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Circuit Training: 30-Minute Full Body Circuit Workout

Build strength and burn body fat at home with this circuit training workout. Each circuit contains four dumbbell exercises: upper body, lower body, cardio and core. This popular format builds strength and burns calories at home, using just a set of dumbbells.

Build muscular strength and endurance while improving your cardiovascular conditioning at home with this circuit training workout.

When I taught group fitness classes, I often taught workouts in this full body “shred” format. This format combines an upper body exercise, lower body exercise, core exercise and cardio exercise within each circuit.

Circuit training is effective because it combines cardio and strength training exercises back-to-back, with minimal rest time between exercises. Alternating the focus area of each exercise encourages you to lift heavy while challenging your endurance.

Timed intervals of work make this full body circuit workout scalable for all fitness levels. Take each exercise at your pace, performing as many reps as possible while maintaining good form.

three people performing a bent over back row with dumbbells in a circuit training workout

Build total body strength and burn fat at home with this full body circuit workout.

Each circuit combines four compound dumbbell exercises, targeting every major muscle group in the arms, legs and core.

Add this circuit workout to your home training program 1-2 times per week to build and maintain total body strength.

Workout Equipment:

Medium-to-Heavy Set of Dumbbells. I suggest 8-20 lb dumbbells. I’m using 12 lb dumbbells in this workout video.

Workout Instructions:

Follow along with the guided Circuit Workout on YouTubeled by certified personal trainer, Lindsey Bomgren. 

Your Workout Looks Like This:

  • 3 Circuits
  • 4 Exercises Per Circuit (upper body, lower body, core and cardio)
  • Timed Intervals (45 seconds of work, 15 seconds rest for the strength exercises; 30 seconds of work, 30 seconds rest for the cardio exercises. Complete as many repetitions as you can in the timed interval.)
  • Repeat Each Circuit x2 Sets 
three people performing a dumbbell squat in a full body circuit workout

Prefer to Watch On YouTube?

youtube icon Circuit Workout

Workout Outline

CIRCUIT ONE:

  1. Arms: Upright Row and Row to Overhead Shoulder Press
  2. Legs: 2-Pulse Squat Thruster
  3. Core: Plank and Dumbbell Open to T
  4. Cardio: Burpee and Dumbbell Pick Up

CIRCUIT TWO:

  1. Arms: 4 Reverse Grip Back Rows and 4 Bicep Curls
  2. Legs: Curtsy Lunge and Bicep Curl and Squat
  3. Core: Dumbbell Pullover and Alternating Leg Lower
  4. Cardio: 3 Skaters and 1 Single Leg Bound

CIRCUIT THREE:

  1. Arms: Push Up and Straight Arm Tricep Kickback
  2. Legs: Pass Through Lunges
  3. Core: Hollow Rock Scissor Chops
  4. Cardio: Single Leg Lunge Drops

12 Full Body Circuit Exercises

Upright Row and Row to Overhead Shoulder Press

Targets: Back, shoulder muscles and core.

three people performing a dumbbell upright row and row to overhead shoulder press in a circuit training workout

How To Do An Upright Row and Row to Overhead Shoulder Press

  1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a pair of dumbbells, palms facing in towards your body.
  2. With control, pull your elbows up towards your shoulders, gliding the dumbbells up your body. This is an upright row.
  3. With control, lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  4. The repeat for a second upright row. At the top of the second row, flip the palms so they’re now facing out away from you.
  5. Then perform an overhead shoulder press by pressing the dumbbells straight overhead.
  6. Lower the dumbbells down to your shoulders with control, flip the palms so they’re facing in towards your body again, and lower the dumbbells all the way back down to the starting position.

2-Pulse Squat Thruster

Targets: Legs, glutes, hamstrings, quads, hips, shoulders, abs and core.

Squat thrusters are a good way to raise your heart rate.

three people performing a 2-pulse squat thruster with dumbbells front racked in a circuit training workout

How To Do A 2-Pulse Squat Thruster

  1. Start standing, feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold one dumbbell in each hand at your shoulders (front-rack position, overhand grip, palms facing in).
  2. With your weight in your heels, step your right foot out so feet are now shoulder-width distance apart. As you do so, sit your hips back to lower into a squat, striving for a 90-degree angle between your hips and knees.
  3. At the bottom of your squat, pulse up an inch and down an inch for a two-count.
  4. Then, drive through your heels, squeezing your glutes to stand tall. As you stand, bring the right foot back in to meet the left foot while performing a squat thruster, pressing the dumbbells straight overhead.
  5. Bring the weights back down to shoulder height and repeat the sequence, stepping the right foot out for the entire timed interval. Switch the leg that steps out on the next set.

Modification: Option to omit the overhead press. You can also omit the front rack and keep the dumbbells at your sides.

Plank and Dumbbell Open to T

Targets: The entire core with an emphasis on the obliques. Your chest, shoulders and arms are also engaged.

