First of all, Congratulations on taking the 30 day challenge! You will be amazed how tone and fit you will get just by incorporating weights into your exercise routine and eating right for your metabolic type! If you missed day 1, no worries! For past workouts go to the top of this page and click on the “Coaching” tab and there will be a “Free 30 Day Dumbbell Challenge” tab. Click on that for all past workouts. It is important to start at the beginning of this challenge and work your way through the program how it is laid out.
Here is the first workout and the start of this program!
DAY 1 ~ Sculpt The Body of Your Dreams With This 30 Day Challenge!
So here is how this challenge is going to work.
- This challenge can be started at anytime. Always start with day 1, day 2, day3…day 30 and so on. Once you start the challenge, continue on it for 30 consecutive days.
- For your next 30 days, I have pre done daily posts with the exercises that you need to do for your specific day.
- A library of workouts can be found under the “coaching” tab at the top of this website under “Free 30 Day Dumbbell Challenge.”
- I will include an animated image (courtesy of an amazing free site dumbbell-exercises.com & ball-exercises.com) showing you how to do the exercise.
- The only equipment needed is an exercise ball and dumbbells.
- You will get 7 workouts a week showing you how to do the exercises (one workout will be a light workout or rest day).
- So if I work your chest and arms, then I will not work them the next few days and so forth. I will work different muscles throughout this program.
- Support can be found at any time in the posts below the animated exercises in the comment section that reads “Join The Conversation.” Every comment will be answered. Share your support, successes, challenges, questions, and feedback in this section.
- Incorporate this exercise program into your daily exercise routine and you will be amazed how tone and fit you can get in 30 days!
- Don’t have an exercise routine? Start out with this 30 day challenge and you will see results!
- Once your 30 Day Dumbbell Challenge is done, challenge yourself again for another 30 days but increase your weights to intensify your workouts!
Before You Get Started
You Can Complete This Challenge!
Remember, I will have a section under the “Coaching” tab called “Free 30 Day Dumbbell Challenge” where you can go back and view past workouts. Please note in these pictures you will see a workout bench. You do not have to use a workout bench if you do not have one. Most of these exercises can be done right on your exercise ball. I use my ball as a bench, and a chair. No expensive equipment needed. How easy is that? Follow the chart below with the number of sets and reps that you should do. Take your time doing these exercises and don’t rush through them. Always keep good form and as always, listen to your bodies language. If you feel pain, stop. I do these exercises in circuit format. Here is an example of how I completed my workout.
DAY 5 (Arms, Chest, Back, Back of Shoulders & Abs)
My first circuit was as follows.
I followed the intermediate level.
First Set:
- 12 hammer curls
- 12 ball triceps extensions- weighted
- 12 ball chest flies
- 12 kneeling one arm row (on both sides)
- 12 bent-over one-armed deltoid raise (on both sides)
- 12 ball reverse crunch
- 12 hammer curls
- 12 ball triceps extensions- weighted
- 12 ball chest flies
- 12 kneeling one arm row (on both sides)
- 12 bent-over one-armed deltoid raise (on both sides)
- 12 ball reverse crunch
Exercises For Day 5
Ball Triceps Extension – Weighted
- Lie on your back, shoulder blades against the exercise ball, buttocks off the floor and hold dumbbells on each side of your head, upper arms perpendicular to the floor.
- Raise the dumbbells up by straightening your arms and slowly lower them back after a short pause.
- Keep your upper arms still throughout.
Ball Chest Fly
- Lie on your back, shoulder blades on top of the exercise ball, back extended, knees flexed at 90 degree angles and hold dumbbells out to each side of your body.
- Keeping your elbows just slightly bent, roll the dumbbells in and up and slowly lower them down after a short pause.
- Breathe out while pulling the dumbbells in and up and breathe in while returning to starting position.
Kneeling One Arm Row
- Put your knee and hand on a bench and grab a dumbbell with your other hand.
- Lift the dumbbell straight up without moving anything else than your arm and lower it back down after a short pause.
- Breathe out when raising the dumbbell and in when returning to starting position.
Bent-Over One-Arm Deltoid Raise
- Bend down and hold one dumbbell with one hand between your legs, knees slightly bent.
- Raise the dumbbell to your side until your arm is parallel to the ground and lower it back down slowly after a short pause.
- Keep your back straight throughout.
