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Simple Weight Training Routine for Bulking

Simple Weight Training Routine for Bulking

If your goal is to gain muscle while keeping fat gain minimal, a bulking routine should focus on compound lifts, progressive overload, and enough volume to stimulate growth, while eating in a small calorie surplus.

Core Bulking Principles

  • Nutrition: Eat ~250–400 kcal above maintenance; 1.6–2.2 g protein/kg bodyweight; carbs 3–5 g/kg/day; fats ~20–30% of calories.
  • Progressive Overload: Add 2.5–5 kg to lifts when you hit the top of your rep range.
  • Rest: 90–120 sec for compound lifts, 60–90 sec for isolations.
  • Weekly Volume (Beginner): 10–16 sets/muscle group/week for quads, chest, back; 8–14 for shoulders; 8–12 for arms; 8–12 for calves.

Simple 3-Day Full-Body Routine (Beginner-Friendly)

This split trains every muscle twice a week, uses supersets, and keeps workouts efficient.

Day 1 – Push

  1. Barbell Bench Press – 4×6–8
  2. Incline Dumbbell Press – 3×8–10
  3. Overhead Dumbbell Press – 3×8–10
  4. Dumbbell Rows – 3×10–12
  5. Seated Cable Row – 3×10–12
  6. Plank – 3×30–60 sec

Day 2 – Pull

  1. Deadlift – 4×5–6
  2. Pull-Ups (or Lat Pulldown) – 3×8–10
  3. Barbell Row – 3×10–12
  4. Face Pulls – 3×15–20
  5. Dumbbell Curl – 3×10–12
  6. Hammer Curl – 3×10–12

Day 3 – Legs

  1. Barbell Squat – 4×6–8
  2. Romanian Deadlift – 3×10–12
  3. Leg Press – 3×10–12
  4. Leg Extension – 3×12–15
  5. Calf Raise – 3×15–20

Active Rest Days: Light walk or stretch.

Tips for Success

  • Warm-up: 5–7 min cardio + 2–3 ramp-up sets for main lifts.
  • Deload: Every 4–8 weeks, cut sets in half and stop 2–3 reps in reserve.
  • Scale back cardio: Keep it light to preserve energy for lifting.
  • Track progress: Weigh weekly and adjust calories/protein if needed.

This routine is simple, effective, and beginner-friendly, giving you enough volume and variety to stimulate muscle growth while keeping workouts manageable.