Yahoo Movies The 15 Best Dumbbell Workouts for You to Build Strength and Muscle
There are few fitness tools more useful than dumbbells. The handheld weights are easier to wrangle than the long, rigid, heavy barbells that populate bench press stations and squat racks in gyms, but they're also sturdy enough to lifted, swung, carried, and more. You'll also have an easier time homing in on single muscle groups with dumbbells than if you used fitness' other favourite unilateral-friendly implement, the kettlebell, while still being able to perform big, powerful multi-joint movements like cleans and snatches. And if you need to, you can even push heavy weight with dumbbells—you'll be much more likely to find a gym with dumbbells that go up to and even beyond 90 pounds than you would be to find a massively heavy kettlebell (not to mention more accessible adjustable sets of weights for home workouts).
All that is to say that if you're designing a workout or even a training program using just one piece of equipment, dumbbells might be the most versatile, effective option you could pick. The weights are well-suited for upper body work with presses, pulls, curls, and more, while you can load for lower body exercises too, using the goblet, suitcase, and front rack positions. Since you're working with a unilateral implement, unlike the wider, two-handed barbell, movements like military presses are easier on your shoulders since you can work within a wider range of motion. Dumbbells are also much simpler to use right off the bat—pick up a weight, and you won't need a whole seminar to learn how to curl it safely (but you should take a tip or two, of course). And unlike barbells, you typically don't have to go through the trouble of adding or subtracting plates when it's time to level up or cool down.
Dumbbells allow you to take a wide range of approaches to training, too. From low-volume strength and power work to high-volume muscle endurance routines, the implements will serve you well. Isolate single muscles with moves like dumbbell curls or bring multiple groups into the equation with snatches and cleans—the options are nearly endless.
If you're dead-set on training with nothing but a set of dumbbells, check out these workouts as a jumping off point. You'll need other equipment, like benches, for some of them, while others can be completed with just one or two weights and your determination to sweat. If you're stuck at home in a small space, check out these routines, which are specifically designed to be more minimal. Need some dumbbells for yourself?
Chest
Dumbbell Hell
Grab a timer and a pair of light dumbbells for this volume-based chest crusher from Bobby Maximus (via Westside Barbell). You'll still get a ton of work in the 5 minute period—the real question will be whether or not you'll be able to keep up with all those reps.
Lay back on a bench or the floor holding the dumbbells.
Press one arm up, holding the other weight at your side without resting it on your chest.
Continue pressing and holding for two-and-a-half minutes. If you need a rest, hold the dumbbell up in the press position.
Switch sides and repeat for another two-and-a-half minutes.
Dumbbell Incline Press Hellset
You'll need an incline bench for this routine, which challenges you with some unilateral work and constant tension presses. Just make sure that you don't go too heavy—Samuel recommends starting with a weight 10 to 15 pounds lighter than you would for a standard mixed-style incline press.
Sit on the bench holding the dumbbells in each hand. Press both arms up to get into the starting position.
Perform 2 explosive press reps with one arm, holding the press position with the other. Squeeze your core to keep your torso in position on the bench. After the reps, switch and repeat the process for 2 reps with the other arm. Repeat twice without stopping for 6 reps on each arm.
Once you're finished with the explosive alternating reps in the press position, lower both weights slowly through the eccentric portion of the press, taking 3 seconds to reach the bottom position.
Press just as slowly up, taking 3 seconds to reach the top, then squeeze your triceps and chest to finish the rep. Repeat for 4 to 6 reps.
Arms
7-Minute Biceps Mayhem
Take under 10 to blow up your arms' showiest muscles. You're not just pumping through reps mindlessly until the clock hits zero, however—you'll make the most of your work using smart concepts like drop sets and iso holds.
Use perfect form so that you're not wasting your time. Perform the full series for 3 rounds for the best muscle-building effect, with a minute between rounds.
Alternating Biceps Curls
8 to 10 reps
Double Hammer Curls
8 to 10 reps
Parallel Pause Hold
8 to 10 seconds
Biceps to Triceps Superset Circuit
Use this superset series as a standalone workout on days you're short on time, or as a vicious finisher to close off your upper body sessions. Just grab a pair of light- to medium-weight dumbbells and get ready to work.
This superset is timed, so work to get as many good-quality reps as possible within the period. Repeat for 3 to 4 rounds.
Pause-Twist Supinated Hammer Curls
Repeat reps for 40 seconds
Skullcrusher-JM Press Combo
Repeat two reps of each movement for 40 seconds. For the last rep, hold the skullcrusher position for 10 seconds.
Biceps, Triceps, and Core Circuit
When most people think of dumbbells, the first move they imagine is probably the biceps curl. There are few better ways to work your guns—but you can use smart programming to hit your other arm muscles, too. This circuit from Andy Speer uses some dumbbells, your body weight, and a ticking clock to give your arms and core a good once over. Perform each move for 40 seconds, then rest for 20 seconds to complete 1 round. Do 3 rounds to finish the workout.
Pronated (overhand grip/reverse) Curl - 5 reps
Hammer Curl - 5 reps
Supinated (underhand standard) Curl - 5 reps
Alternating Push Plank - 40 seconds
Hollow Body Diamond Plank - 40 seconds
Iso-to-Reps Biceps Mayhem
This routine shows how versatile dumbbells can be, even when they're outside of the classic gym environment. Men's Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. uses isometric holds to build up the time under tension—a go-to technique for building muscle—then pumps up your arms even more by packing in extra reps with a drop set scheme.
Start standing, holding either dumbbells or water jugs wrapped in your towels at your sides.
Curl up until your forearms are parallel with the ground, focusing on rotating your palms so they face the ceiling. Hold for 8 seconds.
