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Building Muscle and Strength: The Best 4-Day Split Workout Routine

March 29, 2023

At BLK BOX GYM, we understand that building muscle and strength is a common goal for many clients. That's why we've created this guide to help you find the perfect 4-day workout split that will help you achieve your fitness goals.

The 4-day workout split is an effective and efficient routine that targets all major muscle groups and allows optimal recovery time between workouts. It's an excellent option for those who want to build muscle and strength but have limited time to spend in the gym.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the 4-day workout split, including considerations, benefits, sample workout schedule, and key exercises for each muscle group.

The 4-Day Workout Split

Starting a new workout routine can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with the right considerations, you can make the most out of your training split. Before diving into a 4-day workout routine, take a step back and ask yourself these important questions to determine whether it's the right fit for you.

  1. Your Strength Training Experience: Whether you're a seasoned weightlifter or a complete beginner, it's essential to consider your current strength training experience when choosing a workout split. If you're new to the game, it's best to start with a beginner-friendly routine that targets all major muscle groups without overwhelming your body. On the other hand, if you're a seasoned lifter, a more advanced workout split that focuses on specific muscle groups might be the right challenge for you.
  2. Your Personal Goals: It's important to define your personal fitness goals before starting a new workout routine. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle, or increase your strength, it's crucial to choose a training split that aligns with your goals. For example, a 4-day workout split that targets all major muscle groups might be ideal for building muscle and strength, while a cardio-heavy routine might be better for weight loss.
  3. Your Weekly Schedule: Another factor to consider is your weekly schedule. If you have limited time to spend in the gym, a 4-day workout split might be the perfect option as it allows you to target all major muscle groups without sacrificing recovery time. If you're only available to train on certain days of the week, it's important to choose a workout split that fits within your schedule.
  4. Age and Ability to Rest and Recover: Age and ability to rest and recover are also essential factors to consider when choosing a workout split. As we age, our bodies require more time to recover, so it's important to choose a training routine that allows for ample rest time between workouts. Additionally, if you're dealing with injuries or other health concerns, it's crucial to choose a workout split that won't exacerbate your condition.
  5. Injuries or Other Health Concerns: Finally, it's important to consider any injuries or health concerns before starting a new workout routine. If you're dealing with a bad shoulder or back, for example, it's essential to choose a workout split that won't put undue strain on those areas. Additionally, if you're dealing with a chronic health condition, it's important to consult with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any new workout routine.

At BLK BOX GYM, our certified personal trainers are here to help you choose the perfect workout split based on your unique needs and preferences. With our expert guidance, extensive exercise library, customized workout programs, and dedicated support, you can achieve your fitness goals in no time. Contact us today to book a free consultation and take the first step towards a stronger, healthier you.

Benefits of the 4-Day Workout Split

The 4-day workout split offers a range of benefits for building muscle and strength. Here are some of the key advantages of this workout routine:

  1. Efficient use of time: With only four days in the gym, you can target all major muscle groups without sacrificing time for recovery and rest.
  2. Optimal recovery time: The 4-day workout split allows ample recovery time between workouts, which is crucial for building muscle and avoiding injury.
  3. Focused training: By targeting specific muscle groups each day, you can focus on building strength and mass in those areas.
  4. Flexibility: The 4-day workout split can be customized to fit your fitness level and goals, with the ability to adjust weights and reps as needed.

How to Create a 4-Day Workout Split

Creating a 4-day workout split that is effective and tailored to your fitness level and goals can seem overwhelming. Here are some steps to help you create a 4-day workout split that works for you.

Step 1: Determine your fitness level and goals

Before creating your 4-day workout split, it's essential to determine your current fitness level and goals. This will help you create a routine that is challenging yet achievable.

Step 2: Choose your exercises

Once you've determined your fitness level and goals, it's time to choose the exercises that will be part of your 4-day split. Focus on exercises that target all major muscle groups and incorporate various training techniques.

Step 3: Divide your workouts

Divide your workout days into four different days, making sure to target all major muscle groups equally. You can also incorporate specific training techniques, such as plyometrics, resistance training, or cardio, on particular days.

Step 4: Determine sets and reps

Once you've chosen your exercises, it's time to determine the number of sets and reps you'll perform for each exercise. The number of sets and reps will vary based on your fitness level and goals.

