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Workout Summary
Download WorkoutWorkout Description
This is a muscle building workout that I have been using lately now that I am training more often at commercial gyms. It works well both with, and without a training partner. If training with a partner, I recommend keeping rest periods brief. After your partner's set is finished, you should waste little time before hitting your next set.
Each training day is balanced. You start by challenging major muscle groups with 3 sets of compound or taxing machine exercises. Next, you follow up by finishing a muscle group with a more isolation-style movement that typically focuses on the use of 3 second negatives. Lastly, you work smaller muscle groups with 3 sets each, using 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
Here is the training schedule:
- Day 1 - Upper Body
- Day 2 - Lower Body
- Day 3 - Off
- Day 4 - Upper Body
- Day 5 - Lower Body
- Day 6 - Off
- Day 7 - Off
Upper body training days
Upper body training days follow this scheme:
- Chest - 3 sets, compound
- Back - 3 sets, compound
- Shoulders - 3 sets, compound
- Chest - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Back - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Shoulders - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Triceps - 3 sets, isolation or machine/cable exercises. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Biceps - 3 sets, isolation or machine/cable exercises. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
Lower body training days
Lower body training days follow this scheme:
- Quads - 3 sets, compound
- Hamstrings - 3 sets, compound
- Calves - 3 sets, taxing machine or isolation
- Quads - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Hamstrings - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Calves - 2 sets, isolation or machine/moderate compound. Use 3 second negatives when it makes sense.
- Abs - 3 sets, isolation or machine/cable exercises.
- Abs, Lower Back or Obliques - 3 sets, isolation or machine/cable exercises.
| Day 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Upper Body | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Bench Press | 3 | 6-12 |
| Barbell Row | 3 | 6-12 |
| Seated Overhead Dumbbell Press | 3 | 8-12 |
| Pec Dec - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| V-Bar Lat Pull Down - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Side Lateral Raise | 2 | 10-15 |
| Cable Tricep Extensions - 3 sec negative | 3 | 8-12 |
| Cable Curls - 3 sec negative | 3 | 8-12 |
| Day 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lower Body | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Squats | 3 | 6-12 |
| Stiff Leg Deadlifts | 3 | 8-12 |
| Standing Calf Raise | 3 | 10-15 |
| Leg Extensions - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Leg Curl - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Seated Calf Raise - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Cable Crunch - 3 sec negative | 3 | 10-12 |
| Cable Pull Through w/Rope | 3 | 10-12 |
| Day 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Upper Body | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 | 8-12 |
| Rack Deadlifts - 3" to 5" off ground | 3 | 5-8 |
| Military Press | 3 | 8-12 |
| Machine Chest Press - 3 sec negative | 2 | 8-12 |
| Pull Ups or Machine Rows - 3 sec negative | 2 | 8-12 |
| Machine Shoulder Press - 3 sec negative | 2 | 8-12 |
| Dumbbell Curls - 3 sec negative | 3 | 8-12 |
| Machine Tricep Dip - 3 sec negative | 3 | 8-12 |
| Day 5 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lower Body | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Leg Press | 3 | 10-20 |
| Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlifts | 3 | 8-12 |
| Leg Press Calf Raise | 3 | 10-15 |
| Hack Squat | 2 | 8-12 |
| Seated Leg Curl - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Seated Calf Raise - 3 sec negative | 2 | 10-12 |
| Planks | 3 | 60 sec |
| Hyperextension | 3 | 10-12 |
263 Comments+ Post Comment
Hi i want to start work out for the first time in my life so i'm tall 187cm with 92 kg weight. I want to build muscle and to lose fat is this work out plan good for that or should i found something difrent. I'm sorry if i typed something wrong i'm from europe.
Hey; thanks for that awesome routine. I'm skinny and I was wondering if I can split the 2nd upper day into 2 days just to be able to add more exercises specially for the chest.. Then my workout routine might be like: upper/lower/off/chest&back/lower/shoulders&arms/off... Is it possible?? If yes is it better to do the modification or should I stick to the routine as it is??
I've been working out for 2 months and it seems that nothing happens. I am an ASIAN of ectomorph body type. 135 pounds. What can you suggest
Hi Ron,
I'd recommend reading this and following its advice: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/expert-guides/muscle-building
I want to start increasing my size on all body parts. I can't get back 35 lbs when curling, meaning I can do a few reps but can't finish out a regular set. I can curl anything below 35 with ease, but can't go past that. What am I doing wrong and why can't I bicep curl more? Do I just need to continue curling 35lbs until I can complete a full set? Any suggestions would help me, cause I can bench everything else at a higher weight but not my arms /biceps for whatever reason. Please help me..
Hi Adam,
It's natural for your arms to be weaker than other, larger muscle groups. If you want to use more weight to target your biceps, do a more compound movement such as a chin up.
What I mean is that for whatever reason I can't curl a dumbell past 35 pounds?! Everything else as far as using a dumbell for on other body parts, I can use heavy with no problem. What would you suggest I do to get my biceps to look more Fuller? Should I lift heavy (low reps), then light (high reps during each workout on all body parts during my workout session? Please help me, I'd appreciate it very much...
Hi. I'm 6 feet tall with 68kg weight, I'm planning to build lean muscle . Does this workout works for lean guy?
Of course, this routine works for everybody. Just follow the routine strictly, track your progress, increase volume of training gradually and you will see the results. I am 6' 2", I started with 64 kgs and now I weigh 72kg.
Cheers!!
Hey Rajat, how long have you been doing this for? Any tips for a beginner?
Thanks
Hi all
So I've just recently started training again. I'm weighing at 15stone (95.25kg)(210lbs)I've put on near enough 3stone in weight on in 7months. Its not muscle it's pure fat.
Now my issue has always been the diet. However I've been told that my workout isn't helping as I do separate muscle groups each day or use to.
Need some serious tips and help in getting rid of the fat and building the muscle I once had.
All help is appreciated
Hi Nathan,
Start here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/bmr-calculator
Go here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-calculate-perfect-macros
Finish up here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-create-a-bodybuilding-...
If I play basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, How can I adjust this schedule? Thanks!
Hi Ryan,
Use those days as your "rest days" and schedule your workouts around them.
Hope this helps!
I’ve been working out since late April / early May. I used to weigh 200 now I’m at 171-175 . Ive been doing full body routines 7 days a week with cardio (hiit and steady state ) when I first started and then I became stagnant after a while and stopped seeing progress. I also felt like I loss a bit of muscle mass.
Im not used to rest days but I’m starting this routine today , Will this routine be beneficial?
Also what can I do and what should I do on my rest days ?
And will running a 1.50 after my strength training sessions hurt my gains ?
Hi,
Am I going to cause too much muscle damage if I add a decline exercise to days 1 & 4 to work my lower chest too?
Thanks in advance
Hi Pat,
It depends, but for most that should be a fine addition.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
Can I replace (Incline Dumbbell Bench Press) with (reverse grip bench press) coz I need to work my upper chest more effectively ?
Thanks
Hi Jordi,
You can, but I'm not sure it'll have that much of a difference in the amount of upper chest growth you'll achieve.
I only can workout Mon-Thurs. Will having done this without that rest day on Day 3 affect anything?
Hello, what is good for back fat? how soon doing this routine should we start seeing results? Also should I do cardio before weights or Weights and then cardio.
How long should beginners work out a first...1 hr and then cardio? 30 mins of each?
thanks
Hi Megan,
1. You can't isolate fat loss. The best approach is maintaining a calorie deficit for a period of time.
2. Results will always vary. You should begin to see differences for yourself at around the 4 week mark.
3. Perform cardio after weight training or at a different time of day altogether.
4. Depends on the individual. Beginners typically do best with full body workouts 3xs per week, no particular time limit on individual workouts.
Hope this helps!
Thanks Josh
I am not new to the guy but new to being serious about it, if that makes sense lol.
So just so I understand. IS it a good plan to do Cardio for the first two weeks and get use to each machine and free weights; making up some sort of routine. And getting by fast arse use to going. After which time start seriously with the weights first and then 30 mins of cardio (give it take)
How long in the weights and machines is good for fat beginners?
