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Finding the perfect balance between strength, cardio, and total-body conditioning doesn’t require a gym membership or complicated equipment. With just one set of dumbbells and 35 minutes, you can sculpt lean muscle, elevate your heart rate, and push your body through a powerful full-body training session that boosts strength, endurance, and calorie burn. This 35-min full body dumbbell workout is specifically designed to work every major muscle group in a single efficient session—making it ideal for busy women, home exercisers, and anyone who wants maximum results with minimal equipment.
This routine uses smart programming, alternating between strength and metabolic movements so you can burn fat, build definition, and stay challenged from start to finish. Whether you’re new to dumbbell training or have been lifting for years, this workout fits seamlessly into any fitness routine and can be modified for every fitness level.
A 35-minute workout hits the sweet spot between efficiency and intensity. It’s long enough to challenge your muscles and cardiovascular system, yet short enough to fit into lunch breaks, busy evenings, and early-morning time blocks. With dumbbells, you can build strength while also increasing heart rate, making this a hybrid workout that supports both muscle growth and fat loss.
A full-body session delivers unmatched results because you’re maximizing muscle recruitment and metabolic demand in a single workout. Here’s why this 35-minute dumbbell session works so well:
This style of training gives you a complete workout that strengthens, tones, and energizes your entire body in one effective, structured routine.
This workout is broken into 3 main sections:
The full-body circuit combines:
You’ll work in 45-seconds on / 15-seconds rest, then move to the next exercise.
After completing all 10 exercises, rest for 90 seconds, then repeat the circuit.
This warm-up is designed to prime your glutes, shoulders, hips, and core for the movements ahead.
Do each for 45 seconds:
After the warm-up, grab your dumbbells and get ready for the main circuit.
10 exercises — 45 seconds work / 15 seconds rest
Complete 2 rounds. Rest 90 seconds between rounds.
This is one of the most powerful compound movements for building a strong lower body and sculpted shoulders.
Hold dumbbells at shoulder height. Drop into a squat, then push through your heels and press the weights overhead as you stand. Return to start and repeat for the full 45 seconds.
An essential move for a strong back and better posture.
Hinge forward, back flat, dumbbells hanging. Pull elbows toward your ribcage and squeeze shoulder blades together. Lower and repeat.
This single-leg movement builds stability and lower body strength.
Hold dumbbells at your sides, step back into a lunge, and push forward to return to standing. Alternate legs each rep.
If training at home, perform this move on the floor for safety.
Lie on your back, elbows bent at 90 degrees. Press dumbbells toward the ceiling until arms are straight. Lower with control.
A staple for hamstring and glute development.
Hold dumbbells in front of thighs. Hinge at hips, keeping back straight. Lower dumbbells until hamstrings stretch, then stand tall.
This is a challenging combination of core and upper-body strength.
Start in plank with hands on dumbbells. Row one dumbbell up while keeping hips stable. Alternate sides.
A wider stance targets inner thighs and glutes.
Hold one or two dumbbells at your chest. Take a wide stance, lower into a deep squat, then drive through heels to stand.
A smooth combination move that works both arms and shoulders.
Curl dumbbells up, then rotate wrists outward and press overhead. Reverse the motion and repeat.
A hybrid strength + cardio move.
Perform a deadlift, then pull dumbbells upward to shoulder height, elbows leading the way.
A powerful rotational core exercise.
Sit on the floor, lean back slightly, hold a dumbbell, and twist side to side with control.
Finish your workout with a full-body cool down to reduce soreness and improve mobility.
Hold each for 30–45 seconds:
This brings your heart rate down and accelerates recovery so your next workout feels even better.
To get the most out of your dumbbell training, keep these tips in mind:
Select dumbbells that challenge you but still allow good form. A good rule:
Speed doesn’t equal results—tension, range of motion, and control do.
Engaging your core stabilizes your spine and improves strength everywhere else.
Progressive overload is key. Increase:
Adequate protein and consistent hydration help accelerate strength gains and fat-burning.
This 35-minute full-body dumbbell workout is ideal for women who want:
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced lifter, this workout adapts to you simply by adjusting weight, reps, or tempo.
For best results, perform this workout 2–3 times per week, ensuring a rest or light-motion day between sessions. You can pair it with:
This makes it perfect as part of a balanced weekly training routine.
A full-body dumbbell routine that combines strength, stability, and cardio in just 35 minutes is an unbeatable tool for women who want results without spending hours in the gym. This structured workout challenges your entire body, improves your cardiovascular fitness, sculpts lean muscle, and boosts your metabolism long after the workout ends.
If you stay consistent, increase weights gradually, and pair this routine with proper nutrition, you’ll see noticeable changes in strength, confidence, and body composition.
If you’re looking to round out your fitness journey beyond this 35-minute dumbbell full-body workout, be sure to check out our article on the “30-Minute Free Weight Workout for a Full-Body Transformation” for additional strength options, dive into the “45-Minute Full Body Dumbbell MetCon Workout (For a Killer Body)” for a more intense session, explore our nutrition piece “Best Breakfast to Eat After a Workout for Recovery and Energy” to fuel your results, read the guide “How to Stay Consistent with Your Diet: 15 Proven Tips for Success” for long-term progress, and round off your recovery with “Top Skincare Tips for Women Over 30 to Maintain Glowing Skin” because self-care matters just as much as effort in the gym.
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