This 17-min full body workout only needs a single 8-16kg dumbbell and a little open space. Keep moving throughout — it's a lot of work but nothing you can't handle. Rest minimally if needed, then carry on for serious muscle gain!
This is your 'rest' keep going non stop for 45 seconds! You can slow down the intensity here, but try not to stop.
About this workout
Full-Body Stop, Go! 17-min Dumbbells Workout is a free 17 min workout plan with 20 illustrated exercises for your core, glutes, quadriceps and abs. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
You'll need dumbbells for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.
How long does the Full-Body Stop, Go! 17-min Dumbbells Workout take?
The full workout takes about 17 minutes, covering 20 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
This is an intermediate workout, best suited to people with some training experience. Beginners can still follow it by reducing the weight, doing fewer sets or resting longer between sets – each exercise includes illustrated form instructions.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your chest, abs, glutes & hip flexors, quadriceps, upper back & lower traps, shoulders. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
More free core, glutes, quadriceps and abs workouts
This 17-min full body workout only needs a single 8-16kg dumbbell and a little open space. Keep moving throughout — it\'s a lot of work but nothing you can\'t handle. Rest minimally if needed, then carry on for serious muscle gain!
Auto-advanceStart exercises automatically after a 5-second delay
Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
For a more advanced move, hold your hands straight at hip level and try to touch the knees to your hands as you lift them.
Bring the knees towards your hands instead of reaching the hands to the knees!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.
This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing tall with a tight core and flat back, you will begin the dynamic stretching exercise as if you were running in place. Keep the knees slightly bent at all times.Start slowly and work up to a faster speed.
Bring your left foot back and all the way up to the glutes. Return your left foot to the ground and repeat on the other side.
Continue this back and forth motion, keeping your arms swinging in motion.
Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
For a more advanced move, hold your hands straight at hip level and try to touch the knees to your hands as you lift them.
Bring the knees towards your hands instead of reaching the hands to the knees!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Shoulders
Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.
This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Standing tall with a tight core and flat back, you will begin the dynamic stretching exercise as if you were running in place. Keep the knees slightly bent at all times.Start slowly and work up to a faster speed.
Bring your left foot back and all the way up to the glutes. Return your left foot to the ground and repeat on the other side.
Continue this back and forth motion, keeping your arms swinging in motion.
Place a firm grip on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Before driving the dumbbell above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the dumbbell straight above your head, locking out your elbow, (if the dumbbell can’t be driven above your head without difficulty, it’s too heavy and needs to be reduced)
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep the dumbbell fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Place a firm grip on two appropriately weighted dumbbells. Before driving the dumbbells above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the dumbbells straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those dumbbells fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Shoulders
Place a firm grip on an appropriately weighted plate. Before driving the plate above your head, make sure that your core is tight, your chest is up, and your grip is solid.
Push the plate straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep that plate fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place, and your hands are dry.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Place a firm grip on two water bottles. Before driving the water bottles above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the water bottles straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those water bottles fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting.
Place a firm grip on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Before driving the dumbbell above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the dumbbell straight above your head, locking out your elbow, (if the dumbbell can’t be driven above your head without difficulty, it’s too heavy and needs to be reduced)
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep the dumbbell fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Place a firm grip on two appropriately weighted dumbbells. Before driving the dumbbells above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the dumbbells straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those dumbbells fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Shoulders
Place a firm grip on an appropriately weighted plate. Before driving the plate above your head, make sure that your core is tight, your chest is up, and your grip is solid.
Push the plate straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep that plate fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting, if working with an adjustable dumbbell ensure all is locked tightly into place, and your hands are dry.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Secondary:
Hamstrings, Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Place a firm grip on two water bottles. Before driving the water bottles above your head, make sure that your core is tight and your chest is up.
Push the water bottles straight above your head, locking out your elbows.
Once you feel stabilized, slowly bend the knees and drive your hips backwards, maintaining a tight, solid core as you do so.
