FREE WORKOUT PLAN

3-day full body workout plan

Updated 2026-10-12 · Leer en español

Three full body sessions a week is the classic starting point for a reason: every muscle is trained three times, you practice the main lifts often, and a missed day never leaves a muscle untrained for a week. The three days rotate different exercises so nothing gets stale.

Days

3 days a week

Session

45-50 min

Level

Beginner

Equipment

Full gym

Weekly schedule

Monday, Wednesday and Friday (or any three days with a rest day between).

The workouts

Day A

  1. Free Barbell Squat

    Free Barbell Squat

    3 × 6-10 · RIR 3 · rest 3 min

  2. Bench Press

    Bench Press

    3 × 6-10 · RIR 2 · rest 3 min

  3. Pronated Lat Pulldown

    Pronated Lat Pulldown

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  4. Lying Leg Curl

    Lying Leg Curl

    2 × 10-12 · RIR 2 · rest 90 s

  5. Standing Lateral Raises

    Standing Lateral Raises

    2 × 12-15 · RIR 1 · rest 60 s

Day B

  1. Romanian Deadlift (RDL)

    Romanian Deadlift (RDL)

    3 × 8-10 · RIR 3 · rest 150 s

  2. Seated Dumbbell Press

    Seated Dumbbell Press

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  3. Seated Cable Row

    Seated Cable Row

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  4. Leg Press

    Leg Press

    3 × 10-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  5. Cable Crunches

    Cable Crunches

    2 × 10-15 · RIR 1 · rest 60 s

Day C

  1. Hack Squat

    Hack Squat

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 150 s

  2. Incline Dumbbell Press

    Incline Dumbbell Press

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  3. Chest-Supported Machine Row

    Chest-Supported Machine Row

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  4. Hip Thrust

    Hip Thrust

    3 × 8-12 · RIR 2 · rest 2 min

  5. Standing Dumbbell Curl

    Standing Dumbbell Curl

    2 × 10-12 · RIR 1 · rest 60 s

  6. Cable Rope Tricep Pushdown

    Cable Rope Tricep Pushdown

    2 × 10-12 · RIR 1 · rest 60 s

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How to run this routine

Warm up with 5 minutes of easy cardio, then 2 lighter ramp-up sets on the first exercise of each session.

RIR means reps in reserve: stop each set when you could do that many more clean reps. RIR 2 means two left in the tank. How to judge RIR.

Use double progression. Pick a weight you can lift for the bottom of the rep range at the listed RIR. When you hit the top of the range on every set, add the smallest jump the gym allows (usually 2-2.5 kg for upper body, 2.5-5 kg for legs) and build the reps back up.

Run the plan in 4-week blocks: three weeks pushing the reps and weights up, then a deload week with half the sets at the same weights. Start the next block slightly heavier. How many sets per muscle you need.

Who this plan is for

Beginners in their first year of lifting and anyone who can train three days. It is the best default if you are unsure which split to pick.

FAQ

Is full body 3 days a week good for beginners?

It is the most common recommendation for beginners: high frequency on the main lifts, enough rest between sessions and simple scheduling.

Can I do the same workout three times a week?

You can, but rotating three sessions spreads the stress across different movements and keeps joints happier. This plan rotates A, B and C.

When should I switch to a split?

When sessions get too long to recover from or you want more volume per muscle, usually after 6-12 months. The 4-day upper/lower split is the natural next step.

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