Upper / Lower Starter (4 day)

A gentle first split: upper body, lower body, rest, repeat. Fewer sets than the full Upper / Lower, so it's a good step up from full body.

  • Beginner
  • 4 days a week
  • About 35 min
  • Full gym
  • Build muscle

All programs

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

Each exercise has a rep range. Stay at the same weight and add reps until every set reaches the top of the range, then add a little weight and work back up.

The workouts

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

Upper A

ExerciseSets × reps
Barbell Bench Press3 × 6-10
Lat Pulldown3 × 8-12
Seated Dumbbell Press2 × 8-12
Seated Cable Row2 × 10-12
Triceps Pushdown2 × 10-15

Lower A

ExerciseSets × reps
Back Squat3 × 6-10
Seated Leg Curl3 × 10-12
Leg Press2 × 10-15
Standing Calf Raise3 × 10-15

Upper B

ExerciseSets × reps
Incline Dumbbell Press3 × 8-12
Single-Arm Dumbbell Row3 × 8-12
Dumbbell Lateral Raise3 × 12-15
Dumbbell Curl2 × 10-12

Lower B

ExerciseSets × reps
Romanian Deadlift3 × 8-10
Walking DB Lunge2 × 10-12
Leg Extension2 × 12-15
Plank3 × 30-60s

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.