
Physical Training Program IV: Gym Circuit
Here’s a 12-week training program you can stick to and build on long term. This combines calisthenics, cardio, core, and mental toughness exercises while maintaining recovery and injury prevention.
Gym-Based Lifting 🏋️♂️
Structured around proven compound and isolation exercises, gym-based lifting helps build muscle mass, boost strength, and improve overall physique. Using barbells, dumbbells, machines, and cables allows for progressive overload and precise muscle targeting by controlling resistance, volume, and rest. It’s ideal for developing maximal strength, balanced aesthetics, and long-term training progression.
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Frequency: 3-4 days per week
- Gear needed: A full gym
Weeks 1–3: Foundation Phase (Full Body Focus)
This phase introduces basic compound lifts to build strength and correct form. Great for all levels.
Before Each Workout
- 5-min Treadmill Walk or Light Row
- Dynamic Warm-Up: Arm circles, bodyweight squats, leg swings
- Rest Times Between Sets: 60–90 seconds
Day 1 – Push Focus (Chest, Shoulders, Triceps)
- Barbell Bench Press: 4 sets x 8 reps
- Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Triceps Rope Pushdown: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Dumbbell Lateral Raise: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Core – Plank: 3 sets x 45 seconds
Day 2 – Pull Focus (Back, Biceps)
- Deadlifts: 4 sets x 6 reps
- Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Seated Cable Row: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Barbell Curl: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Hammer Curl: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Core – Hanging Knee Raises: 3 sets x 12 reps
Day 3 – Lower Body
- Barbell Back Squat: 4 sets x 8 reps
- Romanian Deadlift: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Curl Machine: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Standing Calf Raise: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Core – Ab Wheel Rollouts: 3 sets x 10 reps
Weeks 4–6: Volume Phase (Upper/Lower Split)
Day 1 – Upper Body
- Incline Barbell Bench Press: 4 sets x 8 reps
- Pull-Ups or Assisted Pull-Ups: 3 sets x 8 reps
- Seated Machine Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Cable Face Pulls: 3 sets x 15 reps
- EZ Bar Curl: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Triceps Dips or Bench Dips: 3 sets x 12 reps
Day 2 – Lower Body
- Front Squat: 4 sets x 6 reps
- Leg Press: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Dumbbell Step-Ups: 3 sets x 10 reps (each leg)
- Leg Curl Machine: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Standing Calf Raise: 3 sets x 20 reps
- Core – Cable Woodchoppers: 3 sets x 12 reps (each side)
Day 3 – Upper Body (Pump Focus)
- Machine Chest Press: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Arnold Press: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Preacher Curl Machine: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Cable Rope Triceps Extension: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Core – Reverse Crunches: 3 sets x 15 reps
Day 4 – Lower Body (Glutes & Hamstring Focus)
- Barbell Hip Thrusts: 4 sets x 10 reps
- Romanian Deadlift: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Bulgarian Split Squats: 3 sets x 10 reps (each leg)
- Cable Kickbacks: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Seated Calf Raise: 3 sets x 20 reps
- Core – Plank Shoulder Taps: 3 sets x 20 taps
Weeks 7–9: Strength Phase (Push/Pull/Legs)
Day 1 – Push
- Barbell Overhead Press: 4 sets x 6 reps
- Flat Dumbbell Press: 4 sets x 8 reps
- Incline Machine Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Triceps Skull Crushers: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Dumbbell Lateral Raises: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Core – Weighted Sit-Ups: 3 sets x 15 reps
Day 2 – Pull
- Conventional Deadlift: 4 sets x 5 reps
- T-Bar Row: 4 sets x 8 reps
- Dumbbell Shrugs: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Cable Curl: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Incline Curl: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Core – Hanging Leg Raises: 3 sets x 12 reps
Day 3 – Legs
- Barbell Back Squat: 4 sets x 5 reps
- Walking Lunges: 3 sets x 12 reps (total)
- Hack Squat Machine: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Leg Curl Machine: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Standing Calf Raise: 3 sets x 20 reps
- Core – Russian Twists: 3 sets x 40 reps (20 per side)
Weeks 10–12: Hybrid Peak Phase
Day 1 – Full Body Power
- Power Clean: 4 sets x 5 reps
- Push Press: 4 sets x 5 reps
- Trap Bar Deadlift: 3 sets x 8 reps
- Kettlebell Swings: 3 sets x 20 reps
- Box Jumps: 3 sets x 8 reps
- Core – Hanging Windshield Wipers: 3 sets x 10 per side
Day 2 – Hypertrophy Upper Body
- Incline DB Press: 4 sets x 10 reps
- Pull-Ups or Lat Pulldown: 3 sets x 10 reps
- Seated Cable Row: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Machine Shoulder Press: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Bicep Curls Superset Triceps Pushdowns: 3 x 12 each
- Core – Ab Circuit (Crunches, Toe Touches, Plank): 3 rounds
Day 3 – Glutes & Core Emphasis
- Hip Thrusts: 4 sets x 12 reps
- Dumbbell RDLs: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Cable Kickbacks: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Glute Bridge March: 3 sets x 12 reps
- Hanging Leg Raise: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Weighted Cable Crunches: 3 sets x 15 reps
Day 4 – Athletic Conditioning
- Sled Push/Pull: 4 rounds
- Battle Ropes: 30 sec on / 30 sec off x 5
- Rowing Machine: 4 x 250m sprints
- Med Ball Slams: 3 sets x 15 reps
- Farmer’s Carries: 3 sets x 40 meters
- Core – Side Plank + Reach Through: 3 sets x 12 each side
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