Beginner Workout Guide - Push Pull

A quick guide and weekly plan to get you started meeting goals in the gym

Jake Tysons

5/25/20262 min read

greyscale photo of woman in bralette inside room
greyscale photo of woman in bralette inside room

Beginner Workout Guide - Push Pull

A simple outline to build strength, consistency, and muscle without overcomplicating training.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty I want you to know that this is just step one to getting a true body transformation. The gym does 30%, Eating does 50%, Sleep and Hydration 20%. So please know the gym where muscles are built. Diet is where muscles are revealed. Sleep is where and hydration makes the muscles more prominent.

So follow this guide as a great starter but know that your nutrition is the next up to tackle.

Let's get to it.

What Is the Push Pull Method?

The Push Pull workout split organizes exercises based on how your muscles move.

Push Days
These workouts train muscles that “push” weight away from your body.

Main muscles:

  • Chest

  • Shoulders

  • Triceps

  • Quads (sometimes included)

Examples:

  • Push-ups

  • Bench press

  • Shoulder press

  • Squats

Pull Days
These workouts train muscles that “pull” weight toward your body.

Main muscles:

  • Back

  • Biceps

  • Hamstrings

  • Glutes

Examples:

  • Rows

  • Pull-ups

  • Lat pulldowns

  • Deadlifts

Why Beginners Like Push Pull Training

Benefits:

  • Easy to learn

  • Prevents overtraining

  • Helps muscles recover properly

  • Builds balanced strength

  • Simple weekly structure

  • Flexible for home or gym workouts

Beginner Weekly Workout Schedule

Option 1 — 3 Days Per Week (Best for Beginners)

Monday — Push
Wednesday — Pull
Friday — Full Body or Legs/Core
Tuesday & Thursday — Rest or light walking
Weekend — Recovery

Option 2 — 4 Days Per Week

Monday — Push
Tuesday — Pull
Wednesday — Rest
Thursday — Push
Friday — Pull
Weekend — Recovery

Basic Push Day Example

Upper Body Push Exercises

  • Push-ups — 3 sets of 8–12

  • Dumbbell shoulder press — 3 sets of 10

  • Chest press — 3 sets of 10

  • Tricep dips or pushdowns — 2–3 sets of 12

Optional Lower Body Push

  • Squats — 3 sets of 10

  • Lunges — 2 sets of 10 each leg

Basic Pull Day Example

Upper Body Pull Exercises

  • Dumbbell rows — 3 sets of 10

  • Lat pulldown or assisted pull-ups — 3 sets of 8–12

  • Bicep curls — 3 sets of 12

  • Face pulls — 2 sets of 12

Optional Lower Body Pull

  • Romanian deadlifts — 3 sets of 10

  • Glute bridges — 3 sets of 12

Key Beginner Notes

  1. Focus on Form First
    Good form matters more than heavy weight. Start lighter than you think you need.

  2. Consistency Beats Intensity
    A moderate routine done every week works better than extreme workouts you quit after two weeks.

  3. Recovery Is Part of Growth
    Muscles grow during recovery, not during the workout itself.

Aim for:

  • 7–9 hours of sleep

  • Hydration

  • Protein intake

  • Rest days

  1. Progressive Overload
    Slowly increase:

  • Weight

  • Reps

  • Sets

  • Control and form

Small improvements every week create major results over time.

Beginner Workout Rules

Warm Up First
5–10 minutes:

  • Walking

  • Jump rope

  • Dynamic stretching

  • Arm circles

  • Bodyweight squats

Rest Between Sets

  • 60–90 seconds for most exercises

  • 2 minutes for harder compound lifts

Workout Duration
Keep sessions:

  • 45–60 minutes

  • Shorter is okay when starting

Common Beginner Mistakes

Avoid:

  • Training too hard too fast

  • Skipping recovery

  • Using bad form

  • Comparing yourself to others

  • Changing routines every week

Basic Nutrition Tips

For muscle growth and recovery:

  • Eat enough protein daily

  • Drink water consistently

  • Don’t skip meals after workouts

  • Whole foods matter more than supplements

Simple beginner protein sources:

  • Fish

  • Eggs

  • Greek yogurt

  • Beans

  • Lentils

  • Protein shakes

Beginner Goal Timeline

Weeks 1–2

  • Learn movements

  • Build routine

  • Improve energy

Weeks 3–6

  • Increased strength

  • Better endurance

  • Improved confidence

Months 2–3

  • Visible muscle tone

  • Better posture

  • More stable workout habits

Simple Beginner Reminder

You do not need:

  • Perfect workouts

  • Expensive supplements

  • Two-hour gym sessions

You need:

  • Consistency

  • Good recovery

  • Basic structure

  • Patience

Fitness results come from repeating simple habits long enough for them to work.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Making your dream life easy.

About

Contact Us

Terms And Conditions

Terms And Conditions