I'm a Personal Trainer. This Is the Best 4-Week Weight-Loss Program

When most people start a weight-loss journey, they think they need to do cardio ad nauseam—start running and hit the elliptical. Others go the extreme and jump into absurd workout programs requiring tons of specialized equipment or instruction, only to give up weeks later because it’s not sustainable Don’t get us wrong, cardio and lifting weights are essential pieces in a weight-loss journey. But the key to losing weight is sticking to a routine and following a well-thought-out diet that is manageable day in and day out.

Losing weight fast shouldn’t be complicated or overly challenging. That’s why we’ve created a four-week men’s workout program you can do pretty much anywhere—indoors or out, at home or in the gym, on a track or in your driveway—with only minimal equipment.

How It Works

This workout program involves both strength training and running, but the emphasis here is on time-efficient workouts—anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes—that increasingly get more difficult. These workouts will help boost your metabolism and, when combined with improved nutrition, help you lose weight. Plus, you’ll improve strength, mobility, stability, and overall endurance along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how to lose belly fat fast, this workout schedule for men is the perfect place to get started.

We’ll begin each of the four weekly sessions with five minutes of movement pre to better mimic the movements of everyday life, improve flexibility and mobility, and reduce the risk of injury. Of course, this will also serve as a warmup for the coming workout.

Directions

The workouts remain consistent throughout the four weeks, but you’ll increase the degree of difficulty by adding sets, reps, distance, time, or a combination of all four. You should work out four days a week (ideally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) and designate Wednesday as your active recovery.

Keep your weekends free. However, any weight-loss program should encompass healthy eating, minimal or no alcohol, and an active weekend lifestyle of sports and outdoor activities that will complement your work during the week.

Related: 15 Best Exercises for Love Handles to Burn Belly and Back Fat

Week 1: 30 Minutes or Less

Monday : Interval Run

Warmup

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Cobra x 10 reps
Knee Hug x 10 reps each side
Inverted Hamstring x 10 reps each side
Lateral Lunge x 10 reps each side
Plank x 30 sec.
Side Plank x 30 sec. each side

Workout

Start by walking or lightly jogging for 1 minute.
Then perform the following: 3 minutes of running (80 percent effort), 3 minutes jogging/walking, 2 minutes running, 2 minutes jogging/walking, and 3 minutes running.
End the session by walking or lightly jogging for 1 minute to cool down.

Tuesday: Strength Session

Warmup

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Cat/Cow Stretch x 10 reps
Glute Bridge x 10 reps
Lateral Lunge x 10 reps each side
Backward Lunge x 10 reps each side
Butt Kicks x 10 reps
Knee Hug x 10 reps

Workout

1. Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press

How to Do It

Sit at the end of a flat bench with two dumbbells resting on top of your thighs, to start.
‘Kick’ your knees up to help guide the weights over your chest as you lie back, palms facing out.
Keeping one arm locked out, lower the other dumbbell, bending your arm to 45 degrees so the bell touches the outside of your shoulder.
Pause briefly, then push it back up.
Repeat on the other side, alternating on each rep.
Complete 2 x 10 reps each side.

2. Lat Pulldown

How to Do It

Sit at a lat pulldown station or cable machine fixed with a straight bar, to start.
Grab the bar with an overhand grip a little wider than shoulder-width apart, arms extended straight.
Draw your shoulder blades down and back, then pull your elbows toward your sides as you bring the bar to the top of your chest.
Pause briefly, then reverse the motion to return the bar. Move slow and controlled without using momentum.
Complete 2 x 10 reps.

3. Dumbbell Split Squat

Dumbbell split squats

James Michelfelder

How to Do It

Place one foot about three feet in front of the other with toes facing forward and dumbbells in either hand, to start.
Pull your shoulders back and keep your chest up as you lower your back knee one inch above the ground.
Make sure you don’t lean forward too far—think about maintaining a “proud chest” as you rise up.
Push through your front heel and straighten your back leg to come back up to the start position.
Repeat all reps on one leg, then repeat on the other.
Complete 2 x 10 reps each side.

