Prepare your workout
- Equipment
- Dumbbells, Support and Exercise mat; Stable wall for supplementary exercises
- Before you choose
- Choose a variation and load you can control. Match the range to your ability.
- Intensity
- Keep 2–3 reps in reserve and extend rest if needed.
- Warm-up
- Before the session, complete one gentle round of the three listed movements. Allow about 6 minutes for preparation, transitions and rehearsing the first exercise; extend this if needed. Rehearse the first exercise with light resistance before its sets, keeping breathing comfortable.
Duration is approximate. Prepare your equipment and take the indicated rests; needing more rest can make the workout longer.
PREPARE TO MOVEYour warm-up
Start with this gentle preparation before your working sets. The listed duration includes the warm-up.
Knee-raise march
60–90 s at a comfortable pace
Stand in a clear area to march on the spot or move slowly forward. Raise one knee comfortably, coordinating the opposite arm. Place the foot down with control and alternate in a steady rhythm.
What you train: Trains arm-leg coordination and balance while raising each knee.
Watch video ↗Unloaded hip hinge
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Stand a short distance in front of a wall, facing away, knees slightly bent. Send your hips back to lightly touch the wall as you hinge forward. Push through your feet to stand without moving them.
What you train: Teaches hip-back movement and trunk coordination before loaded hinging.
Watch video ↗Wall arm slide
1 × 6 gentle repetitions
Face a wall with hands or forearms resting at a comfortable height. Slide your arms upward without arching your back or straining your shoulders. Slide back down with control.
What you train: Trains coordinated shoulder and shoulder-blade movement while raising the arms.
Watch video ↗
STEP BY STEP
Your complete workout
9 exercisesHow to do it- Hold a dumbbell at your chest, feet comfortably apart.
- Send your hips back and bend your knees, keeping your balance.
- Push through both feet to stand with control.
What it trainsStrengthens the quadriceps and glutes while your trunk supports the weight.
- Rest
- Rest about 75 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Keep your feet planted and hold a dumbbell close to your chest. Bend your hips and knees with control, then push through the floor to stand.
Technique cueKeep your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Squat to a chair without added weight.
- To progress
- Add a one-second pause at the bottom before standing.
- Avoid this mistake
- Lifting your heels or dropping without control.
View exercise guide ↗02Supported dumbbell row
2 × 8 each side
How to do it- Rest one hand on a firm surface and hinge forward from your hips.
- Pull the dumbbell towards your hip, bringing your elbow back close to your body.
- Slowly straighten your arm without rotating your trunk.
What it trainsStrengthens the back and arms with additional support for your trunk.
- Rest
- Rest about 60 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Place one hand on a firm surface and lean forwards. Pull the dumbbell towards your hip, then lower slowly.
Technique cueKeep your shoulders and hips facing the same way.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Reduce the weight and range of movement.
- To progress
- Pause for one second as you pull the dumbbell towards you.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using momentum from your torso on every repetition.
View exercise guide ↗03Dumbbell floor press
2 × 8
How to do it- Lie on your back, knees bent, with dumbbells beside your chest.
- Press the dumbbells upward over your chest.
- Bend your elbows and lower until your upper arms lightly touch the floor.
What it trainsStrengthens the chest and triceps; the floor limits how far you lower.
- Rest
- Rest about 60 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Lie with your knees bent and hold the dumbbells. Press them above your chest, then lower until your arms gently touch the floor.
Technique cueChoose weights you can get into and out of position safely.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Practise with very light dumbbells.
- To progress
- Increase the weight slightly without losing control.
- Avoid this mistake
- Hitting the floor with your elbows or holding your breath.
View exercise guide ↗04Dumbbell Romanian deadlift
2 × 8
How to do it- Hold dumbbells in front of your thighs with your knees slightly bent.
- Push your hips back, hinging forward with the weights close to your legs.
- Stop before your posture changes; extend your hips to stand.
What it trainsStrengthens the glutes and hamstrings and teaches lifting from the hips.
- Rest
- Rest about 75 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
With your knees slightly bent, push your hips back while keeping the dumbbells close to your legs. Return by extending your hips.
Technique cueKeep a soft knee bend rather than turning the movement into a squat.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Practise an unweighted hip hinge beside a wall.
