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Full body ( Adjustable ) Dumbbells Hypertrophy
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Full body ( Adjustable ) Dumbbells Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy program for people with access to dumbbells only (and a pull-up bar). This program slightly favors upper body aesthetics (arms/shoulders/chest).

Drew
Drew· Jan 2025
13athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
5 weeks
Days / week
3 days
Level
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Goal
Muscle
Equipment
Dumbbell Only
Session length
60 min
This is a 3-day per week hypertrophy program for all levels of lifter. Each workout targets the whole body. The program is set up in a way that slightly favors your arms and shoulders, though the back, chest, and legs also are worked plenty in each session. This program is best for people with access to a set of adjustable dumbbells or hotel gyms, which often have limited equipment. The program should be run 3 days per week with at least one day of rest in between. If you want to increase volume, just perform the next workout every other day, which will result in a 3.5 day per week average. This program can be run indefinitely, but make sure to deload once in a while if you feel worn out or are stuck in your progression. It's recommended to perform myo-rep sets on all the isolation exercises (Incline curls, overhead extensions, skull crushers, lateral raises, reverse flyes). This will add stimulus and promote more growth in your arms and shoulders. You can google what myo-rep sets are, but in short, it means this: Perform your first set like normal, striving to come close to failure. Then, on the rest of the sets, after failure, you will rest for just a couple of seconds and then resume the set until you reach the number you reached on your first set. This results in coming to or close to failure more than just three times, and will really contribute to growth. Here's an example: Incline curls: Set 1: 11 reps Set 2: 9 reps, rest a few seconds, then 2 more reps Set 3: 8 reps, rest a few seconds, 2 more reps, rest a few seconds, 1 more rep In this example, your biceps would reach muscular failure around six times instead of just three. Good stuff! Don't do myo-reps on the more strenuous compound movements like chinups, squats, RDLs or the bench pressing movements as this will be extremely fatiguing and could potentially lead to injury. Enjoy the program!

Who it's for

Athletes of all experience levels
Athletes focused on building muscle size
Athletes who can train 3 days per week
Athletes with access to a set of dumbbells

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Chest
13.4%
Triceps
13.2%
Lats
13%
Upper Back
10.9%
Front Delts
9.8%
Biceps
7.1%
Glutes
6.9%
Quadriceps
6.9%
Hamstrings
6.3%
Middle Delts
6.3%
Lower Back
2.5%
Abs
1.9%
Forearms
1.3%
Rear Delts
0.6%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Incline Curl (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
2Reverse Fly38–12 reps
3Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)48–12 reps
4Dumbbell Row48–12 reps
5Single Leg Romanian Deadlift38–12 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Skull Crusher38–12 reps
2Chin-Up (Weighted)36–10 reps
3Seated Overhead Press (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
4Pullover (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
5Incline Chest Fly (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
6Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
2Overhead Extension (Dumbbell)38–12 reps
3Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)48–12 reps
4Bench Press (Dumbbell)48–12 reps
5Split Squat (Dumbbell)38–12 reps

Weeks 2–5 are in the app

Download Boostcamp to follow the full program with auto-progression and built-in coaching notes.

Common questions

Yes, Full body ( Adjustable ) Dumbbells Hypertrophy is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. Download the app on iOS or Android, find the program, and start your first workout immediately. All 5 weeks are fully unlocked.

This program is built around a dumbbell only. Make sure you have consistent access before starting, since the progression model assumes you can perform the same movements week over week.

Each session typically takes around 60 minutes to complete. That estimate covers your working sets but doesn't account for warm-up or rest between sets, so budget a little extra time when you're first learning the movements.

Full body ( Adjustable ) Dumbbells Hypertrophy is structured around 3 training days per week, with rest days built in to allow for recovery. The Boostcamp app lets you reschedule sessions if your week doesn't go to plan.

The program runs for 5 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go.

Full body ( Adjustable ) Dumbbells Hypertrophy is available inside the Boostcamp app, free on iOS and Android. Once you download the app, you can search for the program by name. The app tracks all your sets and weights automatically, so you always know exactly what to do next session.

Get started

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