This workout, designed by womens bikini competitor Traisha Martin, is the exact workout she has been following while on her bikini competition prep.
Workout Summary

Workout Description

This program can be used as a competition prep program, or for anyone looking to get in shape. I started this when I was 12 weeks out from NPC nationals.

I am running the same program exactly as is until I am 6 weeks out, then at 6 weeks I will change about 50 percent of the rep ranges over to 4 sets of 12.

On the fifth training day, I use it as an auto regulation day. I go into the gym and just train whatever I feel like, no set reps/sets. Some weeks I may start with squats or deadlifts for my compound movement, or I will start with clean and overhead press, and go from there. I even like experimenting with different machines or movements. I train about 45 minutes- 1 hour on this day.

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.

Need help losing fat? Take our FREE 5-part email Fat Loss Course!

Day 1: Shoulders

Exercise Sets Reps
1. Arnold Press 5 8
2. Smith Machine Shoulder Press 5 8
3. Strict Overhead Press 5 8, 5, 3, 5, Failure
4. Single Arm Lateral Machine Raise 5 8
5. Partial Lateral Raise 3 Failure

On the first exercise, Arnold press, I use a standard 40 second rest time between sets.

On the Smith machine loading shoulder press, your rest time is the time it takes to load another 10 on each side. This is more like a giant set of 40 on shoulder press, yet you have about a 10-15 second rest between each set.

On the strict barbell press, I load the bar at 55 percent of my one rep max, and perform 8 reps. On the second set I add a 10 to each side and perform 5 reps. On the third set, I add 5 lbs to each side and perform 3 reps. The fourth set I reduce the weight by 10 pounds total and perform 5 reps. On the fifth set I strip the bar down to my 55 percent of my one rep max (this exercise starting weight) and go until failure.

The rest time between each set is about 1-2 minutes. Between the 3rd, 4th, and 5th set I might even take 3 minutes between sets.

On the single arm lateral machine raise this is a continuous alternating lateral raise until you complete a total of 80 reps (40 on each side).

Day 2: Back

Exercise Sets Reps
1. Lat Pull Down 5 8
2. Hammer Strength High Row Machine 5 8
3. Underhand Barbell Row 5 8
4. Rear Delt Fly Machine 5 8
5. Lying Dumbbell Pullover 2 50

Standard 40-60 seconds rest between all sets.

Day 3: Legs

Exercise Sets Reps
1. Box Squats 3 12
2. Deadlifts 3 12
3. Reverse Hack Squat 3 12
4a. Goblet Squat 5 8
4b. Squat Jumps 5 8
5. Glute Bridges 2 Failure

Focus on clenching your glutes at the top of each movement, other than the squat jumps of course. I suggest a 2-3 minute rest between sets on squats and deadlifts.

Day 4: Arms

Exercise Sets Reps
1. EZ Bar Curls 5 8
2. Alternating Dumbbell Curls 5 8
3. Straight Bar Tricep Pressdown 5 8
4. Tricep Cable Overhead Extension 5 8
5a. Rope Tricep Pressdown 3 8
5b. 5 Second Isometric Bicep Contractions 3 8

I suggest a 40 second rest between sets except on last exercise which is meant to completely exhaust the muscle, no rest. For bicep contractions, I typically use a resistance band and hold the biceps in a completely contracted position for 5 seconds.

Day 5: Autoregulation

As mentioned, on day 5 I just go to the gym and freestyle. This is a good opportunity to add in some chest exercises based on your individual needs/goals, or you can focus on other lagging muscle groups. Just be sure to get in there and put in the work!

If you have any questions about this day or the rest of the workout, please ask!

43 Comments
Sam
Posted on: Sun, 04/09/2023 - 16:16

I’m considering this for my next programme but have read across some articles and workouts that state for optimum results you need to train each muscle group twice in a week. Is there truth to that or should I try and repeat select days instead of resting for 2? How have people found this programme and results?

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Mon, 04/24/2023 - 22:12

Hey Sam, I suggest running this one as is for at least a few weeks. Some athletes may benefit from training twice a week, but many people can see results from one, especially people that are new to training.

Mardi Ann Hargis
Posted on: Mon, 02/20/2023 - 14:42

Are the exercises to be done as complete all 5 sets and move on or do 1, 2 , and 3 and start back at the top?? Thank you!!!

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Sun, 02/26/2023 - 21:46

Perform all five sets, then move on to the next exercise.

TANYA NUTTGENS
Posted on: Sat, 08/27/2022 - 08:32

Just starting this program and have a question. Shoulder day sounds like you complete all sets per exercise before moving to the next. For the other days, are they mean to be done almost like a circuit but with rest (apart from where there are super sets, then no rest)? Or are those days also meant to be completed by doing all sets per exercise before moving to next exercise? Thank you!

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Sat, 08/27/2022 - 13:10

Actually, the other exercises on the other days are to be performed as standard sets as well. If you take it on, we wish you best of luck, Tanya. Let us know how you do.

Steffanie
Posted on: Wed, 06/22/2022 - 23:08

Sorry. I just reread and understand the “alternate” under “rest.”

Steffanie
Posted on: Wed, 06/22/2022 - 23:05

“I am running the same program exactly as is until I am 6 weeks out, then at 6 weeks I will change about 50 percent of the rep ranges over to 4 sets of 12.”

Can you tell me what exercises are those specifically?

It doesn’t seem like it but does the “a” and “b” specify a superset?

Under “rest” what does “alternate” mean?

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure I am doing everything right.

Hope to hear from you soon.

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Sun, 06/26/2022 - 09:45

Hello, Steffanie. Thanks for reading M&S!

You get to pick the exercises you want to change the sets to. The goal is for you to determine which movements are best for you.

A & B does specify a superset. You're correct.

I saw your other comment about rest and alternate.

Hope this helps!

Zoe
Posted on: Tue, 10/12/2021 - 05:30

Thank you for the workout. What meal plan should we follow?

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Mon, 10/18/2021 - 21:15

Hi, Zoe. Sign up for the Fat Loss course that is suggested in the article to get more information about nutrition for a program like this.

Sarah Motyka
Posted on: Thu, 08/12/2021 - 15:46

Along with the workout plan, what diet plan should I follow? Do you have an article on diet to compliment this workout plan?

M&S Team Badge
Marina
Posted on: Fri, 08/13/2021 - 09:52

Hey Sarah,

Check out the following articles. :) Let us know if you have any more questions. Happy to help!

Expert Fat Loss Guide: Learn To Lose Fat With Diet & Training
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/expert-guides/fat-loss

Shredded! A Complete Guide To Getting to 10% Body Fat
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/10-percent-bodyfat

Once you nail the nutrition piece, we have a few different diet guides you might want to check out:
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/diet-plans. This will help you determine the type of diet you will want to follow based on your lifestyle preferences.

Yasmine
Posted on: Tue, 03/30/2021 - 16:43

Hi there posting here again, I need some advice! I'm not officially entered into any Bikini competition yet, but I am trying to reduce about 10 pounds on my own and start prepping before i hire a coach. My question is: I'm doing a split that goes such as: Shoulders, glutes, back/biceps, shoulders, glutes, and back - now every time i hit the gym i find myself doing a variation of different exercises for that group of muscles and it's never entirely consistent because there is so much variety i love to do for shoulders and glutes. I basically do a light weight high rep and then a heavy weight light rep variation through out the week but i freestyle on the exercises with keeping some basic/classic movements in there. As long as i'm targeting the intended muscle group is it ok that i'm doing variation every week or do i have to stick to the exact exercises to see best results?

Lisa
Posted on: Tue, 02/23/2021 - 13:52

What's your diet?

Ang
Posted on: Tue, 02/16/2021 - 10:19

I just started this workout. It’s a 5 day schedule. Are the 6th and 7th day rest days or do you just start over at day 1? Thank you

M&S Team Badge
Abigail
Posted on: Tue, 02/16/2021 - 10:23

Hey Ang - yes, day 6 and 7 are rest days.

yasmine
Posted on: Mon, 01/25/2021 - 18:27

Trying to find some base content here as something to start following before i pay a coach to start competing, but i see there is no chest movements here. Don't Bikini competitors need to work chest too? Any feedback helps. Thanks for sharing this.

M&S Team Badge
Abigail
Posted on: Tue, 01/26/2021 - 13:27

Hey yasmine - while working chest is important for a balanced physique, it is not typically an area of focus for bikini. Day 5 of this program is left open for you to do what you want. You can add in chest exercises there.

Angela
Posted on: Wed, 09/30/2020 - 11:18

What does failure mean? (I’m sorry if I sound real dumb)

M&S Team Badge
Abigail
Posted on: Thu, 10/01/2020 - 10:26

Hey Angela - failure means you physically can't complete another rep.

Alexandria
Posted on: Thu, 10/01/2020 - 12:27

As many as you can do until you can no longer do anymore reps . Officially it gave you sets but until failure for reps .

Brandi Fetters
Posted on: Wed, 09/23/2020 - 14:46

When and how often should I be doing cardio? Thanks!

