A great way to burn through fat while toning muscle is to lift heavy things. Today, we're going to do just that! Each exercise is to be completed in standard, chronological fashion. Work hard today in order to win tomorrow!
Imagine you're chopping 'up' a tree? Go go for the finish!
About this workout
Pound for Pound is a free 59 min workout plan with 9 illustrated exercises for your abs, back, chest, legs and shoulders. 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: 59 min
Exercises: 9
Training focus: Abs, back, chest, legs and shoulders
The full workout takes about 59 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.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your glutes & hip flexors, quadriceps, lower back, middle back / lats, chest, shoulders. 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 best results, do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day in between, and pair it with sessions that target other muscle groups.
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 abs, back, chest, legs and shoulders workouts
A great way to burn through fat while toning muscle is to lift heavy things. Today, we're going to do just that! Each exercise is to be completed in standard, chronological fashion. Work hard today in order to win tomorrow!
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Sit down on a leg press machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at shoulder width.
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.
Inhaling, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs form a 90-degree angle. Pause for a count of one,
Return to the starting position by pushing through the heels of your feet, engaging your quadriceps. Exhale as you do so.
Repeat.
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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back
Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
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.
Hold for a count of one.
Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
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):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves
Begin by positioning a barbell at or just below shoulder level in the squat rack. Behind the squat rack, place a tall wooden box or chair. Place yourself underneath the barbell. Make sure the bar is across your upper traps and NOT on your neck.
Place your feet outside of shoulder-width with your toes pointed slightly out. Brace your core and keep your chest up.
Bend at the knees as you drive your hips back. Lower yourself slowly until your butt touches the box. Pause then drive your hips forward to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
Pause for one second.
Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Stand facing the dumbbells with your feet shoulder width apart.
Bend knees and hips to lower your torso in a squatting movement,keep your back straight.
At the bottom of the squat grip the dumbbells with an overhand grip,keeping your arms fully extended.
Return to an upright position holding the dumbbells with your palms facing towards your body and extending your hips forward. Do not round your back.
Return the dumbbells to the floor in the same manner you picked them up.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Forearms, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Place a barbell in a clear space on the floor. (Make sure there are no obstructions in your way.
Stand facing the barbell with your legs about 4-6 inches from the bar.
Place your feet shoulder width apart.Your feet can be pointed straight ahead or turned outwards slightly.
Squat down, keeping your back straight and grip the bar with an overhand grip at shoulder width.
Keep your arms fully extended and stand up with the barbell.
As you lift the barbell, your hips and shoulders should rise together and your back should be straight.
As you reach the top of the lift and are standing straight, rotate your shoulders back slightly until you feel a slight stretch in them.
Lower the barbell back to the floor in the same squatting motion you used to lift it.
This exercise can be very dangerous if performed incorrectly. If you are a novice, only perform this exercise with an experienced trainer's supervision.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Lower Back
Holding the handles of the resistance band, step on to the middle. Place your feet at shoulder-width with toes pointing forward. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
Bend your knees slightly and drive your hips back but NOT lower than your knees. Again, keep the chest up. This is the starting position.
Forcefully contract your glutes, driving them forward. Do not just lean back. Your glutes should be fully contracted. Pause then return to the starting position.
Set up a cable station with a straight bar attached to the top pulley.
Sit on the seat facing the station. Keep your feet flat and planted firmly on the floor.
Using an overhand grip, hold the bar as wide as comfortable. (Your hands should be about 1 1/2 – 2 times body width apart.)
Lean back slightly without arching your back.
Pull the bar towards the top of your chest using your shoulders while arcing your elbows out to the sides of your body.
At the end of the movement squeeze you shoulders together slightly and hold for a count of one.
Return to the start position by arcing your elbows forward while relaxing your shoulders.
Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Standing under a pull-up bar, reach up and hold onto the bar with an overhand grip. Make sure your hands are about twice your shoulder width apart.
Keep your arms straight and hang from the bar so that your arms are taking all of your weight.
Keeping your body straight and not swinging your weight, pull your body up towards the bar by pulling your elbows down towards your torso at an angle.
Continue lifting until your chest is nearly touching the bar. You should feel a “squeeze” at the base of your lats (about midway down your back and to the side) as they contract.
Once your lats have completely contracted at the top of the movement, slowly lower your body to the starting position.
Repeat.
By using a wide grip, your lats are doing most of the lift, rather than your biceps. It doesn't matter if you keep your legs straight or bent at the knees with your feet crossed. The important thing is that you do not use your legs to assist in lifting your body weight. As your strength increases, you can add weight by using a weight belt.
