If I only had 10 minutes I'd do this power dumbbell walking workout

Up your step count and build strength from home

woman wearing a black vest with a living room background holding dumbbells and punching towards the camera
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Squeezing exercise into a busy day can be challenging, but with this 10-minute power dumbbell walking workout you can hit your step count and strength train in one quick session.

Walking is a great way to increase cardiovascular health and fitness. If you’re short on time or can’t get outside, this 10-minute circuit by personal trainer Rick Bhullar offers a great alternative.

Bhullar, from Get Fit With Rick, told his 593,000 YouTube subscribers: "The added resistance will truly elevate your workout intensity. It's about toning those muscles, making this a fantastic walk-and-tone workout.

"This light dumbbell walking workout is ideal for beginners, yet can also be customized for those who are more advanced."

All you need to get started is a pair of hand weights. If you don't own hand weights, I've suggested some to buy below. In the meantime, try this alternative 10-minute walking workout.

How to do the Get Fit With Rick power dumbbell walking workout

- YouTube  - YouTube
Watch On

Why adding weights to walking is a good idea

Incorporating weights into your walk or walking workout increases the intensity, making your muscles work harder and get stronger. You can use ankle weights, hand weights, wear a weighted vest or even add a few heavy items to a backpack for added resistance.

However, it’s important to start light to avoid strain or injury. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) recommends using hand or ankle weights between one and three pounds. Beginners should start with one pound, while intermediate and advanced levels can aim for two- or three-pound weights. Our guide to walking with weights provides more helpful advice for walking with ankle or hand weights.

If you’re considering a weighted vest, like this one from Zelus on Amazon, ACE suggests starting with a vest that weighs no more than 5% of your bodyweight.

Shop hand weights

Amazon's neoprene dumbbells are a great choice for this type of workout and there are reductions across the range as part of Amazon Prime's Big Deal Days.

Maddy Biddulph

Maddy Biddulph is a freelance journalist specializing in fitness, health and wellbeing content. With 26 years in consumer media, she has worked as a writer and editor for some of the bestselling newspapers, magazines and websites in the US and UK. 

She is also a qualified L3 personal trainer and weight loss advisor, and helps women over 40 navigate menopause by improving their physical and mental strength. At Maddy Biddulph Personal Training, she runs one-to-one and small group training for menopausal women who want to get fit to ease symptoms and feel like themselves again.