Bennett Richardson, DPT, PT, CSCSGetting started on a strength training journey can be humbling. Often, the weights feel heavy, your body feels uncoordinated, and you generally feel intimidated by all the experienced pros in the gym (1).
But all of these problems are easily solved if you stick it out through the first few weeks of your program. Plus, you can totally bypass the gym, if you want, by simply purchasing a few sets of dumbbells to use at home!
In this article, I’ll review a killer 30-minute dumbbell workout you can do anywhere. All you need are the dumbbells and the will to work hard!
30-Minute Full-Body Dumbbell Workout Routine to Build Muscle All Over
1. Standing Lateral Raises
Ever heard of boulder shoulders? This exercise will certainly help you achieve them! The lateral raise works the deltoids, a key muscle lying on top of your shoulders.
How to Perform
- Hold one dumbbell in each hand.
- Raise the weights up and out to the sides, so that your body makes a “T” shape at the top of the movement.
- Slowly lower the weights back down to your sides to complete the motion.
- Complete 10-12 reps then move immediately on to exercise #2.
2. Press Ups On Dumbbells
Press-ups are a quintessential exercise for the “pushing” muscles of the upper body. By performing them on dumbbells, you can increase the range of motion, getting even more pumped out of your muscles.
How to Perform
- Place the dumbbells on the floor, parallel to one another.
- Grasp the handles and assume a press-up position.
- Slowly lower your chest down to the ground, or as low as you can.
- Press yourself back up to the starting position to complete the rep.
- Perform 10-15 reps then move immediately on to exercise #3.
- Note that any exercise in which you are balanced on top of dumbbells should be performed with caution.
3. Dumbbell Bench Press
Bench presses and press-ups are similar exercises, with one key difference: the bench press involves the hands/weight moving, while the press-up involves the body moving. Other than that, both exercises work the chest, triceps, and shoulders to a high degree.
How to Perform
- Lie flat on your back (on the ground, or on a bench, if you have one).
- Hold one dumbbell in each hand.
- Press the weights up toward the ceiling, then slowly lower them back down to the sides of your chest.
- Complete 10-12 reps then move immediately on to exercise #4.
4. Unsupported Bent-Over Rows
Rows are the counterpart of the bench press. This exercise works the muscles that oppose the bench press and serves to balance the muscles across the shoulders.
How to Perform
- Hold one dumbbell in each hand and bend forward at the waist.
- Slowly, allow the dumbbells to hang forward and down, keeping your back parallel with the ground.
- Pull the weights up toward your chest by bending your elbows and extending your shoulder back.
- Complete 10-12 reps then move immediately on to exercise #5.
5. Dumbbell Side “Star” Plank
Planks are a versatile exercise that works many different muscles throughout the body. The side “star” plank is a great variation on the traditional movement.
How to Perform
- Start in a side plank, with your right forearm on the ground and your right foot on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell in your left hand and raise it toward the ceiling.
- Lift your left leg off of the ground.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds, then carefully come out of it and immediately move on to exercise #6.
6. Goblet Squats
Goblet squats mimic the traditional front squat motion. This movement is often more quad-heavy than traditional squats, so be ready to feel your thighs burning.
How to Perform
- Hold one dumbbell upright, under your chin.
- Squat down as low as you can, then stand back up.
- Complete 10-15 reps then move immediately on to exercise #7.
7. Romanian Deadlifts
Deadlifts, in their many varieties, are an important exercise for everyone to include in their routines. You can’t build functional strength without the deadlift!
How to Perform
- In standing, hold one dumbbell in each hand.
- Slowly lower the weights down to just below your knees.
- Stand back up by contracting your glutes and hamstrings.
- Complete 10-15 reps then move immediately on to exercise #8.
8. Thrusters
If you’ve ever taken a CrossFit class, you’ve probably performed some thrusters. This exercise is a great way to get the heart pumping and the muscles of the whole body working hard.
How to Perform
- Hold one dumbbell in each hand, at shoulder height.
- Squat down low, then explode upward, pressing the weights toward the ceiling as you do so.
- Return to the starting position to complete the rep.
- Perform 10-12 reps then move immediately on to exercise #9.
9. Dumbbell Planks
As was mentioned before, planks are terrific for increasing core stability and isometric strength. Performing them on dumbbells increases instability and challenges your core even more.
How to Perform
- Place two dumbbells parallel to one another on the ground.
- Assume a pushup position on the dumbbells.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds then immediately move on to exercise #10.
- Note that any exercise in which you are balanced on top of dumbbells should be performed with caution.
10. Side Plank on Dumbbell
Much like the standard plank, the side plank benefits you in a variety of ways. Additionally, this single arm movement on the side of the body serves to strengthen the oblique muscles.
How to Perform
- Lie on your right side with your feet stacked on top of one another.
- Lift your body upward so that only your right forearm and the side of your right foot are in contact with the ground.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds, repeat on the other side, and move immediately on to exercise #11.
11. Dumbbell Curls
The biceps are a key muscle of the upper body and one that many people love to flex! The dumbbell curl is a great exercise to master for your upper body strength gains.
How to Perform
- In standing, hold one dumbbell in each hand.
- Bend your elbows, curling the weights up toward your shoulders.
- Slowly lower back down to complete the rep.
- Perform 10-12 repetitions then immediately move on to the final exercise.
12. Standing Triceps Kickback
The triceps are the complementary muscle for the biceps. This muscle makes up the bulk of your upper arm, so don’t neglect it!
How to Perform
- Hold one dumbbell in each hand while standing.
- Bend forward at the waist.
- Extend your elbows, kicking the weights backward.
- Complete 10-12 reps then move on to exercise #1. Once you’ve completed the entire circuit 3 times, you’re all done!
Conclusion
It doesn’t take much fancy equipment to get a great workout. A few sets of dumbbells and some open space are all you need to get started on your strength journey. In time, and with consistent effort, you’ll start to realize your strength goals!
Works Cited
- Westcott WL. Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2012 Jul-Aug;11(4):209-16. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31825dabb8. PMID: 22777332.
