Workout Summary
- Main GoalLose Fat
- Workout TypeSplit
- Training LevelAdvanced
- Program Duration12 weeks
- Days Per Week4
- Time Per Workout45-70 minutes
- Equipment RequiredBarbell, Bodyweight, Cables, Dumbbells, EZ Bar, Machines
- Target Gender Male & Female
- Recommended Supps
- Workout PDF Download Workout
Workout Description
Cold Open.
As warmer weather approaches, people look to get ripped. That's where the staff at Muscle & Strength comes in. This is your workout.
*dun* *dun*
And if you didn’t understand that Law and Order reference, you're probably a little confused right now.
It's a little dated, so I don't blame you (also don't blame you if you cringed reading it).
However, it is a nice segue into what this workout is all about.
You want to lose fat. And this workout is an intense program that combines several different strategies into helping you maximize calorie expenditure over the next 12 weeks.
Editor's Note: Make sure you’re doing all the right things you need to be doing to lose body fat. For those looking for a more in-depth resource to teach them how to lose fat, we’ve created a FREE 5 day Fat Loss Email Course.
The course will teach you how your body loses fat, how to utilize workout plans on our website to maximize fat loss, how to eat for fat loss, how to supplement to lose body fat and how to track your progress.
Sign up below today to learn and ensure you get the most out of this workout program.
Total Fat Annihilation Workout Overview
The following workout is an intense fat loss workout that utilizes somewhat advanced training techniques to increase the total amount of work you’re doing in a given workout.
These techniques will also ramp up the tempo of your workouts, which encourages an additional cardiovascular element.
The split itself incorporates one upper workout, one lower workout, and two full body workouts. The workouts are listed in the subheaders to come, however it is recommended to set up your week as follows:
- Monday: Upper Workout (Workout 1)
- Tuesday: Lower Workout (Workout 2)
- Wednesday: 1 Hour Walk
- Thursday: Full Body Workout (Workout 3)
- Friday: 1 Hour Walk
- Saturday: Full Body Workout (Workout 4)
- Sunday: 1 Hour Walk
The techniques used in this workout to promote fat burning are called complexes and alternating sets. The complexes are circuit like sets and will be used on upper/lower days. The alternating sets are like supersets, but with 30-45 seconds of rest in between exercises, and will be prescribed on full body days.
On top of utilizing these strategies, you’ll also be performing loaded carries, a full body exercise, after training sessions as a form of cardio. Not to mention, we’ll be throwing in a couple of ab exercises to round out your workout and make sure you sport a nice midsection once the 12 weeks are over.
Lastly, it is also recommended that you perform 45-60 minutes of walking each morning or evening depending on when you weight train. This low impact cardio won’t affect your ability to recover and will increase you overall daily calorie expenditure to boost fat loss.
Fat Loss (Upper Body) Workout 1
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| A1. Dumbbell Bench Press | 4 | 8-10 |
| A2. Dumbbell Incline Bench Press | 4 | 8-10 |
| A3. Push Up | 4 | Mechanical Failure |
| B1. Dumbbell Row | 4 | 8-12 |
| B2. Seated Cable Row | 4 | 8-12 |
| B3. Pull Up | 4 | Mechanical Failure |
| C1. Lateral Raise | 2 | 10-12 |
| C2. Front Raise | 2 | 10-12 |
| C3. Rear Delt Raise | 2 | 10-12 |
| Farmers Carry | 5 | 20 Yards |
| Oblique Crunch | 2 | 15 Each |
| Hanging Knee Raise | 2 | 12 |
Fat Loss (Lower Body) Workout 2
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| A1. Front Squat | 4 | 8-10 |
| A2. Goblet Squat | 4 | 8-10 |
| A3. Rear Bodyweight Lunge | 4 | Mechanical Failure |
| B1. Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift | 4 | 8-10 |
| B2. Leg Curl | 4 | 8-10 |
| B3. Bodyweight Glute Bridge | 4 | Mechanical Failure |
| C1. Standing Calf Raise | 4 | 20 |
| C2. Seated Calf Raise | 4 | 10 |
| Farmers Carry | 5 | 20 Yards |
| Ab Crunch | 2 | 20 |
| Reverse Crunch | 2 | 20 |
Fat Loss (Full Body) Workout 3
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| A1. Dumbbell Squat | 3 | 10 |
| A2. Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 3 | 10 |
| B1. Goblet Squat | 3 | 12 Each |
| B2. Lat Pull Down | 3 | 12 |
| C1. Landmine Romanian Deadlift | 3 | 12 |
| C2. Landmine T-Bar Row | 3 | 12 |
| D1. EZ Bar Curl | 3 | 10 |
| D2. Skullcrushers | 3 | 10 |
| Farmers Walk | 4 | 60 Secs |
| Plank | 3 | 30 Secs |
| Side Plank | 3 | 30 Secs Each |
Fat Loss (Full Body) Workout 4
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
|---|---|---|
| A1. Conventional Deadlift | 3 | 10 |
| A2. Push Up | 3 | 12 |
| B1. Leg Press | 3 | 12 |
| B2. Pull Up | 3 | 12 |
| C1. Hack Squat | 3 | 12 |
| C2. Inverted Row | 3 | 12 |
| D1. Cable Curl | 3 | 12 |
| D2. Tricep Extension | 3 | 12 |
| Farmers Walk | 4 | 60 Secs |
| Hanging Leg Raise | 2 | 12 |
| Russian Twist | 2 | 12 Each |
Additional Fat Loss Tips
Fat loss workouts are great, but they’ll only get you so far if you don’t pair it with an appropriate lifestyle.
That all starts with getting your diet in check. You’re going to need to know how many calories you need to consume to maintain your current weight. Utilizing a bmr calculator can be very helpful to figuring out this information.
From there, you’ll need to put yourself in a calorie deficit. And you’ll need to eat in a deficit consistently during the 8 weeks you perform this workout. A solid deficit to start off with is ~500 calories. Simply subtract 500 calories from the total you get using the bmr calculator.
Food quality is of extreme importance to maintain a level of satiety while in a calorie deficit. Ensure you are consuming the majority of your calories from whole food sources. These can include lean proteins, whole grains, oats, rice, vegetables, fruits, low fat dairy, nuts, and seeds.
Lastly, ensure you are getting enough sleep at night. Having adequate sleep will help improve your decision making during your dieting phase and keep your intensity high in the gym. All of these factors, when combine will also help reduce stress – which can also be a killer in terms of fat loss efforts.
If you have any questions regarding the workout, please feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below!
133 Comments
Could the order of this workout be
Uppper
full body
lower
full body
You can do that if you like, Gerard.
Would this workout or the 3 day full body strength and Hypertrophy be better for fat loss around the belly
This one would be better.
Thank you
Hi Josh,
I would like to ask that in this workout routine it's already mentioned to take 1 hr walk on non-lifting days and again you recommending to do 45-60 mins of a walk either in the morning or in the evening time every day to increase FAT LOSS. So, on non-lifting days do we have to walk twice? Or suggest.
Thanks.
Hey there. Walk only once a day.
Hello!
How do you recommend selecting the amount of wieght to lift for each exercise? Also, do you increase weight throughout the 12 weeks?
Hi, Kris. Choose weight that allows you to finish the set while feeling challenged. You shouldn't reach failure. As your strength increases, add weight. If you feel the same weight is sufficient, keep using it.
Hi Josh,
Is it ok to replace an hour walk with a 15 minutes high intensity jog, sprint or rope jump post work-out on training days? I can only spare an hour to train and wants to make best of it.
Thanks
Hi Josh,
Is it ok to replace 45 to one hour walk on weight training days with sprint or other form of cardio performed after weight training. I can only manage to spare 1 hour for workout each day; therefore, was wondering if I can replace walk with 15 minutes sprint or say rope skip or rowing etc.
Thanks
What's up, Moiz? If you need to do HIIT or sprints due to time restraints, go for it. As long as you don't skip out on cardio completely, you should still see positive results.
Thanks for your reply Roger. Just last question. There are some suggestions by online gurus that doing High Intensity Cardio after lifting may impact your gains. Is it ok if I restrict my HIIT for 15 minutes post workouts? Will it affect my muscle mass?
