If you’re looking for an efficient, muscle-building workout that delivers maximum results in minimal time, a 35-minute full body barbell workout is the perfect solution. With just one piece of equipment—the barbell—you can target every major muscle group, improve strength, and torch calories in under an hour. Whether you train at home or in the gym, this workout is designed to push your limits and help you achieve a stronger, leaner physique.
In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits of barbell training, how to structure your 35-minute full body workout, and provide a detailed exercise breakdown with sets, reps, and tips.
Barbell training allows you to combine compound movements that work multiple muscles at once. Instead of isolating body parts, you train more muscles per exercise, cutting your workout time significantly.
Using a barbell lets you progressively overload muscles more effectively than with bodyweight or lighter dumbbells. This means you can continually add weight over time, building serious strength and power.
Because you use both sides of the body at once, barbell training ensures balanced development, preventing muscle imbalances and promoting better posture.
A barbell workout that involves large compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and presses elevates your heart rate, creating a cardio and strength effect at the same time. This boosts calorie burn and promotes fat loss.
The goal of this workout is to target all major muscle groups efficiently. To maximize results:
This workout can be performed 2–4 times per week, depending on your fitness level and recovery.
Below is a complete routine broken down into warm-up, main lifts, accessory lifts, and a conditioning finisher.
Before lifting heavy, prime your body with mobility and activation drills:
Perform the following 6 exercises in sequence. Rest 60–90 seconds between sets. Use a challenging but manageable weight.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 8–10
Muscles Worked: Quads, glutes, hamstrings, core
The squat is the foundation of barbell training. Keep your chest tall, drive through your heels, and engage your core to protect your spine.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 6–8
Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back, traps, grip strength
Deadlifts are a powerhouse movement that train nearly every muscle. Focus on form: hinge at the hips, maintain a flat back, and lift with control.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 8–10
Muscles Worked: Chest, shoulders, triceps
Lie flat on a bench, grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder-width, and lower to your chest. Press explosively while keeping your feet planted firmly.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 8–10
Muscles Worked: Shoulders, triceps, core
Press the barbell overhead with a tight core. Avoid leaning back excessively. This move builds pressing strength and develops the shoulders.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 8–10
Muscles Worked: Lats, traps, rear delts, biceps
Hinge forward with a flat back and pull the barbell toward your torso. This strengthens the pulling muscles of your back and improves posture.
Sets/Reps: 3 × 8–10
Muscles Worked: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back
This hip-hinge variation isolates the posterior chain more than the conventional deadlift. Lower the bar just below your knees while keeping a slight bend in the knees.
To end the workout, complete the following moves back-to-back for 3–4 rounds with minimal rest:
This finisher spikes your heart rate, improves endurance, and boosts calorie burn.
Here’s how you can fit this 35-minute full body barbell workout into your week:
Gradually increase the weight you lift over time. Even small increases (2.5–5 lbs per week) lead to long-term strength and muscle gains.
Proper technique prevents injury and ensures the right muscles are activated. If possible, film your lifts or ask a coach for feedback.
Fuel your body with a high-protein diet to support muscle repair and growth. Stay hydrated and consume balanced meals around your workouts.
Don’t underestimate the importance of rest days. Muscles grow when you recover, not when you’re lifting.
A 35-minute full body barbell workout is a powerhouse routine that delivers strength, muscle growth, and fat-burning benefits in one efficient session. By combining compound lifts with a conditioning finisher, you’ll challenge your entire body and maximize results in less time.
Stick with this program for 6–8 weeks, progressively increase your weights, and fuel your body properly—you’ll notice impressive improvements in both strength and physique.
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