Ask someone what makes a good workout, and they’ll probably say it needs to be quick and it needs to be convenient. (They might also say it needs to be painless but you can’t keep everyone happy.)
As a seven-time Mr Olympia champion-turned-purveyor of daily fitness tips and inspiration, Arnold Schwarzenegger knows this only too well, which is why this week he shared a short, convenient complex workout via his Pump Club newsletter.
Complexes involve performing several exercises back-to-back in one continuous sequence, much like a circuit workout. The difference between the two is that a complex uses one piece of equipment, like a pair of dumbbells or a kettlebell, they’re a handy option when the gym gets busy or if your home workout kit is limited. They build muscle, burn fat and provide a side helping of cardiovascular gains too.
I enjoyed the last Arnold Schwarzenegger dumbbell workout I tried, so I started my Monday with this Schwarzenegger-endorsed complex and it didn’t disappoint, but it’s also a lot more beginner-friendly than you might imagine. To help make it even more accessible, I’ve added regressions for each exercise below if you need to dial down the intensity as fatigue sets in.
Ready to give it a try? All you need is a timer and pair of dumbbells.
How to do Arnold Schwarzenegger’s five-move dumbbell complex
This workout involves five dumbbell exercises, alternating between a lower-body and upper-body movement. Perform five reps of each exercise, resting as little as possible between each, to complete one round. Set the weights down and rest for 1-2 minutes, then repeat.
For beginners, Schwarzenegger’s team recommends setting a timer for 10 minutes. People with more training experience can increase that to 20 or 30 minutes as appropriate. Make a note of how many rounds and reps you complete in your chosen time period and try to beat it next time.
Schwarzenegger’s…
Read the full article here