Once your upper thighs become parallel with the ground, slowly push back up, returning to the starting position. Be sure to keep those water bottles fixed overhead throughout the entire movement.
This, like all overhead weighted movements, should be performed in a controlled environment. Be sure to check the weight before attempting.
Stand over a dumbbell with your feet placed slightly wider than hip width apart either side of the dumbbell.
Squat down and take a firm grip of the dumbbell; ensure that your shoulders are positioned upright, keeping your back straight and eyes straight ahead.
Explosively lift the dumbbell by extending your hips from the squatting position and allow the dumbbell to travel along upward and close to your body.
As the dumbbell reaches your hip level, shrug your lifting shoulder and pull the dumbbell upwards keeping the same line of trajectory if viewed from the side.
Bending your working elbow and allowing the dumbbell to extend overhead, slightly squat your body below so that your position is semi-squatted with your working arm fully extended above your head.
Maintaining a solid grip on the now overhead dumbbell, drive your feet into the floor and rise upwards from the semi-squatting position to complete the lift.
This exercise is a complicated explosive lift. If attempting for the first time, start with a light dumbbell for form practice. Ideally, do so with a qualified trainer present.
Lie face down on a padded surface. Place your hands beneath your shoulders and make sure your feet are extended straight behind you. Push yourself up into a classical Push-Up position. Keep your hips are slightly elevated. Tighten your core.
Keeping your gaze straight, push off the ground with your feet. Bending your knees, allow your feet to come up near your hands.
Immediately, push off the ground again with your feet, extending your legs straight behind you once again to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Chest, Shoulders
Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
Starting with either leg, flex your knee and hip at the same time to bring your knee up and under your hip. Your other leg should remain fully extended. This is the start position.
Using an explosive movement, reverse the position of your legs, by extending the bent leg back and simultaneously flexing the straight leg until it is in the startposition.
Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Assume a push-up position. Core is tight. Back is flat. Hands are underneath the shoulders. Head is in neutral position.
Bring one knee up towards your chest and twist towards the opposing elbow. (Ex: Right knee to left elbow.)
Contract the core and return the leg to the starting position.
Alternate between legs.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
For a more advanced move, hold your hands straight at hip level and try to touch the knees to your hands as you lift them.
Bring the knees towards your hands instead of reaching the hands to the knees!
Stand over a dumbbell with your feet placed slightly wider than hip width apart either side of the dumbbell.
Squat down and take a firm grip of the dumbbell; ensure that your shoulders are positioned upright, keeping your back straight and eyes straight ahead.
Explosively lift the dumbbell by extending your hips from the squatting position and allow the dumbbell to travel along upward and close to your body.
As the dumbbell reaches your hip level, shrug your lifting shoulder and pull the dumbbell upwards keeping the same line of trajectory if viewed from the side.
Bending your working elbow and allowing the dumbbell to extend overhead, slightly squat your body below so that your position is semi-squatted with your working arm fully extended above your head.
Maintaining a solid grip on the now overhead dumbbell, drive your feet into the floor and rise upwards from the semi-squatting position to complete the lift.
This exercise is a complicated explosive lift. If attempting for the first time, start with a light dumbbell for form practice. Ideally, do so with a qualified trainer present.
Lie face down on a padded surface. Place your hands beneath your shoulders and make sure your feet are extended straight behind you. Push yourself up into a classical Push-Up position. Keep your hips are slightly elevated. Tighten your core.
Keeping your gaze straight, push off the ground with your feet. Bending your knees, allow your feet to come up near your hands.
Immediately, push off the ground again with your feet, extending your legs straight behind you once again to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Chest, Shoulders
Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
Starting with either leg, flex your knee and hip at the same time to bring your knee up and under your hip. Your other leg should remain fully extended. This is the start position.
Using an explosive movement, reverse the position of your legs, by extending the bent leg back and simultaneously flexing the straight leg until it is in the startposition.
Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Assume a push-up position. Core is tight. Back is flat. Hands are underneath the shoulders. Head is in neutral position.
