chest.
• Strengthens the upper body, including the arms, shoulders, and wrists.
• Enhances flexibility in the hips and back.
• Promotes better posture with regular practice.

Have fun exploring what Upward Facing Dog can do for your flexibility and strength! Keep practicing, and you’ll notice improvements not only in your yoga practice but in your daily movements as well.

7. Unilateral Leg Raise

The unilateral leg raise sharpens your focus on the lower abs, enhancing core strength.

This single-leg exercise notches up your fitness routine by isolating abdominal muscles for a more concentrated workout.

How to do it:

• Begin by lying flat on your back with your arms at your sides and palms facing down.
• Keep one leg straight on the ground while you exhale and lift the other leg to a 90 – degree angle without bending the knee.
• Engage your core muscles to ensure your lower back remains pressed against the floor throughout the movement.
• Inhale slowly as you lower the raised leg back to starting position, but don’t let it touch the ground before beginning the next rep.
• Aim for several repetitions on one side, then switch legs to maintain balance in muscle development.

This bodyweight exercise primarily works your lower abs but also engages hip flexors and deep core stabilizing muscles.

Regularly performing unilateral leg raises can lead to improved muscle tone and definition in the abdominal area.

Integrating this exercise into a varied workout routine enhances calorie burning and can contribute to a stronger, leaner physique.

8. Uppercut

This is a staple in the boxing world that you’re definitely going to enjoy incorporating into your cardio routine.

Ready to feel the power in your arms and get that core working overtime?

How to do it:

• Begin by standing with your feet shoulder – width apart, knees slightly bent.
• Keep your hands up near your chin, elbows down, protecting your torso.
• Rotate your hip as you punch upward at an angle, as if targeting an opponent’s chin.
• Engage your core throughout the movement for stability and power.
• Exhale sharply as you throw the punch to increase force and tighten muscles.
• Use a light dumbbell or wrist weights for added resistance once comfortable with the form.
• Alternate between left and right uppercuts to ensure balanced muscle development.

Aim for quick, explosive movements rather than slow punches to build speed and reflexes.

Incorporate this move into high – intensity interval training (HIIT) for added cardiovascular benefits.

Utilize this exercise as part of a combination routine to simulate real boxing scenarios and improve coordination.

9. Upward Plank

The upward plank strengthens your core and tones your arms. It’s an effective move for those looking to enhance their workout routine.

So, what exactly is the Upward Plank? It’s a yoga pose, also known by its Sanskrit name Purvottanasana, that challenges your balance and strengthens multiple muscle groups.

To get into this pose:

• Start by sitting on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
• Place your hands slightly behind your hips, fingers pointing towards your feet.
• Push through your hands and heels, lifting your hips towards the ceiling.
• Keep your body straight, forming a reverse plank position.
• Engage your core muscles, ensuring not to let your hips sag or lift too high.
• Your shoulders should be down away from the ears, creating stability throughout the exercise.
• Hold this position for 20 – 30 seconds or as long as you can maintain good form.
• Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position to complete one rep.

Not only does this pose give your core a serious workout, but your arms and legs get in on the action too, making it a comprehensive exercise.

10. Ustrasana

Ustrasana, commonly known as Camel Pose, might be just what you need. This heart-opening pose is not just any stretch; it’s a journey to enhancing your body’s suppleness.

So, how can you slip into Ustrasana without turning into a pretzel? It’s simpler than you think.

How to do it:

• Begin by kneeling on your mat with knees hip – width apart and hands on your lower back for support.
• Inhale deeply, lift your chest upward, and guide your hips forward.
• Slowly reach one hand at a time to grasp your heels while maintaining the lift in your chest and a forward hip motion.
• Keep your head in a neutral position or let it drop back without straining your neck.
• Your thighs should remain perpendicular to the floor throughout the pose to maximize hip extension and support spine alignment.
• Hold this posture for several breaths, feeling an intense stretch through the abdomen, thighs, chest, and shoulders.

This pose is incredible for strengthening those hard-to-reach back muscles and improving spinal flexibility.

Your shoulders and chest get to bask in a glorious stretch, saying goodbye to the tension that comes from hunching over a desk all day.

Ustrasana has plenty of benefits. It’s a real treat for your posture and can boost circulation. Plus, that backbend is a friendly wave to improved digestion and relief from mild backaches.

11. Underhand Cable Pulldowns

Ever wondered how to target those back muscles, including your lats, in a way that also benefits your biceps?

Let’s talk about the underhand cable pulldowns – a fantastic exercise that is not just effective but also quite straightforward once you get the hang of it!

How to do it:

• Begin by positioning yourself at the cable machine, adjusting the pulley to a high setting and attaching a bar.
• Grasp the bar with an underhand grip (palms facing up), hands shoulder – width apart.
• Sit down on the bench, plant your feet firmly, and slightly lean back.
• Pull the bar down smoothly towards your chest, contracting your back muscles as you move.
• Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together during the movement to engage more muscle fibers.
• Slowly return the bar to the starting position, maintaining control and resisting the weight as it pulls upward.
• Aim for three sets of 8 – 12 repetitions, or according to your workout plan.

Why should you incorporate these into your routine? Well, they’re a fantastic way to work both your lats and biceps. Plus, as you practice this grip, you are strengthening your overall handgrip too!

This dual-action workout is more than just lifting weights; it’s about enhancing the intricacy of your upper body strength and stability.

Practicing underhand cable pulldowns can have impressive benefits. Not only are you sculpting a stronger back and biceps, but you’re also improving posture and eliminating the potential for back pain, a too-common irritation in our desk-bound lives.

12 .Up-Down Plank

The up-down plank strengthens your core, arms, and leg muscles. This exercise is both challenging and dynamic, offering a full-body workout.

How to do it:

• Start in a standard plank position with forearms on the ground, elbows below your shoulders, and legs extended behind you.
• Push off the ground, rising onto your hands one at a time until you’re in a push – up position.
• Lower back down to your forearms one arm at a time to return to the starting plank position.
• Keep your body straight and avoid letting your hips sag or rise too high throughout the movements.
• Your core should remain engaged, ensuring that each transition maintains stability and control.
• Repeat these steps for several repetitions, aiming for smooth and continuous sequences.

Easy, right? Well, it might just make you sweat a bit! This exercise isn’t just a trend; it works multiple muscle groups, especially your core, and it ramps up your stability.

The up-down motions also target your shoulders and arms, combining strength and endurance training.

Conclusion

Exploring exercises that start with ‘U’ has introduced variety to your workout routine that’s both fun and effective.

Remember, progress in fitness comes from both consistency and incorporating new moves that challenge your body in different ways.

For those who are keen on goal-setting, these exercises can be a fresh way to set new fitness milestones.