M&S Team Badge
Abigail
Posted on: Thu, 09/24/2020 - 15:27

Hey Brandi - low intensity cardio can be done daily. The amount and duration of cardio that you do will depend on your goals.

Laura
Posted on: Thu, 08/06/2020 - 08:36

Does anyone know if the glute bridges are repetitions or holds?

M&S Team Badge
Yoshi
Posted on: Thu, 08/06/2020 - 09:08

Hey Laura

The glute bridges are done as repetitions to failure. I recommend a 1 sec. hold at the top of each rep.

Laura G
Posted on: Fri, 07/17/2020 - 10:10

Just started this program and I LOVE it. Have a pretty good home gym - having to sub a few exercises for anything requiring the Smith machine but it’s all good!

Mary Griffith
Posted on: Mon, 04/08/2019 - 19:01

What fat burner do you reccomend? I use bcaas, is fat burner different?

nicole
Posted on: Tue, 03/19/2019 - 12:59

What about chest?

Alex
Posted on: Wed, 08/08/2018 - 21:34

HI - thank you for the 13 week bikini program by Traisha Martin- I am having trouble finding weeks 2-13 - I can download only week 1..can you please help??

M&S Team Badge
JoshEngland
Posted on: Thu, 08/09/2018 - 08:38

Hi Alex,

You perform the same listed workouts on this page and on the PDF for 12 weeks. While other fitness platforms have popularized the need to change your workouts weekly, this isn't the case. Keeping the workouts similar allows you to better track your workouts so you know when you're capable of progressing in the amount of weight you use.

Hope this helps!

Jenn
Posted on: Fri, 07/13/2018 - 12:23

How do figure out what my daily calorie intake should be on a 12 week prep for a competition

Louis van Zyl
Posted on: Sun, 09/02/2018 - 15:32

Bulk. Weight in pounds x 17
Cut. Weight in pounds x 11

Jamie
Posted on: Fri, 06/29/2018 - 07:26

Hi,

I've been using this workout but can't see any significant results - what could I be doing wrong? (for reference: I go to the gym three times a week and alternate the arm/back/shoulder exercises each week but do the legs and abs exercise every week)

Thanks

M&S Team Badge
JoshEngland
Posted on: Fri, 06/29/2018 - 08:53

Hi Jamie,

How does your diet and sleep look? Are you feeling stressed about something in your life?

There are a number of factors that can prohibit progress. Make sure you're getting 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep, eating accordingly to your goals (not undereating, not overeating), and managing stress as best you can.

If you're only making it to the gym 3xs per week, a full body program may be better suited for your goals: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/8-week-full-body-womens-worko...

Hope this helps!

Kayla
Posted on: Tue, 04/03/2018 - 14:53

On the top of the page it says the main goal is to lose fat. I want to build muscle/ strength. Is this program wrong for me if i want to gain weight and muscle?

M&S Team Badge
JoshEngland
Posted on: Tue, 04/03/2018 - 15:51

Hi Kayla,

Absolutely. Whether you build muscle or burn fat will be more dependent on the amount of calories you eat while working out. To build muscle you'll want to be in a calorie surplus.

Find your calorie needs here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/bmr-calculator

Then add 250 calories to that number to create the slight calorie surplus needed to build lean muscle.

Hope this helps!

Barbara Shultz
Posted on: Mon, 03/05/2018 - 00:38

What about abs and cardio?

M&S Team Badge
JoshEngland
Posted on: Mon, 03/05/2018 - 08:52

Hi Barbara,

Abs are targeted indirectly through a number of these movements. However, if you feel like you need additional isolation work, you're more than welcome to add it in where you see fit.

As for cardio, I recommend performing some form of low intensity cardio every day. The duration and type of cardio will depend on your personal ability and preference.

Hope this helps!

Amanda Ledonne
Posted on: Sat, 02/03/2018 - 21:32

What's the best diet to do while doing this workout?

M&S Team Badge
JoshEngland
Posted on: Mon, 02/05/2018 - 09:58

Hi Amanda,

Depends on your goal.

Start here: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/bmr-calculator

If your goal is to build lean muscle add 250 calories to that number. If your goal is to maximize fat loss, subtract 250 calories.

Then figure out your macros - this article is helpful for that: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-calculate-perfect-macros

Then, aim to hit those numbers through healthy food sources: fruits & veggies, whole grains and oats, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy.

Hope this helps!

Lauren
Posted on: Wed, 11/22/2017 - 13:28

Do you include any HIIT or cardio in your prep? And do you rest on the 6th day?

Elisabeth Ferrill
Posted on: Sat, 04/28/2018 - 23:17

I would like to know this as well.