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This 30 minute dumbbell workout has been designed to provide a whole-body resistance workout.
In just 30-minutes with a single pair of dumbbells all your major muscles will be engaged.
Because this dumbbell workout requires minimal equipment it can be completed just as easily at home as it can the gym. All you need is a pair of dumbbells and weights bench.
Also, you can easily modify the workout to suit your training preferences or fitness goals. This can be achieved either by changing the exercises or training methodologies.
Related: Best Adjustable Dumbbells for the home gym
Benefits of this 30 minute dumbbell workout
As well as helping to sculpt lean, defined muscle, this 30 minute dumbbell workout can also enhance muscular endurance and functional strength.
Furthermore, thanks to the way the workout has been organised, it can promote fat-loss while improving physical fitness.
This 30 minute workout archives these covetous outcomes through a combination of progressive overload and high volume output.
Unlike traditional resistance training, where the exerciser performs 3 to 5 sets of 8 to 12 reps, resting for protracted periods in between, this dumbbell workout is all about maximising muscle engagement.
By maintaining high intensity muscles are fully activated which results in enhanced gains.
Related: Best Dumbbells for the Home Gym
How to perform this 30 minute dumbbell workout
Segmented into zones, each of the larger muscle groups is assigned with a dumbbell exercise. Starting with the shoulders, you will progress through a series of movements that will conclude at the quadriceps.
On each muscle group there are two workout options to select from. The first is organised around the traditional weightlifting method of sets and reps. However, there’s a little twist.
Instead of just performing X number of reps for Y number of sets, resting for Z minutes in between, you are to progress up the repetition pyramid. Beginning at the bottom complete one rep. Rest if needs be. Then complete 2 reps. Continue as far up the pyramid as possible in the allotted time.
Related: Best Adjustable Dumbbells
Dumbbell AMRAP
The second method is considerably harder and is for those who fancy a tough physical challenge.
The objective here is quite simple. For 5-minutes you are to perform as many reps as possible. Set a countdown timer and rep-out until your muscles burst into flame.
You can of course take a rest during an AMRAP. But if you do succumb to the temptation to rest, ensure to keep it short. Every second lost is a missed opportunity to squeeze out another rep.
30 minute dumbbell workout
Before attempting this 30 minute dumbbell workout, you should first complete a comprehensive warm-up. By doing so you’ll not only reduce injury susceptibility (the most important reason why we warm-up) but also improve physical performance.
If you’re not sure how best to warm-up, use the suggested warm-up guide below.
10-minute warm up
5-minute steady paced row – aim to build the intensity. Concluding the initial phase, complete 10 X 100-metre rows sprints followed by 10 repetitions of the dumbbell exercises in the workout. Only select one dumbbell exercise per row sprint and change the exercises as you progress through the 10 intervals.
standing dumbbell fly
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart with a pair of dumbbells dangling at your sides.
There should be a slight bend in both the joints of the knee and elbow.
Slowly, smoothly and under control raise the dumbbells until they are level with the shoulders.
To conclude the exercise return the dumbbell back to the start position.
For added intensity, lower the dumbbell to the halfway point, pause then raise them back up level with the shoulder. Feel the burrrn!
db bicep curl
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
A pair of dumbbells should be dangling at your sides, the palms of your hands turned inwards.
In a controlled movement curl the dumbbells until they are level with your anterior deltoid.
Remember, as you begin to curl the dumbbells you should also simultaneously rotate your hands so that the palms come to face your shoulders. If you don’t rotate the hands, you will instead perform a hammer curl. Though in all appearances this is a very similar exercise, hammer curls do work the biceps slightly differently than the traditional curl.
Return the dumbbell back to the sides of the leg remembering to rotate the palms inwards.
dumbbell chest press
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
Lie back on a flat bench, feet positioned flat on the floor, spaced a little over shoulder-width, a pair of dumbbells poised level with your chest.
If you’re in the right position the inner heads of the dumbbells should be about level with the outside of your shoulders.
Also, there should be a sharp angle at the elbow joint – around 45°.
Keeping your eyes riveted to the ceiling press the dumbbells evenly through both pectorals. Concentrate on contracting the chest muscles.
Just before lockout, touch the inner heads of the dumbbells together then return them to the start position.
Keep control throughout and focus on executing a clean, flawless movement.
dumbbell bent-over row
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
Adopt a neutral stance: feet shoulder-width, knees slightly bent, eyes fixed forward.
Your dumbbells should be position in front of your quadriceps, palms facing inwards.
Hinging at the hips only, lower down until the dumbbells are in line with your knees.
You back should be perfectly flat and you should still be looking forward.
In one smooth movement raise the dumbbells level with your lower chest.
The elbows, when rowing, should not protrude to the side. Also, avoid ‘cocking’ the wrists.
dumbbell reverse lunge
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
The start position of the reverse lunge is the same as the forward lunge: feet slightly apart; back upright; dumbbells by your sides.
Now, as the name suggests, step back into a lunge ensuring to bend your leading leg. Do not make the common mistake of touching the floor with your knee. This could injure your patella.
As you smoothly sink into the reverse lunge maintain correct postural alignment: dumbbells by your sides; shoulders braced; back straight; looking forward not down. Sweet!
To return to the start position power out of the lunge from the rear.
dumbbell squats
Option 1: for 5-minutes progress up the repetition pyramid – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ?
Option 2: 5-minute AMRAP – how many reps did you achieve?
With a pair of dumbbells position at your feet, adopt a double shoulder-width stance – as a Sumo wrestler would – toes pointing forward, torso nice and straight.
Squat down and grasp the dumbbells and stand back up. This is the start position.
With the dumbbells dangling between your legs execute a squat ensuring to follow the same protocol as you would when performing a barbell squat.
Keep your knees in line with your toes throughout, back straight, breathing in time with the reps.
If you’re up for a nasty burn in the quad explode out of the squat into a plyometric jump.
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About Adam Priest –
A former Royal Marines Commando, Adam Priest is a content writer, college lecturer, and health and wellbeing practitioner. He is also a fitness author and contributor to other websites. Connect with Adam via LinkedIn or info@hungry4fitness.co.uk.