At SQUATWOLF, our core is centered around elevating the human experience, whether it is through our garments, our technologies, or our community. We aim to lift the weight of modern life by creating components that help people become stronger.
Staying true to our ideology, we aim to inspire our community to incorporate fitness in their daily lives, in any shape or form.
The idea of stepping foot in the gym may be daunting for some, mainly because of the lack of know-how and understanding about gym equipment and correct form. For this purpose, we have created a 30-day workout guide in collaboration with our athlete, Sophia. This guide will serve as a beginner’s toolkit for your first month in the gym and give you the confidence needed to kickstart your fitness journey.
To all our readers, congratulations on taking the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, and we hope that this guide helps you achieve your goals.
MEET COACH SOPHIA
Hello, my name is Sophia Delavari, a SQUATWOLF athlete. As an online coach, health speaker, and host of 'The Detached Podcast', my mission is to educate as many people as possible about the importance of a balanced approach to training and nutrition.
I strive to help individuals flip their mindset on what health means and break away from restrictive dieting culture. With my own experience of losing 20kg,
I believe that it is possible to achieve results while still enjoying life and not having to rely on restrictive eating habits.
THE 30 DAY WORKOUT GUIDE
A 6 DAY WORKOUT PLAN FOR 30 DAYS
Repeat the 6 day plan for four weeks. Each week increase the rep range by two or the weights to achieve progressive overload.
If you don't feel like you've worked hard then you're probably not pushing hard enough to change. Going one rep away from failure is a good indicator that you're working hard.
By the end of a set ask yourself "could i perform more?" if the answer is yes, then add more weight or add more reps. Take 60 seconds rest after each set.
GYM LANGUAGE
Before we get started, here are a few terms that will be used in the workout guide.REPS
Abbreviation of ‘repetitions’. Refers to the number of times you should perform the full movement of the exercises for one complete set.SETS
The amount of times you should perform the full number of specified reps – taking the specified break between each.SUPERSET
This is where you perform one exercise immediately after another different exercise, aiming for a 0-10 second rest between each.Supersets can be used to target a single or multiple muscle groups and are utilised for various training protocols.
Their most effective use is to stimulate hypertrophy and increase muscular endurance.
The Warm up
To prevent injuries and prepare your body for exercise, it's important to warm up effectively. By warming up your muscles with low-intensity cardio for 5-10 minutes, such as using a treadmill or stationary bike, or by doing 3 sets of 10 body weight squats and 20 lunges, you can reduce your risk of pulling a muscle. Remember, warming up helps to increase blood flow and flexibility, which can improve your overall performance during your workout.WARM UP: BODYWEIGHT SQUATS
Sets:3
Reps: 10
Step-by-step:
Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Engage your core and push your hips back as you lower your body down into a squat position, keeping your chest up and your knees in line with your toes.
Drive through your heels to return to the starting position, fully extending your legs.
WARM UP: LUNGES
Sets:3
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Step forward with one leg and lower your body down until your thigh is parallel to the ground and your back knee is hovering just above the floor.
Push through your front heel to return to the starting position, then take a step forward with the opposite leg and repeat the movement.
Jump To Workout Day
day 1: upper body
Exercises:
Exercise 1: Shoulder Press
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
Hold a pair of dumbbells at shoulder level with your palms facing forward.
Push the dumbbells straight up above your chest, fully extending your arms.
Lower the dumbbells back down to shoulder level in a controlled manner.
EXERCISE 2:CHEST PRESS
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
Begin by lying on a flat bench with your feet planted firmly on the ground.
Hold a pair of dumbbells at shoulder level with your palms facing forward.
Push the dumbbells straight up above your chest, fully extending your arms.
Lower the dumbbells back down to shoulder level in a controlled manner.
EXERCISE 3: LAT PULL DOWN
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
Begin by sitting at a lat pulldown machine with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Grasp the bar with a wide, overhand grip, keeping your arms fully extended.
Pull the bar down towards your chest.
Slowly release the bar back to the starting position, keeping tension on your muscles.
EXERCISE 4: PUSH-UPS
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
Begin in a plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, your feet together, and your body straight from head to heel.
Lower your body down towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
Push yourself back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
EXERCISE 5: SEATED ROW
Sets: 2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
Begin by sitting at a seated row machine with your feet planted firmly on the ground.
Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, keeping your arms fully extended.
Engage your core and pull the handles towards your body, keeping your elbows close to your sides and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Slowly release the handles back to the starting position, keeping tension on your muscles.
EXERCISE 6: UPRIGHT ROW
Sets: 2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a pair of dumbbells or a barbell in front of your body with an overhand grip.
Engage your core and lift the weights up towards your chin, keeping your elbows close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Lower the weights back down to the starting position in a controlled manner, keeping tension on your muscles.
