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Workout Summary
Download WorkoutWorkout Description
The following workout is for those who only have access to a set of dumbbells.
It can be performed by those who work out at home, have to travel frequently and want to get a good workout in with limited equipment at a hotel gym, or as a progression from my 3 day dumbbell only routine.
This workout can be performed as a full workout routine for up to 12 weeks.
After 12 weeks you may want to consider altering the volume, weight you use (i.e. invest in a new pair of dumbbells), or even venture out and join a local gym that will have more of a variety of equipment for you to use.
The program calls for you to work out 4 days per week. What days you decide to workout is completely up to you. With that being said, it’s best to have 48-72 hours of rest in between your two upper body workouts and 48-72 hours of rest in between your two lower body workouts.
An example would be to perform the workouts in the order they are listed and take your rest days on Wednesdays and the weekends. Your rest days are the perfect opportunity to incorporate cardio training, flexibility training, foam rolling, or a combination of the three.
The goal of this workout is to help you build muscle. However, it can also help you with your fat loss goals depending on your calorie intake.
Rest periods for this workout program should be limited to 30-60 seconds.
If you have any other questions regarding this upper/lower dumbbell only workout program, please be sure to leave them in the comments section below!
Editor Note: Ready to progress from this workout? Try the 5 Day Dumbbell Only Workout Program
Day 1: Dumbbell Upper Body Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bent Over Dumbbell Row | 4 | 8-10 |
| 2. Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 | 8-10 |
| 3. Dumbbell Lateral Raise | 3 | 8-12 |
| 4. Dumbbell Pullover | 3 | 8-12 |
| 5. Dumbbell Bicep Curl | 2 | 8-12 |
| 6. Dumbbell Tricep Extension | 2 | 8-12 |
| 7. Dumbbell Shrug | 2 | 12-15 |
Day 2: Dumbbell Lower Body Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Goblet Squat | 4 | 8-10 |
| 2. Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift | 4 | 8-10 |
| 3. Dumbbell Plie Squat | 3 | 8-12 |
| 4. Dumbbell Hamstring Curl | 3 | 8-12 |
| 5. Standing Dumbbell Calf Raise | 3 | 8-12 |
| 6. Plank | 3 | 20 Secs |
Day 3: Dumbbell Upper Body Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. One Arm Dumbbell Row | 4 | 8-10 |
| 2. Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 4 | 8-10 |
| 3. Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 | 8-12 |
| 4. Chest Supported Dumbbell Row | 3 | 8-12 |
| 5. Dumbbell Hammer Curl | 2 | 8-12 |
| 6. Dumbbell Floor Press | 2 | 8-12 |
| 7. Seated Dumbbell Shrug | 2 | 12-15 |
Day 4: Dumbbell Lower Body Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift | 4 | 8-10 |
| 2. Dumbbell Rear Lunge | 4 | 8-10 |
| 3. Dumbbell Hip Thrust | 4 | 8-10 |
| 4. Dumbbell Split Squat | 3 | 8-12 |
| 5. Seated Dumbbell Calf Raise | 3 | 8-12 |
| 6. Planks | 3 | 20 Secs |
If you give this program a try, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Post your post-workout swolfies in M&S gear on IG and tag @muscleandstrength, #muscleandstrength, or DM them to us to get a shoutout on Muscle & Strength stories!
105 Comments+ Post Comment
Hello,
The equipment I have at my disposal is: a simple bench, a pair of 32.5kg dumbbells, 40kg, 24kg and 16kg kettlebells, and a barbell with 170kg worth of plates.
A couple of questions: I don't have squat stands so I'm unable to perform squats or bench press with the barbell. I would, however, like to incorporate some barbell work into my routine with a little switching around. How, for example, would I go about including deadlifts while still adhering to the basic template of the routine?
I've been doing the workouts for three weeks and I'm already exceeding the prescribed rep range for a couple of the leg exercises. Yesterday I did 4 sets of 12 reps of the goblet squat with my heaviest kettlebell. Would you recommend that I push on to 4x15 or swap for something like the dumbbell front squat? Likewise I hit 3x15 for the plie squat and was wondering what you'd suggest I replace it with - or do I push on for 20 reps?
My goal at this time is hypertrophy. I plan to change to a strength-based routine next year.
Hi Tony,
You can substitute any barbell variation of a lift for any dumbbell variation you wish. That is no problem.
