The three lifts most people refer to as the only ones you need for building foundational strength and muscle are the Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift, often called the "Big Three," because they work large muscle groups and offer the most "bang for your buck" in terms of overall development. These compound lifts build lower body, pushing, and pulling strength, forming the core of many effective strength programs, though some variations like overhead press or pull-ups are also highly beneficial additions.
Here's the truth: you only need three core barbell lifts to build total-body strength — the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. Known as the “big three,” these lifts have been the foundation of strength programs for decades because they work.
But nothing makes training as effective and simple as training the big 3 lifts: Squat, Bench, and Deadlift.
Whether you're just starting out or have been lifting for a while, focusing on the “Big 4” exercises — squat, deadlift, bench press, and chin-ups — is a great way to develop strength and stability.
Three to four exercises can be enough to cover a full-body workout at the intermediate level, but it of course depends on your preferences and the type of movements that you are doing.
The 3-3-3 rule exercise is a simple workout structure focusing on efficiency, typically meaning 3 days of strength training, 3 days of cardio, and 3 days of rest/active recovery per week, or alternatively, 3 exercises for 3 sets each in mini-circuits, often targeting different muscle groups (lower, upper pull, upper push). This rule helps beginners build a routine, providing structure for strength, endurance, and recovery without complexity.
What kills muscle gains most are poor recovery (lack of sleep, overtraining, high stress/cortisol), insufficient or poor-quality nutrition (not enough protein/carbs, excessive processed foods/sugar/alcohol), and inefficient training (too much cardio, bad form, focusing on isolation over compound lifts). Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which breaks down muscle, while inadequate protein, calories, and sleep directly impede repair and growth, making recovery paramount.
The 5/3/1 method, created by Jim Wendler, is a strength training program focusing on four core lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press) using a specific rep scheme (5, 3, 1) over a 3-4 week cycle, building strength slowly with progressive overload by increasing training weight (typically 90% of 1RM) and pushing for rep PRs on the final set, followed by assistance exercises for overall muscle growth.
The big 5 lifts — deadlift, bench press, squat, shoulder press, and pull-up — are widely considered the best compound exercises because they are proven to maximise muscle growth, build strength, and improve functional fitness.
It's generally agreed on that there are 7 types of strength:
There isn't one single "queen of all exercises," but the Squat and the Deadlift are the top contenders, often called the "king and queen" of compound lifts, because they work huge muscle groups, build strength, improve posture, and boost metabolism, with squats focusing on lower body and deadlifts engaging the whole body. Some also name the Kettlebell Snatch as a queen exercise for full-body power and fat loss, while lunges are praised as the "queen of glute exercises" for functional strength.
The reason the deadlift is considered the king of all the exercises is that it is a great indicator of strength. If you can deadlift an impressive weight, there is a good chance that you can handle heavyweight in general, as proven in previous points it works most of your body.
The BIG 3 in muscle training refers to the three exercises of squats, deadlifts, and bench press , which are designed to train the major muscle groups of the entire body.
The 3-2-1 workout method is a balanced weekly fitness routine: 3 strength training sessions, 2 Pilates (or barre/sculpt) sessions, and 1 cardio session, plus a rest day, designed for building strength, improving mobility, and boosting endurance without overtraining. It's popular for its flexibility, allowing adjustments to the type of cardio (walking, cycling) and intensity, making it adaptable for different fitness levels.
The "5 5 5 30 rule" is a popular, simple morning workout routine popularized by Sahil Bloom, involving 5 push-ups, 5 squats, 5 lunges (per leg), and a 30-second plank done immediately after waking up to build energy, focus, and consistency by kickstarting metabolism and getting blood flowing with minimal time and no equipment. It's designed to overcome inertia, boost physical and mental readiness for the day, and serve as a foundation for better habits, making it ideal for beginners or those needing a quick start.
For a 70 kg man, a Beginner deadlift is around 70-80 kg, while an Intermediate lift is about 130-150 kg, and an Advanced or Elite lift goes from 180 kg up to 210+ kg, often measured as 1.5x to over 2x bodyweight for solid strength, with higher numbers indicating expert levels. Your goal depends on your experience, but lifting your bodyweight (70kg) is a good start, with 100kg (1.4x bodyweight) showing good foundational strength.
The big four lifts are:
'The 3-3-3 split is simply three strength sessions, three cardio days and three active recovery days across the week,' says personal trainer Aimee Victoria Long. 'I think it's trending because it feels clear, achievable and balanced – women are craving structure that supports their energy, not drains it. '
"Human evolution led to five basic movements, which encompass nearly all of our everyday motions." Meaning your workout needs just five exercises, one from each of these categories: push (pressing away from you), pull (tugging toward you), hip-hinge (bending from the middle), squat (flexing at the knee), and plank ( ...
Here's why I live by the 90–10 rule 👇 90% of the time I'm eating quality food, training 5–6 days a week, and staying active. To build a body and lifestyle that actually lasts.
5/3/1 isn't great for beginners as the progress is too slow, the programming is too complex, and they have no idea what their training maxes are in order to make percentages work.
The hardest muscles to grow for most people are the calves, due to their high percentage of endurance-focused Type I muscle fibers and constant use in daily activities, making them resistant to growth. Other notoriously stubborn areas include the forearms, upper chest, and rear deltoids, often because they're frequently used or neglected in workouts, requiring specific, high-intensity, and varied training to stimulate growth.
One study found that untrained (beginner) males who participated in resistance training five times a week increased their lean muscle mass an average of 2 kilograms per month, or roughly 4.4lbs (1).
Milk and dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese are often used as post-workout fuel. Because milk provides a lot of protein that helps muscle recovery. Additionally, milk and dairy products also contain carbs and when combined with protein together will aid in muscle growth.