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Workout Summary
Build Muscle
Split
Beginner
10 weeks
3
45 minutes
Dumbbells
Male & Female
Download WorkoutWorkout Description
Tired of looking for a dumbbell only routine to work out at home with? Don't want to buy any expensive equipment? Then here is a workout for you! All you need is an adjustable bench and some dumbbells. This is beginner - intermediate. If you have a pullup bar I highly suggest adding chinups or wide grip pullups to back day!
Daily Workout Schedule:
| Monday - Chest and Triceps | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chest | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Dumbbell Flys | 3 | 12 |
| Triceps | ||
| Dumbbell Skullcrusher | 3 | 12 |
| Dumbbell Tricep Kickback | 3 | 12 |
| One Arm Seated Dumbbell Extension | 3 | 12 |
Tuesday - Rest Day
| Wednesday - back and Biceps | ||
|---|---|---|
| Back | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| One Arm Dumbbell Row | 5 | 12,10,10,8,6 |
| Bent Over Dumbbell Row | 5 | 12,10,10,8,6 |
| Dumbbell Pullover | 2 | 12,10 |
| Biceps | ||
| Incline Dumbbell Curl | 3 | 10 |
| Standing Dumbbell Curl | 3 | 10 |
| Cross Body Hammer Curl | 2 | 10 |
Thursday - Rest Day
| Friday - Legs and Shoulders | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quads | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Dumbbell Lunge | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Dumbbell Step Up | 3 | 12 |
| Dumbbell Squat | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Hamstrings | ||
| Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Calves | ||
| Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise | 2 | 15,12 |
| Dumbbell Standing Calf Raise | 2 | 12,10 |
| Shoulders | ||
| Standing Dumbbell Press | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
| Dumbbell Lateral Raise | 3 | 12,10,10 |
| Bent Over Dumbbell Reverse Fly | 3 | 12,10,10 |
| Dumbbell Shrug | 4 | 12,10,10,8 |
Saturday and Sunday - Rest Days
1.1K Comments+ Post Comment
I love this workout, but I also train in mma 2-3 times a week, can I add some plyo/explosive stuff at the beginning of workouts? Something like box jumps before legs and clap push up before chest
Is there another 3 day dumbbell workout that would be a good one to move onto AFTER completing this program? I enjoyed this program but would like to compound on it and improve in the future. Don't know where I should go to next after this one.
Hi Spencer,
Give this one a shot: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/3-day-full-body-dumbbell-workout
What weight should I use in each arm?
How can anyone finish these set groups in 45min?!
Hey M&S!
Love the article! Also have a quick question.
I was doing another dumbbell routine that I have gotten somewhat bored as it was lighter than this one. I loving what I’m seeing with this one and was just curious if this would be a good routine to continue my fat loss journey or if you’d recommend a different routine for that?
I walk about 8-10 miles a day at work and do moderate lifting throughout my shift. I also have a pretty solid diet with one decent cheat meal a week. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Zachary
Hi Zachary,
This is a fine routine to use for fat loss goals. The most important thing to consider when achieving fat loss is how many calories you consume each day. You have to be in a calorie deficit to lose fat.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the reply! That’s the hard part haha. I eat healthy and definitely in a deficit. About 2 lb loss a week. I just struggle getting enough food sometimes. I may have to start meal prepping so I can insure that I’ll get enough nutrients for a healthy muscles growth.
Legs/Shoulders day is exhausting. When you say 4 sets of lunges and 3 sets of step-ups, how do we alternate legs? Do we just double up to 8 total sets of lunges and 6 sets of step-ups?
Can I do shoulders on a separate day and make this routine 4 days a week ?
Thanks for reply
Rah
Hi Rah,
Sure, that would be fine.
Hope this helps!
What is the idea behind the rep sceme? Are you supposed to keep the weight at the same level for each set, or increase the weight as the number of reps go down? Thanks!
For this routine, do you recommend that the exercises be done in the order listed? For example, on chest and triceps day, do you do all the chest exercises in sequence before moving to the triceps exercises? Or alternate, one chest exercise then a tricep exercise?
there is Dumbbell Pullover workout in back day !
how ???
2 questions:
1. I have only 15 lbs and a 20 lbs dummbles, when should I increase my weight?
2. Should I rest 1 min. Between sets?
Hi Avi,
1. I'd recommend investing in new dumbbells over time. The rate in which you will progress will vary.
2. Yes, that is a fine rest period.
Hope this helps!
Hello,
How do I warm up for this routine ?
Hi Eli,
Start here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/warming-up-for-dummies
Hope this helps!
Hi Eli,
Any curl and press variation using what you have available will do the trick.
Hope this helps!
Thanks Josh this article is great !
I was also wondering, as I don't have a bench, what exercises can replace the incline curl and incline press ?
Hey there! Thanks for posting this - I travel a lot, and most hotel gyms have dumbbells but no barbell, so this is SUPER helpful!
Quick q - on the exercises with decreasing reps, are you supposed to increase the weight with each set? Or keep it the same?