Increasing the weight is one way you can make the exercises more challenging. You can also adjust the rep tempo. Give these articles a read;
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/4-ways-to-get-stronger-withou...
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/4-ways-achieve-progressive-ov...
Hope this helps!
How much muscle can we gain from this program
Hi Hado,
Tough to say as results will be highly individualized based on experience level, genetics, diet adherence, quality of life, and many other factors.
Can I build muscles with this program?
Hi Rithu,
Yes, you absolutely can.
Hope this helps!
Hi
Is there any warm-up plan you recommend for this workout?
Hi Daniel,
For warm ups, start here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/warming-up-for-dummies
Hope this helps!
Hi
I don't currently own an adjustable bench so I can't do the incline row nor the chest supported row.
Any exercise that could replace those?
Also if my goal is to build muscle and bulk up, am I better off doing the exercises as a circuit, or should I stick to completing them individually?
Thanks
Hi Daniel,
Perform a variation of the exercise you do have the necessary equipment for - even if that means repeating an exercise on the same day or the day before.
Yes, keep them individual if your goal is to build muscle.
Hope this helps!
Hi
Can I do yoga in addition to this workout ?
I usallly do 3 yoga sessions per week
How would you set up the schedule
Thanks
Hi Bina,
Yes! Absolutely!
You could perform Yoga on whichever days best fit your schedule - whether that be rest days or workout days.
Hope this helps!
Would it okay to add dumbbell flys to the upper body workout days or would the flys be unnecessary? Thanks
Hi Justin,
They may or may not be necessary depending on your own individual goals. Feel free to add them in if you feel they are necessary.
Hope this helps!
Hi josh i want to know how much weight do i have to lift for beginning in 3 day full body ?
Hi Arlind,
Pick a weight you think you can use for the prescribed reps. If too heavy, move down. If too light, move up. You should finish each set feeling as though you have 1-2 reps left in the tank. A good rule of thumb is 75-85% of your working max for the prescribed rep ranges.
Hope this helps!
Hi, I had minor Knee surgery 3 days ago and am looking at 2 weeks before I see the physio and 6-9 weeks before I can get back into serious training, my question is can I use the upper workouts only? I am stuck at home unable to get to the gym and I want to minimise muscle loss, I have a bench and a dumbbell set at home to tide me over.
Hi Dannyboy,
I'd recommend consulting with your physio when you meet with them. You don't want to risk further injury.
Hope this helps!
I've nearly completed this and would love to either add a 5th day or increase the intensity of the exercise. Since there hasn't been a progression past this written yet, do you have a recommendation? I like that it's dumbbell only as I use an apartment complex gym and outside of a few basic machines the main item I have is dumbbells.
Thanks!
Hi Chris,
You can make this a 5 day program by cycling through them. Below is an example:
Day 1: Upper
Day 2: Lower
Day 3: Off
Day 4: Upper
Day 5: Lower
Day 6: Upper
Day 7: Off
Day 8: Lower
Day 9: Upper
Day 10: Off
Day 11: Lower
Day 12: Upper
Day 13: Lower
etc
Hope this helps!
Hi Josh, I am wanting to tone up and I was just wondering with this workout do I need to be doing the exact reps and sets that it is telling me to do? Or what do you recommend for someone who wants to become more toned and lean?
Hi Kaleigh,
This workout as written can help with those goals.
Hope this helps!
I only have access to my complex gym Thursday through Sunday so could I do this workout 4 days in a row? So for example I would do the upper body one on Thursday and Saturday and the lower body one on Friday and Sunday
Hi Isaac,
Sure, you could set up your weekly schedule that way.
Where is abs exercise ?
Hi Rama,
If you'd like to add in ab isolation work to this program, you are more than welcome to.
Okay, so now my friends are starting to notice how I lost my belly fat. But my scale still says I'm 89 kgs. This is concerning. Any advice? :O
Hi Jose,
Scale weight isn't always a good indicator of progress. Muscle tissue is denser than fat. So while you get leaner (and build more muscle), the scale may remain the same even tho you're dropping inches from your waist.
Hiya iv been this workout on my third week, I can notice a little change in my body but was wondering when will I see it properly working
Hi Richard,
Little changes add up over time. Be consistent and you'll get there.
