Wellness Weight Loss The 5 Best Strength Moves for Weight Loss Do this tone-up-all-over strength workout 2–3 times per week, leaving at least a day's rest in between. By Health.com Editorial Team Health.com Editorial Team The editors at Health are a dedicated team of experienced health editors, writers, and other media professionals who strive to bring trustworthy and responsible health and medical content to their readers. As a team, we have decades of experience in health journalism and have worked at legacy publishers and some of the biggest news and media companies in the U.S. health's editorial guidelines Published on September 4, 2014 Share Tweet Pin Email Do this all-over strength workout 2–3 times per week, leaving at least a day's rest in between. Each move is a "compound" exercise, meaning it targets multiple muscle groups, so you get a really big bang for your strength-training buck! Rest for 30–60 seconds after each set. This strength routine is part of the CarbLovers workout. 3 Barbell Exercises You're Probably Doing Wrong—and How to Fix Them 01 of 06 Squat to Overhead Press Chris Fanning Works quadriceps, hamstrings, butt, abs, shoulders A. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, elbows bent, a 5-pound weight in each hand at shoulder height, palms forward. Lower into a squat (don't let knees go past toes); hold for a moment. B. Push through heels to stand up, pressing weights overhead. Return to starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. 02 of 06 Single-Leg Dumbbell Row Chris Fanning Works back, shoulders, biceps, abs, quadriceps, hamstrings, butt A. Stand holding a 5- to 10-pound weight in left hand. Hinge forward so back is flat and almost parallel to floor; rest right hand on a chair or low shelf for support. Extend left arm toward floor, palm facing in; lift straight left leg behind you, so body forms a T. B. Slowly bend left elbow and draw weight up until elbow is even with torso; hold for a moment, then lower weight. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. 03 of 06 Step-Up With Bicep Curl Chris Fanning Works quadriceps, hamstrings, butt, abs, biceps A. Stand with left foot on a sturdy bench or step, a 5-pound weight in each hand. B. With weight on left foot, lift to standing on the step, right thigh raised so it's parallel to floor; at the same time, curl weights up toward shoulders. Return to starting position. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. Dumbbell Box Step-Overs Will Give You Your Tightest Butt Ever 04 of 06 Dolphin Plank Chris Fanning Works back, abs, shoulders A. Lie facedown with toes tucked. Keeping forearms on floor, pull bellybutton in toward spine, and raise hips to come into low plank position. B. Inhale while lifting hips further so body forms an inverted V; pause, then slowly return to starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. This 30-Day Plank Challenge Will Transform Your Core in 4 Weeks 05 of 06 Curtsy Lunge Chris Fanning Works hips, butt, quadriceps, hamstrings, abs A. Stand with feet hip-width apart, hands on hips. Take a giant step diagonally back with left foot and cross it behind your right; bend knees (as if curtsying) as you reach your left hand toward floor on the outside of your right foot. B. Return to starting position. Do 15 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets. The One Squat Variation You Need to Be Doing for a Perkier Butt 06 of 06 Superman Chris Fanning Works the back, butt Lie facedown with arms and legs extended, toes pointed, palms down. Inhale while raising arms and legs as high as you can; pause, then exhale while slowly returning to starting position. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. This 30-Day Bodyweight Challenge Will Tone and Tighten Your Entire Body To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit