WORKOUT SPLIT

Complete weekly plan

4 day workout split

Follow a complete 4 day workout split and gym schedule with balanced upper/lower and torso/limbs plans. Compare complete alternatives, then adjust the schedule and training goal to suit you.

Quick answer

For many people training 4 days, Upper / Lower is a clear starting point. The best choice still depends on recovery, access and experience.

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Your complete 4 day workout plan

This plan assumes access to a normal gym and can be followed immediately. Choose a variant, download the PDF, or customize the schedule and goal.

Complete normal-gym plan

Upper / Lower

A sustainable strength and muscle split with each area trained twice weekly. Finish working sets with controlled technique and about two repetitions in reserve.

Customize plan

Monday · 40–44 min

Upper A

Bench press — Upper / Lower
Bench press

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Chest | Barbell

How to perform

Set shoulder blades, lower with control, and press over the shoulders.

Avoid: Bouncing the bar or flaring elbows excessively.

One-arm row — Upper / Lower
One-arm row

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Upper back | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the torso and draw the elbow toward the hip.

Avoid: Twisting or shrugging the shoulder.

Overhead press — Upper / Lower
Overhead press

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Shoulders | Dumbbells or barbell

How to perform

Brace and press overhead without leaning back.

Avoid: Excessive lower-back arch.

Lat pulldown — Upper / Lower
Lat pulldown

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Lats | Cable machine

How to perform

Pull elbows toward the ribs without swinging.

Avoid: Pulling behind the neck or using momentum.

Dumbbell biceps curl — Upper / Lower
Dumbbell biceps curl

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Biceps | Dumbbells

How to perform

Keep the upper arms still, curl through a controlled range, and lower fully.

Avoid: Swinging the torso or letting elbows drift forward.

Dumbbell triceps extension — Upper / Lower
Dumbbell triceps extension

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Triceps | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the trunk, keep elbows pointing forward, and straighten the arms without flaring.

Avoid: Arching the lower back or moving the upper arms.

Tuesday · 35–39 min

Lower A

Back squat — Upper / Lower
Back squat

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Quads | Barbell

How to perform

Brace, sit between the hips, and drive through the full foot.

Avoid: Knees collapsing inward or losing trunk position.

Romanian deadlift — Upper / Lower
Romanian deadlift

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Hamstrings | Barbell or dumbbells

How to perform

Push hips back while keeping the load close and spine neutral.

Avoid: Squatting the hinge or rounding the back.

Split squat — Upper / Lower
Split squat

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Quads | Dumbbells or bodyweight

How to perform

Use a stable stance and lower the back knee under control.

Avoid: Front heel lifting or stance becoming too narrow.

Standing calf raise — Upper / Lower
Standing calf raise

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Calves | Bodyweight or dumbbells

How to perform

Rise through the big-toe mound, pause at the top, and lower through a full range.

Avoid: Bouncing or rolling onto the outside of the feet.

Plank — Upper / Lower
Plank

3 × 20-30 seconds | Rest 60 sec

Core | Bodyweight

How to perform

Brace and maintain a straight line while breathing normally.

Avoid: Hips dropping or breath holding.

Thursday · 40–44 min

Upper B

Dumbbell press — Upper / Lower
Dumbbell press

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Chest | Dumbbells

How to perform

Press with wrists stacked over elbows.

Avoid: Overarching or lowering beyond a controlled range.

One-arm row — Upper / Lower
One-arm row

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Upper back | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the torso and draw the elbow toward the hip.

Avoid: Twisting or shrugging the shoulder.

Overhead press — Upper / Lower
Overhead press

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Shoulders | Dumbbells or barbell

How to perform

Brace and press overhead without leaning back.

Avoid: Excessive lower-back arch.

Lat pulldown — Upper / Lower
Lat pulldown

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Lats | Cable machine

How to perform

Pull elbows toward the ribs without swinging.

Avoid: Pulling behind the neck or using momentum.

Dumbbell biceps curl — Upper / Lower
Dumbbell biceps curl

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Biceps | Dumbbells

How to perform

Keep the upper arms still, curl through a controlled range, and lower fully.

Avoid: Swinging the torso or letting elbows drift forward.