Ex: 12 reps of 25 lbs, 10 reps of 30 lbs, 8 reps of 35 lbs... vs. 12 reps of 30 lbs, 10 reps of 30 lbs, 8 reps 30 lbs...
Thanks, really appreciate it!
Hi RP,
Yes, as the reps decrease, increase the weight used.
Hope this helps! Thanks for giving the program a shot!
So I only have a 15, 25 (pair), 40 (pair) pound weights. Will that weight be enough to see some real gains?
Hi David,
It's a good place to start! You'll be able to notice some gains using those dumbbells if you're new to training, yes.
Hope this helps!
Thank you. I'm also taking ON protein. So let's hope that helps as well.
I want to add some core exercises ... Sit-ups, leg lifts etc... What day should I add them to???
Hi Robert,
Go for it! You can add them in to any of the workout days.
Hope this helps!
I have access to an EZ bar, would it be possible to substitute some exercises for the EZ bar variation such has Skull Crushers and was dumbbell curls?
Hi Dave,
yes, absolutely.
Hope this helps!
Hi Nigel / Frankoman,
Firstly thanks for the routine, I have been following along for the past 3 months or so and have noticed considerable muscle gain / strength. As I have progressed I have also started some other movements that I have picked up here and there and have been increasing the weight / reps to keep it going.
I have however read a lot of recommendations that muscle groups are hit 2x per week, would this increased training amount be considered a more "advanced" routine and if so is there a routine accessible anywhere?
Hi James,
Increasing training frequency would be a solid option to progress from this workout.
Check out this program here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/phul-workout
Hope this helps!
Good day everyone, i got a question .
Monday and Thursday i got badminton session.
Can i run this program like Tuesday (chest,tri) continuously Wednesday (back,bi) then Friday (leg,shoulder) ? This is a big question for me... hopefully i got reply . Thanks
Hi Nigel,
Yes, that should be fine.
Hope this helps!
How much weight should be added per set/ per week assuming you're a beginner?
Hi Nick,
Add weight when you are capable of doing so without your form breaking down during the exercise. Progression will be highly individualized. As long as you are making progress over time, you'll see the results you are hoping for.
Hope this helps!
How odd that dumbbell pullover is listed as a back exercise here, but on the linked video page it's listed as a pecs exercise. Hmm...
Hi Angela,
Depending on how you do it, it can be both. Check out this video article:
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/videos/dumbbell-pullover-back-or-chest...
Hope this helps!
Hi - so on a particular exercise when you are doing 4 sets with reps 12,10,10,8 do you increase the wait as the reps decrease? I have a Curl bar and bands as well to add into this workout. Thanks
Hi Kevin,
Yes, that is correct.
Hope this helps!
Hi, I was just wondering if maybe switching this up to a Mon, Tues, Wed, rest and repeat would be more beneficial when it comes to gaining faster? Also I was wondering what I could do to not plateau, because with the Incline bench and regular bench I have adjustable dumbbells and I’m at the max weight and it’s too easy. I looked at the higher weight ones and I currently don’t have $600 to get them. Should I add more sets or reps? Just looking for some advice on where to go next. Thanks
Hi Nick,
Adding 3 additional training days won't make you gain faster. Muscle growth takes time.
In terms of making your workouts more challenging without increasing the weight you use, check this article out: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/4-ways-to-get-stronger-withou...
Hope this helps!
Hi
Can i do cardio on rest days for burning extra fat and can i add abs traing on off days with cardio
Hi Ali,
Sure that should be fine.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
For the excercises with the same number of reps for each set, should I be decreasing, increasing, or maintain the same weight as I move through the sets?
Hi Beefcake,
It depends. I wouldn't recommend decreasing weight if reps remain the same unless you have to. Try to maintain or increase if possible.
Hope this helps!
Hello,
Im gonna start this program, but as a newbie I have few questions about weights. I have adjustable 2x20kg dumbbells. Im 26years old and now if I do 3x12 OFFSET-GRIP DUMBBELL CURL with 10kg it feels quite enough to me, but maybe I should try to do it with more weight or 10kg is enough for start?
Should I add more weight on certain exercises?
Last thing, I dont have a bench, could I somehow use chair/sofa and etc. instead of bench,or is it better to change exercises? But somehow I dont want to change exercises, because I think You did a great program, selected exercises to get best of workout with dumbbells , or it is not very bad to change few exercises?
I want to thank you for this program!
I'd be very happy if I get answers for my questions :) .
Thank you in advance :).
Hi Joey,
Yes, you should add weight if you don't find the weight you are currently using challenging.
This workout is a template, you are more than welcome to alter it in whatever way you see fit to incorporate whatever pieces of equipment you do have access to.
Hope this helps!
Hi Joey,
it depends on the build of the chair/sofa you're using. If it doesn't prohibit you from executing with perfect form, it should be fine. If it does, subbing the exercise out for another that targets the same muscle group without a bench would be the better option.
Hope this helps!
It really helps! Thank you for your help :)
Thanks!
Thanks you Josh for response and such fast :) .
How it's better , replace bench with chair/sofa :D , or change exercise for that particular muscle group which doesnt require bench?
Thanks!