Sports Coach Blog
Website UpdatesWeight Training with Dumbbells
This is an example dumbbell weight training program to develop an athlete's general strength.
Before You Start
Prior to starting any training, it is recommended you have a medical examination to ensure it is safe for you to do so. Any application of this training program is at the athlete's own discretion and risk.
Exercises
The following are examples of exercises you could use to make up your program. Select the link for an explanation of the exercise:
- Decline dumbbell bench press
- Incline dumbbell bench press
- Standing dumbbell side laterals
- Standing dumbbell bent laterals
- Standing front dumbbell raises (alternate)
- Incline seated dumbbell curls (alternate)
- Seated one arm triceps extension
- One arm dumbbell rows (alternate)
- Squats with dumbbells
- Lunges with dumbbells
- Standing one leg calf raises
- Wrist extensions
- Wrist curls
How many
To conduct this program you will need to determine your 14 to 20RM, 11 to 14RM, 6 to 11RM and 3 to 6RM. The amount of weight to be used for each exercise is based on a percentage of the maximum amount of weight that can be lifted one time for that exercise, generally referred to as one repetition maximum (1RM). Where appropriate determine your 1RM for each exercise and then calculate the required weight as follows:
- 14 to 20RM = 60% of 1RM
- 11 to 14RM = 70% of 1RM
- 6 to 11RM = 80% of 1RM
- 3 to 6RM = 90% of 1RM
A Thirty Week Program
General notes:
- Perform all sets on an exercise and then move to the next exercise
- Perform all sets until fatigue prohibits the completion of an additional repetition
- For each exercise monitor the average number of repetitions/set and if the range is exceeded then adjust the weights accordingly at the next session
- Allow 1 to 2 minutes recovery between each set and each exercise
- With each exercise use a 2/3 cadence, that is, a count of two to move to the exercise end position and a count of 3 to return to the exercise start position
- For weeks 18 to 30 repeat weeks 5 to 17
| Week | Sessions/Week | Sets/Session | Repetitions/Set |
| 1-3 | 3 | 3 | 14 to 20RM |
| 4 | 2 | 3 | 11 to 14RM |
| 5-7 | 3 | 3 | 11 to 14RM |
| 8 | 1 | 2 | 6 to 11RM |
| 9-11 | 3 | 2 | 6 to 11RM |
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 to 6RM |
| 13-15 | 3 | 1 | 3 to 6RM |
| 16 | 1 | 1 | 6 to 11RM |
| 17 | Rest |
Page Reference
The reference for this page is:
- MACKENZIE, B. (1997) Weight Training with Dumbbells [WWW] Available from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/dumbbell.htm [Accessed
Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page: