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Advanced Gym Full-Body Resistance Muscle Gain

40 min
 · 
9 exercises

Full-body gym resistance training at advanced level — challenging exercises guaranteed! You\'re ready for this — but make sure to warm up with care, because you\'re going to need it. Push every set, build serious muscle, and get toned all over.

Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
Knee Push-ups
2 sets
8 secs
30 sec rest
Negatives push ups! Only focus on lowering your body nice and slowly here!
0:30 rest
Static Squat Hold exercise illustration
Static Squat Hold
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Hold it steady! Aim for that nice 90-degree angle at the knee.
0:30 rest
Plank to Push-Up exercise illustration
Plank to Push-Up
2 sets
8 reps
30 sec rest
Get into a plank and then push that body all the way back up again!
1:00 rest
Barbell Clean and Press exercise illustration
Barbell Clean and Press
3 sets
6 reps
2 min rest
Keep your feet hip-width apart, your chest up and the motion explosive, yet controlled.
2:00 rest
Pendlay Rows exercise illustration
Pendlay Rows
3 sets
10 reps
2 min rest
Avoid bouncing the barbell off the floor. Instead control the lifting and lowering phases.
2:00 rest
Front Barbell Squats exercise illustration
Front Barbell Squats
3 sets
6 secs
2 min rest
Take great care here. Ensure the barbell is firmly in position before starting and keep your torso upright with each rep.
1:00 rest
Supermans exercise illustration
Supermans
2 sets
20 secs
30 sec rest
Contract that lower back and develop that core!
0:30 rest
Side Plank exercise illustration
Side Plank
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Hold each side once for 30 seconds!
0:30 rest
Plank exercise illustration
Plank
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Full planks, easy!

About this workout

Advanced Gym Full-Body Resistance Muscle Gain is a free 40 min workout plan with 9 illustrated exercises for your abs, back, chest and legs. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.

Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.

Workout details

  • Duration: 40 min
  • Exercises: 9
  • Training focus: Abs, back, chest and legs
  • Equipment: Full gym
  • Level: Advanced
  • Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF

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Questions about this workout

What equipment do I need for this workout?

You'll need full gym for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.

How long does the Advanced Gym Full-Body Resistance Muscle Gain take?

The full workout takes about 40 minutes, covering 9 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.

Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?

This is an advanced workout designed for experienced lifters. If you're newer to training, scale it down with lighter loads and longer rests, or browse our library for a beginner or intermediate version of a similar routine.

What muscles does this workout target?

This routine primarily works your chest, quadriceps, abs, shoulders, lower back, middle back / lats. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.

How often should I do this workout?

For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.

Can I download or save this workout?

Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.

