Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang Product Credit: POPSUGAR 8lb dumbbells, PE Nation sports bra, Carbon 38 biker shorts, APL sneakers
Full-body workouts with weights can help you build more muscle and, as a result, help prevent injury and leave you feeling strong and empowered. But when it comes to strength training, it's not always easy to know exactly what to do. There are so many exercises out there, they all have different benefits, and there are infinite ways to put them together into a workout. If you're short on time or want a total-body workout with weights that's ready to plug and play, let us recommend a full-body circuit-training workout like the one we've mapped out ahead.
What Is Circuit Training?
Circuit workouts are a style of training where you cycle through several different exercises that target all different muscle groups, usually without resting in between each move. Typically, you complete multiple rounds of the circuit, so you're doing multiple sets of each move. While circuit workouts typically include strength exercises, they also get your heart rate up because you're taking minimal breaks between exercises. But the beauty of circuit workouts is that they're highly customizable: You can choose to include bursts of cardio, decide to focus on all lower body or upper body, use different pieces of equipment, or make it all bodyweight. The workout is your oyster.
Want to give one a try? Ahead, check out a full-body circuit workout with weights consisting of nine exercises total. Even better? If you have dumbbells, you can do the circuit workout right at home.
Directions: Before getting started, warm up with three minutes of light cardio and do some dynamic warmup exercises. This workout is broken up into three circuits. Complete each circuit twice before advancing to the next circuit. Take little to no rest in between each exercise and one minute of rest in between each round. Rest for two minutes after you complete both rounds of each circuit. Don't forget to cool down and stretch once you've finished the workout.
Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart with your toes pointed slightly out. Hold your dumbbell at chest level with both hands. Keeping your back flat, push your hips back, bend your knees, and lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor and your elbows touch your knees.
With your weight focused in your heels, push yourself up to the starting position. That's one rep.
Do 15 reps.
1 / 10
2Circuit 1, Exercise 2: Deadlift With Row
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Stand upright holding your dumbbells in each hand, with your palms facing in and your knees slightly bent.
Keeping your arms straight and knees slightly bent, slowly hinge forward, bending at your hips (not your waist) and lowering the weights to your shins without rounding your back.
Keeping your back almost parallel to the floor and your abs pulled to your spine, bend your elbows and pull them toward the ceiling. Squeeze your shoulder blades together.
Maintain the position of your torso as you lower the weights back to your shins.
Squeeze your glutes to return to standing, keeping your back straight. That's one rep.
Do 15 reps.
2 / 10
3Circuit 1, Exercise 3: Bridge With Chest Press
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Start on your back with your knees bent and your feet hip-width apart. Hold the weights by your chest.
Squeeze your glutes as you push your pelvis toward the ceiling, coming into a bridge. Keep your ribs aligned with your pelvis.
Holding the bridge, press the weights to the ceiling directly above your shoulders, then lower back down with control. Be sure to maintain a strong bridge position the entire time. That's one rep.
Do 20 reps without lowering from the bridge.
Take a one-minute rest, and repeat circuit one. Then, rest for two minutes before moving on to circuit two.
3 / 10
4Circuit 2, Exercise 1: High-to-Low Woodchop
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Start standing with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, holding one dumbbell length-wise.
Twist upward to the right, bringing the dumbbell above your head.
Exhale, and slice the weight diagonally across your body, ending twisted to the left with the dumbbell outside your left thigh. Pivot on your right foot as needed.
Control the weight back up to the starting position to complete one rep.
Remember you are moving with force but also control. Don't give into the momentum of swinging the weight around.
Do 12 reps on each side.
4 / 10
5Circuit 2, Exercise 2: Reverse Fly
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Holding a dumbbell in each hand with your palms up, start standing with your knees slightly bent. Keeping your back flat, bend forward at the hips.
Exhale and raise both arms out to the side, maintaining a slight bend in the elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Then, with control, lower the dumbbells back toward the floor. That's one rep.
Do 15 reps.
5 / 10
6Circuit 2, Exercise 3: Split Squat With Overhead Press
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Holding the weights at your shoulders with your palms facing out, step backward about three feet with your left foot. Press the weights up to the ceiling.
Lower the weight to your shoulders as you bend your knees, making 90-degree angles with both legs.
Straighten both legs as you press the weights back toward the ceiling. That's one rep.
Do 10 reps on the right side, then 10 reps on the left side.
Take a one-minute rest, and repeat circuit two. Then, rest for two minutes before moving on to circuit three.
6 / 10
7Circuit 3, Exercise 1: Bicep Curl With Side Lunge
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Holding a pair of dumbbells, stand with your legs together. Perform a bicep curl by bending your elbows to bring the weights to your shoulders.
Lower your arms as you take a large step to the left with your left foot, lunging toward the floor. Make sure your left knee does not extend past your toes, and keep your right leg relatively straight.
As you push off through your left foot to return to standing, perform a bicep curl. That's one rep.
Do 10 reps on the left side, then repeat 10 reps on the right side.
7 / 10
8Circuit 3, Exercise 2: Lawn Mower
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Holding one dumbbell in your left hand with your right hand on your hip, squat, bringing the weight toward the floor.
Exhale, engage your abs as you straighten your legs, and pull your elbow behind you, bringing the weight to your chest. Your torso will twist to the left.
Bend your knees and squat as you return to the starting position. That's one rep. Repeat on the other side.
Continue alternating sides for 20 reps.
8 / 10
9Circuit 3, Exercise 3: Overhead Reach With Leg Lower
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sam Kang
Lie on your back with your arms reaching toward the ceiling, holding one weight with both hands. With the sole of your left foot on the mat, bring your right toes toward the ceiling.
Exhale and lower your arms and leg toward the floor, keeping your lower back touching the mat.
Inhale and return to starting position to complete one rep. Repeat on the other side.
Continue alternating for 20 reps total.
Take a one-minute rest, and repeat circuit three. Make sure you cool down after you've completed circuit three.