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This 25-minute intermediate workout focuses on dumbbell workout plan. Led by Linda Chambers, it targets glutes, core, quads with evidence-based exercises designed for women of all fitness levels.

Exercise Breakdown

17 exercises in Workout 5

Warm-up3 exercises
2m 28s
0:45
Inchworms

Walking the hands out into that high plank, coming into the forward fold.

full bodyhamstringscoreshoulders
low
1:46
Good Mornings

I like this variation because I feel that I can keep my upper back a little bit longer and flatter.

hamstringsgluteslower back
low
2:36
Wide Stance Squats

Dropping the hips, pushing the knees out on the way down.

glutesquadships
low
Strength11 exercises
14m 49s
3:25
Sumo Squats

Turning the toes out real nice and wide and turning the heels inwards.

glutesinner thighsquads
medium
4:26
One and a Half Rep Sumo Squats

Lower all the way down, lift halfway up, lower all the way down, and then rise all the way up.

glutesquadsinner thighs
high
5:55
Heel Elevated Staggered Squats

Hold at the bottom, just really feeling the load and the weight come into that hip.

quadsglutesankles
high
7:45
Cossack Lunges

Staying down nice and low, we're gonna shift from one side to the other.

inner thighsgluteships
medium
9:10
One and a Half Rep Split Squats

Check that your feet are a good distance away from each other.

quadsglutescore
high
11:50
Frog Press

Soles of the feet together, or externally rotate the knees.

outer thighsglutesinner thighs
medium
13:50
Bird Dog Variation

Extend the arm and the leg out in front of us, and then pull the weight and the knee underneath us.

coreshouldersglutes
low
14:55
Floating Knee Pulses

You're not using your legs to lift, you're pulling from the lower abs.

corequadsforearms
high
16:00
Alternating Toe Touches

Tiny bit of a turn as you reach.

coreobliques
medium
17:30
V-Up Crunches

Reach to the toes or reach to the ankles, and then extend everything down.

coreinner thighs
high
18:40
Commando Plank

Keeping the hips as still as we can.

coreshouldersarms
high
Flexibility1 exercise
55s
21:25
Standing Figure Four Stretch

Ankle on the thigh, and then you're gonna sit your butt back.

gluteships
low
Cool-down2 exercises
2m 32s
19:40
Cool-down: Downward Dog & Lunges

Pushing one heel down, bending the other knee.

spinehamstringship flexors
low
22:25
Quad Stretch

Pulling the heel in, pressing the knee down.

quads
low

Muscles Targeted

Primary

glutescorequads

Secondary

inner thighshamstringsshoulders

Equipment & Modifications

Equipment Needed

  • dumbbells

Don't Have Equipment?

You can substitute with:

water bottlescanned goodsresistance bands

Available Modifications

  • Bend the knees as you lower
  • Hands on lower back instead of temples
  • Body weight only
  • Without weights
  • Allow toes to come off ground
  • Increase reps to 16
  • Fingertips to ceiling for stability challenge
  • Knees bent for more support
  • Lift knees and tap toes
  • Drop down to the knees
  • Can be done on the ground

Coaching Highlights from Linda Chambers

I like this variation because I feel that I can keep my upper back a little bit longer and flatter.

Form

Check that your feet are a good distance away from each other.

Safety

If you need to bend the knees, bend them as you lower.

Modification

Don't cheat. Let's make sure we do that full one-and-a-half rep range.

Motivation

Linda brings clinical precision to every session. Her background in corrective exercise shows in how she cues alignment and breathing.

Form

Health Benefits

Women who want to build real glutes and core strength without a gym membership. Particularly relevant if you're navigating unexplained weight gain, dating after 40, or aging appearance. Best for women with 3-6 months of consistent training. Linda Chambers moves at a pace that assumes basic movement literacy.

unexplained weight gain

90% relevant

muscle mass preservation (metabolic rate); insulin sensitivity improvement; cortisol management; body composition over scale weight

dating after 40

90% relevant

Stress reduction and emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation; Improved body awareness, confidence, and self-perception; Enhanced posture and physical presence for increased self-assurance; Increased energy and vitality for social engagement; Development of lean muscle mass for metabolic health and body composition

aging appearance

90% relevant

Increased collagen production and skin elasticity through resistance training; Improved circulation and nutrient delivery to skin cells; Enhanced muscle definition and tone to reduce appearance of sagging; Better posture to create a more youthful and confident appearance; Stress reduction and cortisol management (via Yoga/Pilates) to mitigate cellular aging; Improved lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness

self worth decline

90% relevant

Enhances body awareness and interoception, fostering a more positive self-perception.; Builds physical strength and competence, translating to increased self-efficacy and confidence.; Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and improving emotional regulation.; Offers a structured routine and sense of accomplishment, counteracting feelings of helplessness.; Improves posture and physical presence, which can positively impact self-image and how one is perceived.

difficulty losing weight

90% relevant

Increased basal metabolic rate through muscle mass development; Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation; Enhanced hormonal balance (e.g., cortisol management, estrogen metabolism); Reduced visceral fat accumulation; Improved body composition and fat-to-muscle ratio; Stress reduction and improved sleep quality (indirectly supports weight management)

Relevant For

back painbalancebone densitycore strengthdiastasis rectiflexibilityhip painknee painmetabolismpelvic floorposturesciaticashoulder painstress

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Workouts & Topics

About the Trainer

Linda Chambers

Linda Chambers

Muscle Tone Trainer

From: Abs & Glutes