Skip to main content
Topic: 8-Week Beginner Strength Program for Women (Read 19 times) previous topic - next topic

8-Week Beginner Strength Program for Women

8-Week Beginner Strength Program for Women

[html]Lifting heavy is about so much more than just looking good—though you’ll love the results there too. It’s about feeling strong, capable, and confident in your own skin. It’s also about challenging societal norms that tell women to be small and take up less space. It’s time to break those barriers and claim your strength, […]
                              

Lifting heavy is about so much more than just looking good—though you’ll love the results there too. It’s about feeling strong, capable, and confident in your own skin. It’s also about challenging societal norms that tell women to be small and take up less space. It’s time to break those barriers and claim your strength, both inside and out. So, go ahead: With this 8-week Strength Program for Women, you can confidently pick up those weights, challenge yourself, and discover just how strong you truly are.


In two months, you’ll thank yourself for doing this.


Fitness beginner flexing her strong back muscles and biceps
Video Image Guy

The 8-Week Women Strength Program Overview


Duration: 8 weeks


Workouts per Week: 3 strength days + 1 optional cardio/conditioning day


Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Resistance Bands, Optional Barbell (for progression)


Primary Focus: Strength, skill acquisition, and body confidence


Weekly Structure:



  • Days 1, 3, 5: Strength Work (Full-body Focus)

  • Day 7: Optional Conditioning & Core (You can walk, run, swim, or use a machine for 20-30 minutes; core work will be included)


Program Notes:


Rest Between Sets: 60-90 seconds between exercises.


Progression: Increase weight every 2 weeks if possible. Aim for slow, controlled movement with good form.


Form Focus: Keep core engaged during all exercises, and prioritize quality over quantity.


Recovery: Ensure proper hydration, nutrition, and shoot for at least 7-8 hours of sleep.


Young fit women performing beginner strength program
Bojan

The 8-Week Beginner Strength Program for Women


This program is designed for women who are new to lifting and want to gain confidence in the weightroom. It provides a simple yet effective structure to progressively build strength, skill, and endurance over the next eight weeks. With a focus on basic movement patterns, this plan will help you master fundamental exercises and prepare you for more advanced training.


Weeks 1-4: Foundations of Strength


Objective: Focus on mastering movement patterns, building strength, and establishing solid form.


Strength Days (Days 1, 3, 5):


Warmup (5-7 minutes):



  • 1 min Foam Roll: Glutes, Quads

  • Adductor Rockback Stretch: 45 sec. (each side)

  • Bird Dog: 2 sets, 10 reps (each side)

  • Banded Glute Bridge: 2 sets, 10 reps

  • Bodyweight Squat (Controlled Tempo): 2 sets, 10 reps


Workout A (Day 1): Lower Body with Core Focus


Goblet Squat: 3 sets, 8-10 reps (hold a dumbbell/kettlebell at chest level)


Romanian Deadlift (RDL): 3 sets, 8-10 reps (use dumbbells)


Step-Ups: 3 sets, 8 reps (each leg (use bodyweight or hold weights)


Plank: 3 sets, 20 sec. (Over time, build up to 45-60 sec.)


Cool Down: 5 minutes of stretching (hip flexors, quads, hamstrings).


Workout B (Day 3): Upper Body Push + Pull


Push-Ups (Incline if needed): 3 sets, 8-10 reps


Bent-Over Dumbbell Row: 3 sets, 8-10 reps


Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell): 3 sets, 8-10 reps


Dead Bug (Core Stability): 3 sets, 10 reps (each side)


Cooldown: 5 minutes of upper body stretching (shoulders, chest, upper back).


Workout C (Day 5): Full Body & Loco*otion


Lunges (Bodyweight or with Dumbbells): 3 sets, 8 reps (each leg)


Kettlebell Deadlift: 3 sets, 10 reps


Dumbbell Chest Press (on Bench or Floor): 3 sets, 10 reps


Farmer’s Carry (Hold Dumbbells): 3×30 seconds walk


Cool Down: Gentle stretching for lower body and shoulders.


Optional Conditioning Day (Day 7)


·20-30 minutes of moderate cardio (e.g., walking, swimming, or cycling).


Core Work:



  • Plank Variations: 3 sets, 30 seconds

  • Russian Twists: 3 sets, 20 reps


Fit beginner female performing a barbell squat for the 8-week beginner strength program for women
Mikel Taboada

Weeks 5-8: Strength Progression & Confidence Boost


Objective: Progress your weights, intensity, and confidence. You’ll gradually increase the load and improve movement quality.


Strength Days (Days 1, 3, 5):


Warm-Up (5-7 minutes):



  • Foam Roll + Dynamic Stretch: 2 minutes

  • Glute Bridge: 2×10 reps

  • Walking Lunges: 2 sets, 8 reps (each leg)

  • Pushups or Incline Pushups: 2 sets, 6 reps


Workout A (Day 1): Lower Body + Core Progression


Barbell or Dumbbell Back Squat: 4 sets, 6-8 reps (or Goblet Squat if no barbell)


Kettlebell or Dumbbell Deadlift: 4 sets, 6-8 reps


Reverse Lunges (Dumbbell): 3 sets, 8 reps per leg


Plank with Shoulder Tap: 3 sets, 30 sec.


Cool Down: 5 minutes lower body stretching.


Workout B (Day 3): Upper Body Strength


Incline Dumbbell Press: 4 sets, 6-8 reps


Single-Arm Dumbbell Row: 4 sets, 8 reps (each side)


Overhead Press: 3 sets, 8-10 reps


Side Plank: 3×20-30 sec per side


Cooldown: Shoulder and upper back stretches.


Workout C (Day 5): Full Body & Conditioning


Front Squat (Barbell or Dumbbell): 4sets, 6 reps


Romanian Deadlift (RDL): 4 sets, 8 reps


Push-Up (Add Resistance if able): 3 sets, 8-10 reps


Farmer’s Carry (Increase Load): 3 sets, 30 seconds


Cool Down: Full-body stretch (focus on quads, hamstrings, shoulders).


Optional Conditioning Day (Day 7)


30 minutes of moderate cardio: Increase intensity, try interval training (e.g., 1 min fast, 1 min moderate).


Core Work:



  • Dead Bugs: 3 sets, 10 reps (each side)

  • Russian Twists: 3 sets, 20 reps (each side)

  • Leg Raises: 3 sets,10 reps

[/html]

Source: 8-Week Beginner Strength Program for Women (http://ht**://www.muscleandfitness.c**/muscle-fitness-hers/hers-workouts/8-week-beginner-strength-program-for-women/)