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Dumbbell PPL

Dumbbell PPL

A dumbbell-centric push/pull/legs split designed primarily for muscle growth, ideal for those with a full dumbbell set but no barbell access.

beginnerintermediate50 min8 weeks3/week

Goals
This dumbbell-focused routine is a solid option for those with limited equipment. It's designed with hypertrophy (muscle growth) in mind, though you can also expect strength gains.

Required Equipment

  • Dumbbells: A full range or adjustable set. A single pair won’t suffice.
  • Bench: An adjustable bench is preferred. If only flat, substitute incline fly with flat fly.
  • Pull-up Bar: Use a bar at the gym or a door-mounted one at home.

The Routine
Three workout days: Push, Pull, and Legs.

Push Day

  • Chest Press
  • Incline Fly
  • Arnold Press
  • Overhead Tricep Extension

Pull Day

  • Pull-up
  • Bent-over Row
  • Reverse Fly
  • Shrug
  • Bicep Curl

Leg Day

  • Goblet Squat
  • Lunge
  • Single Leg Deadlift
  • Calf Raise

Core: Add Hanging Leg Raises to the end of every other workout.

Progression

  • Perform 3 sets per exercise, with 90 seconds rest between sets.
  • Do as many reps as possible, up to 12 per set.
  • For unilateral movements, count one set after completing both sides.
  • When you can do 3 sets of 12, increase to the next weight.
  • If stuck at the same weight and reps for 3 workouts, deload by two increments and rebuild.
  • Pull-ups and leg raises: start with bodyweight. Add weight using a dumbbell between your feet as you progress. Use negatives if you can’t do a pull-up.
  • Begin with the lightest dumbbells to learn form and avoid injury.

Schedule Options

  • 6-day cycle: Push / Pull / Legs / Push / Pull / Legs / Rest
  • 4-day cycle: Push / Pull / Legs / Rest

Squats
Goblet squats may be your limiting factor due to dumbbell weight. When that happens, either move them to the end of leg day or switch to Bulgarian split squats or pistol squats. If you gain access to a barbell, consider switching to a different program entirely.

Week 1Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 2Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 3Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 4Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 5Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 6Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 7Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Week 8Default phase
Push
Bench Press (dumbbell)
Bench Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
Incline Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
Standing Triceps Extension (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Pull
Pullups
Pullups
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
Bent Over Row (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
Bent Over Reverse Delt Fly (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Shrug (dumbbell)
Shrug (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
Bicep Curl (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Legs
Squat (goblet)
Squat (goblet)
8-128-128-12
Lunge (dumbbell)
Lunge (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
Deadlift (dumbbell)
Deadlift (dumbbell)
8-128-128-12
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