Diet plays a key role in weight loss. However, to build muscle and lose weight, you need a well-designed body recomposition workout plan (along with a diet).
In this article, I’ll show how to program an ultimate 12-week workout plan to help you build muscle and lose weight simultaneously.
This program involves performing six times weekly and combines both resistance training and cardio.
Whether you’re male or female, this workout is worth trying if you want to build strength and enhance your physical appearance.
Important Terms Used in This Program
1. MHR: It means Maximum Heart Rate. It tells how many times your heart can maximally beat per minute. The MHR is calculated by subtracting 220 from age. For example, if you’re 30, your MHR will be 190.
2. AMRAP: Whenever you see AMRAP, it tells you to do as many reps as possible per set.
3. Zone 2 Cardio: It is a low to moderate-intensity cardio that involves performing exercises at 60-70% of the MHR. This is performed for a longer duration, typically for 45-60 minutes.
4. Zone 3 Cardio: It involves performing aerobic exercises at 70-80% of the MHR, making it slightly more challenging than Zone 2.
5. Zone 4 Cardio: It involves performing aerobic exercises at 80-90% of the MHR. Zone 4 cardio constantly challenges you to work hard and allow your body to burn plenty of calories in a short time.
12-Week Body Recomposition Workout Plan to Shape Your Physique
This program is divided into three phases, four weeks each.
The first phase involves doing resistance training and cardio on alternate days, allowing you to focus on building muscles and improving endurance effectively.
The second phase will be more challenging as it involves lifting weights six times per week and doing cardio three times.
The last phase is identical to the second phase, but it contains some challenging exercises and will have shorter rest periods between sets.
- Weeks 1 to 4 – Alternating Strength and Cardio Training
- Weeks 5 to 8 – Strength and Cardio Combined
- Weeks 9 to 12 – Resistance Training and Cardio Same Day
Instructions to Follow Workout:
- The interval between sets: I recommend keeping the rest period as short as possible between sets or supersets.
- Warm-up before lifting: I suggest doing some dynamic stretches, lightweight resistance training, and bodyweight cardio to get your heart up and prepare your muscles before lifting real weights.
- Push yourself a little harder each week: To achieve results faster, you should push yourself a little harder every week. You can do that by increasing load or intensity or decreasing interval time between sets.
- Get some rest when needed: Working out six times weekly can tire your body. That’s why you can take a break when your muscles are strained or stiff.
Week 1 to 4 – Alternating Strength and Cardio Training
- Monday: Full Body Resistance Training
- Tuesday: Zone 2 Cardio
- Wednesday: Total Body Workout
- Thursday: Zone 3 Cardio
- Friday: Total Body Workout
- Saturday: Zone 4 Cardio
- Sunday: OFF
Monday – Full Body Training
| Superset | Sets x Reps | Target Muscles |
|---|---|---|
| DB Squat + Overhead Press | 3 x 12-15 | Legs & Shoulder |
| Lunges + Incline Machine Chest Press | 3 x 12-15 | Legs & Chest |
| Lat Pulldown + Lateral Raises | 3 x 12-15 | Back & Shoulder |
| Seated Row + Bench Dips | 3 x 12-15 | Back & Triceps |
Tuesday – Zone 2 Cardio
| Exercise | Activity |
|---|---|
| Treadmill Run | 20-minute @50-70% MHR |
| Stationary Bike | 10-minute @65% MHR |
| Elliptical Trainer | 10-minute @60% MHR |
| Rowing Machine | 5-minute @70% MHR |
Wednesday – Total Body Workout
| Superset | Sets x Reps | Target Muscles |
|---|---|---|
| Pec Deck Fly + Leg Curl | 3 x 12-15 | Chest & Ham |
| 1-arm Landmine Press + Leg Extension | 3 x 12-15 | Shoulder & Quad |
| Single-arm DB Row + Rear Delt Raises | 3 x 12-15 | Back & Shoulder |
| Barbell Curl + Triceps Press Down | 3 x 12-15 | Arms |
Thursday – Zone 3 Cardio
| Exercise | Activity |
|---|---|
| Treadmill Run | 10-minute @60-75% MHR |
| Stationary Bike | 6-8 minute @60-70% MHR |
| Elliptical Trainer | 6-8-minute @60-70% MHR |
| Rowing Machine | 5-6 minute @60-75% MHR |
| Battle Rope Waves | 5-6 minute @60-80% MHR |
Friday – Total Body Workout
| Superset | Sets x Reps | Target Muscles |
|---|---|---|
| Military Press + Step up | 3 x 12-15 | Delts & Legs |
| Flat Bench Press + Calf Raises | 3 x 12-15 | Chest & Calf |
| Landmine Close-grip Row + Off Blocks | 3 x 12-15 | Back & Legs |
| Preacher Curl + Overhead Tris Extension | 3 x 12-15 | Arms |
Saturday – Zone 4 Cardio
| Exercise | Activity |
|---|---|
| Treadmill Run | 1-min run, 1-min walk x 6 sets |
| Stationary Bike | 30-sec work, 30-sec easy work x 5 sets |
| Rowing Machine | 30-sec high-intense work, 30-sec easy work x 5 sets |
| Battle Rope Waves | 30-sec work, 1-minute rest x 6 sets |
Week 5 to 8 – Strength and Cardio Combined
- Monday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 2 Cardio
- Tuesday: Leg + Core Workout
- Wednesday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 3 Cardio
- Thursday: Leg + Core Workout
- Friday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 2 Cardio
- Saturday: Leg + Core Workout
- Sunday: OFF
I recommend doing cardio in the morning and resistance training in the evening. But if that’s not possible, you can do cardio after strength exercises.
