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T3
T3
Technology
Bryony Firth-Bernard

A beginner-friendly dumbbell workout to boost strength and muscle size

A woman doing alternating lunges.

When you step foot in the gym as a beginner, it can be difficult to know where to turn: Do you go grab a barbell? Hop on a machine? Or, maybe you should use the weird-looking cable pulley thing in the corner. Ignore it all, we’ve got you covered with this four-move dumbbell workout. These simple (yet effective) exercises will target all the major muscles in your upper and lower body and, by utilising just one piece of equipment, you’ll have this workout done and dusted in 35 minutes.

‘Are dumbbells enough to build significant strength and muscle?’ we hear you say – absolutely! Dumbbells aren’t just perfect for beginners—they’re versatile, space-efficient, and used by professional athletes in strength and weightlifting. Studies even show they can deliver the same strength benefits as machines. The key is selecting a weight that’s challenging enough so it provides your muscles with enough stimulus, whilst still being able to maintain good form.

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