Legs, Glutes, Quads and Hamstrings — hit them ALL in this 30-Minute Leg Workout At Home! This instructional workout video guides you through 14 of the best leg exercises you can do at home with a set of dumbbells. A complete lower body burnout.
Of course this 30-Minute Leg Workout At Home made the list because it includes 14 of the best leg exercises for women (to mention a few):
Squats
Lunges
Deadlifts
Sumo Squats
Glute Bridges
And you don’t need access to a squat rack or fancy gym equipment to do these lower body exercises.
Do this 30-Minute Leg Workout At Home with dumbbells to strength your lower body — from legs and glutes, to thighs and hamstrings.
This leg workout includes 14 leg exercises that are going to make leg day at home way more exciting!
30-Minute Leg Workout At Home
This 30-Minute Leg Workout supersets lower body strength exercises to build strong legs at home!
Each leg circuit includes two lower body strength exercises x 2 sets, followed by a 30-second power move to raise your heart rate.
The result, a complete lower body burnout (legs on 🔥).
Equipment:
Medium-to-heavy set of dumbbells. Option to add a light/medium mini loop resistance band(affiliate).
I suggest anywhere from 10-25 lbs. I’m using 15 lb dumbbells in this workout video. Note, you have the option to drop weights at any time and perform these leg exercises with just your bodyweight.
Each circuit contains two strength training exercises, which we’ll repeat x2 sets. THEN we’ll close out the circuit with one power burnout exercise (think goblet squat jumps).
You’ll perform 12-16 reps per strength exercise, and 30 seconds per power exercise.
14 Best Leg Exercises for Women
CIRCUIT ONE: SQUATS + DEADLIFTS
Front Rack Squat x 12 reps
Staggered Deadlift x 16 reps (8 reps per leg) X 2 sets
Power Move: 2 Count Goblet Squat Jack x 30 seconds
CIRCUIT TWO: LUNGES
Reverse Lunge x 16 reps (8 reps per leg)
Low Lunge + Rear Leg Lift x 8 reps per leg X 2 sets
Power Move: Weighted Lunge Jumps x 30 seconds
CIRCUIT THREE: RESISTANCE BAND SQUATS
Dumbbell Front Squat + Resistance Band Side Leg Lift x 12 reps (6 reps per leg)
Resistance Band Squat Walk x 8 reps X 2 sets
Power Move: Squat Jump Front/Back + Dumbbell Pick Up x 30 seconds
CIRCUIT FOUR: SUMO DEADLIFTS + SQUATS
Sumo Squat + Sumo Deadlift x 12 reps
Sumo Squat + Lunge x 16 reps (8 reps per leg) X 2 sets
Power Move: Dumbbell Swing x 30 seconds
BONUS FINISHER: GLUTE BRIDGES
Dumbbell Glute Bridge with Resistance Band Abduction x 16 reps
Dumbbell Glute Bridge Hold + Pulse x 30 seconds
Leg Workouts At Home With Dumbbells
1. Front Rack Squat with Dumbbells
Targets: Glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core.
How to do a Front Rack Squat with Dumbbells:
Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes pointing straight ahead or slightly angled out away from the body.
“Front Rack” your dumbbells at shoulder height. Placing the back head of each dumbbell on your shoulders; elbows up and pointing straight ahead (think elbows in line with shoulders).
With your weight in your heels, sit your hips back. Lowering your hips down until they are parallel with your knees bent at 90 degree angle.
Then drive through your heels to return to the starting position, squeezing your glutes to stand tall.
Modifications: Perform a back squat placing one dumbbells horizontally across your neck (one head of the dumbbell resting on each shoulder). Or hold both dumbbells at your sides. Alternatively, you can drop the dumbbells and perform bodyweight squats.
2. Staggered Deadlift with Dumbbells
Targets: Hamstrings, glutes, hips, lats and traps. The staggered stance places and extra emphasis on the hamstrings, glutes and hips of the front leg.
How to do a Staggered Deadlift with Dumbbells:
Stand with your feet hip-width apart, hold one dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
Stagger your feet, so your right leg is approximately one foot-length in front of your left foot. Kickstand your back left foot, left heel floating off the ground.
Keep 80% of your weight in your front right foot, 20% in your back left toe.
