Strength Training Dumbbell Workouts for Women

Want to get toned in 30 minutes or less? These dumbbell workouts for women will help you burn fat, build lean muscle, and get toned using only dumbbells, and can be done at the gym or at home for the best long-term weight loss results.

Can Women Get Toned With Just Dumbbells

You can absolutely, burn fat, build strength, and get toned by working out with dumbbells only, but eventually, it’s not a bad idea to invest in some additional at-home gym equipment so you can add a variety to your workouts that will improve muscle endurance and continue to challenge your body in different ways.

  • Resistance bands- this pack on Amazon comes with several different resistance strengths, a door anchor and detachable handles

  • Perfect Peach Booty Band- the fabric booty band is much better quality and more durable than the rubber elastic ones that roll up mid exercise

  • Dumbbells adjustable series- If you are going to grab dumbbells the best option is to get an adjustable all in one set so that you have different sizes to work with.


What Weight Dumbbells Should Women Use

If you are a beginner, I suggest having several sets of dumbbells ranging from 5-to 25 lbs. For the upper body workouts, you will likely use lighter weights like 5 or 10 lbs and for leg exercises like dumbbell squats, you will be able to use 20- 25lbs.

However, the goal is to continue increasing the weight you are using. The heavier you life=t the faster you will increase muscle mass, burn fat, and tone up. (*) So once you are able to easily do the exercises, with proper form using the weight ranges you have, you will want to continue adding to your dumbbell collection with heavier weights.


The Most Effective Dumbbell Workout Plan For Women

Create a plan for your week! You can head here to learn exactly how to plan and structure your workout plan for the week, plus download a free weekly workout planner.

For beginners, I would plan the dumbbell workouts below like this:

  • MONDAY: Workout 1 Dumbbell Only Leg Day

  • TUESDAY: 30 Minute walk

  • WEDNESDAY: Workout 2 Dumbbell Only Upper Body Day

  • THURSDAY: 30 Minute walk

  • FRIDAY: Workout 3 Dumbbell Only Full-Body Workout.

  • SATURDAY: 30 Minute walk or fun outside activity

  • SUNDAY: Stretch/yoga or Rest day


CLICK ON ANY EXERCISE FOR A VIDEO DEMO

WORKOUT 1 DUMBBELL ONLY LEG DAY

Do 3 Rounds 

20 Side to Side Low shuffle

20 Squats 

10 (per side) Fire Hydrants

*Notes: Do all 3 exercise for suggested reps then rest for about 1 minute and repeat. You’ll repeat for a total of 3 rounds. It’s optional to add a resistance band around your thighs as seen in the demo videos.You can do the squats with just body weight or hold dumbbells by your sides.

Do 3 Rounds

12 Romanian Deadlifts

15 Sumo Squats

*Notes: Do both exercises then rest about 1 minute. Repeat for a total of 3 rounds. In the demo video the Romanian Deadlifts are done with a kettlebell you can use a dumbbell if you don’t have a kettlebell

Do 3 Rounds

10 Jump Squats

12 Goblet Squats

30 Second Wall Sit

* Notes: Do all three exercises back to back then rest and repeat 3 times. You can make the jump squats more challenging by adding resistance band around your thighs or holding dumbbells by your sides. For the wall sits you can also hold a dumbbell or two to increase the intensity!

Finisher 

30 Walking Lunges 

*Notes: Finish with as few rests as possible but never compromise form. You can do these with no weight or carry dumbbells by your sides.

WORKOUT 2 DUMBBELL ONLY UPPER BODY

Do 4 Rounds

12 DB Bent Over Rows

10 Seated Shoulder Press

*Notes: Complete both exercises, then rest and repeat 4 times through

Do 4 Rounds

12 DB Reverse Flys

10 Side Raises to the Top into Front Raises

10 Bicep Curls 

*Notes: Complete all 3 exercises, then rest and repeat 4 times through. For the side raises to the front each raise counts as 1 rep so you are only doing 10 total.

Do 4 Rounds

12 DB Pull Overs

10 Overhead Tricep Extensions

10 Angled Out Curls

*Notes: Complete all 3 exercises, then rest and repeat 4 times through

Finisher Do 2 Sets

30 Seconds Shoulder Taps 

*Notes: Rests as little as possible

WORKOUT 3 DUMBBELL ONLY FULL BODY WORKOUT

Do 4 Rounds 

10 Lunge Lunge Curl Press

10 Knees to elbows

10 DB Chest Press

10 Bicycle Crunches

10 Alternating Upright Rows From the Ground 

10 Sit Ups

*Notes: Complete all the exercises and repeat the circuit 4 times through. Full sit ups are pretty challenging so you can either cut the reps in half or just do crunches instead of full sit ups.

Finisher Do 4 Rounds

3 incline push ups 

3 burpees

*Notes: Finish as fast as possible