The Dumbbell Bear

While looking for a new, dynamic workout one day, I stumbled across The Fitness Conduit. That day the featured dumbbell exercise was something called The Dumbbell Bear. The set-up is 5 Dumbbell Deadlifts, 5 Dumbbell Hang Cleans, 5 Dumbbell Thrusters performed on the minute for 20 minutes with a load of 45% of bodyweight. This will give you about 30 seconds of work and 30 seconds of rest for 20 minutes. Sound easy? It's not.

This first time I tried this exercise I grabbed the 40 pounders and immediately put them back because they felt heavy. I grabbed some 35's and started the exercise and was only able to complete 4 sets before I ran out of rest time. I dropped down to 25's and finished 11 more rounds before the 20 minutes was up. I was exhausted and dripping sweat. I immediately loved this exercise. I've worked my way up to the 35 pounders and can finish all 20 rounds in 20 minutes now. My goal is be able to do it with the 40's which will put me just above the 45% of bodyweight goal.