Ball Reverse Crunch
- Lie on your back, calves and hamstrings pressed against the exercise ball and arms spread out.
- Squeeze the ball with your legs and roll your knees towards your chest then roll back down after a short pause.
- To avoid straining your neck, look straight up instead of looking at your knees.
My Daily Comments. Do you have questions? Need some additional support?
Wow this workout really worked my triceps (back of arms)! My arms are going to look great in my sleeveless tops! The ball reverse crunches were a little challenging for me and took some practice squeezing the ball with my legs, but after a little practice, I got the exercise down just fine! Tomorrow is an Ab workout that works all the muscles in the abdominal area. Hope everyone is doing great this first week our your challenge!
Are your folks keeping up? I see fewer posts now as I have reached Day 5. I finished this about 9:15pm tonight. It was a tough for certain. Took me about 35 minutes for 20 reps – 3 circuits still. Plus I ran 5.5 miles this morning and walked another 2 miles after doing this workout.
MissyEtling Hey Missy, There are a lot of individuals who have accepted this challenge, probably just not commenting 🙂 Great job on your workout! Wow, great ambition! Thanks for all your updates….I am sure many are reading your comments and getting a bit of motivation from you! Thanks 🙂
Just finished day 5! Today I increased the reps from 12 to 15. Will most likely increase weight next session. I am enjoying this workouts. The ball is a little tricky to get used to by I am working thru it.
debbymantell great job Debby! The ball is tricky, yes… but when you master it you are taking your fitness to a whole different level by constantly engaging your core. With practice you will master it 🙂 Keep it up!
Day 5 down! I struggled with the reverse crunches until I reviewed the images above and realized that I was trying to straighten my legs at the bottom. The deltoid raises were a killer – not sure if I ever worked that muscle intentionally before!! Now doing 15 reps on most exercises.
Day 5 done! I enjoy working muscles I haven’t worked before. We’ll see if they like me tomorrow. Haha. I too went up from 12 to 15 on most of this circuit. The hammer curls still get my left wrist. It clicks and twinges so I’m sticking with 5lb on that move, as well as the deltoid one as I’ve never done that move before. I switch between 5 and 8lb.
wow day 5 done. Did day 4 and 5 together since I missed a day due to being sick. Can’t wait for day 6!
Hi Halle, Don’t know if you’re still tracking these comments. The last time I started this challenge I never finished due to a disk in my back that is slightly off kilter. I’ve decided it’s my cross to bear after chiropractic and physical therapy care and not exercising for months. Finished day 5 and am up to 15 reps and 3 sets. Amazing that the reverse ball crunch actually made my back feel good. The side crunches yesterday did a little damage so all is well. I am using 5 lbs for most exercises but 10 lbs for the one arm rows. Haven’t had a pain other than my back and I’m certainly feeling better all over. thanks for all your wonderful info.
Hi everyone!
I just got done with day 5. These exercises are not that bad at all. I just wanted to see if anyone else is doing these and also if anyone can provide some background information. I am 35 years old, 5’4″ and weigh in at 160. I have been an on/off P90X girl. Most importantly, I hope there are others still doing this workout so I can have some company and we can help motivate each other!
Thanks!
I guess Halle doesn’t get the comments anymore. Because of my back I am limited in a way to what I can do. No I don’t think this plan is all that difficult and maybe needs more especially if you’ve been doing P90X. I give you a lot of credit for that. I have a friend doing Insanity and she’s down more than 4 pants sizes since October. She works out every other day and looks fabulous. I can’t do most of it but I wish I could. Upper body is really easy for me. Good luck and I guess it’s just a matter that we all do something. Hang in there.
Mary
Hi beats,
I’ve been off the exercise ritual for a while now due to my back. I’m going to try to do all the upper body exercises because they don’t hurt me. I’m also going to try and walk at least 15 minutes a day. I’m in Cave Creek, AZ right now and with all the beautiful weather we’ve been having I’m very depressed that I haven’t even been able to walk. Hearing that I’m not alone is very encouraging. Good luck to you.
Day 5 done. I upped my reps to 12 today to as I need more weight but that can’t be sorted for a few days. On the last 2 exercises I managed to up weight to 3 1/2 kilos and I noticed the difference.
Roll on day 6.
Finished day 5. I went out and picked up an exercise ball, now I just have to keep it away from my kids.