Go to the Gym Regularly and Stick to the Base Exercises
With your goals clearly defined, the gym needs to become like a second home; that is, you shouldn’t dread going. You can expect workouts to last at least an hour, although most female bodybuilders talk about two hours being the norm.
How many days you’re in the gym depends on your experience, workout schedule, and availability. With a beginner gym workout, female bodybuilders should aim for at least three days of intense workouts. To see elite results, four days is going to be ideal. When you reach an advanced level as a female bodybuilder, don’t be surprised if you’re in the gym for five or six days per week.
Mix of Weight Training and Cardio Exercises Will Bring the Best Results
Weight training is a given in bodybuilding for women beginners. The type of weight training exercises you’ll use will focus on the tried-and-true classics of bodybuilding such as barbell squats and deadlifts. What you may not realize is that cardiovascular training is equally as important. Cardiovascular exercises improve target heart rate and VO2 max, but they also support fat burning and help you attain that lean and cut look.
If you’ve never worked with a trainer before, you may be hesitant to want to spend the money on one. But look at it this way: Time equals money and results. What could take you months to figure out on your own could be yours if you hire a trainer who has experience with female bodybuilding. Hiring a personal trainer is a literal shortcut to progress.
What’s more, studies show that personal trainers can change your attitude and improve your adherence to a bodybuilding program. Trainers also provide real-time feedback to.
Fundamental Workouts for Beginner Female Bodybuilders
Bodybuilding for women beginners should focus on full-body workouts that eventually progress to an intermediate-level split body workout of upper vs. lower. In this way, you’ll learn the fundamentals of bodybuilding and classic exercises before taking on more challenging routines.
8 Weeks Female Bodybuilding Workout Plan for Beginners
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 3 x 8 – 10
· Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 10 – 12
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 3 x 8 – 10
· Cable Woodchopper: 3 x 12 –15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 3 x 8 – 10
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 x 10 – 12
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 3 x 8 – 10
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 12 –15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 2 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 2 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 2 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 2 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 2 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Week Three:
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 x 6 – 8
· Lying Leg Curl: 3 x 8 – 10
· Lat Pulldown: 3 x 6 – 8
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 3 x 6 – 8
· Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 8 – 10
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 3 x 6 – 8
· Cable Woodchopper: 3 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 3 x 6 – 8
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 x 8 – 10
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 3 x 6 – 8
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 2 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 2 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 2 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 2 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 2 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 3 x 3 – 6
· Lying Leg Curl: 3 x 6 – 8
· Lat Pulldown: 3 x 3 – 6
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 3 x 3 – 6
· Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 6 – 8
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 3 x 3 – 6
· Cable Woodchopper: 3 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 3 x 3 – 6
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 x 6 – 8
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 3 x 3 – 6
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 2 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 2 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 2 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 2 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 2 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 4 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 4 x 10 – 12
· Lying Leg Curl: 4 x 12 – 15
· Lat Pulldown: 4 x 10 – 12
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 15 – 20
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 4 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 4 x 10 – 12
· Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 12 – 15
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 3 x 10 – 12
· Cable Woodchopper: 3 x 15 – 20
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 4 sets of 12 to 15 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 4 x 10 – 12
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 4 x 12 – 15
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 4 x 10 – 12
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 15 – 20
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 3 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 3 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 3 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 3 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 4 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 4 x 8 – 10
· Lying Leg Curl: 4 x 10 – 12
· Lat Pulldown: 4 x 8 – 10
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 12 –15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 4 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 4 x 8 – 10
· Barbell Bench Press: 4 x 10 – 12
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 4 x 8 – 10
· Cable Woodchopper: 4 x 12 –15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 4 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 4 x 8 – 10
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 3 x 10 – 12
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 4 x 8 – 10
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 12 –15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 3 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 3 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 3 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 3 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 4 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 4 x 6 – 8
· Lying Leg Curl: 4 x 8 – 10
· Lat Pulldown: 4 x 6 – 8
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 4 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 4 x 6 – 8
· Barbell Bench Press: 4 x 8 – 10
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 4 x 6 – 8
· Cable Woodchopper: 4 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C:
· Barbell Deadlifts: 4 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 4 x 6 – 8
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 4 x 8 – 10
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 4 x 6 – 8
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 10 –12
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (optional)
· Leg Press: 3 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 3 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 3 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 3 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout A:
· Barbell Squat: 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Bench Press: 4 x 3 – 6
· Lying Leg Curl: 4 x 6 – 8
· Lat Pulldown: 4 x 3 – 6
· Cable Crunch: 4 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout B:
· Barbell Rows: 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Side Lunges: 4 x 3 – 6
· Barbell Bench Press: 3 x 6 – 8
· Dumbbell Step-Ups: 4 x 3 – 6
· Cable Woodchopper: 4 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout C
· Barbell Deadlifts: 4 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions
· Dumbbell Flies: 4 x 3 – 6
· Dumbbell Elevated Bulgarian Split Squat: 4 x 6 – 8
· Barbell T-Bar Row: 4 x 3 – 6
· Weighted Back Extensions: 4 x 8 – 10
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Workout D: (required)
· Leg Press: 2 x 12 – 15
· Seated Leg Curl: 2 x 12 – 15
· Cable Crossover: 2 x 12 – 15
· Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 2 x 12 – 15
· Weighted Russian Twists: 2 x 12 – 15
· 15 to 30 minutes of cardio (e.g., stair stepper, jogging, spinning, etc.)
Bodybuilding for Women: Stay Dedicated to Stay Strong
You can have the perfect workout and diet program, but it means nothing without dedication. You need to be consistent to achieve results, which means scheduled workouts – a mix of weight training and cardiovascular exercise – are a necessity to build muscle. Diet is equally as important, but your nutritional choices are there to support muscle growth and recovery. A diet is nothing without the proper workout.