It shouldn't affect your muscle mass negatively at all. If you were within a month of a bodybuilding competition, that may be a different story. Otherwise, you'll be fine.
Hi, Moiz. If you have the ability to walk for an hour on another day, consider that as well as your 15 minute choices. The ideas you offered would work for you and anyone else that is restricted on time.
Maybe someone already asked this but on day 3 it says goblet squat 12 each. Is this supposed to be lunges? What does it mean 12 each
Hi, Thomas. I believe it's supposed to be lunges, but if you prefer to do goblet squats on this day as well, go for it.
Hey where can we get the without videos of this program?
I am 52 and just started this program. I’ve been working out for about 8 years now and have a pretty nice home gym minus the hack machine. For about 5 years now I’ve been doing body part workouts with circuit though six to eight exercises. However, been looking for a good upper / lower or full body work out. So I loved your that has both. Thank you and will try it for the twelve weeks.
Hi Josh, I really like the look of this course but what is concerning me is i have been out the gym for a couple of months. Im not a beginner and would probably say im intermediate to advance but i know that after the first upper and lower days ill be aching for a week, even when i have stretched. What do you suggest would be better? Starting with the beginner course or writing off the first week and start again the week after? Doing less weight or exercises? Help!
Thank you
Hi Jon,
I would start with a beginner workout. Slow and steady wins the race and there's no harm that'll come from it. The alternative though, may put you at risk for injury and will not speed your progress up any faster than a beginner program would coming off a layover.
Hey so how important is it to not rest in between exercises. In my gym it can be hard to have 3 exercises lined up at a time. Also I weigh 175lbs and I’m about 5foot 11 and eating about 2200 calories per day. Is this the correct about or should I eat less. The calorie calculator said to eat 3000 a day
Hi TG,
You can perform them as straight sets if needed. If your maintenance is 3000, then 2200 is a fine deficit. Be patient and give consistent effort. You'll get there.
Hello Josh,
Can I do the full body workout two days in row and then rest for two days?
For example:
Sunday lower
Monday upper
Tuesday rest
Wednesday full body 1
Thursday full body 2
Friday and Saturday rest
Thanks in advance
Hi Ali,
Yes, that would be ok.
Hi Josh,
Thanks for designing and sharing such a fantastic plan. I intend to start this from coming Monday i.e. 04.11.2019.
I am weighing 110 Kgs at present. I find it extremely difficult to do the Push-Ups and Pull-Ups. Can you please suggest any alternate exercises till the time I lose atleast 10 Kgs.
Hi Raj,
That's awesome! Congrats on starting!
For pushups, I'd recommend performing Wall Push ups, then progressing to bench push ups when you're ready, eccentric only (lowering to the ground) push ups after, and then eventually floor push ups.
For pull ups, I'd suggest using an assistant pull up machine if one is available. If one is not available, pull downs at this point would be appropriate until you're at a weight you feel comfortable performing eccentric only (lowering phase) pull ups and band assisted pull ups.
I am using this program, in week 2 of it. This is the 3rd program that I have started. I started working out 3 months ago with the intention of losing fat. I started at 217, am now at 184. The most important aspect of my weight loss was the diet. I maintain a calorie deficit, eating around 1100 calories per day and eating 100+ grams of protein. I am now showing muscle definition as well as my strength has increased. Eating clean works wonders and really helps shredding weight. When I started I couldn't do a pull up with out a band, now I am knocking out 10 in a row. I like this work out program a lot, as it incorporates full body workouts allowing me to hit my muscle groups several times a week, versus the 4 day work out with alternating muscle groups. I also do no extra cardio, I walk on Wednesdays when I play disc golf, thats about the extent of my cardio, but I bust ass on gym days. This is a great program to follow, just make sure your body is ready for it. Wouldn't recommend it to people who just decided to pick up weights after several years of nothing.
just to clear it goes as one set of A1, then one set of A2 and then one set of A3. then repeat right?
If so what should be the rest time in between? Like After one set of A1 or the rest is after one set of each A1+A2+A3?
Hi doodoo,
No rest in between. You complete all 3 exercises without a rest period and then rest.
Did you mention that along with this workout everyday 45-60 mins of cardio??
