THE STRONG TABLE / TRAINING PROGRAMSAll adults · Dumbbells & bench · Beginner

HOME / 3 DAYS PER WEEK / ABOUT 40 MINUTES

Home dumbbell full-body plan

Cover push, pull, squat and hinge at home

A small set of adjustable dumbbells and a bench can train the major patterns. Consistent progressive effort is supported by current resistance-training guidance; a gym membership is not the active ingredient.

Schedule3 days each weekTypical sessionAbout 40 minutesEquipmentDumbbells & benchStarting levelBeginnerIntended audienceAll adults

Your weekly sessions

SESSION 1 / Squat, row and press

Dumbbell A

Squat, row and press

  1. Goblet squat — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Quadriceps with glute support. Sit between the hips and stand through the whole foot.

  2. One-arm dumbbell row — 3 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.

  3. Dumbbell bench press — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Pectorals, anterior shoulders and triceps. Set shoulder blades and press weights over the chest.

  4. Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Hamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.

SESSION 2 / Unilateral legs and upper body

Dumbbell B

Unilateral legs and upper body

  1. Supported split squat — 3 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Quadriceps and glutes; hip stabilizers assist. Use a wall or rail for balance; lower vertically and press through the front foot.

  2. Dumbbell overhead press — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Deltoids and upper-back stabilizers. Press upward with ribs stacked over pelvis.

  3. One-arm dumbbell row — 3 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.

  4. Glute bridge — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Gluteus maximus and hamstrings. Press through feet and raise hips without over-arching your lower back.

SESSION 3 / Squat, row and press

Home dumbbell C

Squat, row and press

  1. Goblet squat — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Quadriceps with glute support. Sit between the hips and stand through the whole foot.

  2. One-arm dumbbell row — 3 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.

  3. Dumbbell bench press — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Pectorals, anterior shoulders and triceps. Set shoulder blades and press weights over the chest.

  4. Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — 3 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Hamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.

How to progress

Weeks 1–2: choose a manageable range of motion and resistance. Weeks 3–6: add controlled reps before changing leverage or load. Weeks 7–8: use a harder variation only when every set remains consistent. Home training needs progressively challenging resistance, just like gym training.

Adjust the plan to your starting point

Start at the lower set and rep targets. Keep about 2 reps in reserve; stop a set when technique changes.

Recovery and weekly placement

Place an easier day between demanding sessions for the same muscles. On non-training days, walk or move comfortably. Include 3–8 minutes of warming up within the session budget; use lighter practice sets before heavy lifts. Reduce work if soreness or fatigue prevents good technique.

Continue building your plan

Use the exercise library to review technique, then explore sport guides, recipes and planning tools to fit the week around your life.

Open the training builderFind sport-specific trainingBrowse free recipesRead the evidence reviews

General fitness education. Choose loads and ranges that match your ability. This program is not individualized medical care and does not guarantee a particular result.

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