StrengthShouldersDumbbell90 MinutesIntermediate

90 Minutes Intermediate Shoulders Workout with Dumbbell

A 90 minutes strength workout targeting your shoulders using dumbbell equipment. 6 exercises, 27 total sets, designed for intermediate lifters.

90 Minutes

Duration

27

Total Sets

3-6 reps

Rep Range

~1418

Est. Calories

The Workout

1
Lateral Raise
5 sets x 3-5 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
beginner

Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.

Form cues
  • Stand with dumbbells at your sides, palms facing in.
  • Raise your arms out to the sides until they are parallel with the floor.
  • Lead with your elbows, not your hands — think about pouring water from a pitcher.
2
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
4 sets x 5-8 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
beginner

Stand tall with a slight forward lean and dumbbells at your sides, palms facing inward.

Form cues
  • Stand tall with a slight forward lean and dumbbells at your sides, palms facing inward.
  • Raise both arms out to the sides until they reach shoulder height — no higher.
  • Lead with your elbows, keeping a slight bend, as if pouring water from two pitchers.
3
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
5 sets x 3-5 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
beginner

Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, palms facing forward.

Form cues
  • Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, palms facing forward.
  • Press straight up to full lockout, bringing the dumbbells close together at the top.
  • Lower under control to the starting position — feel the stretch in your delts.
4
Front Raise
4 sets x 5-8 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
beginner

Stand with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your thighs.

Form cues
  • Stand with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your thighs.
  • Raise one or both dumbbells to eye level with arms nearly straight.
  • Pause briefly at the top and lower under control.
5
Arnold Press
4 sets x 5-8 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
intermediate

Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, palms facing you (like the top of a curl).

Form cues
  • Start with dumbbells at shoulder height, palms facing you (like the top of a curl).
  • As you press up, rotate your palms to face forward at the top.
  • Lock out overhead with palms facing away from you.
6
Dumbbell Z Press
5 sets x 3-5 reps|Rest: 3-5 minutes
advanced

Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.

Form cues
  • Sit on the floor with legs extended straight in front of you, holding dumbbells at shoulder height.
  • Brace your core hard and press both dumbbells straight overhead to lockout.
  • Maintain a perfectly upright torso — do not lean back at any point.

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 repsheavy enough for maximal force production
  • Rest Periods: 3-5 minutesfull recovery between heavy sets
  • Sets Per Exercise: 4-6 sets — optimized for strength

Shoulders Training Tips

  • *Most lifters over-train the front delt and neglect the rear delt — prioritize face pulls and reverse flyes.
  • *Lateral raises work best with lighter weight and strict form — no swinging.
  • *Press overhead with a slight forward lean to keep the bar path over your center of gravity.

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