Because if that is so the actual workout time is like 2 hours approx.
I am not a fat guy but I have a belly fat. Not in a need of abs but yeah flat stomach.
Hi doodoo,
You don't need the cardio to achieve results with this program. Your approach to nutrition will have a bigger effect than 45 mins of light cardio. Some people just enjoy cardio and can fit it into their schedule. If you cant, it won't make or break your progress so long as youre doing the right things inside and outside of the weight room.
Hi doodoo,
Fat loss takes time and there's many ways to get there. There is no one best way because everyone is different.
Fat loss requires a calorie deficit, and as mentioned, takes time. Depending on your starting point, it could take months or it can take years.
I personally like incorporating low intensity cardio bc I find it enjoyable. Like I said everyone is different. Theoretically, If you are crushin it in the gym, it isn't necessary so long as you are in a calorie deficit.
you have said somewhere that with both of your programs add daily cardio.
I have belly fat.
I am up for this program but obviously when I do gym for like 1 hour including abs I get fatigued.
My question: is cardio daily necessary? Because if it is then one has no way out other than going for it. I thought it would 4 day regular weight training and 3 days cardio as your program mentions please give your best advice :)
Also weight training excluding cardio also reduces fats right?
Amazing program. I have a question tho: There´s no hack squat machine at my gym so, should I just try low bar squats? or what exercise would you recommend?
Hi Daniel,
I'd go goblet squat. Barbell back squat variations might be too intense here, but that's just my opinion.
thanks for the quick answer Josh
Thanks for the amazing plan
i havent tried it yet but it looks amazing and you have put a real effort on it
i have been going 2 monthes to the Gym now
since then i lost about 10kg using isolation training plan targetting only one muscle group/day and going 5 times a week with strikt diet !
i still need to lose another15 kg
i wounder how much can i lose weekly with this plan
based in your exper. ?
Thanks a lot
Hey, thank you for this amazing program. Please help me with knowing what can replace 1 hour of walking.
I have an option of Jump rope and stair climbing as well.
Just wanted to know if what be the duration of jump rope and stair climbing if I replace it with 1 hour walk?
Hi doodoo,
I'd recommend switching with either. If you do jump rope, since it's higher intensity, I'd limit cardio sessions to 15-20 mins. If you opt for stair climber, you could go 25-45 mins depending on your conditioning and goals.
So let me clarify
Its like i have to do 1 set of a1 then one set of a2
After 3 sych cycles i have to di same process with b1 b2 b3
Or is it like
Do a1 all 3 sets
Then a2 all 3 sets?
Help needed
Thanks
Hi Akshay,
Perform 1 set of a1, 1 set of a2, 1 set of a3. Rest. Repeat for all of the sets. Move on to B1, B2, and B3.
If you're having a difficult time with this, it may be beneficial to begin with a starter program that follows a more basic template.
Hi Josh,
The plan worked REALLY well for me (dropped 4 kilos).
After 4 months I hit a plateau.
Do you recommend another plan to switch to?
Thank you
Hi Fabricio,
That's awesome! Congrats on the progress! You might like this one I just published: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/8-week-body-fat-demolition-wo...
Hi Josh,
Thanks for the reply.
I'll try this one!
Josh how many cheats meals did you recommend me?
Hi Ricardo,
You might find the following resources helpful:
How to incorporate cheat meals: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-incorporate-cheat-meal...
For creating an effective diet:
Start Here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/bmr-calculator
Go Here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-calculate-perfect-macros
Finish Up Here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-create-a-bodybuilding-...
There is no instruction on how do we perform the exercise? should we do a super set? It was mentioned that they were complexes so how should we perform the exercise? one by one or doing all the chest exercises vo secutively without stoppi g and then taking a one minute break? Please help!
Hi Hamza,
It's in the article:
"The complexes are circuit like sets and will be used on upper/lower days. The alternating sets are like supersets, but with 30-45 seconds of rest in between exercises, and will be prescribed on full body days."
Perform all of the sets consecutively for each circuit with no rest. For alternating sets, perform 1, rest for 30-45 secs, perform the other.
My second day doing these workout. I love it. Very challenge. I change some excercises for planet fitness purpose. Thanks