Dumbbell triceps extension — Upper / Lower
Dumbbell triceps extension

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Triceps | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the trunk, keep elbows pointing forward, and straighten the arms without flaring.

Avoid: Arching the lower back or moving the upper arms.

Friday · 35–39 min

Lower B

Goblet squat — Upper / Lower
Goblet squat

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Quads | Dumbbell

How to perform

Hold the load at the chest and keep the torso tall.

Avoid: Heels lifting or rushing the bottom position.

Hip thrust — Upper / Lower
Hip thrust

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Glutes | Bench and load

How to perform

Finish with ribs down and hips fully extended.

Avoid: Overextending the lower back.

Reverse lunge — Upper / Lower
Reverse lunge

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Quads | Dumbbells or bodyweight

How to perform

Step back and lower under control while keeping the front foot planted.

Avoid: Pushing off the back foot.

Standing calf raise — Upper / Lower
Standing calf raise

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Calves | Bodyweight or dumbbells

How to perform

Rise through the big-toe mound, pause at the top, and lower through a full range.

Avoid: Bouncing or rolling onto the outside of the feet.

Plank — Upper / Lower
Plank

3 × 20-30 seconds | Rest 60 sec

Core | Bodyweight

How to perform

Brace and maintain a straight line while breathing normally.

Avoid: Hips dropping or breath holding.

Complete normal-gym plan

Torso / Limbs x2

Alternates complete torso training with legs and direct arm work, without mislabeling squats as push exercises. Finish working sets with controlled technique and about two repetitions in reserve.

Customize plan

Monday · 40–44 min

Torso A

Bench press — Torso / Limbs x2
Bench press

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Chest | Barbell

How to perform

Set shoulder blades, lower with control, and press over the shoulders.

Avoid: Bouncing the bar or flaring elbows excessively.

One-arm row — Torso / Limbs x2
One-arm row

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Upper back | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the torso and draw the elbow toward the hip.

Avoid: Twisting or shrugging the shoulder.

Overhead press — Torso / Limbs x2
Overhead press

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Shoulders | Dumbbells or barbell

How to perform

Brace and press overhead without leaning back.

Avoid: Excessive lower-back arch.

Lat pulldown — Torso / Limbs x2
Lat pulldown

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Lats | Cable machine

How to perform

Pull elbows toward the ribs without swinging.

Avoid: Pulling behind the neck or using momentum.

Dumbbell biceps curl — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell biceps curl

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Biceps | Dumbbells

How to perform

Keep the upper arms still, curl through a controlled range, and lower fully.

Avoid: Swinging the torso or letting elbows drift forward.

Dumbbell triceps extension — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell triceps extension

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Triceps | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the trunk, keep elbows pointing forward, and straighten the arms without flaring.

Avoid: Arching the lower back or moving the upper arms.

Tuesday · 36–40 min

Legs + arms A

Back squat — Torso / Limbs x2
Back squat

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Quads | Barbell

How to perform

Brace, sit between the hips, and drive through the full foot.

Avoid: Knees collapsing inward or losing trunk position.

Romanian deadlift — Torso / Limbs x2
Romanian deadlift

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Hamstrings | Barbell or dumbbells

How to perform

Push hips back while keeping the load close and spine neutral.

Avoid: Squatting the hinge or rounding the back.

Standing calf raise — Torso / Limbs x2
Standing calf raise

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Calves | Bodyweight or dumbbells

How to perform

Rise through the big-toe mound, pause at the top, and lower through a full range.

Avoid: Bouncing or rolling onto the outside of the feet.

Dumbbell biceps curl — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell biceps curl

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Biceps | Dumbbells

How to perform

Keep the upper arms still, curl through a controlled range, and lower fully.

Avoid: Swinging the torso or letting elbows drift forward.

Dumbbell triceps extension — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell triceps extension

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Triceps | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the trunk, keep elbows pointing forward, and straighten the arms without flaring.

Avoid: Arching the lower back or moving the upper arms.

Thursday · 36–40 min

Torso B

Dumbbell press — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell press

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Chest | Dumbbells

How to perform

Press with wrists stacked over elbows.

Avoid: Overarching or lowering beyond a controlled range.

One-arm row — Torso / Limbs x2
One-arm row

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Upper back | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the torso and draw the elbow toward the hip.