With legs straight, hinge at your hips to lower your torso as you slide the dumbbells down your legs. Think about pushing your hips towards the wall behind you.
Hinge until you feel a stretch in the back of your front right leg (range of motion will be different for everyone). Then drive through your front right heel to stand up straight; returning to the starting position.
Complete 8 reps on the right leg, then switch sides, completing 8 reps on the left leg.
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Hold one dumbbell in each hand at your sides.
Step your right leg back into a reverse lunge, dropping your right knee down towards the ground as you lower your hips until both knees reach a 90 degree angle, front thigh parallel to the floor.
Then squeeze your left leg glute, driving your back, right leg forward as you stand up.
Repeat, stepping back with your left leg, then driving through your right glute to stand up.
4. Low Lunge + Rear Leg Lift
Targets: Legs, glutes, quads and hamstrings.
How to do a Low Lunge + Rear Leg Lift:
Start in a low lunge position, right leg forward, left leg back; both knees bent at 90 degree angles. Option to rest your hands on the heads of your dumbbells for balance support.
Engage your front right glute as you stand up, balancing on your right leg. While simultaneously, squeezing your butt to lift your back left leg into the air (performing a rear leg lift).
With control, return your left leg to the ground and lower back down to a low lunge position.
5. Dumbbell Front Squat + Side Leg Lift (optional resistance band)
Targets: Glutes, quads, and core; and the side leg lift places an extra emphasis on the hips and abductors (outer glute/hip muscles).
How to do a Dumbbell Front Squat + Side Leg Lift:
Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes pointing straight ahead or slightly angled out away from the body. Optional resistance band placed about 6 inches above your ankles (around the calf/shin area).
“Front Rack” your dumbbells at shoulder height. Placing the back head of each dumbbell on your shoulders; elbows up and pointing straight ahead (think elbows in line with shoulders).
With your weight in your heels, sit your hips back. Lowering your hips down until they are parallel with your knees bent at 90 degree angle.
Then drive through your heels to stand, squeezing your glutes to stand tall.
With your core engaged, transfer your weight into your left leg as you lift your right leg out the side.
Lower your right leg back to the ground with control to return to the starting position. Then repeat steps 1-4 (front squat) and perform a side leg lift on the left leg. Continue this squat and alternating side leg lift pattern.
6. Lateral Resistance Band Walk + Squat
Targets: Legs, glutes, quads, hips, abductors and core.
How to do a Lateral Resistance Band Walk + Squat:
Place an optional resistance band around your calf/shin area (above 6 inches above your ankle joint).
Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips to create tension across the band (activating your glutes). Hold one dumbbell at your chest.
Bend your knees to lower down into a squat position. Dropping your hips down, weight in heels, chest up.
Hold this loaded squat position, as you take two wide lateral steps to your right; stretching the band as far as you can with each step.
After two steps to the right, drive through your heels to stand tall.
Lower back into a loaded squat position, and take two wide lateral steps to your left. Repeat this pattern.
7. Sumo Squat + Sumo Deadlift
Targets: Quads, glutes, hamstrings, hips, and inner thighs (or adductors).
How to do a Sumo Squat + Sumo Deadlift with Dumbbells:
Stand with feet wider than hips, heels in and toes pointed out (sumo squat stance). Hold one dumbbell in each hand between your legs.
Bend your knees to lower down into a sumo squat, pushing your knees out towards your pinky toes as you drop your hips parallel to your knees.
Hold at the bottom of your sumo squat, then push your hips up and rotate your toes to be parallel (facing forward).
Squeeze your glutes and inner thighs as you pull the dumbbells up your thighs (like you’re doing a deadlift) to stand tall.
At the top of your deadlift, slightly rotate toes out to find the top of your sumo squat stance. Repeat.
8. Sumo Squat + Lunge
Targets: Quads, glutes, hips and adductors (inner thigh muscles).
How to do a Sumo Squat + Lunge:
Stand with feet wider than hips, heels in and toes pointed out (sumo squat stance). Hold one dumbbell at your chest.
Bend your knees to lower down into a sumo squat, pushing knees out towards your pinky toes. Think about trying to stay as low as possible through this entire movement.
