Here is a free exercise program for beginners who want to start working out at the gym!

Therapeutic Barbells Program

This program is a four day program that helps people who are new to fitness or new to weights get leaner and stronger at the gym.

If your intent is to build muscle, feel good, or look better, this program is for you.

Day One - Lower Body (Strength)

• Barbell Squat (3 sets of 5 reps, 3-5 min rest in between sets)
• Deadlift (3 sets of 5 reps, 3-5 min rest in between sets)
• One-Legged Leg Extension (3 sets of 10 reps)

Day Two - Upper Body (Strength)

• Bench Press (3 sets of 5 reps; 2-4 min rest in between sets)
• Dumbbell Row (3 sets of 8 reps)
• Dumbbell Shoulder Press (3 sets of 8 reps)
• Lat Pulldowns or Pull Ups (3 sets of 10 reps or 30 total reps)

Day Three - Lower Body (Muscle)

• Leg Press (3 sets of 10-12 reps)
• Lunges (2 sets, 10 reps each leg)
• Leg Curl (3 sets of 10-12 reps)
• Calf Raises (3 sets of 10-15 reps)

Day Four - Upper Body (Muscle)

• Dumbbell Bench Press (3 sets of 10 reps, 90-120 seconds rest between sets)
• Seated Cable Row or Dumbbell Row (3 sets of 8-12 reps)
• Incline Dumbbell Bench (3 sets of 10-12 reps)
• Tricep Extension (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)
• Dumbbell Curls (2-3 sets of 10-15 reps)

Program Tips

Sets, Reps, & Rest

Sets & Reps

Reps are the number of repetitions you do in one set.

Sets are the number of times you initiate a specific movement.

Rest

For exercises with ~5 reps, you should rest 3-5 minutes in between sets.

For exercises with 6-12 reps, you should rest 1.5-2 minutes in between sets.

Strength and Muscle Days

There are separate days that focus on two different goals: muscle and strength.

For the strength days, we pursue heavier lifting with less reps to build a stronger body.

For the muscle days, we pursue higher reps with less weight with the intent to build lean muscle.

Combining both of this will help build a solid foundation where more people will progress consistently.

Warm Up

You can warm up for 5 minutes on a cardio machine if you go to a gym. Alternatively, you can use a jump rope.

Rest In Between Sets

For the big exercises (like Squats, Bench, Deadlift), consider 3 minutes of rest in between sets.

For isolation exercises like the triceps, biceps, leg curls or leg extensions, 60-90 seconds should be sufficient enough rest up between sets.

How To Make Progress

With this beginner's program, you can utilize a linear periodization approach to exercise.

Let's say you're going for a Squat for 3 sets of 5 reps.

If you hit 5 reps on every set in one day, you can add weight to the bar the next session. For lower body exercises, 10-15lb increases, for upper body exercises, 5-10lb increases.

Before Any Program (Disclaimer)

How's It Working For You?

If you have noticed you are stronger, have added some lean muscle over a few months, and feel a lot better mentally, this is exactly what the goal with this program is.

This program is designed to keep you active in the gym, which will improve not only physical health, but mental health as well.

From fat to fit, and from sad to happy.

Ultimately, it primes you up for a little more workout intensity.

if you have any questions or comments, feel free to email us at support@reforgedperformance.com, or direct message us on Instagram.

Until next time, Reforged Warrior!