THE STRONG TABLE / TRAINING PROGRAMSAll adults · Gym · Beginner

FAT LOSS / 4 DAYS PER WEEK / ABOUT 40 MINUTES

Fat-loss foundation · lift and walk

Support muscle while building an active week

Resistance training during dietary weight loss helps preserve lean mass; easy walking adds sustainable movement. Body-fat loss still depends on a sustained energy deficit, not sweat, fasted timing or a special circuit.

Schedule4 days each weekTypical sessionAbout 40 minutesEquipmentGymStarting levelBeginnerIntended audienceAll adults

Your weekly sessions

SESSION 1 / Squat, horizontal push and pull

Full body A · compact

Squat, horizontal push and pull

  1. Goblet squat — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Quadriceps with glute support. Sit between the hips and stand through the whole foot.

  2. Dumbbell bench press — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Pectorals, anterior shoulders and triceps. Set shoulder blades and press weights over the chest.

  3. One-arm dumbbell row — 2 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Brace your free hand and pull elbow toward the hip.

  4. Dumbbell Romanian deadlift — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Hamstrings and posterior chain. Keep weights close and shift hips back with a long spine.

SESSION 2 / Conversational effort

Walking base

Conversational effort

  1. LISS steady walk — 25 min · add 5 min warm-up/cooldown

    Cardiorespiratory system and walking leg muscles. Walk at a steady conversational effort for 20–45 minutes; extend duration gradually.

  2. Ankle rock — 1 × 8/side

    Joint control and comfortable range of motion. With heel down, gently move knee forward over toes and return.

SESSION 3 / Single-leg, vertical push and pull

Full body B · compact

Single-leg, vertical push and pull

  1. Supported split squat — 2 × 8–12/side · 90 sec rest

    Quadriceps and glutes; hip stabilizers assist. Use a wall or rail for balance; lower vertically and press through the front foot.

  2. Lat pulldown — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Lats, rhomboids, mid-back and biceps. Pull elbows toward ribs while keeping your chest tall.

  3. Dumbbell overhead press — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Deltoids and upper-back stabilizers. Press upward with ribs stacked over pelvis.

  4. Hip thrust — 2 × 8–12 · 90 sec rest

    Gluteus maximus and hip stabilizers. Drive through feet and finish with ribs over pelvis.

SESSION 4 / Conversational effort

Walking base B

Conversational effort

  1. LISS steady walk — 25 min · add 5 min warm-up/cooldown

    Cardiorespiratory system and walking leg muscles. Walk at a steady conversational effort for 20–45 minutes; extend duration gradually.

  2. Ankle rock — 1 × 8/side

    Joint control and comfortable range of motion. With heel down, gently move knee forward over toes and return.

How to progress

Weeks 1–2: learn the resistance movements and establish a comfortable aerobic pace. Weeks 3–6: add reps, then small resistance increases; add 5 minutes to easy cardio when recovery permits. Weeks 7–8: keep lifting loads as stable as possible while dieting. Adjust food intake from 2–3 weeks of weight trends, not one weigh-in.

Adjust the plan to your starting point

Start at the lower set and rep targets. Keep about 2 reps in reserve; stop a set when technique changes.

Recovery and weekly placement

Place an easier day between demanding sessions for the same muscles. On non-training days, walk or move comfortably. Include 3–8 minutes of warming up within the session budget; use lighter practice sets before heavy lifts. Reduce work if soreness or fatigue prevents good technique.

Continue building your plan

Use the exercise library to review technique, then explore sport guides, recipes and planning tools to fit the week around your life.

Open the training builderFind sport-specific trainingBrowse free recipesRead the evidence reviews

General fitness education. Choose loads and ranges that match your ability. This program is not individualized medical care and does not guarantee a particular result.

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