Rotate your hips to the right as you drop your back left knee into a lunge position, both knees bent at 90 degrees and your front right leg parallel to the ground. Toes pivot to follow hips.
Push through your front right foot to stand and pivot your hips back to center; returning to a low sumo squat position.
Then rotate your hips to the left and repeat this lunge, sumo squat pattern.
How often should women train legs?
I suggest strength training or hitting the weights at least three days per week to maximize muscle growth.
Of these three days, I would recommend two of them incorporate lower body strength training exercises.
If you want a more structured training schedule, try one of our free home workout plans. These plans train legs 1-3 days a week.
Why are leg workouts harder (than arm workouts)?
Your legs are the LARGEST muscle group in your body. Thus, exercises like squats and deadlifts recruit A LOT of muscles.
The more muscles that are working, the harder the exercise will be. Making leg day one of the hardest workouts.
This post includes affiliate links. I do make a small commission for products purchased using these links. Thank you for supporting Nourish Move Love, making the content you see on this blog possible.
21 comments
I have done a few of your leg workouts and have loved them all. However, my legs have felt the most sore after this one, especially my hamstrings. Just goes to show how good it is to change it up. Thanks, Lindsay! YOU ARE THE BEST!
Way to go Theresa!!! Yes, always good to mix it up — this one really does hit the back of the legs! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Love your workouts! You have so much energy which inspires me to keep going, even at my own pace. Was looking for information on NOW products but will look on their website. Thank you for all your recommendations on products.
Way to go Kelly! So glad you are enjoying the workouts! Let me know if you have questions on specific NOW products — you can find and updated list of the current NOW products I’m using in this post — https://www.nourishmovelove.com/30-minute-pull-workout/! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Hi! LOVED this workout! Could really feel the burn! I am a new follower and have gotten my friends on board (some pregnant and some postpartum like me) and we are LOVING everything! Thank you so much for what you do! Also, I am looking for the Now protein where you talk about your pre and post workout regimen and I cannot find it, it is probably right in front of my face haha! Thanks!
Way to go Mojisola! So glad you enjoyed this workout and I hope you come back for more! -Lindsey
I LOVE your workouts! Thank you for inspiring many of us and I use some of your moves in creating my own HIIT workouts I instruct for others…Your hard work and positive efforts are reaching many people. I learn great things from YOU!!
Angie! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts! Always fun to borrow moves from other instructors! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Another awesome workout! Thank you! Excited to give the Now protein a try too!
Bethany! Nice work getting this workout done and starting the week strong! Yes, I hope you LOVE the NOW protein and come back and do this workout again! -Lindsey
Awesome, tough workout!! Thank you!
Thanks MaryEllen! So glad you enjoyed the workout, and thanks for giving it a try! I hope you come back and do it again soon. Have a great day! Lindsey
Can’t wait to try this workout and feel the burn! I can’t always watch a video. Do you have still pictures of each of the moves? Thanks!
Hi Laura! Yes, do it! It’s a legs on fire, good burn! I do have the full workout outlined in this post, but I do not have a photo of each image as there is a full length video that accompanies it. I’m sorry. But if you can give the video a try one time, then you should be all set so you can see each move. That said, if you prefer the workouts without the full video and images of each move, there are plenty of those on the blog too. Currently the most popular is these 6 Booty Burning Exercises — https://www.nourishmovelove.com/6-best-booty-building-exercises-women/. Thanks again for checking out this post! Have a great day. Lindsey
Hi. Great workout. Leg workouts are my fav. I have a shoulder injury which I have to rest. I did these moves without weights…I used bands instead.
I also like NOW products. I just wish they would have a lower sodium content line of protein products and unsweetened. One can always add their own flavoring and sweetener.
Your blog is one of my favorites. Thank you.
Hi Chloe! Thank you for giving the workout a try, so glad you liked it! I’m with you, leg workouts are my favorite too! And nice work getting it done with bands despite your shoulder injury. Thank you for the feedback on the NOW products, I’ll be sure to share this with the NOW team! I appreciate your kind words about my blog, thank you so much for following along! Have a great day. -Lindsey
Wow! Love this workout and I really do appreciate you sharing the supplements that benefit your family! Is there a code I should use to purchase a couple of these products in order for it to be linked to you?