4. Dumbbell Skull Crushers

How to Do It

Sit at the end of a flat bench with two dumbbells resting on top of your thighs, to start.
‘Kick’ your knees up to help guide the weights over your chest as you lie back, palms facing each other.
While keeping your shoulders stable, slowly bend at the elbows, bringing the weights down past your head. Keep elbows pointing straight ahead as you lower the weight. Hold in this bottom position for a count of two.
Straighten your elbows, pushing the weight back to the overhead starting position. Be sure to keep your arms perpendicular to your body and only extend your elbows.
Complete 2 x 10 reps.

5. Dumbbell Farmer’s Carry

How to Do It

Stand tall with a weight in each hand, to start.
Maintain a tall chest, retract shoulder blades, and keep weights from resting on thighs.
Walk forward, using choppy, heel-to-toe steps. Ensure that your head is facing forward and your posture is rigid.
Perform 2 x 25 yards.

6. Pullup

How to Do It

Grasp a pullup bar with an overhand grip set shoulder-width apart, to start.
Retract your shoulder blades down and engage your lats.
Pull your body up by driving your elbows down. Pause when your head is over the bar.
Lower with control to the dead hang position.
Complete 2 x 5 reps (or as many reps as you can).

Wednesday: Rest Day

Active recovery

Spend 15 minutes on a foam roller. Swim, paddleboard, or play your favorite sport.

Thursday: Strength & Endurance

Warmup

Cobra x 10 reps
Knee Hug x 10 reps each side
Inverted Hamstring x 10 reps each side
Lateral Lunge x 10 reps each side
Plank x 30 sec.
Side Plank x 30 sec. each side

Workout

Set a time for 30 minutes and complete as many rounds as possible in this sequence:

400-meter run
12 squats
12 walking lunges each side

Friday: Strength & Conditioning

Warmup

Cat/Cow Stretch x 10 reps
Glute Bridge x 10 reps
Lateral Lunge x 10 reps each side
Backward Lunge x 10 reps each side
Butt Kicks x 10 reps
Knee Hug x 10 reps

Workout

1. Pullup

How to Do It

Grasp a pullup bar with an overhand grip set shoulder-width apart, to start.
Retract your shoulder blades down and engage your lats.
Pull your body up by driving your elbows down. Pause when your head is over the bar.
Lower with control to the dead hang position.
Perform 3 x 5 reps (or as many reps as you can).

2. Pushup Progression

Pushups can help to build your upper body.

James Michelfelder

How to Do It

Get into a pushup position with your hands in a diamond position under your chest and your elbows tight to your sides, to start.
Your entire body should be straight, core braced.
Lower your body, keeping your elbows tucked near your torso and head neutral, until your chest is almost touching the floor.
Fire your chest and triceps to push through the floor and raise your body back to the start position.
On the next set, complete wide pushups, hands positioned outside shoulder-width apart. On the final set, perform standard pushups, hands shoulder-width apart.
Complete 1 x 4 reps diamond pushups, 1 x 4 reps standard pushups, and 1 x 4 reps wide pushups.

3. Burpee

Burpees are a full body exercise that build strength, mobility, and can help you burn calories.

Beth Bischoff

How to Do It

Stand with feet at shoulder-width apart, to start.
Keep your back straight as you squat down and place your hands on the floor.
Brace your weight and jump back into a pushup position.
Keep your core tight as you hold the pushup, drop your belly to the floor, or perform an actual pushup, then jump your feet to your hands and stand back up.
Immediately jump up as high as you can with your hands overhead and hips extended.
Perform 3 x 10 reps.

4. Mountain Climber

How to Do It

Assume a high plank position on the floor or place hands on a medicine ball to increase the challenge, to start.
Drive one knee at a time toward your chest, focusing on speed.
Alternate on each rep.
Complete 3 x 10 reps.

5. V-Up

How to Do It

Lie on your back on the floor with both arms extended by your head, to start.
Brace your abs and sit all the way up, simultaneously raising your legs and reaching for your toes.
Your body should form a V shape at the top.
Complete 3 x 10 reps.