Avoid: Twisting or shrugging the shoulder.

Overhead press — Torso / Limbs x2
Overhead press

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Shoulders | Dumbbells or barbell

How to perform

Brace and press overhead without leaning back.

Avoid: Excessive lower-back arch.

Lat pulldown — Torso / Limbs x2
Lat pulldown

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Lats | Cable machine

How to perform

Pull elbows toward the ribs without swinging.

Avoid: Pulling behind the neck or using momentum.

Rear-delt fly — Torso / Limbs x2
Rear-delt fly

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Rear shoulders | Dumbbells

How to perform

Hinge with light weights and open the arms without shrugging or using momentum.

Avoid: Swinging the weights or turning the movement into a row.

Friday · 44–48 min

Legs + arms B

Goblet squat — Torso / Limbs x2
Goblet squat

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Quads | Dumbbell

How to perform

Hold the load at the chest and keep the torso tall.

Avoid: Heels lifting or rushing the bottom position.

Hip thrust — Torso / Limbs x2
Hip thrust

4 × 6-10 reps | Rest 90 sec

Glutes | Bench and load

How to perform

Finish with ribs down and hips fully extended.

Avoid: Overextending the lower back.

Reverse lunge — Torso / Limbs x2
Reverse lunge

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Quads | Dumbbells or bodyweight

How to perform

Step back and lower under control while keeping the front foot planted.

Avoid: Pushing off the back foot.

Standing calf raise — Torso / Limbs x2
Standing calf raise

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Calves | Bodyweight or dumbbells

How to perform

Rise through the big-toe mound, pause at the top, and lower through a full range.

Avoid: Bouncing or rolling onto the outside of the feet.

Plank — Torso / Limbs x2
Plank

3 × 20-30 seconds | Rest 60 sec

Core | Bodyweight

How to perform

Brace and maintain a straight line while breathing normally.

Avoid: Hips dropping or breath holding.

Dumbbell biceps curl — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell biceps curl

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Biceps | Dumbbells

How to perform

Keep the upper arms still, curl through a controlled range, and lower fully.

Avoid: Swinging the torso or letting elbows drift forward.

Dumbbell triceps extension — Torso / Limbs x2
Dumbbell triceps extension

3 × 10-15 reps | Rest 60 sec

Triceps | Dumbbell

How to perform

Brace the trunk, keep elbows pointing forward, and straighten the arms without flaring.

Avoid: Arching the lower back or moving the upper arms.

Plan overview

Compare balanced four-day schedules for strength, muscle or mixed conditioning.

Who it suits

Trainees who can reliably protect four weekly training windows.

Who should avoid it

Avoid four hard consecutive days when the same muscles are repeatedly stressed.

Comparison

How the alternatives differ

Upper/lower trains each area twice; torso/limbs separates trunk work from legs and direct arms; hybrid training reserves dedicated cardio days.

Common mistakes

  • Poor upper/lower balance
  • No easier days
  • Too much accessory volume

Make it yours

Customize this workout

Choose your training days, setup and goal. The generator keeps the progression, recovery and safety checks from the complete system.

Customize This Plan
Progression

Add load or repetitions only after the target range is controlled.

Recovery

Reduce volume if performance, sleep or motivation steadily worsens.

Nutrition

Build balanced meals around protein-rich foods, carbohydrates, produce and regular hydration.

Substitutions

Use the listed movement alternatives when the original exercise is not practical.

Questions

4 day workout split FAQ

What is the best 4 day split?

Upper body twice and lower body twice is a balanced four-day workout split. It gives each major muscle group two weekly sessions while preserving recovery days.

Is upper lower good for a 4 day workout split?

Yes. Upper/lower naturally divides the week into two upper-body and two lower-body sessions with room for recovery.

Can a 4 day workout split build muscle?

Yes. Four days provide enough room to distribute weekly sets across every major muscle group without making each session excessively long.

Can I add cardio to a 4 day workout split?

Yes. Add moderate cardio after an easier lifting session or on a separate day, and avoid placing demanding leg cardio immediately before the hardest lower-body workout.

Sources and scope

Public-health reference points

Workout Split uses these primary public-health sources as broad context for aerobic activity, strength work and intensity. They do not validate an individual generated plan or replace assessment by a qualified professional.