Monday – Upper Body Workout + Zone 2 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Overhead Press: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Incline Machine Bench Press: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Seated Pec Deck Fly: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Lateral Raises: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Single-arm DB Rowing: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Zone 2 Cardio
- Incline Treadmill Walk or Jog: 15-20 minutes
- Stationary Bike: 6-8 minutes
- Elliptical Cross Trainer: 5-6 minutes
Tuesday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Dumbbell Squat: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Walking Lunges: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Leg Curl: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
Core Workout
- Kneeling Cable Crunches: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Hanging Knee Raises: 3 sets x 10-20 reps
- Lying Cable Reverse Crunches: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
Wednesday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 3 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Dumbbell Flat Bench Press: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Landmine Close Grip Row: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Bent-over Barbell Row: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Rear Delt Raises: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Barbell Curl: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Triceps Press Down: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Zone 3 Cardio
- 10-minute Treadmill @65-75%
- 5-minute Stationary Bike @65%
- 5-minute Elliptical Trainer @65%
- 5-minute Punching Bag @65-75%
- 5-minute Battle Rope Waves @70-80%
Thursday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Leg Extension: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Smith Machine Back Squat: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Step-up: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Calf Raises: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
Core Workout
- Kneeling Cable Crunches: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- High to Low Cable Wood Chop: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Front and Lateral Plank: 3 sets x 1 minute each
Friday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 2 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Single-arm Landmine Press: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Chest-Supported Row: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Dumbbell Hang Clean: 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Barbell Shrug: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Push-up: 3 sets x AMRAP
- Chin-up: 3 sets x AMRAP
Zone 2 Cardio
- Treadmill Jog: 15-20 minutes
- Stationary Bike: 6-8 minutes
- Elliptical Cross Trainer: 5-6 minutes
Saturday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Hack Squat: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Romanian Deadlift: 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Hip Thrust: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Hip Abduction: 3 sets x 15 reps on each side
Core Workout
- Hanging Knee Raises: 3 sets x 10-20 reps
- Palloff Press: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Ab Wheel Rollout: 3 sets x 6-10 reps
Week 9 to 12 – Resistance Training and Cardio Same Day
- Monday: Upper Body Workout + Zone2 Cardio
- Tuesday: Leg + Core Workout
- Wednesday: Upper Body Workout + Zone3 Cardio
- Thursday: Leg + Core Workout
- Friday: Upper Body Workout + Zone4 Cardio
- Saturday: Leg + Core Workout
- Sunday: OFF
You should try to perform cardio in the morning and resistance training in the evening. But if that’s impossible, you can do cardio after strength exercises.
Monday – Upper Body Workout + Zone 2 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Overhead Press: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Incline Machine Bench Press: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Seated Pec Deck Fly: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Lateral Raises: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Close Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Single-arm Dumbbell Rowing: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Zone 2 Cardio
- Incline Treadmill Walk: 15-20 minutes
- Stationary Bike: 6-8 minutes
- Elliptical Cross Trainer: 5-6 minutes
- Rowing Machine: 8-10 minutes
Tuesday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Dumbbell Squat: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Walking Lunges: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Leg Curl: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
Core Workout
- Kneeling Cable Crunches: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Hanging Knee Raises: 3 sets x 10-20 reps
- Lying Cable Reverse Crunches: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
Wednesday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 3 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Dumbbell Flat Bench Press: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Landmine Close Grip Row: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Bent-over Barbell Row: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Rear Delt Raises: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Barbell Curl: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
- Triceps Press Down: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Zone 3 Cardio
- 10-minute Treadmill @65-75%
- 5-minute Stationary Bike @65%
- 5-minute Elliptical Trainer @65%
- 5-minute Punching Bag @65-75%
- 5-minute Battle Rope Waves @70-80%
Thursday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Leg Extension: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Smith Machine Back Squat: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Step-up: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Calf Raises: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
Core Workout
- Kneeling Cable Crunches: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- High to Low Cable Wood Chop: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Front and Lateral Plank: 3 sets x 1 minute each
Friday: Upper Body Workout + Zone 4 Cardio
Upper Body Workout
- Single-arm Landmine Press: 3 sets x 10 reps on each side
- Chest-Supported Row: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Dumbbell Hang Clean: 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Barbell Shrug: 3 sets x 8-12 reps
- Push-up: 3 sets x AMRAP
- Chin-up: 3 sets x AMRAP
Zone 4 Cardio
- Bar over Burpees: 6-8 reps, 30-sec rest x 5 sets
- Mountain Climbing: 15-second work, 15-second rest x 6 sets
- Fast Feet: 15-second work, 30-second rest x 6 sets
- Squat Jump: 6 reps, 30-sec rest x 5 sets
- Treadmill: 30-second sprint, 2-min walk x 6 sets
Saturday: Leg + Core Workout
Leg Workout
- Hack Squat: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Romanian Deadlift: 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Hip Thrust: 3 sets x 10-15 reps
- Hip Abduction: 3 sets x 15 reps on each side
Core Workout
- Hanging Knee Raises: 3 sets x 10-20 reps
- Palloff Press: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Ab Wheel Rollout: 3 sets x 6-10 reps
Can You Build Muscle and Lose Weight Together?
Yes, losing weight and increasing lean mass simultaneously is possible through a well-designed training program, a good meal plan, and guidance.
A body composition training plan must include a combination of resistance exercises and moderate to high-intensity cardio.
A good diet program must contain a combination of calorie surplus and deficit day (5/2). For example, you can have your caloric surplus on a day when you lift heavy or require more energy. However, you’ll mostly have to be in a caloric deficit to recompose your body.
The above workout plan can work well for workouts, but I recommend consulting a nutritionist to plan your meals effectively.
Download The Body Recomposition Training Program PDF
You can print this PDF and start using it offline.
