Everybody is busy. Therein lies much of the problem with getting to the gym for most of us. Finding 20 minutes to an hour a day, not to mention getting changed, showering, and the commute all give us excuses not to trek to the gym and spend some time sweating. That's why squeezing more into your workout is always helpful.
One way to burn extra calories and get more bang for your bicep is to combine cardio with your strength training. You can accomplish this with circuit training: jumping on a cardio machine after every few bouts with the dumbbells. Or you can up your heart rate, machine free with some of these free form cardio moves.
The mountain climber: Stand in a slight lunge position, one foot in front of the other by a few feet with front leg bent. Lean forward and place hands flat on the floor, a few inches in front of your lead foot. Your feet will be up on the toes. Keep weight mostly on your hands, placed directly underneath shoulders, and switch feet in one fluid motion. Continue switching feet as quickly as possible for 30 seconds to one minute.
Variation: equally as effective in getting your heart rate up but without putting stress on wrists or upper body, simply keep hands on hips and switch feet swiftly underneath you, keeping knees soft.
Squat and touch: Stand in a straddle squat, feet underneath knees and toes slightly turned out. Squat slightly, making sure knees do not go past toes, then spring upward and touch heels together in the air before landing softly in the wide squat once again. Complete 10 times.
Ball Toss: Hold a light to medium medicine ball in both hands. Squat and touch ball to the ground, making sure to keep knees over toes and feet flat on the floor, weight in the heels. Straighten legs as you bend your elbows and lift ball above head to gently toss upwards with both hands. Catch the ball above your head, keep it close to your body as you lower, and repeat. Concentrate on keeping the ball directly above your body while in the air and not tossing too far in front or in back of you. Complete 10 times.
Sideways shuffle: Keeping body square to the front of the room, quickly shuffle to one side for about 10 paces. Pause and briskly hop on toes 5 times. Shuffle back to starting point and repeat hops. Continue for 30 seconds to one minute.
Adding just one, two or all of these cardio/strengthening moves into your normal routine will get your heart rate up and keep it up, meaning you are getting a cardio workout at the same time as your weight training. This will burn more calories and save you time, which ought to make finding the time to get to the gym just a little bit easier.
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