Best Beginner Push Day Workouts With Dumbbells

About

Dumbbells are versatile weights allowing for isolated arm effort and core engagement during asymmetric loading.

Beginner exercises focus on simplicity and reduced weight, suitable for those with less than a year of fitness experience.

Push Day movements target the chest, shoulders, and triceps using compound and isolation exercises in both horizontal and vertical planes.

This structure falls within the Push-Pull-Legs (PPL) workout framework, ensuring balanced muscle development and progression.

The 15 Best Beginner Push Day Exercises with Dumbbells

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Dumbbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    8,452,674
    Chest Strength
    99 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

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

    SETS LOGGED
    6,618,981
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Front Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    5,823,163
    Shoulders Strength
    98 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Front Raise is an exercise that strengthens the front part of your shoulders. It helps build muscle and balance strength between both sides of your body using dumbbells.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Front Raise is an exercise that strengthens the front part of your shoulders. It helps build muscle and balance strength between both sides of your body using dumbbells.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 4. Dumbbell Shoulder Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    3,935,648
    Shoulders Strength
    98 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Shoulder Raise is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the middle part of your shoulders. It helps improve muscle balance and can enhance shoulder strength by using dumbbells.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Shoulder Raise is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the middle part of your shoulders. It helps improve muscle balance and can enhance shoulder strength by using dumbbells.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 5. Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    135,459
    Shoulders Strength
    86 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press works your shoulder muscles and helps improve stability by focusing on one side at a time. This standing exercise also engages your core for better posture and balance.

    How to do it

    The Standing Single Arm Dumbbell Shoulder Press works your shoulder muscles and helps improve stability by focusing on one side at a time. This standing exercise also engages your core for better posture and balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 6. Dumbbell Lateral Raise To Front Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    190,424
    Shoulders Strength
    91 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Lateral Raise to Front Raise is a shoulder exercise that combines two movements to effectively target the shoulder muscles. This workout helps strengthen your shoulders by raising the dumbbells both to the sides and in front of you.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Lateral Raise to Front Raise is a shoulder exercise that combines two movements to effectively target the shoulder muscles. This workout helps strengthen your shoulders by raising the dumbbells both to the sides and in front of you.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 7. Dumbbell Standing Front Press

    SETS LOGGED
    129,056
    Shoulders Strength
    88 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Standing Front Press is a shoulder exercise done while standing. It strengthens your shoulders and improves your balance by engaging your core. Using dumbbells helps ensure both sides of your body work equally.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Standing Front Press is a shoulder exercise done while standing. It strengthens your shoulders and improves your balance by engaging your core. Using dumbbells helps ensure both sides of your body work equally.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 8. Dumbbell Standing Single Arm Front Press

    SETS LOGGED
    85,089
    Shoulders Strength
    85 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Standing Single Arm Front Press is an effective shoulder exercise that builds strength and stability. By pressing a dumbbell from in front of your shoulder, you engage not just your shoulder muscles but also your core for better balance and posture.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Standing Single Arm Front Press is an effective shoulder exercise that builds strength and stability. By pressing a dumbbell from in front of your shoulder, you engage not just your shoulder muscles but also your core for better balance and posture.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 9. Dumbbell Cuban Shoulder Rotations

    SETS LOGGED
    92,391
    Shoulders Strength
    82 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    Dumbbell Cuban Shoulder Rotations strengthen and improve shoulder mobility, focusing on the rotator cuff. You hold dumbbells at shoulder level and rotate your arms forward for a full range of motion.

    How to do it

    Dumbbell Cuban Shoulder Rotations strengthen and improve shoulder mobility, focusing on the rotator cuff. You hold dumbbells at shoulder level and rotate your arms forward for a full range of motion.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 10. Dumbbell Kickbacks

    SETS LOGGED
    4,145,130
    Triceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    Dumbbell Kickbacks are a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure you work each arm evenly. This exercise can also be adjusted for more challenge as you progress.

    How to do it

    Dumbbell Kickbacks are a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure you work each arm evenly. This exercise can also be adjusted for more challenge as you progress.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 11. Dumbbell Skullcrusher

    SETS LOGGED
    5,879,914
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 12. Seated Tricep Press

    SETS LOGGED
    4,537,026
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Seated Tricep Press is an exercise that strengthens your triceps by using a dumbbell. It helps improve your range of motion by pressing the weight overhead, adding variety to your workouts.

    How to do it

    The Seated Tricep Press is an exercise that strengthens your triceps by using a dumbbell. It helps improve your range of motion by pressing the weight overhead, adding variety to your workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 13. Elbows Out Bent Over Dumbbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    312,083
    Shoulders Strength
    94 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Elbows Out Bent Over Dumbbell Row focuses on strengthening your back muscles. By flaring your elbows out, this exercise enhances the engagement of your upper back and rear shoulder muscles, providing a great workout for your upper body.

    How to do it

    The Elbows Out Bent Over Dumbbell Row focuses on strengthening your back muscles. By flaring your elbows out, this exercise enhances the engagement of your upper back and rear shoulder muscles, providing a great workout for your upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 14. Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    1,533,118
    Triceps Strength
    93 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that focuses on your triceps using only one arm. This helps improve strength balance between both sides while challenging your stability.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that focuses on your triceps using only one arm. This helps improve strength balance between both sides while challenging your stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 15. Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    231,741
    Triceps Strength
    86 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that strengthens your triceps while standing, adding a bit of instability to the movement. This variation helps improve overall strength and is great for beginners wanting to enhance their arm strength.

    How to do it

    The Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that strengthens your triceps while standing, adding a bit of instability to the movement. This variation helps improve overall strength and is great for beginners wanting to enhance their arm strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Push Day Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Dumbbells

Alternative Push Day Workouts with Dumbbells