October 24, 2025

4-Day Strength Split: Lose 20kg with Push/Pull/Legs | 12Reps

By Will Duru, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

As a personal trainer with over a decade of experience in strength training and recovery, I’ve seen countless clients transform their bodies and their lives. One of the most effective programs I’ve designed is a 4-day strength training split that combines push, pull, and leg days with targeted core work and interval cardio. This program is not just about lifting weights; it’s about building a sustainable habit, improving your overall health, and achieving significant fat loss.

I want to share the story of my client, Ed. Ed is a 37-year-old man who, like many of us, let his health slide due to a busy work schedule in the city and the demands of a young family. He had a history of being active, playing rugby in his teens, but the long hours and lack of time for the gym led to inconsistent training and weight gain, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. When Ed came to me, he was motivated to get back in shape, lose the 20kg of body fat he had gained, and build a consistent gym habit. We designed a 4-day push/pull/legs and core/interval cardio program that did just that.

This program is designed for motivated individuals like Ed who can commit to four training days a week, with three rest days. It’s a 12-week program that will get you in the best shape of your life by focusing on the fundamentals of strength training and interval cardio, which I firmly believe is the most effective combination for losing body fat and building muscle.

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Why This Program Works: The Power of Strength Training and Interval Cardio

Strength training is the cornerstone of this program. It’s not just about building bigger muscles; it’s about increasing your metabolic rate, which means you burn more calories even at rest. The push/pull/legs split is a highly efficient way to structure your workouts, allowing you to train all your major muscle groups twice a week. This increased frequency, compared to a traditional “bro split” where you train each muscle group once a week, doubles your training volume and leads to faster results.

We also incorporate interval cardio, which has been shown to be incredibly effective for fat loss. This involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by brief recovery periods. This type of training not only burns a significant number of calories during the workout but also elevates your metabolism for hours afterward. We’ll use a variety of equipment for this, including the treadmill, running outside, the Wattbike, or the StairMaster. For Ed, we also incorporated 45 minutes of boxing, hitting the heavy bag, which is a fantastic full-body workout.

Nutrition: The Fuel for Your Transformation

It’s important to remember that you can’t out-train a bad diet. To achieve the kind of results Ed did, you need to pay close attention to your nutrition. This means increasing your intake of lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. We’ll help you work out the ideal ratios of protein, fat, and carbs per kilogram of your body weight. To make this easier, I recommend using a tool like MyFitnessPal to monitor your intake.

The 16-Week Program

This program is divided into four phases, each lasting four weeks. Each workout begins with a 10-minute warm-up, such as an incline walk on the treadmill or 10 minutes of rowing, followed by mobility stretches. Each workout ends with a 10-minute cool-down on the StairMaster or an incline walk on the treadmill, followed by a core finisher.

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Exercise

Duration/Reps

Notes

Incline Walk (Treadmill) or Rowing Machine

10 minutes

Moderate pace to elevate heart rate

Mobility Stretches (5 minutes)

Stretch

Duration

Notes

World’s Greatest Stretch

30 seconds each side

Hip flexor, hamstring, and thoracic mobility

Cat-Cow

10 reps

Spinal mobility

Hamstring Stretch

30 seconds each leg

Focus on feeling the stretch in the back of the leg

Core Finisher (After Each Workout)

Exercise

Sets

Duration/Reps

Rest

Plank

4

45 seconds

30 seconds

Flutter Kicks

4

45 seconds

30 seconds

Decline Sit-Ups

4

10 reps

30 seconds

Cool-Down (10 minutes)

Exercise

Duration

Notes

StairMaster or Incline Walk (Treadmill)

10 minutes

Low intensity to bring heart rate down

 

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Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): Building the Foundation

In Phase 1, we focus on building a solid foundation with 5 exercises per workout, 3-4 sets each, including 1 warm-up set for each exercise. The goal here is to get comfortable with the movements and establish proper form.

