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Morning Dumbbell Leg Day Tone & Gain Workout

20 min
 · 
7 exercises

Morning dumbbell leg day — time-on / time-off intervals for serious lower body toning! Work hard during every effort period, stick to the rest ratios, and feel those quads, hamstrings and glutes work. Gain lean muscle and torch fat before breakfast.

Surrenders exercise illustration
Surrenders
2 sets
20 secs
20 sec rest
Nice and simple to start! 20 seconds on and 20 seconds off. Alternate your legs with every rep!
0:30 rest
Adductor Knee Raises exercise illustration
Adductor Knee Raises
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Perform 1 set per side here!
0:30 rest
High Knees exercise illustration
High Knees
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Some running on the spot now. Go for 10 secs at a warm-up pace, 10 secs at a faster pace, & 10 secs of sprinting!
0:30 rest
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges exercise illustration
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Again, perform 1 set per leg! Has the sweat begun to fall yet?
0:30 rest
Dumbbell Squats exercise illustration
Dumbbell Squats
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Do your best to get very low with these. No need to go too heavy, aim for 10 reps!
0:30 rest
Mountain Climbers exercise illustration
Mountain Climbers
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Some mountain climbers! Go for 10 secs at a warm-up pace, 10 secs at a faster pace & 10 secs of sprinting!
0:30 rest
Plank Leg Lifts exercise illustration
Plank Leg Lifts
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
The last hurrah (of today)! Don\'t forget, the exercise instructions are there to help!

About this workout

Morning Dumbbell Leg Day Tone & Gain Workout is a free 20 min workout plan with 7 illustrated exercises for your abs and legs. 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.

Workout details

  • Duration: 20 min
  • Exercises: 7
  • Training focus: Abs and legs
  • Equipment: Dumbbells
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF

For more ready-made training plans, try WorkoutLabs Fit. You can follow visual workouts, build your own routines, manage your training calendar and track your progress. Sign up today to claim your free week.

Questions about this workout

What equipment do I need for this workout?

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 Morning Dumbbell Leg Day Tone & Gain Workout take?

The full workout takes about 20 minutes, covering 7 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 glutes & hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps, 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.

