Best Dumbbell Leg Workout That Will Take Any Leg Day Up a Notch

When a trainer tells you to grab a set of dumbbells, you can pretty much guarantee that your arms are in for some serious burn. But while free weights tend to get a lot of credit for their role in strengthening your upper body, integrating them into your lower body moves through dumbbell leg workouts is seriously underrated.

“Dumbbells are an incredibly versatile piece of equipment, and there are hundreds of different exercises that can be performed for the upper and lower body alike,” says Sean Alexander,  ACE-certified personal trainer and CEO of Model Trainers. Read on to find out exactly how to add a dumbbell leg workout into your own routine.

Why should you use dumbbells for leg workouts?

According to trainers, there are a number of benefits associated with dumbbell leg workouts. Adding weight is an easy way to up the ante on type of exercise, and dumbbells allow you to do it at home without having to invest in a pricey piece of gym equipment. In fact, dumbbells tend to get the job done better than the fancy machines and barbell racks. “While machines limit our range of motion to the predetermined track that they’re set on, and barbells are large, cumbersome, and generally awkward to move around with, dumbbells don’t have either of those limitations and allow for free-range on any plane of motion,” says Alexander. Because of this, there are truly limitless ways to integrate them into your leg workouts, each of which allows you to target your lower body muscles from all different angles.

“Dumbbells are great for your lower body for many reasons,” says Rhys Athayde, founding trainer and chief experience officer at DOGPOUND in New York City. “They are incredible to focus on unilateral strength as you may favor one side more than the other.” He adds that these types of free weights work your stabilizing muscles, which help to build your overall strength and balance. Plus, they’re versatile: You can use a set of heavies to add weight to basic strengthening moves or grab a lighter pair to up the ante on your lower-body based cardio moves like jump squats and skater lunges.

How to choose the right weights for a dumbbell leg workout

Choosing the right weights for a dumbbell leg workout is what Alexander calls an “art form,” because you want to be sure you’re getting it exactly right. “While the goal of adding weight is to create resistance, we don’t want to unnecessarily increase the risk of injury,” he says. His tip? Abide by the rule that, “you should be able to control the weight, the weight does not control you”.

Because of this, the weight you choose depends entirely on your movements. If you’re doing unilateral movements, like step-ups and lunges, Alexander suggests choosing a light-to-midsized weight. “Movements that sincerely challenge your level balance and proprioception should not be performed with heavy loads,” he says. For squats and deadlifts though, heavy weights are A-okay.

Of course, no matter what weight you’re using, you’ll want to start small and build up your load as you get stronger. “It’s important to understand the motion first, so start by performing the move without any weight, and from there, it’s always better to start with a lighter weight you think you can do,” says Athayde. “Safety is always the priority, so perform the motion and gauge your working set weight from there.”

How to integrate dumbbell leg workouts into your routine

Before you reach for the weights, you’ll first want to master your movements without any sort of load. “I would begin with basic bodyweight motions, such as squats, lunges, and step-ups, and build up your leg strength from there, then add in light weights when you feel you’re ready,” says Athayde.

10 dumbbell leg workout moves to try at home

When you are ready, grab your weights and cycle through some of these trainer-approved dumbbell leg workout moves.

1. Walking dumbbell lunge

Holding a dumbbell in either hand, step one foot forward and lower down into a lunge. Return to stand and step the opposite foot out into a lunge, using the movement as a way to “walk” across the room.

2. Dumbbell squat

With a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing toward your body, bend your knees to lower down into a squat so that your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your gaze forward and your chest proud, then push back up through your heels to return to stand.

3. Dumbbell hip thrust

Place your shoulders on an elevated surface (with your hips hanging off of the front), plant your feet firmly on the floor, and place a dumbbell on your hips. Slowly lower your hips down toward the floor, then drive up through your heels and squeeze your glutes at the top of the move. Engage your core to ensure your back stays straight throughout the entirety of the exercise.

4. Dumbbell curtsy lunge

To master a traditional curtsy squat, cross one leg back behind you and sink your body down while rotating your hips forward. When you’re ready to add weight, simply clasp a dumbbell in your hands in front of your chest.

5. Dumbbell alternating step up on a box

Holding a dumbbell in either hand with your arms by your side, step one foot up onto a box or bench, then step the other foot up to meet it. Slowly return back down to the ground in the same manner, then repeat the movement starting your initial step on the other side.

6. Dumbbell Romanian deadlift

Start standing with your knees slightly loose with a dumbbell held squarely in front of your hips. Focus on engaging your lats by squeezing your shoulder blades back and down. Initiate the movement by pushing your hips and glutes back and keeping your knees slightly bent. Keep the weight close to your body as you bend forward, and go as far down as you can without rounding your upper back in the process. Keep your gaze looking straight ahead to ensure you’re keeping your back straight as you bend over. Drive your hips forward and squeeze your glutes as you stand back up to start.

7. Bulgarian split squat

Stand a full stride’s length in front of an elevated surface (like a bench or chair), and place your sneaker laces on top of the surface so that your ankle is slightly hanging off of the edge. Hold the dumbbells down by your sides and tilt your torso forward 15 degrees, then lower down the same way you would if you were doing a stationary lunge.

8. Single-leg deadlift

Stand with one foot planted firmly on the floor, your knee slightly bent, and a dumbbell in the opposite hand. Square your hips to the mat and hinge at the waist (keeping your back flat) and lower the weight down to the floor while floating your opposite leg back behind you.

9. Squat-to-press

Hold a dumbbell in either hand and bend your knees to lower down into a squat until your thighs are parallel to the floor,  keeping your chest proud and your gaze looking forward. Push up through your heels legs to return to stand, and extend your arms straight overhead. Return them back to your shoulders and repeat.