Advanced Gym Full-Body Resistance Muscle Gain
40 min
 · 
9 exercises
Full-body gym resistance training at advanced level — challenging exercises guaranteed! You\'re ready for this — but make sure to warm up with care, because you\'re going to need it. Push every set, build serious muscle, and get toned all over.
Auto-advance Start exercises automatically
after a 5-second delay
Start workout Cancel workout
Knee Push-ups
Knee Push-ups exercise illustration
2 sets
8 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Negatives push ups! Only focus on lowering your body nice and slowly here!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
  2. Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
  3. Lower your chest towards the ground. Bend your elbows at a 60-degree angle until your chest is just above the ground. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Place a pair of dumbbells on the floor. Lie on your back in between the dumbbells. Bend your knees and move your feet towards your butt.
  2. Grab the dumbbells and hold them above you. Allow your upper arms to remain on the floor. Begin the movement by pushing the dumbbells over your chest. Pause at the top and squeeze your chest muscles.
  3. Slowly bring the weights down to the starting position, allowing your arms to rest for a brief moment before beginning the next repetition.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Rest
0:00
next up
Static Squat Hold
Next
Static Squat Hold
Static Squat Hold exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Hold it steady! Aim for that nice 90-degree angle at the knee.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Place your feet at shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width. Turn your toes out slightly. Brace your core and keep your chest up.
  2. Swing your arms up to shoulder level as you slowly bend your knees and push your hips backward. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel with the ground.
  3. Pause and stay in this position for as long as you can. Return to the starting position by dropping your arms and push your hips forward.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Stand tall against a wall with your head and back touching the wall.
  2. Position your feet so that they are shoulder-width apart and a few inches away from the wall.
  3. Rest your arms at your sides.
  4. Bend your knees and lower into a squat position until your thighs are parallel to the floor and hold the position
  5. Return to starting position by straightening your knees and standing tall again.
Rest
0:00
next up
Plank to Push-Up
Next
Plank to Push-Up
Plank to Push-Up exercise illustration
2 sets
8 reps
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Get into a plank and then push that body all the way back up again!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Shoulders
  1. Start in the plank position with your elbows shoulder-width apart.
  2. Press yourself up from the floor one arm at a time into a push-up, maintaining your body in a straight line.
  3. Slowly return to the starting plank position the same way, one arm at a time.
  4. Repeat the movement alternating sides.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
  1. Lock yourself in the plank position ensuring that your body forms a straight line from shoulders to heels.
  2. Bring your feet together and simultaneously transfer your weight onto your left arm.
  3. Allow your feet to slowly tip over as your body rolls into a side plank in a controlled fashion.
  4. Reverse the motion back to the full plank before transferring to your right side.
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
  1. Get into a face down position on the floor supporting your upper body on your forearms. Your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees.
  2. Extend your legs straight out behind you, supporting them on your toes and balls of your feet.
  3. Keep your body in a straight line by tightening your abdominal and oblique muscles.
  4. Hold for as long as possible.

For extra balance training and core strengthening, you can lift one arm or leg.

Rest
0:00
next up
Barbell Clean and Press
Next
Barbell Clean and Press
Barbell Clean and Press exercise illustration
3 sets
6 reps
2 min rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Keep your feet hip-width apart, your chest up and the motion explosive, yet controlled.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Quadriceps
  1. Shoulder-width stance. Tight core and flat back. Bend at the knees and hips. Lower yourself. Arms fully extended. Chest up and gaze straight ahead.
  2. Bring knees in and shoulders up. Drive hips forward. Keep the bar close to your body. Forcefully exhale and perform a full extension of the knees and hips.
  3. Use the momentum to bring elbows high. Rotate your elbows around and under the bar. Rack the bar across the front of your shoulders.
  4. Press the barbell above your head. Lower the bar.
Rest
0:00
next up
Pendlay Rows
Next
Pendlay Rows
Pendlay Rows exercise illustration
3 sets
10 reps
2 min rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Avoid bouncing the barbell off the floor. Instead control the lifting and lowering phases.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Biceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Set up a barbell on the floor and stand facing it with your legs slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  2. Bend forward at your waist and grip the barbell with an overhand grip.
  3. Keep your back straight and nearly parallel to the floor.
  4. Keep your head and neck straight. This is the start position.
  5. Without moving your torso, exhale and lift the barbell up towards you from the floor.
  6. Keep your elbows close to your body and use your forearms to support the weight.
  7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
  8. Return the barbell back to the floor as the start position, inhaling as you do so.
Rest
0:00
next up
Front Barbell Squats
Next
Front Barbell Squats
Front Barbell Squats exercise illustration
3 sets
6 secs
2 min rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Take great care here. Ensure the barbell is firmly in position before starting and keep your torso upright with each rep.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Position yourself under a barbell held by a squat rack. Keeping your elbows high, place your arms up and under the bar. The bar should be resting on the front of your shoulders. Core is tight. Back is flat.
  2. Maintaining control, lift the bar up. Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down. Pause when thighs are parallel with the floor.
  3. Return to the starting position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
  2. Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
  3. Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
  4. Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
  5. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
  6. Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
  7. Continue this movement down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly more, making sure your knees are pointing in the same direction as your feet.
  8. Hold for a count of one.
  9. Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
  10. Make any adjustments necessary to your stance and grip before continuing on the next repetition.

