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Starter Base Strength Minimalist Program
Beginner–IntermediateFree

Starter Base Strength Minimalist Program

Ethan MacLean
Ethan MacLean· Jan 2024
80athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
3 days
Level
Beginner, Intermediate
Goal
Muscle, Strength
Equipment
Garage Gym
Session length
60 min
Build some base strength and size with this 3 day full body beginner to novice strength program. Workout Weekly Schedule: Day 1 Full Body Workout Day 2 Rest Day 3 Full Body Workout Day 4 Rest Day 5 Full Body Workout Day 6 Rest Day 7 Rest Consistency: Stay consistent, try not to skip workouts. How to Progress: Either add weight every session or start on the lower rep range then progress in more reps until on the highest rep, then add weight and repeat. For Example: On a 1x4-6 1x6-10 Week 1 Bench press 1x4 135lb 1x6 125lb Week 2 Bench press 1x6 135lb 1x8 125lb Week 3 Bench press 1x4 145lb 1x8 135lb Week 4 Bench press 1x6 145lb 1x10 135lb Week 5 Bench press 1x6 150lb 1x6 145lb Week 6 Bench press 1x4 160lb 1x8 140lb Rest: Rest between 2-4 minutes on compound lifts, 1-3 on isolation lifts, and 30 sec to 2 min on supersets. Diet: Eat a high protein, and high to moderate calories for maximum strength and size gain. Sleep: Sleep between 7-9 hours of sleep a night for physical and mental health. Exercise Form: Preform each exercise with the right form, slow eccentric, strong tight steady motion, focusing on the stretched position. Effort: You need to put in some effort in training to see good results. Both effort in how to train, being consistent, and preforming high intensity training in the exercises. Important keys to maximum strength and size: 1. Consistency 2. Progression 3. Rest 3. Diet 4. Sleep 5. Exercise Form 6. Effort I hope for the best for you. Stay consistent and get those gains. Good luck!

Who it's for

Beginners new to structured strength training
Athletes focused on gaining both size and strength
Athletes who can train 3 days per week
Athletes who train in a garage gym (barbell, rack, and basic free weights)

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Biceps
11.4%
Chest
10.3%
Front Delts
10%
Triceps
9.7%
Upper Back
9.7%
Quadriceps
9.7%
Lats
9.7%
Glutes
7.6%
Middle Delts
6.9%
Hamstrings
5.5%
Forearms
3.4%
Adductors
2.1%
Abs
2.1%
Lower Back
1.4%
Rear Delts
0.7%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Bench Press (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Pull-Up (Weighted)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
3Lunge (Dumbbell)26–10 reps
Superset
4ABicep Curl (EZ Bar)26–10 reps
4BSkull Crusher28–12 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Deadlift (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
3Overhead Press (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
Superset
4ABent Over Row (Dumbbell)26–10 reps
4BChest Fly (Dumbbell)28–12 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Incline Bench Press (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Bent Over Row (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
3Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)28–12 reps
Superset
4ATricep Extension (Barbell)28–12 reps
4BBicep Curl (Dumbbell)28–12 reps

Weeks 2–12 are in the app

Download Boostcamp to follow the full program with auto-progression and built-in coaching notes.

Common questions

Yes, Starter Base Strength Minimalist Program is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. Download the app on iOS or Android, find the program, and start your first workout immediately. All 12 weeks are fully unlocked.

This program is built around a garage gym. Make sure you have consistent access before starting, since the progression model assumes you can perform the same movements week over week.

Each session typically takes around 60 minutes to complete. That estimate covers your working sets but doesn't account for warm-up or rest between sets, so budget a little extra time when you're first learning the movements.

Starter Base Strength Minimalist Program is structured around 3 training days per week, with rest days built in to allow for recovery. The Boostcamp app lets you reschedule sessions if your week doesn't go to plan.

The program runs for 12 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go.

Starter Base Strength Minimalist Program is available inside the Boostcamp app, free on iOS and Android. Once you download the app, you can search for the program by name. The app tracks all your sets and weights automatically, so you always know exactly what to do next session.

Get started

Boostcamp app
11,000+ free programsStrength, hypertrophy, powerlifting and more, from elite coaches. All free.
Auto-progressionWeights and targets update automatically based on how you perform.
Coaching notesBuilt-in cues from the creator inside every workout session.
Progress trackingLog every set and see your strength gains over weeks and months.
Advanced analyticsTrack volume, intensity, and 1RM trends to see exactly how your training is evolving.
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