Equipment Guide
Dumbbell Training Guide
Dumbbells offer unilateral loading, greater range of motion, and more freedom of movement than barbells. They are arguably the most versatile piece of gym equipment.
73
Exercises
12
Muscle Groups
45
Beginner-Friendly
Best For
✓Fixing muscle imbalances with unilateral training
✓Greater range of motion on presses and flies
✓Home gym setups with limited space
✓Isolation exercises and accessory work
Limitations to Know
⚠Harder to load as heavy as barbells on compound lifts
⚠Getting into position can be awkward with heavy weights
⚠Adjustable dumbbells can be clunky; fixed sets take up space
Dumbbell Exercises by Muscle Group
Chest7
Incline Dumbbell Pressintermediate
Chest80%
Shoulders40%
Triceps30%
Dumbbell Flybeginner
Chest85%
Shoulders25%
Dumbbell Pulloverintermediate
Chest60%
Back55%
Triceps15%
Floor Pressintermediate
Chest70%
Triceps55%
Shoulders25%
Dumbbell Squeeze Pressbeginner
Chest80%
Triceps35%
Single-Arm Dumbbell Bench Pressintermediate
Chest78%
Triceps35%
Abs30%
Shoulders25%
Decline Dumbbell Pressintermediate
Chest82%
Triceps40%
Shoulders20%
Back4
Shoulders9
Lateral Raisebeginner
Shoulders90%
Traps15%
Arnold Pressintermediate
Shoulders85%
Triceps35%
Reverse Flybeginner
Shoulders80%
Traps25%
Back20%
Front Raisebeginner
Shoulders85%
Dumbbell Shoulder Pressbeginner
Shoulders85%
Triceps35%
Traps20%
Dumbbell Lateral Raisebeginner
Shoulders90%
Traps25%
Dumbbell Z Pressadvanced
Shoulders85%
Triceps35%
Abs35%
Dumbbell Scaptionbeginner
Shoulders80%
Traps20%
Dumbbell High Pullintermediate
Shoulders70%
Traps45%
Glutes30%
Biceps20%
Biceps10
Dumbbell Curlbeginner
Biceps85%
Forearms25%
Hammer Curlbeginner
Biceps75%
Forearms45%
Preacher Curlbeginner
Biceps90%
Forearms20%
Incline Dumbbell Curlintermediate
Biceps90%
Forearms20%
Concentration Curlbeginner
Biceps95%
Zottman Curlintermediate
Biceps80%
Forearms50%
Spider Curlintermediate
Biceps90%
Dumbbell Waiter Curlbeginner
Biceps82%
Forearms30%
Dumbbell Cross-Body Curlbeginner
Biceps78%
Forearms35%
Dumbbell 21s Curlintermediate
Biceps88%
Forearms30%
Triceps7
Overhead Tricep Extensionbeginner
Triceps90%
Skull Crusherintermediate
Triceps90%
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extensionbeginner
Triceps85%
Dumbbell Kickbackbeginner
Triceps88%
Dumbbell Tate Pressintermediate
Triceps85%
Chest25%
Dumbbell JM Pressadvanced
Triceps88%
Chest30%
Shoulders15%
Dumbbell Overhead Single-Arm Extensionbeginner
Triceps88%
Abs10%
Quads7
Bulgarian Split Squatintermediate
Quads80%
Glutes60%
Hamstrings25%
Goblet Squatbeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Abs20%
Walking Lungebeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings25%
Thrusterintermediate
Quads70%
Shoulders60%
Glutes55%
Abs25%
Reverse Lungebeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings25%
Dumbbell Lungebeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings30%
Calves15%
Dumbbell Step-Upbeginner
Quads75%
Glutes55%
Hamstrings25%
Calves15%
Hamstrings3
Glutes4
Calves3
Abs4
Forearms8
Wrist Curlbeginner
Forearms90%
Reverse Wrist Curlbeginner
Forearms85%
Farmer Carrybeginner
Forearms80%
Traps40%
Abs30%
Reverse Curlbeginner
Forearms70%
Biceps50%
Dumbbell Wrist Rotationbeginner
Forearms85%
Dumbbell Finger Curlbeginner
Forearms88%
Dumbbell Reverse Wrist Curlbeginner
Forearms80%
Dumbbell Hammer Wrist Curlbeginner
Forearms75%
Traps7
Dumbbell Shrugbeginner
Traps90%
Forearms20%
Upright Rowintermediate
Traps75%
Shoulders55%
Dumbbell Y-Raisebeginner
Traps70%
Shoulders45%
Dumbbell Farmer Shrug Walkintermediate
Traps82%
Forearms50%
Abs30%
Shoulders20%
Dumbbell Power Shrugintermediate
Traps85%
Shoulders25%
Forearms20%
Dumbbell Prone Y-Raisebeginner
Traps75%
Shoulders35%
Dumbbell Farmer Shrug Walkintermediate
Traps80%
Forearms45%
Shoulders20%
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