Week 1, Friday ~ FREE 8 Week Dumbbell Challenge

First of all, Congratulations on taking the 8 week dumbbell 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 our pre challenge details, no worries!  We really would like to hear your story and get to know you a bit better.  We also are including an area where you can share your story, post a before and after picture and sign up for this challenge.  It is not required but highly recommended.  It is much easier to follow a program if you have a group of people supporting you and cheering you on.  We are that group! 🙂   So head on over to our pre challenge details post: Sculpt The Body of Your Dreams With This FREE 8 Week Challenge.   You can always find these workouts by going to the top of this page and click on the “Coaching” tab and there will be a “Free 8 Week 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!

Sculpt The Body of Your Dreams With This FREE  8 Week Challenge!

So here is how this challenge is going to work  

• This challenge can be started at anytime.  Always start with week 1, week 2, week 3…week 8 and so on.  Once you start the challenge, continue on it for 8 consecutive weeks.
• For your next  8 weeks, I have pre done daily posts with the exercises that you need to do for your specific week.  Each week you will be given a dumbbell routine on Monday, Wednesday & Friday and a stretching routine on Saturday/Sunday.
• A library of workouts can be found under the “coaching” tab at the top of this website under “Free 8 Week Dumbbell Challenge”  I am doing this as I go and the start date is January 7, 2013 so please note that the library won’t be complete until 8 weeks from that date.  Follow along with us!  We will be doing updates on our Facebook Page as we work our way through this program.
• 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 4 workouts a week showing you how to do the exercises:  3 dumbbell workout routines and 1 stretch workout routine.
• 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” & on our Facebook Page.  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 8 weeks!
• Don’t have an exercise routine?  Start out with this 8 week challenge and you will see results!
• Please sign in (below) so we can get to know you better.  If you would like to submit a before and after picture, fill the form out below!  We would love to see your transformation! (this is not required)
• Once your 8 week Dumbbell Challenge is done, challenge yourself again for another 8 weeks but increase your weights to intensify your workouts!
• Click here if you want to receive these post in your inbox for FREE?

Before You Get Started

Are you up for the challenge?

I will have a section under the “Coaching” tab called “Free 8 Week 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?

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 3  (Arms, Chest, Back & Shoulders & Abs)

My first circuit was as follows.

I followed the intermediate level.

First Set:

• 12 hammer curls
• 12 two-arm triceps extension
• 12 lying flies
• 12 bent over rows
• 12 shoulder presses
• 12 torso twist

• 12 hammer curls
• 12 two-arm triceps extension
• 12 lying flies
• 12 bent over rows
• 12 shoulder presses
• 12 torso twist

Exercises For Day 3

Hammer Curl

• Grab one dumbbell in each hand along the sides of your body, palms facing your body.
• Raise both dumbbells by curling your elbows and lower them down after a short pause.
• Keep your upper arms still throughout.

Two-Arms Triceps Extension

• Stand up and hold one dumbbell with both hands behind your head, upper arms pointing straight up.
• Raise the dumbbell up by curling your elbows and slowly lower it back after a short pause.
• Your upper arms should remain still throughout.

Lying Fly

• Lie down on your back on the bench, ball or even on the floor and grab one dumbbell with each hand at body height, elbows just slightly arched.
• Raise the dumbbells until they are side by side on top of you and slowly lower them back after a short pause.
• Try to maintain the same angle in your elbows throughout.

Bent Over Row

• Stand up and reach down in order to hold two dumbbells with both hands (knees slightly bent).
• Lift the dumbbells up until your upper arms are parallel to your body and lower them back after a short pause.
• Try to keep your back straight throughout. Only the arm should move.

Torso Twist

The torso twist targets the waist muscles – external and internal obliques.  Lie on your back and bend your knees to 90º and place your feet either on the floor or on a bed, ball  or chair.   You can also cross one leg over the other: Put your hand behind your head, and lift your upper body off the ground so your shoulders do not touch the floor.  This is the starting and ending position.  Twist the trunk by moving one elbow toward the opposite knee, bringing it as close to the knee as possible, without pulling on your neck or compromising your form by lifting your back off the ground.  If you look straight up at the ceiling, this will help keep your body in alignment and prevent you from hurting your neck or doing the Torso Twist incorrectly.  Repeat to the other side.  Doing it once on each side constitutes one repetition. (description courtesy of Smart Girls Do Dumbbells.)

 

Do you have questions?  Need some additional support?  

 

Do you have any questions?  Leave us your comments in the comment section below.  Did you have any challenges?  Did you enjoy your workout?  Need more clarification on any of the exercises?  Would love to hear your feedback, questions, concerns and successes along the way.  We are here to support one another through this awesome 8 week challenge