Morning Dumbbell Leg Day Tone & Gain Workout
20 min
 · 
7 exercises
Morning dumbbell leg day — time-on / time-off intervals for serious lower body toning! Work hard during every effort period, stick to the rest ratios, and feel those quads, hamstrings and glutes work. Gain lean muscle and torch fat before breakfast.
Auto-advance Start exercises automatically
after a 5-second delay
Start workout Cancel workout
Surrenders
Surrenders exercise illustration
2 sets
20 secs
20 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Nice and simple to start! 20 seconds on and 20 seconds off. Alternate your legs with every rep!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves
  1. Standing on something soft, such as an exercise mat, place both hands behind your head and gently bring your right knee down to the ground.
  2. Follow with your left knee so that you are kneeling on the mat, with your hands behind your head and your back nice and straight.
  3. Lift your right knee up placing your right foot in front of you. Bring your left foot forward and drive upward through your right heel to bring you back to starting position.
  4. Repeat the same movement, but leading with your left leg.
Rest
0:00
next up
Adductor Knee Raises
Next
Adductor Knee Raises
Adductor Knee Raises exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Perform 1 set per side here!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Position yourself on all fours on a mat with your palms flat and shoulder-width apart. Place your knees hip-width apart and bend them at a 90 degree angle.
  2. Try to relax your core so that your back and abs are in a natural position.
  3. Maintain this posture as you raise your right knee and bring it as close to your chest as you can.
  4. Now raise your right thigh out to the side, keeping the hips still.
  5. Kick your raised leg straight back slowly until it is in line with your torso.
  6. Reverse the movement to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Lie on your right side on top of a yoga mat or other soft surface.
  2. Brace your core and make sure your body is in a straight line. Keep your right hand on the ground and your left hand on your hip.
  3. Slowly lift the left leg into the air, keeping it straight during the exercise.
  4. Slowly lower your left leg. Complete the set then repeat with the other leg.
Rest
0:00
next up
High Knees
Next
High Knees
High Knees exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Some running on the spot now. Go for 10 secs at a warm-up pace, 10 secs at a faster pace, & 10 secs of sprinting!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Begin jogging in place, lifting the knees as high as you can.
  2. Try to lift your knees up to hip level but keep the core tight to support your back.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  1. Stand with your feet together, arms fully extended with your hands by your sides. This is the start position.
  2. 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.
  3. As you do so, raise both arms out and up in a smooth arc until your hands meet above your head.
  4. As you return to the ground, bring your feet together and your hands back to your sides with your arms fully extended.
  5. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Continue this back and forth motion, keeping your arms swinging in motion.
Rest
0:00
next up
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges
Next
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Again, perform 1 set per leg! Has the sweat begun to fall yet?
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Begin by standing with dumbbells in hand at your sides.
  2. Place your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Take a big step to the right with your right foot, keeping your arms straight.
  4.  Land with your heel followed by the rest of your foot and flex the right knee so that you lower your hip and body until your knee and hip are at a 90 degree angle. Keep your left leg only slightly angled.
  5. Return to the starting position by extending your right hip and knee. Once they are straight, bring your foot back in to a standing tall position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
  3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
  4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
  6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Stand up straight while holding two dumbbells. Maintain a tight core and flat back as you carefully place your right foot on top of a bench behind you with toes facing down. 
  2. Bend at the front knee as you drop the back knee, maintaining perfect form. Front knee should not go over the toes.
  3. Allow your thigh to come to parallel with the floor.
  4. Pause then slowly return to the starting position without locking out your knee.
  5. Repeat then switch sides once set is complete.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Place a bench in front of you. Hold a pair of dumbbells and stand facing the bench. Brace your core and keep your gaze straight ahead.
  2. Bring your right knee up and step up on to the bench. Placing all of the effort in your right leg, bring your body up into a standing position on the bench.
  3. Slowly lower yourself to the starting position and switch legs.
Rest
0:00
next up
Dumbbell Squats
Next
Dumbbell Squats
Dumbbell Squats exercise illustration
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Do your best to get very low with these. No need to go too heavy, aim for 10 reps!
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
  2. Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  3. Pause for one second.
  4. Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
  3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
  4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
  6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
  2. Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
  3. Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
  4. Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
  5. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
  6. Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
  7. Continue this movement down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly more, making sure your knees are pointing in the same direction as your feet.
  8. Hold for a count of one.
  9. Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
  10. Make any adjustments necessary to your stance and grip before continuing on the next repetition.

Do not rest the bar on your neck. Keep your head facing forward at all times. Keep your back straight throughout the entire movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Begin the movement by stepping on to a resistance band with your feet at shoulder-width, toes pointed slightly out.
  2. Bring your hands to your shoulders, keeping the handles of the band behind your shoulders. Brace your core and keep your chest up.
  3. Bend first at the knees then at the hips. Be sure to keep the chest up and abdominals tight. There should be no arch in your back.
  4. Pause when your thighs are parallel with the floor, then slowly return to the starting position, feeling the tension from the band in your quadriceps.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Hamstrings
  1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with water bottles as your sides with your palms facing each other.
  2. Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  3. Pause for one second.
  4. Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Rest
0:00
next up
Mountain Climbers
Next
Mountain Climbers
Mountain Climbers exercise illustration
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Some mountain climbers! Go for 10 secs at a warm-up pace, 10 secs at a faster pace & 10 secs of sprinting!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Chest, Shoulders
  1. Place your hands flat on the floor, shoulder width apart.
  2. Extend your torso and legs fully behind you with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Your body should be in a straight line, with your weight supported on your hands and toes only.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Continue alternating in this manner for the desire amount of time.
Rest
0:00
next up
Plank Leg Lifts
Next
Plank Leg Lifts
Plank Leg Lifts exercise illustration
3 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
The last hurrah (of today)! Don\'t forget, the exercise instructions are there to help!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Lie on a mat and position yourself in a plank position. Place your elbows on the floor beneath your shoulders. Your toes should touch the floor and your torso should be lifted in a straight line.
  2. Engage your core muscles and lift one foot off the floor. Keep the rest of your body as still as you can. Your heel should lift until it is in line with your buttocks.
  3. Slowly lower the leg to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 7
Total time
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