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Starter Bodybuilding Minimalist program
Beginner–IntermediateFree

Starter Bodybuilding Minimalist program

Ethan MacLean
Ethan MacLean· Jan 2024
464athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
3 days
Level
Beginner, Intermediate
Goal
Muscle, Strength
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
50 min
Build muscle and strength with this full body 3 days a week beginner to novice bodybuilding 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 if you can't without getting out of the rep range then add reps instead of weight, progress and get stronger over time. For Example: On a 2x4-6, 6-10 Week 1 Bench press 1x4 135lb 1x6 125lb Week 2 Bench press 1x6 135lb 1x8 125lb Week 3 Bench press 1x4 145lb 1x6 140lb Week 4 Bench press 1x5 150lb 1x8 140lb Week 5 Bench press 1x6 150lb 1x10 135lb Week 6 Bench press 1x4 165lb 1x6 155lb 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 with access to a full gym (barbells, dumbbells, cables, and machines)

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Triceps
13.5%
Quadriceps
11.7%
Front Delts
11%
Chest
9.2%
Middle Delts
9.2%
Biceps
9.2%
Upper Back
8.6%
Lats
8%
Hamstrings
8%
Glutes
5.5%
Abs
1.8%
Adductors
1.2%
Lower Back
1.2%
Rear Delts
0.6%
Abductors
0.6%
Forearms
0.6%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)28–12 reps
3Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)28–12 reps
4Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)210–15 reps
5Overhead Extension (Dumbbell)212–15 reps
6Concentration Curl212–15 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Bench Press (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Bent Over Row (Barbell)26–10 reps
3Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)28–12 reps
4V-Handle Tricep Pushdown (Cable)210–12 reps
5Leg Extension212–15 reps
6Leg Curl212–15 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Deadlift (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
2Overhead Press (Barbell)14–6 reps
16–10 reps
3Pull-Up (Weighted)26–10 reps
4Leg Press28–12 reps
5Chest Fly (Machine)212–15 reps
6Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)210–12 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 Bodybuilding 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 full 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 50 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 Bodybuilding 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 Bodybuilding 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
1,000+ 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.
Free on iOS & Android