Do 8 biceps curl reps, continuing to focus hard on rotating your palms so they face the ceiling.
Let your palms face each other. Curl up until your forearms are parallel to the ground. Pause and hold for 8 seconds.
Do 8 hammer curl reps.
That's 1 set. Rest 45 seconds. Do 3 sets.
Angle-Change 21s
The 21s workout is a tried-and-true format and one of the most popular quick-hit pump sessions in the gym universe—so this spin on the convention is a must-try for any serious arm guy.
The main change comes with the new curl variations, so hitting good form is paramount to get the most out of the workout. Perform 7 reps of each exercise, then take a quick rest and repeat for 2 to 3 total rounds.
Drag Curls
Classic Curls
Final Curls
Core/Shoulders
Delt-Defining Planks
This circuit of delt-smashing plank variations highlight just how versatile a pair of dumbbells can be in the right hands. Use a light weight to hit all three of these exercises with both arms for 8 reps, then rest for 1 minute to finish 1 round. Repeat the series twice for 3 total rounds.
Extended Plank Rear Delt Raise
Extended Plank Front Raise
Extended Plank Superman Press
Decline Dumbbell Ab Fryer
To build a truly strong core, you need to challenge yourself with an added load, just like you would any other muscle group. Do that—and make it even tougher—with this brutal addition of anti-rotation forces with the incline bench.
Anchor your feet in a decline bench, holding a pair of light dumbbells.
Lower your torso to a position that's parallel to the ground. Hold the dumbbells overhead with a neutral grip.
Shift one of the dumbbells out to the side and hold it in position. Perform six situp reps with your arms in this position.
After the first six reps, shift your other arm into the side position. Perform another 6 situp reps.
Bring both dumbbells into a position directly above your chest. Finish with 6 situp reps.
Back/Lower Body
Dumbbells Are for Deadlifts
You have to use your hands to hold dumbbells, but that doesn't mean you're stuck doing only upper body work. Try a few of these deadlift variations on your next lower or full body lifting day, starting with medium weight for 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps.
Straight-Leg Deadlift
Suitcase Deadlift
Staggered Deadlift
Single-Leg Deadlift
Single-Arm Deadlift
Single-Arm Suitcase Deadlift
Single-Arm and Leg Deadlift
Sumo Deadlift
Front Loaded Deadlift
Kneeling Front Loaded Deadlift
Elevated Plank Row
You've probably done plenty of bent-over rows and bench rows in your life, so why not give a new variation a try that will also work your core? You'll need a bench and maybe a pair of solid, grippy sneakers that won't slip. You'll crush your back, but you'll also be honing that V-taper torso shape you're going for, too.
Set up in an elevated plank position on top of the bench, placing your elbow and forearm on the surface for support. Squeeze your core and glutes throughout the series to keep your spinal position strong. Hold the dumbbell in your other arm, with the weight down.
Squeeze your back to row the weight up with your elbow flared out wide. Pause at the top for a count.
Row with your elbow close to your body, turning your palm inward so it faces your head. Pause at the top for a count.
Row with your elbow close to your body again, keeping your hand in position.
Perform 3 to 4 clusters of this series for 1 set.
Lower Body
25s Leg Workout
Take on this workout to get a lower body burn with nothing but a pair of 25-pound dumbbells. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels give everyone a good challenge to work their legs.
Beginner
3 to 5 rounds, 1 minute rest between rounds
Alternating Front Loaded Reverse Lunge - 60 seconds
Hip-Level Alternating Lunge - 60 seconds
Intermediate
3 to 5 rounds, 1 minute rest between rounds
Overhead Alternating Reverse Lunge - 60 seconds
Alternating Front Loaded Reverse Lunge - 60 seconds
Advanced
3 to 5 rounds, 1 minute rest between rounds
Overhead Alternating Reverse Lunge - 60 seconds
Alternating Front Loaded Reverse Lunge - 60 seconds
Hip-Level Alternating Lunge - 60 seconds
Goblet Squat Hellset
Have 10 minutes to spare? Then you can obliterate your legs with a dumbbell and a small platform to elevate your heels, like a weight plate. By the time you're through with these 24 goblet squat reps, you'll be shaking.
Stand holding a heavy kettlebell or dumbbell at your chest, core tight. A weight plate or platform about 2 or 3 inches in height should be behind you.
Step your heels back onto that platform, taking a slightly closer stance than your normal squat stance. Keeping your core tight, bend at the knees and sit back, lowering until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Stand back up. Do 8 reps.
Step forward off the platform or plate and widen your stance slightly to your normal squat stance. Do 8 squat reps, pausing at the bottom of each rep for 1 second. "Relish the pause," says Samuel. "Use it as a chance to find your squat form."
Finish with 8 squat reps, this time without the pause. Do 3 sets.
Full Body
7-7-7 DB Complex
This complex hits just about every muscle group to make it a true full body dumbbell workout. Make sure you use weights that you can handle for a wide range of exercises for an extended period of time—this one gets tough. Perform 7 reps of each exercise consecutively, then rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat up to 7 times, depending on how much dumbbell punishment you can handle.
Overhead Triceps Extension
Hammer Curl
Overhead Press
Bent-Over Row
Drop and Stick Split Squat (L)
Drop and Stick Split Squat (R)
Sumo Burpee
Dumbbell Strength Interval Workout
Move quickly—but with intention—to crush this hard-hitting series, which is over in just 12 minutes. You'll perform each exercise for 30 seconds of work, then rest for 15 seconds. Repeat for 4 total rounds.
Single-leg reach and row (L)
Dumbbell skier swings
Single-leg reach and row (R)
Dumbbell alternating press
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