3-day cardio workout plan Cardio & Strength Mix

Three days pairing easy cardio with simple machine work. Hold a conversational pace on the cardio and add load to the machines week by week.

Level
Beginner
Days a week
3
Per session
42–47 min
Goal
Cardio
Equipment
Machine, Cable Machine
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Workout schedule

3 days a week · 15 exercises · select a name for its video and how-to

Day 1 · ~47 min Mix A

5 exercises · 13 sets · ~47 min

  1. Treadmill Run Calves · Machine 1 sets of 12m
  2. Machine Leg Press Glutes · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:15 rest 1:15 rest
  3. Machine Chest Press Chest · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:15 rest 1:15 rest
  4. Machine Seated Cable Row Lats · Cable Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:15 rest 1:15 rest
  5. Decline Crunch Abs · Bodyweight 3 sets of 15 reps · 0:40 rest 0:40 rest

Day 2 · ~42 min Mix B

5 exercises · 13 sets · ~42 min

  1. Indoor Cycling (Spin Bike) Quads · Machine 1 sets of 12m
  2. Machine Pulldown Lats · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:15 rest 1:15 rest
  3. Cable Rope Face Pulls Rear Delts · Cable Machine 3 sets of 15 reps · 0:45 rest 0:45 rest
  4. Seated Leg Curl Hamstrings · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:00 rest 1:00 rest
  5. Hand Plank Abs · Bodyweight 3 sets of 30s · 0:40 rest 0:40 rest

Day 3 · ~44 min Mix C

5 exercises · 13 sets · ~44 min

  1. Steady-State Rowing Machine Quads · Machine 1 sets of 12m
  2. Machine Plate Loaded Front Military Press Front Delts · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 1:15 rest 1:15 rest
  3. Machine Leg Extension Quads · Machine 3 sets of 15 reps · 1:00 rest 1:00 rest
  4. Machine Pec Fly Chest · Machine 3 sets of 12 reps · 0:45 rest 0:45 rest
  5. Decline Sit-Up Abs · Bodyweight 3 sets of 12 reps · 0:40 rest 0:40 rest

About this plan

Who it's for

For anyone new to training, or coming back after a long break. You'll need the equipment listed above.

Not the right fit?

What to expect

Each week is 39 working sets across 15 exercises, about 2 h 15 min in total.

Sets run from 12 to 15 reps, with 0:40 to 1:15 of rest between them.

Main muscles: Calves, Glutes, Quads, Chest, Lats, Abs, Rear Delts, Hamstrings, Upper Back, Front Delts.

How to progress

Endurance builds by doing a little more work at the same effort.

  1. Change one thing. Add a few seconds to a timed interval, a round to a circuit, or a few reps to a set. Keep everything else as it was until the change feels routine.
  2. Volume before speed. Add volume before you add speed: a session you finish does more than a faster one you abandon halfway.
  3. Learn the movements. In your first weeks much of the progress is learning the movements, and it comes quickly. Keep the load light enough that every rep looks the same, and expect to add a little most weeks.

If you miss a week: Repeat the last session you finished rather than skipping ahead.

When it gets easy: Interval Cardio Builder, the same goal at intermediate level, 4 days a week.

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By muscle

Chest exercises Back exercises Shoulder exercises Arm exercises Leg exercises All 17 muscles

By equipment

Bodyweight Dumbbell Barbell Kettlebell Machine

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