Dumbbell Workouts: Your 3 Best Options

Have you ever looked for dumbbell workouts on the internet or in books and magazines? If you have, I'm sure you've come across "typical" dumbbell workouts. You know the kind I'm talking about, dumbbell exercises targeting small muscles with light weight dumbbells like the bodybuilders do.

Well, I've got some news for you. The "typical" dumbbell workout doesn't even scratch the surface of what true dumbbell training has to offer. It actually distresses me to see this powerful exercise tool underused like it is. People are missing the fantastic results of proper dumbbell workouts like more muscle, stronger muscles, less fat, better cardiorespiratory conditioning and a body that performs as good as it looks.

Ok, for those of you who don't know what a "typical" dumbbell workout is, here is an example:

Dumbbell Lunges 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Flys 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Military Press 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Curls 3 sets of 10 repetitions
Dumbbell Kickbacks 3 sets of 10 repetitions

Then do 30 minutes of your favorite aerobic exercise.

Does this dumbbell workout look familiar?

Ok, doing the above dumbbell workout isn't terrible. But it doesn't compare to the muscle building, fat blasting, heart and lung improving dumbbell workouts I'm about to describe. It is my hope that after seeing these dumbbell workouts, your eyes will be open to the tremendous possibilities of dumbbell exercise and how proper dumbbell workout can help you reach your fitness, fat loss and physique building goals!

Dumbbell Workout Option #1: Super Sets

A super set is when you do two dumbbell exercises back to back. So, instead of doing one set, resting and then doing another set of the same exercise, you'll change exercises. You can either rest between exercises, or do one exercise immediately after the other and then resting between supersets. Either way super sets are very beneficial.

Why?

Super sets allow you to do a great deal of work in a short period of time without sacrificing your performance. To take full advantage of supersets, I pick two non-competing exercises for each superset. So, the muscles used for the first exercise rest while you perform the second exercise. This allows you to get through the workout quickly!

I like to do dumbbell workouts using super sets with grinding dumbbell exercises like presses, rows, squats and deadlifts. Not only do I get all the muscle building power of these exercises, but the fast pace improves cardiorespiratory endurance and burns fat as well!

Dumbbell Workout Option #2: Timed Circuits

A circuit is when you perform a series of dumbbell exercises in a row one after the other. Normally, you would do a certain number of repetitions for each exercise before moving on to the next. But with a timed circuit, you perform one dumbbell exercise for time (like 30 seconds) and then move on to the next exercise and perform for the same amount of time. I like to do dumbbell workouts using timed circuits with explosive dumbbell exercises.

Why?

Explosive dumbbell exercises build muscles with extraordinary power, but also use a lot of energy. This is important because you can keep (or build) muscle while stripping away performance robbing, appearance destroying fat. Plus, the fast pace of the workout builds powerful heart and lungs.

Dumbbell Workout Option #3: Peripheral Heart Action

Peripheral Heart Action training is like circuits where you alternate between upper body and lower body exercises. The fast pace and alternating fashion of this workout allows you to attack your muscles, heart and lungs all at the same time. I like to do peripheral heart action dumbbell workout where I rotate between grinding dumbbell exercises and explosive dumbbell exercises.

Why?

Rotating between these two types of dumbbell exercises forces you to perform strength exercises when under cardiorespiratory stress, and explosive exercises when under muscular stress. The result? A dumbbell workout that combines muscular strength AND cardiorespiratory endurance and prepares you to meet the challenges of sport, work and life with excellence. You'll truly be prepared for anything that comes your way. Plus, that ugly fat melts away!

As you can see, the dumbbell workouts I describe are quite different from the "typical" dumbbell workout above. And the differences make these dumbbell workouts so effective. So, this leaves only one question. "Are you getting the most out of your dumbbell workouts?"