Starting nice and easy today, we're going to go through each exercises one at a time. Use dumbbells in each exercise and perform the amount of sets and reps at a tempo directed in the notes of each exercise.
Pure Upper-Body Dumbbell Weightlifting Workout is a free 30 min workout plan with 6 illustrated exercises for your abs, arms, chest and shoulders. 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 Pure Upper-Body Dumbbell Weightlifting Workout take?
The full workout takes about 30 minutes, covering 6 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, triceps, shoulders, biceps, abs. 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.
Starting nice and easy today, we're going to go through each exercises one at a time. Use dumbbells in each exercise and perform the amount of sets and reps at a tempo directed in the notes of each exercise.
Auto-advanceStart exercises automatically after a 5-second delay
Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Grip a dumbbell at one end using both hands. Your palms should be facing inward.
Hold the dumbbell overhead with your arms fully extended. This is the the start position.
Keep your upper arms close to your head (biceps roughly level with your temples) and near to 90degrees to the floor.
Moving only your forearms, lower the dumbbell in a smooth arc behind your head until your forearms and biceps touch. Hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position by using the triceps to extend your arm and raise the dumbbell. Exhale as you do this.
Repeat.
This exercise can be performed standing. However, it places an extra strain on your back so is not recommended for people with lower back problems. You can also perform this exercise using an EZ bar or straight bar with a close grip behind your head, palms facing forward.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Forearms
Attach a rope to the bottom pulley of a cable station.
Grip the rope with both hands using a neutral grip. Turn your body away from the cable station.
Fully extend your arms until your hands are directly above your head pointing to the ceiling.
Keep your elbows close to your head. This is the start position.
Slowly lower the rope behind your head, keeping your upper arms stationary, inhaling as you do so.
When your triceps are fully extended, hold for a count of one while squeezing your triceps.
Return to the starting position by flexing your triceps and extending your arms. Exhale as you do so.
Repeat.
This exercise can be performed seated on a plain bench, or one that has a back support You can also use a single dumbbell instead of the rope.
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
Push the handles of the band overhead while keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Brace your abdominals and do not arch your back.
Slowly lower your hands behind your head using only the forearms. The upper arms will stay in place with the elbow pointed up.
Push the handles back up, focusing the tension in the triceps.
Begin by sitting on a flat bench. Hold the dumbbell at your side with an overhand grip. Tighten your core and flatten your back.
Bring the dumbbells up to shoulder height so that your palm are facing you. Push the dumbbells overhead. Rotate them as you do so.
At the height of the movement, your palms should be facing away from you. Pause, contract and slowly return to the starting point through the same rotation.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Triceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Sit on a military press bench or bench that has a back support, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
Place the dumbbells on top of your thighs with your palms facing down.
Raise the dumbbells to your shoulders.
Rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing away from you. This is the start position.
As you exhale, push the dumbbells up and over your head by extending your arms until the dumbbells touch at the top of the movement.
Pause for a count of one.
Slowly return to the start position inhaling as you do so.
Repeat.
This exercise can be performed standing or sitting on flat bench. For people with lower back problems, the version described is better.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest, Shoulders
Secondary:
Triceps
Holding a water bottle in each hand, stand straight, with your feet shoulder width apart.
Raise the water bottles to head height by rotating your arms forward and up.
Your triceps should be parallel to the floor and your elbows bent at 90 degrees. This is the start position.
Keeping your back straight and using only your arms, extend through your shoulders and elbows to drive the water bottles straight up, exhaling as you do so.
As your arms reach the fully extended position, bring them in towards each other until the water bottles touch lightly together.
Hold for a count of one, while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
In a controlled movement, return to the starting position, inhaling as you do so.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
Press the handles of the resistance band up and stop once your upper arms are parallel with the ground, making a scarecrow formation. The band should be behind your arms.
Slowly press the resistance band overhead. Do not lock out the elbows. Lower to the starting position and begin again.
Lie flat on your back with your feet flat on the ground, with your knees bent at 90 degrees. Alternatively, you can place your feet up on a bench a few inches apart with your toes turned inwards and touching.
Place your hands lightly on either side of your head.
Keep your elbows in so that they are parallel to your body.
Push your back down flat into the floor to isolate your abdominal muscles.
Gently curl your shoulders forward and up off the floor.
Continue to push down into the floor with your lower back.
Raise your shoulders about four to six inches only.
Hold and squeeze your abdominal muscles for a count of one.
Return to the start position in a smooth movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Lie on an exercise mat, with your back flat, knees bent and your feet flat on the floor slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Fully extend your arms down the side of your body, palms facing in. This is the start position.
Exhaling, crunch your torso forward and to the right until you can touch your right heel with your right hand. Hold for a count of one.
Return to the starting position smooth motion, inhaling as you do so.
Repeat the movement, this time to your left side.
When you have completed the movement on both sides, you have done one repetition.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Lay on a yoga/exercise mat or towel with your back flat on the floor and your legs straight and in the air with the soles of your feet facing up.
Outstretch your arms above your chest so that they run parallel to your legs.
Lifting your shoulders off the floor, reach up and touch your toes with your fingertips.
Lower your shoulders back to the floor to complete one rep.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 6
Total time
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