This Dumbbell Leg Workout Takes Just 10 Minutes But Targets Your Entire Lower Body
A good lower-body training sesh targets all of your muscles, from your glutes to your quads to your hamstrings to your calves. It also incorporates dumbbell leg exercises that train one leg at a time, like split squats or lateral lunges, so you can build balanced strength and stability.
When in doubt, pull from this list of exercises I incorporate into my own dumbbell leg workouts and you'll be shaking—and stronger—in no time
Time: 10 minutes
Equipment: mat, dumbbells
Good for: legs, glutes
Instructions: Choose six exercises from the list below, including a mix of double- and single-leg movements. Perform each for 30 seconds, resting for 15 seconds before continuing on to the next. Once you've finished all six moves, rest for one minute, then repeat once more for a total of two rounds.
1. Dumbbell Sumo Squat
How to: Start standing with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, toes pointed out at 45 degrees, torso slightly forward, holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you. Inhale, bend knees and sink hips down until thighs are parallel to the floor. Exhale and drive through heels to return to your starting position. That’s one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
2. Dumbbell Suitcase Deadlift
How to: Hold a dumbbell with left hand, feet shoulder-width apart and right hand clenched in fist, arm extended out to side. This is your start position. Engage abs and keep knees soft, then sit hips back to slowly lower weight until it reaches middle of left shin. Back should be flat and parallel to the floor. Press through heels and contract core to quickly return to start. Squeeze glutes once completely upright. That's one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
Pro tip: Keep both shoulders square to floor throughout entire rep.
3. Dumbbell Swing
How to: Start standing with feet slightly wider than hips, holding one dumbbell by its end. Hinge from the hips and bend knees while reaching the dumbbell back and between legs, keeping back flat and core engaged. Thrust hips forward to swing the dumbbell to about shoulder height and then down again to start. That's one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
4. Reverse Lunge
How to: Start standing with feet hip-width apart, holding dumbbells in hands at sides with palms facing in. Step back with right leg and bend both knees to lower until both knees form 90-degree angles. Push through left foot to stand. That's one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
Pro tip: Add a knee drive to the end of each rep for a little extra core work.
5. Lateral Squat
How to: Start in standing position with feet wide, toes pointed slightly out, dumbbells in both hands. Bend right knee and shift hips back as you lean body toward right side, framing right leg with dumbbells. Keep head and chest up, back flat, as you return to standing. Repeat on opposite side. That's one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
6. Isometric Squat Hold
How to: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart holding a dumbbell in front of chest. Engage core, push hips back and bend knees until thighs are nearly parallel to the ground. Hold for 30 seconds, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
7. Supported Single-Leg Deadlift
How to: Stand on left leg with a dumbbell in right hand, palm facing toward thigh, and left arm at side. Step right leg a few feet behind body, lift heel, and press right toes into the ground for balance. Keep left leg slightly bent. This is your starting position. Lean forward, hinging at the hips with a flat back to lower the weight toward the floor. Drive into left heel to return to starting position. That’s one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds on each side, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
Pro tip: Progress this move to a full single-leg deadlift by lifting that back foot up off floor during hinging motion.
8. Weighted Calf Raise
How to: Starting standing with feet under shoulders holding a dumbbell in each hand. Engage core and lift heels to balance on balls of feet. Slowly reverse the movement. That's one rep. Repeat for 30 seconds, then rest for 15 before continuing on to your next move. Once you've finished all six of your chosen exercises, rest for one minute, then repeat once more.
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