Day 1: Push (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Flat Dumbbell Bench Press

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Incline Dumbbell Press

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press

1 warm-up + 3 working

10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Tricep Rope Pushdown (Cable Machine)

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 2: Pull (Back, Biceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Lat Pulldown (Machine)

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Seated Cable Row

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Single-Arm Dumbbell Row

1 warm-up + 3 working

10, 10, 10 each arm

Progressive

60 seconds

Dumbbell Bicep Curl

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Face Pulls (Cable Machine)

1 warm-up + 3 working

15, 15, 15

Light

60 seconds

Day 3: Legs (Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Goblet Squat (Kettlebell)

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Romanian Deadlift (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 3 working

10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Walking Lunges (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 3 working

10 each leg

Moderate

60 seconds

Glute Bridge (Bodyweight)

1 warm-up + 3 working

15, 15, 15

Bodyweight

60 seconds

Leg Press (Machine)

1 warm-up + 3 working

12, 10, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Day 4: Functional Legs & Core

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Sledge Push

1 warm-up + 3 working

20 meters

Moderate

90 seconds

Sledge Pull with TRX

1 warm-up + 3 working

20 meters

Moderate

90 seconds

Box Jumps

1 warm-up + 3 working

10, 10, 10

Bodyweight

90 seconds

Kettlebell Swings

1 warm-up + 3 working

15, 15, 15

Moderate

60 seconds

TRX Single-Leg Squat

1 warm-up + 3 working

8 each leg

Bodyweight

60 seconds

Cardio Day (Day 5): Zone 3 Steady-State

Exercise

Duration

Notes

Running (Outside or Treadmill) or Wattbike or StairMaster

30-45 minutes

Maintain a steady pace where you can hold a conversation but are slightly breathless

 

 

Phase 2 (Weeks 5-8): Building Strength

In Phase 2, we increase the volume to 4 sets per exercise and start to add more weight. The focus shifts to building strength while maintaining good form.

Day 1: Push (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Barbell Bench Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Incline Dumbbell Flyes

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Moderate

90 seconds

Cable Crossover

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Dips (Assisted if needed)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Bodyweight/Assisted

90 seconds

Day 2: Pull (Back, Biceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Trap Bar Deadlift

1 warm-up + 4 working

8, 6, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

T-Bar Row (Machine)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Hammer Curl (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Moderate

60 seconds

Reverse Flyes (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 12, 12, 12

Light

60 seconds

Day 3: Legs (Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Barbell Back Squat

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Leg Curl (Machine)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10 each leg

Progressive

90 seconds

Hip Thrust (Barbell)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Leg Extension (Machine)

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 4: Functional Legs & Core

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Sledge Push

1 warm-up + 4 working

30 meters

Moderate-Heavy

2 minutes

Sledge Pull with TRX

1 warm-up + 4 working

30 meters

Moderate-Heavy

2 minutes

Box Jumps

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Bodyweight

90 seconds

Kettlebell Goblet Squat

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

90 seconds

TRX Hamstring Curl

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Bodyweight

60 seconds

Interval Cardio Day (Day 5): Boxing or HIIT

Exercise

Duration

Notes

Boxing (Heavy Bag)

45 minutes

3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest

OR HIIT on Treadmill/Wattbike

20-30 minutes

30 seconds sprint, 90 seconds recovery

 

Phase 3 (Weeks 9-12): Maximising Hypertrophy

Phase 3 is where we really push for muscle growth. We maintain 4 sets per exercise and focus on time under tension and controlled movements.

Day 1: Push (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Incline Barbell Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Flat Dumbbell Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Progressive

90 seconds

Pec Deck Machine

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Arnold Press (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 10, 10, 10

Moderate

90 seconds

Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 2: Pull (Back, Biceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Trap Bar Deadlift

1 warm-up + 4 working

8, 6, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Pull-Ups (Assisted if needed)

1 warm-up + 4 working

8, 8, 8, 8

Bodyweight/Assisted

2 minutes

Single-Arm Cable Row

1 warm-up + 4 working

12 each arm

Progressive

90 seconds

Incline Dumbbell Curl

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Moderate

60 seconds

Straight-Arm Pulldown (Cable)

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 12, 12, 12

Light

60 seconds

Day 3: Legs (Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Front Squat (Barbell)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

2 minutes

Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

2 minutes

Walking Lunges (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12 each leg

Progressive

90 seconds

Cable Pull-Through

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Seated Calf Raise (Machine)

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 15, 15, 15

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 4: Functional Legs & Core

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Sledge Push

1 warm-up + 4 working

40 meters

Heavy

2 minutes

Sledge Pull with TRX

1 warm-up + 4 working

40 meters

Heavy

2 minutes

Depth Jumps

1 warm-up + 4 working

8, 8, 8, 8

Bodyweight

2 minutes

Kettlebell Single-Leg Deadlift

1 warm-up + 4 working

10 each leg

Moderate

90 seconds

TRX Pike

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Bodyweight

60 seconds

Cardio Day (Day 5): Mixed Cardio

Exercise

Duration

Notes

15 minutes Wattbike (Steady-State) + 15 minutes StairMaster (Steady-State)

30 minutes total

Maintain moderate intensity

 

 

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Phase 4 (Weeks 13-16): Peak Performance

In the final phase, we push to 4-5 sets per exercise and focus on maximising strength and muscle definition.

