Strength and Size Starter (3 day)

The main barbell lifts go up a little every session for strength; the extra exercises work up a rep range for muscle. A good all-round first program for someone comfortable in the gym.

  • Beginner
  • 3 days a week
  • About 50 min
  • Full gym
  • Get stronger

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Free in Platesmith. Start this program in the app and it fills in your weights, times your rests and moves the weight up for you. No subscription needed for any program.

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How it progresses

The first barbell lifts each day go up a little every session while every set hits its reps. The other exercises work up a rep range, then add weight. The 2 workouts rotate across your 3 training days, so each week starts where the last one finished.

The workouts

Every exercise can be swapped in the app for one that works the same muscles, so missing equipment never stops you.

Day A

ExerciseSets × reps
Back Squat3 × 5
Barbell Bench Press3 × 5
Barbell Row3 × 5
Lat Pulldown3 × 8-12
Triceps Pushdown2 × 10-15

Day B

ExerciseSets × reps
Deadlift1 × 5
Overhead Press3 × 5
Back Squat3 × 5
Chin-up3 × 5-10
Barbell Curl2 × 8-12
Face Pull2 × 12-15

Similar programs

General guidance, not medical advice. Start lighter than you think, and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition or injury.