Upper / Lower · 4 Days/Week

THE UPPER / LOWER ROUTINE

Two upper days, two lower days — more recovery without losing training frequency. A strong default for anyone with a busy week.

Level
Beginner-Intermediate
Duration
55-65 min / session
Frequency
4x per week
Equipment
Barbell, dumbbells, machines

Why this split

Splitting the body into just two halves means every muscle group gets trained twice a week with a full rest day built in between, which is enough frequency to build strength and size without needing to be in the gym six days a week.

Weekly schedule

Upper and Lower each run twice, with rest days spaced around them.

Mon
Upper
Tue
Lower
Wed
Rest
Thu
Upper
Fri
Lower
Sat
Rest
Sun
Rest

Upper Day

Chest, back, and shoulders in the same session.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Bench Press
46-82 min
Barbell Row
4890 sec
Overhead Press
3890 sec
Lat Pulldown
310-1260 sec
Lateral Raise
312-1560 sec

Lower Day

Quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves.

ExerciseSetsReps / TimeRest
Back Squat
46-82-3 min
Romanian Deadlift
38-1090 sec
Leg Press
310-1290 sec
Leg Curl
31260 sec
Calf Raise
412-1545 sec

Coaching notes

With only two rest days built in, keep the two upper sessions balanced between pressing and pulling volume so nothing gets neglected — it's easy to let bench press dominate both days if you're not tracking it.

Related splits
FULL BODY 3 days/wk BRO SPLIT 5 days/wk ARNOLD SPLIT 6 days/wk