Bring one knee up towards your chest and twist towards the opposing elbow. (Ex: Right knee to left elbow.)
Contract the core and return the leg to the starting position.
Alternate between legs.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
For a more advanced move, hold your hands straight at hip level and try to touch the knees to your hands as you lift them.
Bring the knees towards your hands instead of reaching the hands to the knees!
Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.
This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.
Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
Bend your knees slightly then straighten and push through the balls of your feet while straightening your your knees to jump up spreading your legs to wider than hip width apart.
As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
Continue without pause for the desired amount of time or repetitions.
This exercise can be performed as a timed exercise, completing as many reps as possible in a set time or, in sets with a fixed number of repetitions per set. To increase intensity, bend your arms slightly as you raise them to engage your biceps and triceps and squeezing them during each rep.
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Shoulders
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart while holding a light dumbbell to your chest. You should hold the dumbbell by one end between your hands, with the other end extending down your torso. This is the start position.
Squat down keeping your slightly arched and pushing your hips back.
Continue down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position.
Repeat.
This exercise can also be performed with a kettlebell.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
Position your feet wider than shoulder-width. Your toes should be facing out diagonally.
Holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you, look straight ahead and bend at the knees while driving your hips backward. Your knees should be following your toes in a diagonal line.
Complete this wide stance squat by having your thighs come parallel with the ground.
Pause and slowly return to the starting position without locking your knees.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Pause for one second.
Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart and hands by your sides. This is the start position.
In one smooth motion, squat down and place your hands palms down on the floor in front of your feet.
Lean forward, so your weight is on your hands, at the same time jumping your legs out behind you until they are fully extended. Your body should form a straight line with your weight supported on your toes and the balls of your feet and your arms fully extended. (In a push up position)
Jump your feet out by spreading your legs, so that they are wider than hip width apart, then immediately jump them back together.
Complete 1 full push up.
Jump your feet forward to just behind your hands.
Use an explosive motion to push through your heels and return to the start postion.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Lie face down on a padded surface. Place your hands beneath your shoulders and make sure your feet are extended straight behind you. Push yourself up into a classical Push-Up position. Keep your hips are slightly elevated. Tighten your core.
Keeping your gaze straight, push off the ground with your feet. Bending your knees, allow your feet to come up near your hands.
Immediately, push off the ground again with your feet, extending your legs straight behind you once again to the starting position.
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Shoulders
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart while holding a light dumbbell to your chest. You should hold the dumbbell by one end between your hands, with the other end extending down your torso. This is the start position.
Squat down keeping your slightly arched and pushing your hips back.
Continue down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position.
Repeat.
This exercise can also be performed with a kettlebell.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
Position your feet wider than shoulder-width. Your toes should be facing out diagonally.
Holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you, look straight ahead and bend at the knees while driving your hips backward. Your knees should be following your toes in a diagonal line.
Complete this wide stance squat by having your thighs come parallel with the ground.
Pause and slowly return to the starting position without locking your knees.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Pause for one second.
Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart and hands by your sides. This is the start position.
In one smooth motion, squat down and place your hands palms down on the floor in front of your feet.
Lean forward, so your weight is on your hands, at the same time jumping your legs out behind you until they are fully extended. Your body should form a straight line with your weight supported on your toes and the balls of your feet and your arms fully extended. (In a push up position)
Jump your feet out by spreading your legs, so that they are wider than hip width apart, then immediately jump them back together.
Complete 1 full push up.
Jump your feet forward to just behind your hands.
Use an explosive motion to push through your heels and return to the start postion.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Shoulders
Lie face down on a padded surface. Place your hands beneath your shoulders and make sure your feet are extended straight behind you. Push yourself up into a classical Push-Up position. Keep your hips are slightly elevated. Tighten your core.
Keeping your gaze straight, push off the ground with your feet. Bending your knees, allow your feet to come up near your hands.
Immediately, push off the ground again with your feet, extending your legs straight behind you once again to the starting position.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 20
Total time
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