If you want to lose fat effectively and build lean muscle, 35-minute full body resistance training for fat loss could be your ideal solution. This time-efficient workout style helps you torch calories, rev your metabolism, and tone your entire body — all without spending hours in the gym. In this guide, you’ll discover how to structure a 35-minute full body resistance workout, why it works for fat loss, and how to optimize your routine for results. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your current training, this plan can help you reach your goals faster.
Many people believe cardio is the best way to burn fat — but resistance training may be even more effective in the long term. Here’s why:
A 35-minute workout is an optimal balance — long enough to fully challenge your muscles, but short enough to fit into busy schedules. When done properly, a 35-minute full body resistance session can deliver:
To make the most of your time, your workout should follow a smart structure:
Start with a dynamic warm-up to prepare your body and prevent injury:
Focus on compound exercises that work multiple muscle groups at once, increasing calorie burn:
Use moderate to heavy resistance (dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, or bodyweight) with these variables:
End with a metabolic finisher to spike your heart rate and burn extra calories:
Perform 2–3 rounds of a 30/30 interval (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest).
Here’s a sample workout you can follow:
Complete 3 rounds:
Rest for 45 seconds after each round.
Perform as a circuit, 30 seconds per move, 2–3 rounds:
One of the most versatile pieces of equipment for resistance workouts. Great for squats, presses, rows, and lunges.
Excellent for swings, squats, presses, and dynamic moves that torch fat and build strength.
Useful for adding tension to bodyweight movements or assisting with mobility and activation.
If you have access to a barbell, you can perform heavy squats, deadlifts, and presses to increase fat loss and muscle gain.
Even without equipment, bodyweight resistance training can help you lose fat — think push-ups, squats, lunges, planks, and burpees.
When you add lean muscle, your body burns more calories even when you’re resting. Resistance training builds muscle, so you burn fat all day long.
Your metabolism stays elevated for 24–48 hours after an intense resistance workout. That means more calories burned post-exercise — a key to long-term fat loss.
Resistance training improves how your body handles carbohydrates, making it easier to use carbs for fuel instead of storing them as fat.
Push yourself with heavier weights or faster reps while maintaining good form. The greater the intensity, the more calories you’ll burn.
Shorten rest periods (30–45 seconds) to keep your heart rate elevated and increase fat burning.
These burn more calories and train more muscles than isolation movements.
Do at least 3–4 resistance workouts per week for best fat loss results.
Fat loss ultimately depends on creating a calorie deficit. Pair your workouts with a balanced diet rich in lean protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
Too much cardio without resistance training can cause muscle loss — making it harder to keep fat off.
To stimulate fat loss, you need to challenge your muscles. Choose a weight that makes the last 2–3 reps of each set difficult.
Keep a workout log and track your weights, sets, and reps. Progressive overload (lifting heavier over time) is key to seeing results.
You can alternate workout variations to keep it fresh and allow for muscle recovery.
If your goal is to lose fat and build lean muscle, adding a 35-minute full body resistance workout to your routine is one of the best ways to do it. You’ll get stronger, burn more calories, and improve your metabolism — all in a short, effective session.
By training consistently, challenging your muscles, and combining resistance workouts with smart nutrition, you’ll see fat loss results in less time than you thought possible.
Ready to get started? Grab your dumbbells, hit the gym or your home workout space, and follow this simple 35-minute plan — your leaner, stronger body is just weeks away.
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