Build the Best Dumbbell Only Workout and Make Serious Gains
The concept of simplicity many times is forgotten. In a world of caramel, white mocha, chocolate chip frappucinos with 2 extra shots of espresso - shaken, not stirred - you will be lucky to find a simple black coffee option on the menu.
We are a society that strives for endless options. We become intrigued when we are presented with another choice that we did not have before. We want that option to "upgrade" or "add additional items" because many of us think NEW and MORE is better.
The same thing occurs within the realm of health & fitness. A new diet plan, a new exercise program, a new piece of equipment. For us fitness freaks, we sometimes find ourselves looking for another option or the latest workout routine because we think adding more options into the equation is going to produce better results.
At times, we may find ourselves forgetting about the basics of fitness and the true simplicity of it all. Rather than complicating things week after week, take a step back and take a look at your fitness journey as something simple.
If you wipe away the makeup coating the face of fitness, you can get down to the simple basics of staying healthy and building: eating right and exercising consistently. It really is as easy as it sounds. If you are able to stay consistent with your diet and exercise you will get one step closer to your health and fitness goals each day.
That is what this dumbbell-only workout split is all about...
Simplicity
With this workout we are keeping it simple. No bars. No machines. No plates. No complicated pieces of equipment that you may not feel comfortable using.
This workout is all about you, a bench, and a set of dumbbells. If you have the ability to bend down and pick up a set of dumbbells then you possess the ability to crush this workout to your fullest potential.
This dumbbell-focused routine will help you build muscle from head to toe. This workout is great for the beginner lifter looking to build muscle in a simple, raw manner with minimal equipment. This split is also perfect for anyone who has a home gym but does not have an array of extravagant equipment.
Building a Dumbbell Only Workout
Depending on the amount of time you have each week and your preferred training style, this dumbbell-only workout can be run as a full body routine, push-pull-legs hybrid, or as a full on bro split. You will use a rep goal style of training within this routine, aiming for 50 reps on each exercise.
By using a rep goal style of training the intensity is elevated and can help you sustain more focus within your workout by giving you a specific rep number to complete before moving on to the next workout.
How Much Weight?
For all of these exercises use a weight that you can perform 8-10 reps comfortably with. The short rest periods and rep goal system within this workout will make each set after the first more difficult, but stick with that weight and do not move onto the next movement until you have finished your 50 reps.
Exercise Selection
Chest
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press
Incline Bench Dumbbell Press
Dumbbell Flyes (Flat or Incline)
Single Arm Dumbbell Press
Weighted Push-Ups (dumbbell resting on your upper back)
Triceps
Dumbbell French Press
Dumbbell Skull Crushers
Dumbbell Triceps Kickbacks
Weight Diamond Push-Ups (arms close with hands touching in a diamond position)
Back
Two Arm Dumbbell Rows
Single Arm Dumbbell Rows
Dumbbell Deadlifts
Renegade Dumbbell Rows
Biceps
Standing Dumbbell Curls
Incline Bench Dumbbell Curls
Dumbbell Hammer Curls
Single-Arm Concentration Curls
Single-Arm Spider Curls
Shoulders
Dumbbell Military Press
Arnold Press
Side Lateral Raise
Bent Over Rear Dumbbell Flyes
Dumbbell Front Raises
Legs
Goblet Squats
Walking Lunges
Romanian Dumbbell Deadlifts
Lying Dumbbell Hamstring Curl
Standing Calf Raises (stand on the bench while holding the dumbbells in each hand)
Full-Body Dumbbell Only Split
Rep Goal: 50 Reps for each movement
Rest Time between sets: 60 seconds
Day 1
Two Chest Movements
One Triceps Movement
Two Shoulder Movements
One Back Movement
Two Leg Movements
Day 2
Two Back Movements
Two Bicep Movements
One Shoulder Movement
One Triceps Movement
One Leg Movement
Day 3
One Chest Movement
One Back Movement
One Bicep Movement
Two Leg Movements
Push-Pull-Legs Dumbbell Workout Hybrid
Rep Goal: 50 Reps for each movement
Rest Time between sets: 60 seconds
Day 1 - PUSH
3 Chest Movements
3 Triceps Movements
DAY 2 - PULL
3 Back Movements
3 Bicep Movements
DAY 3 - LEGS HYBRID
3 Shoulder Movements
3 Leg Movements
Dumbbell Only Bro Split
Rep Goal: 50 Reps for each movement
Rest Time between sets: 60 seconds
Day 1 - Chest
4 Chest Movements
Day 2 - Back
4 Back Movements
Day 3 - Arms
3 Bicep Movements
3 Triceps Movements
Day 4 - Shoulders
4 Shoulder Movements
Day 5 - Legs
4 Leg Movements
Serious Dumbbell Gains
Henry David Thoreau once stated,
"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand."
This workout plan was designed with that outlook in mind, giving you the options to choose your exercises and workout plan, but keeping the equipment and rep style as simple as possible. Not a thousand different options, but simply two or three.
Choose your exercises, grab your dumbbells, hit your 50 reps and it is on to the next one: As simple as that.