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Chest & Back Resistance 28-min Gym Workout 💪

28 min
 · 
6 exercises

Welcome! Today, you'll try out your first compound exercises! Compound exercises are exercises that use more than one muscle group at a time. For e.g. today, you'll perform a machine chest press (working your chest and triceps) & a machine back row (working your back and biceps).

Standing Arm Circles exercise illustration
Standing Arm Circles
2 sets
20 secs
40 sec rest
🔥 Warm Up: Our first warm up of the plan, these should be taken seriously as they have been shown to reduce the risk of injury! These are time based, rotate your arms for 20 seconds forwards and 20 seconds backwards!
1:00 rest
Wall Push-Ups exercise illustration
Wall Push-Ups
2 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
🔥 Warm Up: These are repetition (rep) based! Complete 8 wall push ups, being sure to review the exercise instructions first, then rest for 60 seconds before attempting set 2!
1:00 rest
Open Scarecrows exercise illustration
Open Scarecrows
2 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
🔥 Warm Up: Our final warm up before we move onto today's exercises. Complete 2 sets of 10 slow reps, resting for 60 seconds between. Then you're ready to go!
1:00 rest
Seated Chest Press exercise illustration
Seated Chest Press
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
💪 Resistance: Our first resistance exercise of the plan! Review the exercise instructions and then give these a try. Regarding the weight used, start nice and light and get a feel for this motion.
1:00 rest
Seated Machine Back Row exercise illustration
Seated Machine Back Row
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
💪 Resistance: Our second and final compound exercise of the day! Again, review the exercise instructions before testing out a light weight amount. You've got this!
1:00 rest
🧊 Cool Down: Now is your time to take it easy while bringing that heart rate back down. Walk at a lightly steady pace for 5 minutes, then you're all done for day!

About this workout

Chest & Back Resistance 28-min Gym Workout 💪 is a free 28 min workout plan with 6 illustrated exercises for your upper back, back, cardio and chest. 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: 28 min
  • Exercises: 6
  • Training focus: Upper back, back, cardio and chest
  • Equipment: Full gym
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF

For more ready-made training plans, try WorkoutLabs Fit. You can follow visual workouts, build your own routines, manage your training calendar and track your progress. Sign up today to claim your free week.

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 Chest & Back Resistance 28-min Gym Workout 💪 take?

The full workout takes about 28 minutes, covering 6 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 intermediate workout, best suited to people with some training experience. Beginners can still follow it by reducing the weight, doing fewer sets or resting longer between sets – each exercise includes illustrated form instructions.

What muscles does this workout target?

This routine primarily works your shoulders, chest, triceps, middle back / lats, calves, hamstrings. 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.

