These are the best workouts to do with adjustable dumbbells in your home gym. Make working out at home just as effective as the gym.

I am not good at spending money.

I am so bad at it that Rob looks at me sometimes like I am insane.

Sure, I spend too much money on food because I want to try all the things Costco has to offer, and yes, I splurge on quality running sneakers because I spend so much time in them, but any type of other spending, I am out.

When Rob and I bought a house about a year and a half after moving to Colorado, I was way too cheap to get a gym membership. Our apartment had a gym in the main building that I used and I figured I could just run and do body weight workouts.

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It took me about three months to agree to buying the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells.

Running was going as well as ever with a marathon in the mix, but my muscles were weak and I wanted to see if I could lift heavier.

Why I Chose the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells

There was no way I was going to have all different sizes of dumbbells around the house because as cheap as I am, I also lean towards minimalist tendencies. Rob and I needed weights that would cover my lighter weight needs and his heavier weight needs.

I did a ton of research on the best adjustable weights to buy.

Square shaped adjustable dumbbells were out because Rob has large hands and he would not have full wrist mobility with the bars. Kettlebells were out because we both wanted more versatility. Plate weights were out because, I did not want the hassle of having to screw plates and off between workout sets.

After three months, I finally agreed to get the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells.

It was probably the best home gym workout decision I have ever made. Way better than the $80 treadmill Rob bought for me (I loved having it, but the belt would slip occasionally and it was not smooth to run fast on).

Ready to make working out at home just as effective as the gym? The Full Body Tone Routine is a six week at home workout plan that only requires a set of dumbbells.

This workout plan focuses on your functional fitness so you can pick up your kids comfortably, get out of bed without a momentum start, and can carry almost all the groceries in from the car in one trip.

To limit how wordy I can be when I wax-poetic about these dumbbells, here are my pros and cons.

Pros

• They range from 5-55 pounds. We really only need them to go to 35 pounds, but like having the option.
• I can move them myself. I just adjust the weight to be about 25 pounds, move one portion and then the other.
• They are super easy to adjust. A quick spin of the dial and you have the weight you need.

• They do not take up a lot of space. Each dumbbell has its own platform to sit on, making them compact in a corner.
• They have a comfortable grip. Some weights are tough to hold and leave blisters. I have had zero issues with cramping hands or slipping off the handles.

Cons

• The dial can glitch. This has only happened a handful of times in the five years I have owned them, but the dial to switch the weight can get stuck. All of those times were because I did not shift it all the way over, or there was sand stuck in the gears from the kids.
• You have to stay close to the cradle for certain workouts. If a workout moves from straight shoulder flys to tricep dips, I have to switch weight from five pounds to fifteen. I would not drag the weights outside to do that.
• They are long. The weights can feel large lengthwise and take a bit of getting used to so you do not knock them together.

The Best Workouts To Do With Adjustable Dumbbells

The best workouts to do with adjustable dumbbells are ones in which you do not have to switch weights too often. This is especially true if you are like me and workout in different areas – the living room, the playroom, outside, the garage, the driveway.

You can see me using my dumbbells all over the place on Instagram, so having a workout that does not require me to run back to the cradle to switch weights is important for a speedy and streamlined workout.

These are some of the best workouts to do with the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells.

Beginner Weight Lifting Workout For Women

Get the full workout here.

With simple moves you can do at home, this beginner weight lifting workout for women is perfect for a postpartum workout or new workout routine.

It is a super easy one to do with your dumbbells at one weight throughout the full workout.

Double Sets Strength Workout

See the full workout here.

Complete 10 reps of each move in set one for a total of 3 rounds. Repeat this pattern for sets two and three. Then, complete two rounds of set one, two, and three.

Set 1
deadlifts
lunge hold with back fly

Set 2
squat press
single leg bicep curl

Set 3
rocking side lunges
alternating y press

Let the kids play near you, watch the show while you move, or chat with a friend on the phone while you get this workout done. It only takes 20 minutes!

20 Minute Rounds At Home Workout

Get the full workout here.

With your limited time, this at home workout is ideal for busy parents. Grab a set of dumbbells and complete it with the kids right in your living room!

40 Second Compounds

Get the full workout here.

This full body workout contains 5 compound moves and can be completed in less than 14 minutes. Whether you are squeezing in a quick nap time workout, or have the kids at your feet, you will still be getting a full body workout without the hours in the gym.

Boulder Shoulder Maker

Get the full workout here.

This is one of the workouts I recommend for creating strong shoulders (great if you are picking up kids all the time!), getting a non-steady state cardio workout (step off the machines), and tones arms.

The goal of this Boulder Shoulder Maker workout is to keep moving through each move and not take long breaks. You should be breathing fairly hard during that three round circuit.

I completely understand if you are as bad as spending money as I am. I get it. However, if you are trying to build a home gym the Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells are going to be the perfect addition to your space. Besides a yoga mat (that I never even use), they are the only thing in my home gym.

Make your home workout time effective with the Full Body Tone Routine. This six week plan includes home workouts to improve your balance, core strength, and tone your muscles with short workouts you can do even with the kids around. Start your Full Body Tone Routine here.