Hi there Josh,
Been out of the game for a bit and I’ve let myself go a bit, mostly in terms of belly fat and elsewhere on my torso. Have always been big built since i started maturing in school and I’m 23 now, going to give your workout a blast as I want to build my muscle back too. Are there any tips you could give me to help me get back in shape?? I’m also cutting down on my calories and getting in plenty of veggies and good proteins, and was thinking of adding some light morning cardio on a couple of my rest days. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
Hi Killian,
All of those sound like solid additions back into your lifestyle. My best piece of advice is to be consistent. You'll get there. For tips on consistency, check out this piece:
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/7-habits-highly-motivated-and...
Hope this helps!
Hi Josh
Thanks for stuff you are sharing.
Actually i have two questions :-
1- Should i use only fixed weight for dumbbell in my 12 weeks or i can chnage it every fixed period ?
2- for the days, should i performed them day after day without rest ? And if so, what should i do in rest day? Like ab workout, cardio, running,.....etc.
Hi Mohammed,
1. You can change the weight used if you wish - either during the 12 weeks or after depending on your ability to build strength and access to different weighted dumbbells. Both will get you results over time.
2. Perform them 4 days per week. On your rest days, rest. Or, perform some low intensity cardio if you feel it will be beneficial towards your goals.
Josh, how many calories over my BMR should I be consuming to be sure my muscles have the necessary fuel to grow? Thanks in advance!
Hi Steve,
~250-500 calories should do the trick.
Hope this helps!
Hello, can I sub chinups and pullups for dumbbell pullovers on day 1 and chest supported dumbbell row on day 3?
Hi Gcy,
Sure, that would be a fine substitution.
Hope this helps!
Is it okay to swap the hamstring curl with a romanian deadlift? If not, is there something else that works? The curl is difficult solo.
Also. Would combining something like 6-minute abs with this be good for your core? Or is this too much/unnecessary. Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
Yes that is fine to do. And sure, you can add in additional core training into this program.
Hope this helps!
For the weight of the sets, should i got max weight every set or start low and add weight per set?
Hi Dave,
Use 75-85% of your working max for that rep range.
for the rest days on the 4 day work out basically you do day one and day two then take a rest day. The wording just threw me off because it talks about the upper body and two lower body but the schedule alternates upper and lower
Hi Scott,
Yes, that is correct.
Hope this helps!
I've been doing this for over a week now and from 105 kgs, I am now 89 kgs! I feel a lot stronger too because they become easier to do after a month that I had to increase the weights. Day 4 has to be the hardest thing on here. Looking forward to how I look by the end of the year! Thanks for this! :)
Hi Jose,
That's awesome! Keep it up!
Hello!
First of all thank you very much for the workouts,im just about to finish the 3 day 8 week dumbbell only workout routine.I recently acquired a pull up bar and the problem is that i want to pick this workout routine but i have no idea if i should replace some of the existing exercises,add new ones and tinker with the volume or switch to a completely different routine.Any ideas?
Thank you in advance :D.
Hi Kyry,
That's awesome! Feel free to add pull ups in to replace either bicep work or rows on upper days.
You can also add them in addition to what is listed.
Hope this helps!
Hey Kyry, did the 3 day 8 week program work for you? Did you see ant results? I'm thinking about starting it.
Yeah,it worked great.
I started at 150 lbs/67 kg and around 20% bf so i had 55 kg lean mass and 12 kg of fat
I did the routine every other day without caring about what day is it so i had around 7 workouts every 14 days.
In the first month i gained aprox 5-6 lbs (2 kg ) of muscle and fat with aprox 2000 calories/day with my normal diet and started seeing some definition.
After that i started cutting and lost around 3.5 kg of fat and some muscle with around 1300-1600 (depending how tired i was) calories/day in 3 weeks and got to around 16% bf and i started seeing my abs somewhat.
Now in my last week im still cutting and hoping to get to 15% bf before it ends so i can start eating 2000 again and gain muscle with this 4 day one. (As a fyi i did not care what i ate as long as i got to my calorie goal and had a little bit of everything carbs protein etc etc.)
In the days im eating 1600 calories i do some HIIT after working out 5-10 min max so i compensate.
In my rest days i may go running in the morning but it happens rarely and other than that i stay at a desk 12 hours per day :D
Hope it helps,gl!