Goal being to lose 60 lbs in 8 months
Tia
Megan
Hi Megan,
Sure, that's a good strategy to get use to going to the gym every day.
Again, it always depends on the individual and it's tough to recommend individualized approaches over the internet. If you'd like specific help for your individual goals, I'd recommend seeking out the advice of a personal trainer in your area.
They'll be able to design a program that aligns not only with your goals, but also with exercise selection you actually enjoy. Until then, the programs on this website can be an excellent place to start.
Hope this helps!
I'm skinny, it's OK with me to use !?
Hi Mohamed,
Yep!
Hope this helps!
On Upper B there's "Rack Deadlifts - 3" to 5" off ground", is there any other exercise that's advised to substitute this one?
Ceers
Hi Flavio,
Any hip hinge variation will do the trick - deadlifts, rack pulls, good mornings, etc.
Hope this helps!
Shouldn't there be a lats exercise on the Upper B main compounds? Somehow it seems lacking that. Either that or I'm missing something. Thanks for the explanation!
Hi Flavio,
Your lats will be worked through the pull ups or rows listed in the second upper workout.
Hope this helps!
Can you explain what the 3-second negative is?
Hi Katelyn,
When you're lowering the weight (the eccentric portion of the lift), make it take 3 seconds.
For more on negatives/eccentrics, check out this article - https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-add-eccentric-training...
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I'm just about to start this plan, would it be ok to substitute the stiff leg deadlifts for conventional ones?
Cheers
Hi Flavio,
Sure, that should be fine.
Hi
It’s been one week I have started this routine. After tr first 2 days I was feeling very sore .. and took the 3rd day off .. then continued with the next 2 days .. now I don’t feel sore .. so should I take the 6& 7 day off ??
I am eating well and resting and feeling good.
Hi Vasant,
Yes, take the rest days as prescribed.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I have finished this 8 - week routine and have benefitted from it very well. I was wondering if you have a ‘next step workout’ routine or another workout routine, 4-day split, for maximum muscle and strength for me?
Hi Badr,
Give this one a go: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/4-day-advanced-upper-lower-wo...
Hope this helps!
Hello all,
Woman here with two questions:
1.) Do you recommend adding cardio on these days? Like a sprint workout afterwards or are the weights enough and I should keep the cardio separate?
2.) I’m looking to tone while losing about 25-30 pounds. Is it recommended that I eat a caloric surplus for the muscle gain or a caloric deficit for the weight loss?
Hi B,
1. Sure that should be fine to add to this program.
2. Depends. Give this article a read: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-do-you-know-whether-to-cu...
Hope this helps!
can i follow this in ramadhan .. i have been lifting for quite a long time but i get somewhat tired in this month as you know i have to fast for day and cant meet the calorie goal. i have been following the one part per day program and i was thinking if i can change to upper lower body split so that i have some more rest days,
or if you can give me a plan which i can follow that will be most appreciated .. thanks
Sir am skinny fat guy Can I follow this program?
Please reply nd help me
Hi Shubham,
Yes, you can perform this program if you're skinny fat.
Hope this helps!
Hi Josh, I've been so immersed in lifting heavy for bulking gains that I've developed a belly from the extra calories. Does this program lend itself to some HIIT or would you advise against it? Thanks in advance.
Hi Mark,
Sure, you can perform HIIT to help provide the calorie deficit needed for fat loss. However, at the end of the day, a consistent calorie deficit over a decent amount of time is what will help you lose your unwanted fat.
Hope this helps!
Hi. For how long one should continue with the 4 day upper and lower body split workout?
Hi Ankur,
This program's duration is 10 weeks.
Hope this helps!
Thank you.
Hi, is it okay to replace the squat for box squat? I have very weak legs (overall), flat feet and hence horrible balance preventing me from performing proper squat with proper form.
I hardly squat 40kgs for 6 while my upper body is doing fine.
Thanks!
Hi Mohamad,
Yes, absolutely.
Hope this helps!