Best Beginner Legs Workouts With Dumbbells

About

This workout is designed to combine simplicity and effectiveness to target the main muscle groups of the lower body.

Dumbbells provide a versatile tool to engage the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and other muscles through stability-demanding movements.

Exercises are curated to accommodate beginners, reducing weight slightly to emphasize learning proper form while maintaining a challenging routine.

Lower body compound movements like squats and lunges work multiple muscle groups simultaneously to enhance strength and coordination.

Adjustments in repetitions and weight can be made based on individual capability, ensuring a tailored fitness experience.

The 15 Best Beginner Legs Exercises with Dumbbells

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    3,868,302
    Hamstrings Strength
    99 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that focuses on strengthening your hamstrings and glutes. Using dumbbells can assist those with limited mobility and is an excellent way to prepare for barbell deadlifts.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift is a beginner-friendly exercise that focuses on strengthening your hamstrings and glutes. Using dumbbells can assist those with limited mobility and is an excellent way to prepare for barbell deadlifts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 2. Dumbbell Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    4,322,067
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Lunge is a way to make lunges more challenging by adding dumbbells. It mainly works your thigh muscles (quads) while also helping with balance and strength.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Lunge is a way to make lunges more challenging by adding dumbbells. It mainly works your thigh muscles (quads) while also helping with balance and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    3,249,788
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squat is a modified version of the standard squat that uses dumbbells instead of a barbell. This exercise mainly works your thigh muscles and offers more freedom of movement, making it easier for those with mobility issues. It also helps improve squat stability and build strength for advanced exercises.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squat is a modified version of the standard squat that uses dumbbells instead of a barbell. This exercise mainly works your thigh muscles and offers more freedom of movement, making it easier for those with mobility issues. It also helps improve squat stability and build strength for advanced exercises.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 4. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    2,183,541
    Quadriceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press combines a squat and a shoulder press to strengthen your legs and shoulders. It helps build functional strength and is a good foundational exercise for more advanced movements.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press combines a squat and a shoulder press to strengthen your legs and shoulders. It helps build functional strength and is a good foundational exercise for more advanced movements.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 5. Dumbbell Walking Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    104,493
    Quadriceps Strength
    69 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Walking Lunge is a lower body exercise that strengthens your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings while holding dumbbells for added weight. It also helps improve your balance and coordination as you move forward with each step.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Walking Lunge is a lower body exercise that strengthens your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings while holding dumbbells for added weight. It also helps improve your balance and coordination as you move forward with each step.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 6. Dumbbell Thruster

    SETS LOGGED
    78,705
    Quadriceps Strength
    61 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Thruster is a full-body exercise that combines a squat and an overhead press, targeting the legs, shoulders, and core. It's great for building strength, balance, and flexibility, making it suitable for all fitness levels and ideal for home workouts.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Thruster is a full-body exercise that combines a squat and an overhead press, targeting the legs, shoulders, and core. It's great for building strength, balance, and flexibility, making it suitable for all fitness levels and ideal for home workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 7. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    115,553
    Hamstrings Strength
    88 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is a great exercise for strengthening your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. It involves bending at the hips while holding dumbbells, then shrugging your shoulders at the top, giving you a full-body workout in one move.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Shrug is a great exercise for strengthening your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. It involves bending at the hips while holding dumbbells, then shrugging your shoulders at the top, giving you a full-body workout in one move.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 8. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    119,138
    Hamstrings Strength
    89 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row is a great exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. You lower the dumbbells by hinging at the hips, then pull them up towards your chest, which helps build strength and flexibility in both your lower and upper body.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Bent Over Row is a great exercise that works your hamstrings, glutes, and upper back. You lower the dumbbells by hinging at the hips, then pull them up towards your chest, which helps build strength and flexibility in both your lower and upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 9. Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    97,914
    Hamstrings Strength
    89 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise is a two-part exercise that strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You'll bend at the hips to lower the dumbbells and then rise up onto your toes to work your calves, improving your overall leg strength and balance.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift to Calf Raise is a two-part exercise that strengthens your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You'll bend at the hips to lower the dumbbells and then rise up onto your toes to work your calves, improving your overall leg strength and balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 10. Dumbbell Glute Bridge

    SETS LOGGED
    791,388
    Glutes Strength
    85 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Glute Bridge adds weight to the classic Glute Bridge, making it a more challenging exercise that focuses on strengthening your glutes. By placing a dumbbell on your hips, you increase resistance to enhance your workout.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Glute Bridge adds weight to the classic Glute Bridge, making it a more challenging exercise that focuses on strengthening your glutes. By placing a dumbbell on your hips, you increase resistance to enhance your workout.

  • 11. Dumbbell Hip Thrust

    SETS LOGGED
    787,639
    Glutes Strength
    96 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Hip Thrust is a challenging exercise that targets your glutes and hamstrings. By adding a dumbbell for resistance, you can enhance the effectiveness of this exercise beyond the typical bodyweight version.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Hip Thrust is a challenging exercise that targets your glutes and hamstrings. By adding a dumbbell for resistance, you can enhance the effectiveness of this exercise beyond the typical bodyweight version.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 12. Single Dumbbell Sumo Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    618,279
    Quadriceps Strength
    95 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Single Dumbbell Sumo Squat is an effective exercise for your thighs, especially targeting the quads. By holding a dumbbell at your chest and standing with a wide stance, you can improve your squat while supporting your mobility.

    How to do it

    The Single Dumbbell Sumo Squat is an effective exercise for your thighs, especially targeting the quads. By holding a dumbbell at your chest and standing with a wide stance, you can improve your squat while supporting your mobility.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 13. Dumbbell Good Morning

    SETS LOGGED
    176,110
    Hamstrings Strength
    91 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Good Morning is a strength exercise that targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. You hold a dumbbell either at your chest or on your shoulders while bending forward at the hips, then return to standing. This exercise helps improve posture and strengthen your back and legs.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Good Morning is a strength exercise that targets your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. You hold a dumbbell either at your chest or on your shoulders while bending forward at the hips, then return to standing. This exercise helps improve posture and strengthen your back and legs.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 14. Dumbbell Clean

    SETS LOGGED
    1,037,031
    Hamstrings Strength
    63 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Clean is an explosive exercise that works multiple muscle groups, making it great for beginners. Using dumbbells allows you to start with lighter weights while helping to build stability and balance in your movements.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Clean is an explosive exercise that works multiple muscle groups, making it great for beginners. Using dumbbells allows you to start with lighter weights while helping to build stability and balance in your movements.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 15. Dumbbell Stiff Legged Deadlift

    SETS LOGGED
    1,013,135
    Hamstrings Strength
    96 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Stiff Legged Deadlift is a great exercise that targets your hamstrings and lower back. Using dumbbells instead of a barbell allows for more flexibility in your movement. This exercise is excellent for beginners looking to strengthen their deadlift technique.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Stiff Legged Deadlift is a great exercise that targets your hamstrings and lower back. Using dumbbells instead of a barbell allows for more flexibility in your movement. This exercise is excellent for beginners looking to strengthen their deadlift technique.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs

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