Day 2: lower body
EXERCISE 1: BARBELL GLUTE BRIDE
Sets:3
Reps: 15
Step-by-step:
- Place a barbell across your hips, holding it steady with your hands.
Lift your hips up the ground, squeezing your glutes as you do so.
Hold the position for a moment, then lower your hips back down to the ground.
Sets:3
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Step forward with one leg and lower your body down until your thigh is parallel to the ground and your back knee is hovering just above the floor.
Push through your front heel to return to the starting position, then take a step forward with the opposite leg and repeat the movement.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
-
Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell or kettlebell with both hands at chest level.
Engage your core and push your hips back as you lower your body down into a squat position, keeping your chest up and your knees in line with your toes.
Drive through your heels to return to the starting position, fully extending your legs.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
-
Begin by lying on your stomach on a hamstring curl machine, with your ankles tucked under the padded bar.
Slowly lower the bar back to the starting position, straightening your legs as you do so.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Begin by standing on your toes an elevated platform with the back half of your foot off the platform and heels facing downwards.
Hold for a moment and then repeat.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
-
Begin by lying on your back on the ground or on a mat, with your legs extended in front of you and your arms by your sides.
Bring your knees in towards your chest, lifting your hips off the ground as you do so. Try to keep your lower back pressed against the ground.
Day 3: Upper body
Exercise 1: BARBELL BENT ROW
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and grip the barbell with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees slightly and hinge at the hips, keeping your back flat and chest lifted as you lower your torso towards the ground.
Sets:3
Reps: 15
Step-by-step:
- Hold a pair of weight/dumbbells at your sides, palms facing inwards towards your thighs.
- Raise your arms out to the sides, maintaining a slight bend in your elbows as you lift the dumbbells.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Attach a rope handle to the high pulley of a cable machine and stand facing the machine.
- Grab the rope with an overhand grip, palms facing each other, and step back until there is tension on the cable.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Sit on a bench or seated row machine with your feet planted on the ground and your knees bent.
- Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, palms facing towards you.
Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged. Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides.
Keeping your upper arms stationary, bend your elbows and curl the dumbbells towards your shoulders.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and grip the bar with an underhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
-
Begin by lying on your back on the ground or on a mat, with your legs extended in front of you and your arms by your sides.
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
-
Stand in a Captain's chair frame with your arms on each side.
Day 4: Rest Day
Day 5: lower body
Exercises:Exercise 1: leg press
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Sit on the leg press machine with your back against the padded support and your feet on the platform, hip-width apart.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a barbell or dumbbells in front of your thighs, palms facing towards your body.
Keeping your legs straight, hinge at the hips and lower the weight towards the ground, keeping your back straight and chest lifted.
Lift the weight back up to the starting position, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement.
Sets:3
Reps: 10
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and grip the barbell with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Position the barbell across your upper back, resting it on your traps or upper shoulders.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and grip the kettlebell with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
-
Begin by lying on your back on the ground or on a mat, with your legs extended in front of you and your arms by your sides.
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
-
Stand in a Captain's chair frame with your arms on each side.
Day 6: Upper Body
Exercises:- Standing Shoulder Press
- Shoulder Raises
- Lateral Raises
- Tricep Pushdown
- Cable Crunches
- Russian Twists
Exercise 1: Standing Shoulder Press
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a pair of dumbbells at shoulder level, palms facing forward.
Sets:3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a weight plate or a pair of dumbbells at your sides, palms facing each other.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold weight plates or a pair of dumbbells at your sides, palms facing each other.
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Place your hands on a bench with your legs bent in a 90 degree angle and elbows locked straight.
Sets:3
Reps: 15
Step-by-step:
- Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable machine and stand facing the machine, a few feet away from it.
- Grip the rope with both hands and bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
Exercise 6: RUSSIAN TWISTS
Sets: 2Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
Twist your torso to the right, touching the weight to the ground on the other side.
Day 7: AB Workout
Exercises:Exercise 1: CABLE CRUNCHES
Sets:3
Reps: 15
Step-by-step:
Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable machine and stand facing the machine, a few feet away from it. Grip the rope with both hands and bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
Exercise 2: RUSSIAN TWISTS
Sets: 2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
- Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
- Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
Twist your torso to the right, touching the weight to the ground on the other side.
Exercise 3: REVERSE CRUNCH
Sets:2
Reps: 20
Step-by-step:
Begin by lying on your back on the ground or on a mat, with your legs extended in front of you and your arms by your sides.
Exercise 4: BOSU BOX CRUNCH
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Step-by-step:
Stand in a Captain's chair frame with your arms on each side.
Congratulations on completing your 30 day workout guide!
You have taken an important step towards improving your physical health and overall well-being.It is important to remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination, and it is important to continue incorporating physical activity into your daily routine
Keep pushing yourself, setting goals, and striving for progress. Remember to listen to your body and take rest days when needed. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process of becoming the best version of yourself.