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Exercise

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Feedback on this workout routine

11 replies

WorriedAnxiousAndStressed · 16/06/2026 09:56

Hi,

I’ve used dumbbells on and off for home workouts. Recently I found it a little difficult to get back into any sort of weighted exercise. Peri plus pcos so trying not to over do it to keep cortisol levels ok.
I’ve used ChatGPT to come up with a plan, and wanted to ask if it looks reasonable? The plan is as follows

Monday – Lower Body A
Warm-up: 5 minutes of marching, bodyweight squats, hip circles.

  1. Goblet squat – 3 × 10–15
  2. Bulgarian split squat – 3 × 8–12 per leg
  3. RDL – 3 × 10–15
  4. Glute bridge (dumbbell on hips) – 3 × 12–15
  5. Plank – 3 × 30–60 sec
Tuesday – Upper Push
  1. Dumbbell shoulder press – 4 × 8–12
  2. Push-ups (elevated if needed) – 3 × max quality reps
  3. Dumbbell floor press – 3 × 10–15
  4. Lateral raises (5 kg or bands) – 3 × 12–15
  5. Overhead triceps extension – 3 × 10–15
Wednesday – Upper Pull
  1. Bent-over dumbbell row – 4 × 10–15
  2. One-arm row – 3 × 10–12 per side
  3. Band pull-aparts – 3 × 15–20
  4. Bicep curls – 3 × 10–15
  5. Hammer curls – 2 × 10–15
  6. Side plank – 3 × 30 sec per side
Thursday – Lower Body B
  1. Reverse lunges – 3 × 10–12 per leg
  2. Single-leg RDL – 3 × 8–12 per leg
  3. Sumo squat – 3 × 12–15
  4. Banded glute bridge – 3 × 15
  5. Dead bug – 3 × 10 per side
Friday – Full Body Strength Circuit Perform 3 rounds:
  1. Squat to shoulder press × 10
  2. Bent-over row × 12
  3. Walking lunges × 10 each leg
  4. RDL × 12
  5. Bicep curls × 12
  6. Overhead triceps extension × 12
  7. Plank × 45 seconds
Rest 60–90 seconds between rounds.
OP posts:
Jllllllll · 16/06/2026 16:46

Looks like a good balance but a lot considering you’ve not been doing much recently? Maybe start with 2-3 times a week?

WorriedAnxiousAndStressed · 16/06/2026 17:37

Thank you, you’re right, it does feel like a lot, after yesterdays I’m super sore, did do today’s but I don’t think I’ll be able to do much tomorrow 😬

OP posts:
Boopear · 16/06/2026 17:59

If you can afford it (and have an iPhone) the Ladder app works it all out for you (6 days a week programme but only 3 needed as essential), changes it up every week and sets a target weight for each exercise based on your history. Lots of diff programmes to choose from (with/out pilates home/gym based options etc) Full video, audio and coach chat support. It's £15 a month but it's massively motivating. I love it.

WorriedAnxiousAndStressed · 16/06/2026 20:24

I’ll take a look at the app, sounds good, I definitely need something a bit more manageable if I want to continue.
thank you

OP posts:
gokusgirl · 16/06/2026 21:21

How old are you? I’ve found better gains with more rest since I hit late forties. I do three full body workouts each week and made real progress. I also walk every day. Five workouts seems way too much and unsustainable.

almostfalling · 16/06/2026 21:59

Yes I would do 3 a week then go for a walk, yoga, pilates or swimming on the other days. You need to give yourself time to recover.

day 1 legs
day 3 back/ core
day 5 arms/ chest

Wadsworthy · Yesterday 08:14

You need to add in mobility routines both before & after each session.

UnaOfStormhold · Yesterday 08:17

Looks a bit of a grab bag of exercises as you'd expect from Chat GPT with no visible progression. It's more common to integrate your push and pull exercises into the same workout rather than splitting up like this, and for someone new to strength training I think 3 full body sessions is a better place to start and won't lead to as much soreness. Good technique is also important and a few sessions with a PT at the start can save you a lot of time and potential injury. Doing 3 rounds of multiple moves will waste a lot of time getting into position.

WorriedAnxiousAndStressed · Yesterday 09:26

Thank you everyone, @gokusgirlam hitting mid forties (struggling with flabby bits here and there).

Does anyone have any recommendations of full body workouts? I did take a quick look at Joe wicks (menopause workout- the free video on YouTube) but i don’t have the app/subscription so couldn’t really tell what the programme would be like.

OP posts:
Nopenopenope259 · Yesterday 12:05

The exercises look good, I would suggest changing the days around so you don't do the same body part two days in a row. And as others have said maybe start with 2 - 3 days per week and gradually work up to 5. I really like Caroline Girvan, she has free workouts on YouTube and a paid for app. I like that you can follow a programme and don't have to plan what to do.

Aerialist50 · Yesterday 13:27

I do 4 full body a week (only 30 -40 mins long) and each session has a pull, a push, a hinge and a sguat, plus i add a few core bits in.

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