ActiveWorkoutsThis no-nonsense dumbbell workout builds stronger quads, calves and glutes in 30 minutesThere’s no reason to spend hours in the gym when there’s workouts like this oneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

ActiveWorkoutsThis no-nonsense dumbbell workout builds stronger quads, calves and glutes in 30 minutesThere’s no reason to spend hours in the gym when there’s workouts like this oneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

There’s no reason to spend hours in the gym when there’s workouts like this one

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A man performing dumbbell lunges

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It doesn’t matter how busy you are, skipping leg day is a big no, no, especially if you’re trying to build a stronger, functional body. The good news is you don’t need to spend hours squatting or lunging for an effective workout. This session won’t just hit every major muscle in your lower body, but you’ll have it done and dusted in 30 minutes and all you need istwo dumbbells. We can promise it will save you time, but we can’t promise it won’t leave you feeling pretty tender afterwards.

Not only can dumbbells deliver a crushing leg workout, theBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation Journalsays that free-weight exercises are “more “functional” than machine-based exercises with a better transfer to improvements in daily physical function”. This is because dumbbell exercises use movement patterns that we perform in everyday life, such as pressing, lunging and squatting. The stronger we become in these patterns the more efficiently our bodies can function and we reduce our risk of injury.

If you’re planning on crushing two lower body sessions for the week, then here’s anotherfour-move workout(this time you only need one dumbbell/kettlebell) that you’ll be able to blast through in just 25 minutes. Don’t forget about your upper body though! Thisfive-move workoutwill help sculpt the muscles in your arms, shoulders and back.

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Woman doing leg raises on the floor

Try this 4-week core workout plan to build strength, stability, and definitionUnlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results

Unlock full-body power with this simple yet effective core routine – no endless crunches, just real results

a woman performing cat cow exercise

A fitness expert says you only need this three minute mobility routine to improve your posture – so I tried itWas three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?

Was three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?

Man doing leg press

The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help

Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help

A woman performing dumbbell squats in her living room

You only need two dumbbells and this 30-minute workout to grow your glutes at home

A man doing concentration bicep curls in the gym

Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!

It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!

A woman performing dumbbell lunges

Skip the run — blast through calories with two dumbbells and this 20-minute HIIT workoutChris Hemsworth’s trainer, Luke Zocchi, brings you a workout that’ll leave you feeling fitter and stronger

Chris Hemsworth’s trainer, Luke Zocchi, brings you a workout that’ll leave you feeling fitter and stronger

a man performing push ups

Scrap long workouts — this 20-minute session helps build muscle and strength all overDon’t want to head to the gym either? You can do this workout from the comfort of your home

Don’t want to head to the gym either? You can do this workout from the comfort of your home

A woman doing kettlebell swings

Forget long workouts – I tried Hugh Jackman’s trainer’s two-move full-body workoutIt left me feeling fitter and stronger, and all you need is a kettlebell

It left me feeling fitter and stronger, and all you need is a kettlebell

A woman performing squats while wearing a rucksack

You only need a rucksack and this 30-minute workout to boost full-body strength and fitnessIt’s also low-impact and easy on the joints

It’s also low-impact and easy on the joints