Chest & Back Resistance 28-min Gym Workout 💪
28 min
 · 
6 exercises
Welcome! Today, you'll try out your first compound exercises! Compound exercises are exercises that use more than one muscle group at a time. For e.g. today, you'll perform a machine chest press (working your chest and triceps) & a machine back row (working your back and biceps).
Auto-advance Start exercises automatically
after a 5-second delay
Start workout Cancel workout
Standing Arm Circles
Standing Arm Circles exercise illustration
2 sets
20 secs
40 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
🔥 Warm Up: Our first warm up of the plan, these should be taken seriously as they have been shown to reduce the risk of injury! These are time based, rotate your arms for 20 seconds forwards and 20 seconds backwards!
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Standing with a flat back and tight core, raise your arms to the sides.
  2. While focusing on the shoulders, slowly rotate your arms in a circular motion. Start with small circles. Gradually increase the size of the circles.
  3. After completing one set of a pre-determined number (such as 10 repetitions), reverse the direction, going counter-clockwise.
Rest
0:00
next up
Wall Push-Ups
Next
Wall Push-Ups
Wall Push-Ups exercise illustration
2 sets
8 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
🔥 Warm Up: These are repetition (rep) based! Complete 8 wall push ups, being sure to review the exercise instructions first, then rest for 60 seconds before attempting set 2!
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest, Triceps
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Stand in front of a wall, extend your arms out to measure the correct distance. Brace your core and place your hands against the wall.
  2. Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
  3. Pause once your upper arms form a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscles and push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Triceps
  1. Stand in front of a wall, extend your arms out to measure the correct distance. Brace your core and place one hand against the wall.
  2. Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
  3. Pause once your working arm forms a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscle and push yourself back up to the starting position.
  4. Repeat using the opposite arm.
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.
Rest
0:00
next up
Open Scarecrows
Next
Open Scarecrows
Open Scarecrows exercise illustration
2 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 2
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
🔥 Warm Up: Our final warm up before we move onto today's exercises. Complete 2 sets of 10 slow reps, resting for 60 seconds between. Then you're ready to go!
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand strong, with your feet grounded placed at shoulder-width apart, while maintaining a tight core and flat back, pull your arms out and upwards away from your sides, leading with your elbows.
  2. Pause when your upper arm is parallel with the floor, and your hands are hanging down towards the floor with a 90-degree bend at the elbow joint. 
  3. Slowly rotate your upper arm bringing your hands forward, keeping the same angle bend at the elbow.
  4. Continue to rotate bringing your hands up so that they are above your shoulders and next to your head.
  5. Pause and then slowly return to the starting position.
Rest
0:00
next up
Seated Chest Press
Next
Seated Chest Press
Seated Chest Press exercise illustration
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
💪 Resistance: Our first resistance exercise of the plan! Review the exercise instructions and then give these a try. Regarding the weight used, start nice and light and get a feel for this motion.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Sit on the seat with your upper chest just above the horizontal handles.
  2. Push the foot lever until you are able to grasp the lever.
  3. Gras the handles using a wide overhand grip and place your elbows out to the sides just below your shoulders.
  4. Release the foot lever and press the hand lever out until your arms are fully extended.
  5. Return the weight until your chest muscles are slightly stretched.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
  2. Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
  3. Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
  4. Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
  5. As you push the weights up, move your arms in an arc to bring the dumbbells together, until they meet over the center of your chest. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
  7. Continue lowering your arms until they are a little lower than parallel to the floor. (Your elbows should be pointing slightly towards the floor and you should feel a stretch in your chest muscles and shoulders.)
  8. Repeat

Be sure to concentrate on a balanced movement when lifting the dumbbells. Use both arms equally spaced and moving at the same speed.

Rest
0:00
next up
Seated Machine Back Row
Next
Seated Machine Back Row
Seated Machine Back Row exercise illustration
3 sets
10 reps
60 sec rest
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
💪 Resistance: Our second and final compound exercise of the day! Again, review the exercise instructions before testing out a light weight amount. You've got this!
Primary muscle group(s):
Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  1. Seat yourself at a Row Machine and select the appropriate weight. Sit up straight with a tight core. Reach forward and take an overhand grip on the bar in front of you. Activate your lats before the movement.
  2. Pull the bar towards you, emphasizing the lat movement. Pause when the bar is at your sides and squeeze your back.
  3. Slowly, return the bar to the starting position but do not set it down. Repeat the movement, ensuring your back is activated throughout.
Rest
0:00
next up
Cardio - Walking / Treadmill
Next
Cardio - Walking / Treadmill
Cardio - Walking / Treadmill exercise illustration
5 min
Set 1 of 1
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
🧊 Cool Down: Now is your time to take it easy while bringing that heart rate back down. Walk at a lightly steady pace for 5 minutes, then you're all done for day!
Primary muscle group(s):
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. After following a thorough warm-up session, stand tall on a walkway, treadmill, or other walkable area. Make sure that your chest is up, core is braced, shoulders are back, and gaze is straight ahead.
  2. Begin by placing your left foot forward then shifting your hips to move the right leg forward. Continue this back and forth motion at a pace that is ideal for you.
  3. You may also want to include small weights or a grip strengthener during your walks. Remember to maintain perfect form throughout the walk. Avoid slouching.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 6
Total time
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