Hi Cayla! Thanks so much for giving the workout a try! So glad you liked it, and hope you come back and do it again. And thank you for asking about a code to purchase the NOW products, but no I do not have a code, I’m sorry. Thanks again for checking out this post and have a great day! -Lindsey
I have done a few of your leg workouts and have loved them all. However, my legs have felt the most sore after this one, especially my hamstrings. Just goes to show how good it is to change it up. Thanks, Lindsay! YOU ARE THE BEST!
Way to go Theresa!!! Yes, always good to mix it up — this one really does hit the back of the legs! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Love your workouts! You have so much energy which inspires me to keep going, even at my own pace. Was looking for information on NOW products but will look on their website. Thank you for all your recommendations on products.
Way to go Kelly! So glad you are enjoying the workouts! Let me know if you have questions on specific NOW products — you can find and updated list of the current NOW products I’m using in this post — https://www.nourishmovelove.com/30-minute-pull-workout/! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Hi! LOVED this workout! Could really feel the burn! I am a new follower and have gotten my friends on board (some pregnant and some postpartum like me) and we are LOVING everything! Thank you so much for what you do! Also, I am looking for the Now protein where you talk about your pre and post workout regimen and I cannot find it, it is probably right in front of my face haha! Thanks!
Way to go Kaitie! So glad you loved this leg workout, and thank you SO MUCH for sharing with your friends! You’re right we’ve since updated this content but you can find all the details on the NOW products I use in this more recent post — https://www.nourishmovelove.com/30-minute-pull-workout/. I use this Organic Pea Protein Powder — https://www.nowfoods.com/sports-nutrition/pea-protein-organic-creamy-vanilla-powder! I hope that helps! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Thanks for this
Way to go Mojisola! So glad you enjoyed this workout and I hope you come back for more! -Lindsey
I LOVE your workouts! Thank you for inspiring many of us and I use some of your moves in creating my own HIIT workouts I instruct for others…Your hard work and positive efforts are reaching many people. I learn great things from YOU!!
Angie! I’m so glad you’re loving the workouts! Always fun to borrow moves from other instructors! Keep up the great work! -Lindsey
Another awesome workout! Thank you! Excited to give the Now protein a try too!
Bethany! Nice work getting this workout done and starting the week strong! Yes, I hope you LOVE the NOW protein and come back and do this workout again! -Lindsey
Awesome, tough workout!! Thank you!
Thanks MaryEllen! So glad you enjoyed the workout, and thanks for giving it a try! I hope you come back and do it again soon. Have a great day! Lindsey
Can’t wait to try this workout and feel the burn! I can’t always watch a video. Do you have still pictures of each of the moves? Thanks!
Hi Laura! Yes, do it! It’s a legs on fire, good burn! I do have the full workout outlined in this post, but I do not have a photo of each image as there is a full length video that accompanies it. I’m sorry. But if you can give the video a try one time, then you should be all set so you can see each move. That said, if you prefer the workouts without the full video and images of each move, there are plenty of those on the blog too. Currently the most popular is these 6 Booty Burning Exercises — https://www.nourishmovelove.com/6-best-booty-building-exercises-women/. Thanks again for checking out this post! Have a great day. Lindsey
Hi. Great workout. Leg workouts are my fav. I have a shoulder injury which I have to rest. I did these moves without weights…I used bands instead.
I also like NOW products. I just wish they would have a lower sodium content line of protein products and unsweetened. One can always add their own flavoring and sweetener.
Your blog is one of my favorites. Thank you.
Hi Chloe! Thank you for giving the workout a try, so glad you liked it! I’m with you, leg workouts are my favorite too! And nice work getting it done with bands despite your shoulder injury. Thank you for the feedback on the NOW products, I’ll be sure to share this with the NOW team! I appreciate your kind words about my blog, thank you so much for following along! Have a great day. -Lindsey
Wow! Love this workout and I really do appreciate you sharing the supplements that benefit your family! Is there a code I should use to purchase a couple of these products in order for it to be linked to you?
Hi Cayla! Thanks so much for giving the workout a try! So glad you liked it, and hope you come back and do it again. And thank you for asking about a code to purchase the NOW products, but no I do not have a code, I’m sorry. Thanks again for checking out this post and have a great day! -Lindsey