- To progress
- Increase the weight gradually while maintaining a controlled range of movement.
- Avoid this mistake
- Rounding your back or trying to reach the floor at all costs.
View exercise guide ↗05Split squat
2 × 6 each side
How to do it- Place one foot forward and one back, with space between them sideways.
- Bend both knees and lower your pelvis vertically, keeping your feet still.
- Push through the floor to rise; then change sides.
What it trainsStrengthens each leg and trains balance in a split stance.
- Rest
- Rest about 60 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Place one foot in front of the other. Lower straight down by bending both knees, then rise without moving your feet.
Technique cueKeep your hips facing forward throughout.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use one hand for support and reduce the range of movement.
- To progress
- Hold light dumbbells at your sides.
- Avoid this mistake
- Using such a narrow stance that you lose your balance.
View exercise guide ↗06Alternating dead bug
2 × 5 each side
How to do it- Lie on your back with arms towards the ceiling and knees bent.
- Slowly extend one arm and the opposite leg without moving your pelvis.
- Return with control and repeat on the opposite side.
What it trainsTrains abdominal control while the arms and legs move.
- Rest
- Rest about 45 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Lie with your arms raised and knees bent. Slowly reach your opposite arm and leg away, then return.
Technique cueShorten the range if your back cannot stay comfortable.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move only one leg or slide your heel.
- To progress
- Extend your limbs a little further without losing control.
- Avoid this mistake
- Holding your breath or moving your pelvis.
View exercise guide ↗How to do it- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with arms beside your body.
- Walk with controlled steps along an obstacle-free route.
- Slow down to stop and carefully put the weights down.
What it trainsStrengthens grip and trains trunk stability while carrying weight.
- Rest
- Rest about 60 s between sets and when changing exercises; extend the break if needed.
- Tempo
- Slow, controlled movement
The movement, step by step
Hold a dumbbell in each hand and walk with controlled steps through a clear space.
Technique cueChoose a load that allows upright walking and relaxed shoulders.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Use lighter weights or a shorter distance.
- To progress
- Increase the time moderately.
- Avoid this mistake
- Turning quickly or walking through an area with obstacles.
View exercise guide ↗08Shoulder circles
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- Sit or stand with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- Make small, slow shoulder circles backwards.
- Reverse direction, then let your shoulders relax.
What it trainsGently mobilises the shoulders and shoulder blades before activity.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
Sitting or standing, let your arms relax. Make small, slow circles with your shoulders backwards, then forwards.
Technique cueKeep your head still and breathe naturally.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Make smaller circles.
- To progress
- Make the circles larger only within a comfortable range of movement.
- Avoid this mistake
- Moving abruptly or tensing your neck.
View exercise guide ↗09Supported ankle mobility
Additional exercise
1 × 5
How to do it- Place one foot near a wall with the whole sole grounded.
- Move your knee forward in line with your toes, keeping the heel down.
- Return slowly and repeat with the other ankle.
What it trainsTrains ankle mobility with the foot grounded.
- Rest
- Rest 30 s or longer until control returns.
- Tempo
- Controlled, without holding your breath
- Effort reserve
- RIR 3: finish with about 3 repetitions you could still perform with good technique.
The movement, step by step
With your foot planted near a wall, move your knee forwards without lifting your heel. Return and repeat.
Technique cueStay within a comfortable range; your knee need not touch the wall.
Variations and mistakes to avoid
- More accessible
- Move your foot closer to the wall.
- To progress
- Move your foot slightly further away if you can keep your heel down.
- Avoid this mistake
- Forcing your ankle or rotating your foot to gain distance.
View exercise guide ↗
FINISH THE SESSIONFinish and prepare your next step.
Finish with 3 minutes of gentle movement. Duration is approximate: extend breaks when needed and review recovery.
How to progress
First complete repetitions with good technique. In another session increase only reps, range or a small amount of load. Reduce work if recovery worsens.
Open workout in the app →TRAIN CONSISTENTLYThis routine is part of…
Sets and effort can change from week to week in a program. Open the session from the program to follow its stage’s guidance.
General routines for adults. If you have a health condition, an injury, are pregnant or have medical instructions, consult your professional before starting and ask for adaptations. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.