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).
🔥 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!
🔥 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!
🔥 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!
💪 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.
💪 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!
🧊 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
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.
More free upper back, back, cardio and chest workouts
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-advanceStart exercises automatically after a 5-second delay
🔥 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!
🔥 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!
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.
Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
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
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.
Keeping a tight core, slowly lower your chest towards the wall.
Pause once your working arm forms a 90 degree angle. Contract the chest muscle and push yourself back up to the starting position.
Repeat using the opposite arm.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Come to the ground on your knees. Tighten your core and maintain a flat back.
Position your hands on the ground in front of you, directly below your shoulders. Cross your feet in the back.
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.
Without locking your elbows, push yourself back to the starting position by straightening your arms.
🔥 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!
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.
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.
Slowly rotate your upper arm bringing your hands forward, keeping the same angle bend at the elbow.
Continue to rotate bringing your hands up so that they are above your shoulders and next to your head.
Pause and then slowly return to the starting position.
💪 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.
Sit on the seat with your upper chest just above the horizontal handles.
Push the foot lever until you are able to grasp the lever.
Gras the handles using a wide overhand grip and place your elbows out to the sides just below your shoulders.
Release the foot lever and press the hand lever out until your arms are fully extended.
Return the weight until your chest muscles are slightly stretched.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Lie on a flat bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
Start by holding the dumbbells slightly wider than shoulder width apart above your shoulders. Your palms should be facing forward.
Slowly bend your elbows until they are at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
Push the weights up by straightening your arms.
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.
Lower the dumbbells by slowly bending your elbows back to 90 degrees.
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.)
Repeat
Be sure to concentrate on a balanced movement when lifting the dumbbells. Use both arms equally spaced and moving at the same speed.
💪 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!
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.
Pull the bar towards you, emphasizing the lat movement. Pause when the bar is at your sides and squeeze your back.
Slowly, return the bar to the starting position but do not set it down. Repeat the movement, ensuring your back is activated throughout.
🧊 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!
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.
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.
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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