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Chest Hypertrophy Workout - 20min Intermediate

This targeted session maximizes chest and triceps growth by combining heavy barbell work with high-tension isolation movements. You will utilize Tonal's dynamic resistance to challenge your muscles through every inch of the range of motion. It is designed for intermediate lifters ready to increase upper body volume and definition.

This workout is ideal for intermediate trainees looking to break through an upper body plateau or busy professionals who want to maximize hypertrophy in a short window.

20mDuration
4Exercises
12Total Sets
Chest, TricepsMuscles

Equipment

StraightBarHandlesRope

Workout Plan

Rest 90 seconds between heavy barbell sets and 60 seconds between isolation movements to maintain high metabolic stress.

StraightBar
Barbell Bench Press

Barbell Bench Press

Chest, Triceps, Abs

Engage Tonal's Spotter mode so you can safely push to failure on your final set.

4 x 8
Handles
Superset

Bench Chest Fly

Chest, Shoulders

Focus on a deep stretch at the bottom and use the digital weight to maintain tension throughout the arc.

3 x 12

Standing Chest Press

Chest, Triceps

Maintain a staggered stance and brace your core against the cable's horizontal pull for stability.

3 x 10
Rope
Overhead Triceps Extension

Overhead Triceps Extension

Triceps

Keep your elbows tucked and fully extend the rope at the top to peak the triceps contraction.

2 x 15

Why this order

The session follows a classic compound-to-isolation progression, starting with the Barbell Bench Press to move maximum weight while fresh. We then move to the Bench Chest Fly to isolate the pectorals before finishing with standing movements and high-rep triceps work to drive local muscular fatigue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use any of Tonal's dynamic weight modes?

Yes, for the Barbell Bench Press, Eccentric mode is highly recommended to increase the challenge on the lowering phase, which is a key driver for muscle growth.

What if the weight feels too light on the high-rep finishers?

Since this is for hypertrophy, focus on the mind-muscle connection and slow down the tempo. If you still feel under-challenged, use the Tonal display to increase the digital weight by 1-2 pounds.

How often should I perform this specific chest workout?

For best results in a hypertrophy phase, aim to run this session 1-2 times per week, ensuring at least 48 hours of recovery between chest-focused workouts.