Your core stabilizes your hips as you pull the dumbbell overhead.

three people performing a high plank and open to T with dumbbell pulled overhead in a circuit training workout

How To Do A Plank and Dumbbell Open to T

  1. Center your dumbbell on the mat between your hands. Start in high plank position, maintaining a straight line with your body, gaze slightly in front of you.
  2. Hold plank and grab the dumbbell with your right hand. Flex your core and open into a side plank as you pull the dumbbell overhead with your right hand. Hold this position for a moment as your body mimics a sideways “T” shape. Hips high and obliques turned on.
  3. With control, return the dumbbell back to the mat as you return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat, alternating the hand that grabs the dumbbell and pulls overhead.

Modification: Perform the high plank from your knees and perform the side plank with your knee on the mat. Option to do this as a bodyweight ab exercise instead of a weighted ab exercise.

Burpee and Dumbbell Pick Up

Targets: Legs, glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest, triceps, abs and core muscles.

three people performing a burpee and dumbbell pick up in a circuit training workout

How To Do A Burpee and Dumbbell Pick Up

  1. Center your dumbbell between your feet and start in a low squat position, feet hip-width apart, knees driving out towards toes, aiming to get your thighs parallel to the ground. Hold for a moment.
  2. Then plant your hands on the mat and hop back to a high plank position, hands are framing your dumbbell. Hold high plank, shoulders over wrists, core engaged, tailbone tucked.
  3. Hop your feet up to meet your hands (landing in a low squat position). As you land in a low squat, grab the dumbbell.
  4. Then, explode up (option to jump) as you pull the dumbbell up along your body as though performing a deadlift.
  5. Land softly in a low squat position, set the dumbbell back on the ground and repeat.

Modification: Option to omit the dumbbell pick up. Take this at your pace – you can make this low impact by stepping in and standing tall rather than jumping.

4 Reverse Grip Back Rows and 4 Bicep Curls

Targets: The lower back and upper back (specifically the lats and rhomboids) as well as the bicep muscles.

three people performing 4 reverse grip back rows and 4 bicep curls in a circuit training workout

How To Do 4 Reverse Grip Back Rows and 4 Bicep Curls

  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Grip a pair of dumbbells in your hands, palms facing out (reverse grip).
  2. Hinge at the hips until your chest is parallel to the floor.
  3. Pull the dumbbells back towards your hips, performing a bent over row. Feel your shoulder blades squeeze together.
  4. With control, slowly lower the dumbbells back to starting position. Repeat for four reverse grip back rows.
  5. Then, stand tall and squeeze your bicep muscles to curl the weights up to shoulder-height as you exhale, performing a standard bicep curl. Repeat for four bicep curls.

Curtsy Lunge and Bicep Curl and Squat

Targets: Legs, glutes, quads, hamstrings, biceps and core.

three people performing a curtsy lunge and bicep curl and squat in a circuit training workout

How To Do A Curtsy Lunge and Bicep Curl and Squat

  1. Start standing, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold a set of dumbbells in your hands, palms facing in towards your body.  
  2. Step your left leg back into a curtsy lunge (left knee behind right calf), left knee lowers towards the mat. Lower your hips until both knees reach a 90-degree angle, front thigh parallel to the floor.
  3. At the bottom of the curtsy lunge, perform a standard bicep curl by flipping the palms out so they’re facing away from you, then curling the weights up to shoulder height with control.
  4. Slowly lower the weights back down, then squeeze your right glute, driving your back, left leg forward as you stand up. As you stand, bring your feet parallel and shoulder-width apart.
  5. Then, lower down into a squat position, lowering your hips down parallel with your knees. Drive your knees out toward your outer three toes.
  6. Drive through your heels to stand tall, squeezing your glutes.
  7. That’s one rep. Repeat, stepping the left leg back into a curtsy lunge this entire set. Switch legs on the next set.

Modification: Option to omit the bicep curl.

Dumbbell Pullover and Alternating Leg Lower

Targets: The lats (latissimus dorsi), lower abs, pelvic floor and deep transverse abdominal abs.

three people performing an overhead pull with dumbbells and alternating leg lowers

How To Do A Dumbbell Pullover and Alternating Leg Lower

  1. Lay flat on your back, holding one or two dumbbells in your hands with arms extended overhead (one dumbbell horizontally or two dumbbells vertically).
  2. Extend your legs straight up so they’re parallel with your arms, slight bend in the knees, feet are flexed.
  3. With a slight bend in the elbows, slowly lower the dumbbells overhead towards the ground. Range of motion will look different for everyone, but you should try to keep your low back pressed into the mat/ground.
  4.  As you lower the dumbbells towards the ground, keep your low back pressed into the mat and brace your core as you slowly lower your right heel towards the mat.
  5. Engage the lats as you exhale and pull the dumbbells back overhead, raising the right foot back up to meet the left foot as well. Think of pulling your armpits down towards your hips to return back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat, alternating the leg that lowers to the ground.

Modification: Option to bend the knees, shortening the range of motion for the leg lowers.