Do not rest the bar on your neck. Keep your head facing forward at all times. Keep your back straight throughout the entire movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
  2. Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  3. Pause for one second.
  4. Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Sit down on a leg press machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at shoulder width.
  2. Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform  and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you bot do NOT lock your knees. Your torso and legs should be at a 90degree angle to each other. This is the start position.
  3. Inhaling, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs form a 90-degree angle. Pause for a count of one,
  4. Return to the starting position by pushing through the heels of your feet, engaging your quadriceps. Exhale as you do so.
  5. Repeat.
  6. After completing the desired number of repetitions, make sure you lock the safety pins of the machine before alighting.

Always check to make sure that when you re-rack the weight the platform is securely locked.

Rest
0:00
next up
Supermans
Next
Supermans
Supermans exercise illustration
2 sets
20 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Contract that lower back and develop that core!
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Lie face down on a mat, with your arms fully extended above your head and your legs fully extended behind you.
  2. Lift your chest, arms and legs off the floor by arching your back. Only the tops of your quads and your lower abdomen should be in contact with the floor.
  3. Hold for a count of 2 while squeezing your abdominals and obliques.
  4. Return to the starting position for a count of one, then repeat.

This exercise can be done using one arm and it's opposite leg at a time. For example, right arm and left leg raised while your left arm and right leg remain on the floor. This method of execution allows you to use the free hand to push down on the floor to lift your chest higher from the ground.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Lie face down on a hyper extension bench with your upper thighs and lower hips on the support pad. You must be able to bend at the waist freely.
  2. Lock your ankles under the footpads.
  3. Start with your body in a straight line head to toe.
  4. Place your arms across your chest, behind or at the side of your head.
  5. Slowly bend forward by relacing your, back and abdominal muscles.
  6. Continue as far as possible without rounding your back or raising your thighs from the support pad. You should feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings.Hold for a count of one.
  7. Return to the start position by contracting your back and abdominal muscles until your body is once again straight. Do not arch your back up at the end of the movement. Pause and repeat.

As your strength and flexibility increase, you can hold a weight plate against your chest for extra resistance.

Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
  1. Lie prone on a swiss ball with your feet hip width apart. You can place your feet against a wall for better stability. Clasp your hands behind your head with elbows pointing out.
  2. Engage your abs and raise your torso off the ball, hyperextending your spine.
  3. Return your torso to the ball to the starting position.
Rest
0:00
next up
Side Plank
Next
Side Plank
Side Plank exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Hold each side once for 30 seconds!
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Lie on your side on an exercise mat.
  2. Fully extend your legs with one resting on top of the other.
  3. Fully extend the top arm down the side of your body.
  4. Bend the arm at floor level to 90 degrees. Your upper arm should be parallel to your body, while your forearm is at 90 degrees. This is the start position.
  5. Lift your body off the ground and balance on your forearm and the side of your foot, while keeping your body in a straight line.
  6. Contract your abdominal muscles and relax your shoulders.
  7. Continue breathing throughout the whole exercise.
  8. Hold this position for as long as you can.
  9. Relax and change sides.
  10. Repeat.
Rest
0:00
next up
Plank
Next
Plank
Plank exercise illustration
2 sets
30 secs
30 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Full planks, easy!
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs
  1. Get into a face down position on the floor supporting your upper body on your forearms. Your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees.
  2. Extend your legs straight out behind you, supporting them on your toes and balls of your feet.
  3. Keep your body in a straight line by tightening your abdominal and oblique muscles.
  4. Hold for as long as possible.

For extra balance training and core strengthening, you can lift one arm or leg.

Workout done!
Exercises done
of 9
Total time
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