Sit on a decline bench and place your feet under the leg brace. Rest a dumbbell on each thigh.
Grab hold of the dumbbells with an overhand grip and lie back on the bench.
Position the dumbbells on either side of your chest. Your palms should face outwards and your arms should be bent under each weight.
Slowly press the dumbbells up from the elbows until your arms are fully extended over your chest.
Return to the starting position by lowering the dumbbells to either side of your chest again. You should feel a slight stretch in your chest and shoulders.
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.
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Set up a bench or stable elevated surface. Begin with both hands on the bench at shoulder-width or just outside of shoulder-width.
Place your feet straight behind you while you tighten your abs and engage the hips. Your hips should not dip or elevate too high during the movement.
Slowly lower yourself towards the bench. Once your upper arms are parallel with the floor, pause, and return to the starting position.
Stand with your back straight, feet shoulder width apart, while holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip.
Hold your arms fully extended by your side, with your palms facing in to your body.
Keep your elbows close to your sides. This is the start position.
Keeping your arms fully extended and your torso stationary, lift the dumbbells out to your sides and up until they are at shoulder level. Exhale as you do so.
Hold for a count of one while squeezing your shoulder muscles.
Return to the start position in a smooth controlled movement inhaling as you do so.
Repeat.
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Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Neck & Upper Traps
Sit on a bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be at your sides.
Maintain a flat back and tight core. Look straight ahead during the movement.
Be sure to maintain a slight bend in your elbows at all times.
Extend your arms out to the side and guide the weight up. Your arms should come to parallel with the floor.
Pause, slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs
Place your left foot onto the middle of a resistance band. Step forward with the right. Tighten your abdominals and avoid arching your back.
Maintaining a slight bend in the elbows at all times, slowly raise your arms up from the sides of your body. Be sure to favor the front as you lift.
Once your arms reach parallel with the floor, pause, feel the contraction, and slowly lower back down.
Stand tall while holding a pair of dumbbells at your sides with an overhand grip. Your feet should be at shoulder-width. Tighten your core and carefully step forward with your left leg.
Bend the left knee forward while dropping the right knee towards the ground. Once your left thigh is parallel with the ground, pause and contract the hamstrings.
Keep your upper arms at your sides as you curl the dumbbell up and towards your shoulder, and rotate them into a hammer position. Slowly lower the dumbbells then kick off the floor with your left foot to return to the starting position. Repeat on the right side. Continue alternating.
Hold a kettlebell with both hands in an over hand grip.
Stand straight, with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
Lean forward at your waist slightly and bend your knees as if getting ready to squat.
Keep your back arched and your head facing forward.
Let your arms hang loosely.
Swing the kettlebell back between your legs while exhaling.
In an explosive movement, force the kettle forward and back up in front of you, either to eye level or above head height by thrusting forward with your hips and rotating your shoulders.
Continue for the desired number of repetitions or time.
Adjust the pulley lever to be above you. Stand next to a pulley machine with your left side. Grab the handle with both hands. Brace your core and separate your feet to outside of shoulder width.
Begin the movement by twisting with your obliques to pull the handle down and across your body.
Once the handle is on the right side of your body, pause and slowly return the handle to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Obliques, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings
Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Stand with your feet no wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball with one hand at either side in front of your chest.
Rotate your body from the waist up to the left side and raise the medicine ball over your left shoulder, not quite fully extending your arms. Be sure to get extra reach by pointing your right toe.
Using a chopping motion, bring the ball diagonally across the front of your body so that the ball ends on the outer side of your right shin.
Bring the ball straight up the right side of your body and again move diagonally across your body once again to complete the motion.
Stand with your side to the cable machine. Grab the handle with the opposing hand first. Keep a flat back and tight core throughout the movement. Squat down by bending your knees and driving your hips back.
Keeping your feet in position, rise and twist the weight to the opposite side of your body.
Pause, contract the muscle and slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Adjust the pulley lever to be above you. Stand next to a pulley machine with your left side. Grab the handle with both hands. Brace your core and separate your feet to outside of shoulder width.
Begin the movement by twisting with your obliques to pull the handle down and across your body.
Once the handle is on the right side of your body, pause and slowly return the handle to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Obliques, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings
Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
Stand with your feet no wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball with one hand at either side in front of your chest.
Rotate your body from the waist up to the left side and raise the medicine ball over your left shoulder, not quite fully extending your arms. Be sure to get extra reach by pointing your right toe.
Using a chopping motion, bring the ball diagonally across the front of your body so that the ball ends on the outer side of your right shin.
Bring the ball straight up the right side of your body and again move diagonally across your body once again to complete the motion.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 9
Total time
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