Jada Pinkett Smith’s ‘body-surfing’ floor workout strengthens your entire upper body

There are so many different ways to strengthen your upper body. You can use dumbbells, kettlebells, push-ups, pull-ups—the list goes on and on. But you’ve probably never thought to body surf across your living room to build muscle strength (and clean your floor). Jada Pinkett Smith recently attempted the rather creative upper-body floor workout, and it’s easy for anyone to do at home without any equipment but a towel.

Pinkett Smith puts a towel down on the floor and drags her body across the room like with absolutely no help from her legs. The total bodyweight exercise fires up your arm and back muscles as you go through the movements. I mean, you can see her muscles working throughout the entire workout—and if you need further proof that it’s ridiculously hard, just listen to her grunts.

The move appears to be inspired by a surfer paddling out to sea. After making your way across the room multiple times during this upper body floor workout, you won’t find yourself all wet, but you will be sore like a professional surfer. (The shiny floor is just an added bonus.)

How to do Jada Pinkett Smith’s upper-body floor workout

1. 1.
   Put a towel down on a hardwood or tile floor. (You’ll need to work on a surface you’re able to slide easily.)
2. 2.
   Lie on your stomach with the towel below your core, hips, and thighs.
3. 3.
   Lify your shoulders off thr ground and extend your arms wide on the floor above your head and use your upper body strength to pull your lower body toward your hands. (When you start sweating, this will get even harder because you won’t have as much of a grip.)
4. 4.
   Make your way across the room, then turn around and go back to your starting position. Repeat three times.

Extend your workout with these upper-body exercises:

For more ways to increase your upper body strength, try this 9-move dumbbell arm workout. Then go for the 15-minute arm workout that uses nothing but a resistance band.