Dumbbell Shoulders Workout for Intermediate
A dumbbell shoulders workout for intermediate that you can do at home or in the gym with a pair of dumbbells. 6 exercises, about 47 minutes, targeting shoulders.
| Level | Intermediate |
| Equipment | Dumbbell |
| Time | About 47 minutes |
| Muscles | Shoulders |
The workout
| Exercise | Sets / reps |
|---|---|
| 1. Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 4 × 8–12 |
| 2. Front Dumbbell Raise | 4 × 8–12 |
| 3. Iron Cross | 4 × 8–12 |
| 4. External Rotation | 4 × 8–12 |
| 5. One-Arm Side Laterals | 4 × 8–12 / side |
| 6. Standing Palm-In One-Arm Dumbbell Press | 4 × 8–12 / side |
See each exercise
How to do this workout
- Warm up for 5 minutes: brisk walk or easy cardio, then one light set of the first exercise.
- Do the exercises in order. Finish all sets of one before moving on.
- Pick a weight that leaves about 1–2 reps in the tank on the last set. Rest 60–120 seconds on big lifts, 45–60 seconds on smaller ones.
- Do this workout 1–2 times a week, with at least one rest day before training the same muscles again.
How to progress
When you can do every set with good form at the top of the rep range, add one rep per set the next week, or a small amount of weight (1–2.5 kg). Progress slowly — consistent small jumps beat big ones. For fat loss, pair this with a small calorie deficit and around 1.6–2 g of protein per kg of body weight.
Exercise notes
1. Dumbbell Shoulder Press
While holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit on a military press bench or utility bench that has back support. Place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs. Now raise the dumbbells to shoulder height one at a time using your thighs to help propel them up into position.
2. Front Dumbbell Raise
Pick a couple of dumbbells and stand with a straight torso and the dumbbells on front of your thighs at arms length with the palms of the hand facing your thighs. This will be your starting position. While maintaining the torso stationary (no swinging), lift the left dumbbell to the front with a slight bend on the elbow and the palms of the hands always facing down. Continue to go up until you arm is slightly above parallel to the floor. Exhale as you execute this portion of the movement and pause for a second at the top. Inhale after the second pause.
3. Iron Cross
4. External Rotation
Lie sideways on a flat bench with one arm holding a dumbbell and the other hand on top of the bench folded so that you can rest your head on it. Bend the elbows of the arm holding the dumbbell so that it creates a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the arm parallel to your torso.
5. One-Arm Side Laterals
Pick a dumbbell and place it in one of your hands. Your non lifting hand should be used to grab something steady such as an incline bench press. Lean towards your lifting arm and away from the hand that is gripping the incline bench as this will allow you to keep your balance. Stand with a straight torso and have the dumbbell by your side at arm's length with the palm of the hand facing you. This will be your starting position.
6. Standing Palm-In One-Arm Dumbbell Press
Start by having a dumbbell in one hand with your arm fully extended to the side using a neutral grip. Use your other arm to hold on to an incline bench to keep your balance. Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. Now slowly lift the dumbbell up until you create a 90 degree angle with your arm. Note: Your forearm should be perpendicular to the floor. Continue to maintain a neutral grip throughout the entire exercise.
Weekly plans that use this workout
More workouts like this
Gear for this workout
Adjustable dumbbellsA full home gym in one small space.See it on Amazon →
Adjustable workout benchUnlocks presses, rows and step-ups at home.See it on Amazon →Stop if anything hurts (sharp pain is different from muscle burn). If you have an injury or health condition, check with your GP or a physio first.