One of the great things about the 4-day workout split is that it can easily be modified to incorporate different workout routines, such as the upper-lower split. Some fitness enthusiasts prefer to combine both workout routines to create a highly effective and versatile training regimen.

To incorporate the upper-lower split into the 4-day workout split, you can alternate between upper and lower body workouts on different days. Here is a sample routine for a 4-day workout split that you could do.

Sample 4-Day Workout Routine

Day 1: Upper Body (push focus)

  • Barbell Bench Press: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Dumbbell Shoulder Press: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Cable Flys: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Tricep Extensions: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Bicep Curls: 3 sets x 10 reps

Day 2: Lower Body (quad focus)

  • Squats: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Leg Press: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Lunges: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Leg Extensions: 3 sets x 12 reps
  • Calf Raises: 3 sets x 12 reps

Day 3: Rest day

Day 4: Upper Body (pull focus)

  • Pull-ups: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Rows: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Lat Pulldowns: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Seated Cable Rows: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Hammer Curls: 3 sets x 12 reps

Day 5: Lower Body (hamstring focus)

  • Deadlifts: 3 sets x 8 reps
  • Hamstring Curls: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets x 10 reps
  • Glute Bridges: 3 sets x 12 reps
  • Calf Raises: 3 sets x 12 reps

Day 6 and 7: Rest days

Incorporating the upper-lower split into the 4-day workout split can provide a great balance of full-body strength training while allowing you to focus on specific muscle groups. Additionally, by giving each muscle group ample time to recover, you can prevent overtraining and reduce the risk of injury.

Remember, the most important thing is to find a workout routine that works for you and stick with it consistently. By combining the 4-day workout split with the upper-lower split, you can create a versatile and effective training regimen that helps you achieve your fitness goals.

If you are unsure of how to perform these exercises, you can take a look at our comprehensive exercise library where we explain and show you step by step how to perform specific exercises.

Which is The Best Workout Split?

There are several options for workout splits, such as full-body, 3-day PPL split, Upper/Lower and 5-day splits. So, how does the 4-day workout split compare to others?

The Advantages of 4-Day Workout Splits

One of the significant advantages of the 4-day workout split is its efficiency. With only four days in the gym, you can target all major muscle groups and still have enough recovery time between workouts. This makes it an excellent option for those who want to build muscle and strength but have limited time to spend in the gym.

The 4-day split offers more focused training than full-body workouts, allowing you to target specific muscle groups each day. This can benefit you in building strength and mass in particular areas. On the other hand, full-body workouts may be better for beginners who need to build a solid foundation of strength in all muscle groups.

The 4-day split can also be modified to incorporate different workout routines, such as the upper-lower split or push-pull routine. This versatility makes it an attractive option for those who want to add variety to their workout routine.

The Disadvantages of 4-Day Workout Splits

One potential downside of the 4-day workout split is that it may not provide enough frequency for some muscle groups. For example, if you're looking to build a significant amount of muscle in your chest, you may need more than just hitting it only once a week.

Additionally, if you have a highly active lifestyle or play sports, you may need more recovery time between workouts. In this case, a 5-day split that targets each muscle group once a week but with two rest days may be a better option.

In summary, the 4-day workout split offers a range of benefits for building muscle and strength while allowing optimal recovery time. However, it may not provide enough frequency for some muscle groups, and a higher-frequency workout split may be more beneficial. It's essential to consider your fitness level, goals, and lifestyle when choosing the best workout split for yourself.

Book A Free Consultation Today

At BLK BOX GYM, we take pride in helping our clients achieve their fitness goals and become the best version of themselves. Our experienced personal trainers will work closely with you to develop a workout split tailored to your needs and preferences.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fitness enthusiast, we have a variety of workout splits that will help you build muscle, gain strength, and improve your overall fitness. Our state-of-the-art facilities and extensive exercise library ensure you have all the necessary resources to succeed.

We believe that fitness is more than just a workout - it's a lifestyle. That's why we offer a supportive and motivating environment to help you stay committed and achieve your goals.

So why wait? Book a free consultation today and discover how BLK BOX GYM can help you become the best version of yourself!

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Written by

Ken Lu

Ken has a Bachelor's Degree of Psychology from the University of British Columbia, specializing in Sport Psychology. As well as being a Certified Personal Trainer, Ken is also a Movement & Mobility Specialist, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has trained for and won the 2018 NPAA BC Men's Physique Championship.