兄弟健美俱乐部 Musclecn.com Since 2000兄弟健美俱乐部 Musclecn.com Since 2000
PROGRAM / Dumbbell

Home Dumbbell Beginner · 2 Days/Week (no bench)

Needs only dumbbells, no bench (floor press instead). Two full-body sessions a week, five moves each.

This English text is an AI-assisted translation pending human review; the Chinese version is authoritative.

Who this is for

  • Adults with no training experience who have dumbbells but no bench at home
  • Can only fit in two sessions a week, about 35 minutes each
  • Want to learn basic loaded movements before considering a gym

Not for

  • People recovering from injury, after surgery, or with clear pain or medical restrictions (consult a doctor or rehabilitation professional first)
  • Advanced trainees with specific goals such as contest preparation, specialised strength work or a fat-loss push (outside the scope of this first release)
  • Minors and people who are pregnant or postpartum (train under professional supervision)

Weekly schedule

Per training day: exercises, sets, reps or seconds, rest and starting load. Load basis comes from the exercise definition and is never mixed.

Day 1 · Full body A

5-min warm-up: 2 min easy movement, joint circles, then one light set of the day's first two exercises.

ExerciseSetsReps / secondsRestStarting load · basis
Dumbbell Goblet Squat38–12 reps90 s
Dumbbells combined
Dumbbell Floor Press38–12 reps90 s
Per dumbbell
One-arm Dumbbell Row
Reps per side; support yourself on a chair or sofa armrest
38–12 reps60 s
Per dumbbell
Standing Dumbbell Overhead Press28–10 reps90 s
Per dumbbell
Plank Hold230 s45 s
Timed

Cool-down: 2 min easy walk and 20–30 s gentle stretches for the muscles trained.

At least 48 hours between training days (reviewed template rule)

Progression

Beginners progress by reps: for each exercise, start with a dumbbell weight that lets you complete the lower end of the range with good form, and aim for 1–2 more reps each week; when every set reaches the upper end of the range with stable form, move up one dumbbell step the following week and return to the lower end. This program gives no specific kilogram figures; use a clearly light weight for the first session.

Progression notes are for reading; the system never adds load, sets or changes prescriptions automatically.

FAQ

What if I'm short on time?

Keep the first 3 exercises of each day (the large-muscle exercises) with 1 fewer set each, or shorten the rest between sets to the lower end of the prescription; do not merge two days into one.

What if the equipment or space is taken?

Switch to a substitute exercise reviewed for this program (such as the dumbbell floor press for the dumbbell bench press, or the standing band row for the one-arm dumbbell row), choose the substitute when logging and note the reason; do not add new, unpractised exercises on the spot.

What if I miss a day?

Continue from the day you missed; do not make up two sessions in one day, just shift the week's schedule. On a 2-day schedule, leave at least 48 hours between sessions.

Is soreness after training normal?

General muscle soreness in the 1–2 days after starting a new program or increasing load is common and usually eases within a few days. If you have joint pain, sharp pain, swelling, or soreness that keeps getting worse, stop training and consult a professional; the content on this site does not replace medical advice.

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