2 day beginner home dumbbell workout plan to get back in shape

A home workout with dumbbells: 2 full-body sessions a week to get back in shape. Made for beginners with just one pair of dumbbells, no bench or barbell.

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Week 1, day by day

Session 1: full body A

≈ 35 min
Warm-up (5 min)
  • March in place or do high knees for 2 minutes.
  • Do 10 arm circles in each direction.
  • Do 8 bodyweight squats, then 5 incline or knee push-ups.
  1. Dumbbell squat

    Dumbbell squat

    3 × 12 · rest 75 s

    Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides, sit your hips back as you lower, back straight and heels flat.

  2. Dumbbell stiff-legged deadlift

    Dumbbell stiff-legged deadlift

    3 × 12 · rest 75 s

    Soft knees, push your hips back and keep the dumbbells close to your legs with a flat back.

  3. Countertop push-ups

    Countertop push-ups

    3 × 10 · rest 75 s

    Hands on a sturdy counter, body in a straight line, lower your chest toward it and press back.

  4. Bent-over dumbbell row

    Bent-over dumbbell row

    3 × 12 · rest 75 s

    Hinge forward with a flat back and pull the dumbbells toward your hips, squeezing your shoulder blades.

  5. Lateral raises

    Lateral raises

    2 × 12 · rest 60 s

    With slightly bent elbows, lift your arms to shoulder height without swinging your body.

  6. Plank

    Plank

    3 × 30 s · rest 60 s

    Elbows under shoulders, body straight from head to heels, abs and glutes tight.

Session 2: full body B

≈ 35 min

Same warm-up as the first session.

  1. Dumbbell lunge

    Dumbbell lunge

    3 × 10 · rest 75 s

    Hold a dumbbell in each hand, step forward and lower your back knee toward the floor with your torso upright, then push back to the start.

  2. Standing dumbbell shoulder press

    Standing dumbbell shoulder press

    3 × 12 · rest 75 s

    Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, press overhead without arching your back and brace your abs.

  3. One-arm dumbbell row

    One-arm dumbbell row

    3 × 12 · rest 75 s

    One hand and knee on a chair, pull the dumbbell to your hip without twisting your torso.

  4. Glute bridge

    Glute bridge

    3 × 15 · rest 75 s

    Lie on your back with feet flat, lift your hips squeezing your glutes and pause at the top.

  5. Dumbbell biceps curl

    Dumbbell biceps curl

    2 × 12 · rest 60 s

    Keep your elbows by your sides, curl without swinging and lower slowly.

  6. Dead bug

    Dead bug

    3 × 10 · rest 60 s

    On your back with your lower back pressed down, extend opposite arm and leg in turn.

Weeks 2 to 4, adapted to you, are in Muskl.

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