45 Minutes Beginner Chest Workout with Dumbbell
A 45 minutes strength workout targeting your chest using dumbbell equipment. 3 exercises, 15 total sets, designed for beginner lifters.
45 Minutes
Duration
15
Total Sets
3-6 reps
Rep Range
~788
Est. Calories
The Workout
Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.
Form cues
- Lie on a flat bench holding two dumbbells with their flat sides pressed together over your chest.
- Press the dumbbells together with force throughout every phase of the rep.
- Lower the dumbbells to your chest while maintaining the inward squeeze.
Lie on the floor with the barbell in a rack or dumbbells in hand.
Form cues
- Lie on the floor with the barbell in a rack or dumbbells in hand.
- Lower the weight until your upper arms touch the floor.
- Pause briefly on the floor (dead stop) to eliminate the stretch reflex.
Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.
Form cues
- Lie across a bench with only your upper back supported, hips below bench level.
- Hold one dumbbell with both hands above your chest, arms slightly bent.
- Lower the dumbbell behind your head in a wide arc, feeling the stretch.
Why This Workout Works
This workout is built around the principles of strength training. Center your program around the big compound lifts: squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press. Use heavy loads (80-95% 1RM) with low reps and full recovery between sets. Periodize intensity — not every session should be a max effort.
Training Parameters
- Rep Range: 3-6 reps — heavy enough for maximal force production
- Rest Periods: 3-5 minutes — full recovery between heavy sets
- Sets Per Exercise: 4-6 sets — optimized for strength
Chest Training Tips
- *Retract your shoulder blades on every pressing movement to protect your shoulders and maximize chest activation.
- *Vary your incline angle every 4-6 weeks to hit upper, mid, and lower fibers.
- *Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for at least 2 seconds to increase time under tension.
Get this chest workout personalized for you
Revy's AI will analyze your training history, recovery status, and strength levels to customize every set, rep, and weight for maximum strength results.