3 Skaters and 1 Single Leg Bound

Targets: Legs, glutes (outer gluteus medius), quads, hamstrings, hips, calves and core.

three people performing three skaters and one single leg bound in a circuit training workout

How To Do 3 Skaters and 1 Single Leg Bound

  1. Start standing in an athletic stance, feet hip-distance apart, knees slightly bent, core engaged.
  2. Push off your right foot to bound laterally to the left, landing in a loaded skater position on your left foot. Left knee bent, right leg tracking behind your left foot in a skater position.
  3. Then, drive off your planted left foot to bound laterally back to the right. Landing softly on your right foot. Right knee bent, left leg tracking behind your right foot in a skater position.
  4. Push off your right foot to bound laterally to the left once more, landing in a loaded skater position on the left foot.
  5. Then perform a single leg bound on the left foot, exploding off the left foot as high as you can.
  6. Land softly with control and repeat, alternating the skaters and the leg that performs the bound.

Modification: Option to make this low impact. You can omit the single leg bound and instead perform a knee drive.

Push Up and Straight Arm Tricep Kickback

Targets: Chest, shoulders, triceps, back, abs and core muscles.

three people performing a push up and straight arm tricep kickback with a dumbbell in a circuit training workout

How To Do A Push Up and Straight Arm Tricep Kickback

  1. Start in a high plank position, placing your hands on a set of weights. Pull your kneecaps up towards your belly, feet hip-width apart.
  2. Hold this plank position, maintaining a straight line with your body, gaze slightly in front of you.
  3. Slowly lower your chest down towards the ground as your elbows fall back towards your hips (not out to the sides).
  4. Once at the bottom of your push up, exhale as you push back up into high plank position.
  5. At the top of the high plank, perform a straight arm tricep kickback by pulling the dumbbell in your right hand back toward your hip.
  6. With control, lower the dumbbell back to the ground and repeat the sequence, alternating the arm that performs the tricep kickback.

Modification: Option to take the push up from your knees, popping to the toes for the tricep kickback.

Pass Through Lunges

Targets: Legs, hamstrings, quads, glutes, abs and core.

three people performing pass through lunges with dumbbells in a circuit training workout

How To Do Pass Through Lunges

  1. Start standing, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands, palms facing in towards your body.
  2. Step your right leg back into a reverse lunge, lowering your hips until both knees reach a 90-degree angle, front thigh parallel to the ground.
  3. Then squeeze your left leg glute, driving your back, right leg forward to stand tall.
  4. As you do so, “pass through” and immediately perform a front lunge by stepping the right leg forward, lowering your hips until both knees reach a 90-degree angle, front thigh parallel to the ground.
  5. Then, drive off the front right heel to stand tall and repeat the movement of reverse lunge into a front lunge.

Hollow Rock Scissor Chops

Targets: Upper abs, lower abs, obliques, transverse abdomen (deep core muscles below your rectus abdomen or six pack ab muscles) and hips.

three people performing hollow rock scissor chops in a circuit training workout

How To Do Hollow Rock Scissor Chops

  1. Start lying on your back with your legs straight. Engage your core and press your low back into the mat. Arms are at your sides.
  2. Contract your abs by pulling your hip bones together to activate your transverse abdominal muscles. Then lift both legs off the mat (legs straight). This is your “hollow rock” position.
  3. From this hollow rock position, perform alternating scissor chops, pulling the right leg towards the face as you send the left leg towards the mat.
  4. Quickly reverse the movement repeatedly so your legs are moving back and forth quickly throughout the timed interval. Keep your low back pressed into the mat the entire time.

Single Leg Lunge Drops

Targets: Legs, glutes, quads, hips, hamstrings, calves and core.

three people performing single leg lunge drops in a circuit training workout

How To Do Single Leg Lunge Drops

  1. Start standing feet hip-distance apart, slight bend in your knees and core engaged.
  2. Jump your right foot back into a reverse lunge, aiming for 90-degree angles in each knee.
  3. Then, perform a “lunge jump” by exploding up from the split lunge position, bringing both feet together as you stand tall.
  4. This is one rep. Repeat, “dropping” or jumping the right foot back into a reverse lunge position for the entire set.

Circuit Training FAQs

What Is Circuit Training?

A circuit training workout combines cardio, strength and endurance in one workout. It involves performing a series of exercises consecutively, moving quickly through circuits with minimal rest between exercises (typically, 15-20 seconds). During circuit workouts, you move from one exercise to the next until the circuit is completed, then repeat the circuit.

Is Circuit Training Good For Beginners?

Circuit training provides an effective way to build strength and improve your cardiovascular fitness while avoiding fitness plateaus and boredom. These workouts typically include compound movements that are excellent for building overall strength and fitness, especially for beginners. That said, circuit training can be adapted for any fitness level. You can continue to challenge yourself through circuit training by reaching for heavier dumbbells.

Pin this 30-Minute Circuit Training Workout

Full Body Circuit Workout

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4 comments
  1. love your workouts they are keeping me going .Please keep the full body workouts with dbells. You are my inspiration. God bless you.