Day 1: Push (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Flat Barbell Bench Press

1 warm-up + 5 working

8, 6, 6, 4, 4

Progressive

2-3 minutes

Incline Dumbbell Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

2 minutes

Cable Flyes (High to Low)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press

1 warm-up + 5 working

10, 8, 6, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Close-Grip Bench Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Day 2: Pull (Back, Biceps)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Trap Bar Deadlift

1 warm-up + 5 working

6, 5, 5, 4, 4

Progressive

2-3 minutes

Weighted Pull-Ups

1 warm-up + 4 working

8, 6, 6, 6

Progressive

2 minutes

Bent-Over Barbell Row

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

2 minutes

Barbell Curl

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 8, 8, 8

Progressive

90 seconds

Cable Face Pulls

1 warm-up + 4 working

15, 15, 15, 15

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 3: Legs (Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes)

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Barbell Back Squat

1 warm-up + 5 working

8, 6, 6, 4, 4

Progressive

2-3 minutes

Leg Press

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 10, 10, 10

Progressive

2 minutes

Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbells)

1 warm-up + 4 working

10 each leg

Progressive

90 seconds

Barbell Hip Thrust

1 warm-up + 5 working

12, 10, 10, 8, 8

Progressive

2 minutes

Hamstring Curl (Machine)

1 warm-up + 4 working

12, 12, 12, 12

Moderate

60 seconds

Day 4: Functional Legs & Core

Exercise

Sets

Reps

Weight

Rest

Sledge Push

1 warm-up + 5 working

50 meters

Heavy

2-3 minutes

Sledge Pull with TRX

1 warm-up + 5 working

50 meters

Heavy

2-3 minutes

Box Jumps

1 warm-up + 4 working

10, 10, 10, 10

Bodyweight

2 minutes

Kettlebell Swings

1 warm-up + 4 working

20, 20, 20, 20

Heavy

90 seconds

TRX Single-Leg Squat

1 warm-up + 4 working

10 each leg

Bodyweight

60 seconds

Interval Cardio Day (Day 5): High-Intensity Boxing

Exercise

Duration

Notes

Boxing (Heavy Bag)

45 minutes

3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest, focus on power and speed

 

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Tracking Your Progress with the 12Reps App

One of the most important aspects of any training program is tracking your progress. This is where the 12Reps app comes in. The app is a free strength training and workout tracker that allows you to build your routine by navigating to ‘Build Your Routine’ and selecting all the exercises from this workout program.

The app includes a stopwatch feature that helps you monitor your rest periods, which is crucial for maintaining the intensity of your workouts. You can save your workouts, plan ahead with friends, and track your progress over time. This makes it easy to see how much weight you’re lifting, how many reps you’re completing, and how you’re improving week by week. Download the 12Reps app for free and start your muscle building journey today.

Ed’s Results and Your Potential

Ed committed to this program for 12 weeks, training four times a week and following the nutrition guidelines we set out. He lost 20kg of body fat, built significant muscle, and most importantly, developed a consistent gym habit that has stuck with him. He’s now in the best shape of his life and feels more confident and energised than ever.

This program can work for you, too. Whether you’re a busy professional like Ed, or someone who just wants to get back in shape, this 4-day split is designed to fit into your life and deliver real results. It’s not about spending hours in the gym every day; it’s about training smart, staying consistent, and fueling your body properly.

Final Thoughts

The combination of push/pull/legs training and interval cardio is one of the most effective ways to lose body fat and build muscle. By training each muscle group twice a week, you’re maximising your training volume while still allowing for adequate recovery. The functional leg day adds an extra dimension to your training, improving your athleticism and overall fitness.

Remember, the key to success is consistency. Stick to the program, track your progress with the 12Reps app, and pay attention to your nutrition. If you do that, you’ll see results.

If you want to learn more about my approach to training and recovery, visit just12reps.com.

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About the Author:

Will Duru holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and is an award-winning personal trainer with over 10 years of experience in strength training and optimising recovery. He specialises in helping busy professionals build sustainable fitness habits and achieve their body composition goals.

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