The 3-Week Total-Body Shred Plan

Everybody likes to look good while wearing a little less. But if your workouts have been a little sluggish or you just need a little more drive to push your results to the next level, we’ve got the program for you.

This simple three-week plan, designed by Beachbody Super Trainer Jericho McMatthews, mixes together total-body strength circuits with high-intensity Tabata workouts to build muscle while blasting calories. “Using different styles of training and equipment keeps the workouts fun and exciting, while also challenging and inspiring you to be your best,” McMatthews says. And there’s nothing like the confidence you get from pushing your body to the max. With this plan, you’ll see improved strength, cardiovascular fitness, and lean muscle mass in just a few weeks. Keep your nutrition on point and you’ll also notice a reduction in body fat and inches where you want it most.

YOUR WORKOUT PLAN

Two days each week, you’ll do kettlebell-based strength moves that target your muscles from every angle. If you don’t have access to kettlebells, dumbbells are fine, too.

You’ll also do Tabata-based circuits, mixing in short bursts of intensity with brief recovery periods. “Tabata is one of the simplest and most effective forms of HIIT training—and it’s awesome if you’re short on time but want fast results,” McMatthews says. The best part: They increase your body’s afterburn, so you’ll keep torching calories. Finish with an exceptional express core routine that hits your midsection with rotational movements that are both fun and functional.

Twice a week, aim to do some sort of active recovery—go for a hike, take a yoga class, hit the pool, or head out for a light run. Let your body be your guide for just how long you should go.

YOUR SPLIT

HOW IT WORKS: STRENGTH CIRCUIT

You’ll need a set of light, medium, and heavy kettlebells. (Sub in a dumbbell if necessary.) Perform 12 to 15 reps of each exercise. In Week 1, repeat each circuit three times before moving on to the next circuit. Starting in Week 2, you’ll do each circuit four times through. Begin with the warmup and finish with five to 10 minutes of stretching and foam rolling.

See full workout below.

HOW IT WORKS: TABATA INTERVALS

Tabata training intermixes supershort but intense bursts of effort followed by brief recovery periods and is backed by science as one of the most e ective ways to get major results in a minimum amount of time. Follow it with all-important core training moves, which not only help your abs get into bikini shape but also allow the rest of your body to function at its best.

Start with a warmup, such as three minutes of light jump roping, then set an interval timer (download one for free on your phone) for one Tabata cycle. Each cycle should include eight rounds of work (20 seconds) and recovery (10 seconds). Start with Tabata 1, performing all eight moves in the circuit once through for the 20-second work cycle (four minutes total), then take two minutes of rest. Restart the timer and repeat the circuit twice more. In Week 3, add in the Tabata 2 circuit—Choose two moves from Tabata 1 and create your own four-minute finisher circuit (16 total minutes of work). Finish with a few minutes of stretching.

See full workout below.

HOW IT WORKS: CORE BLAST

Set an interval timer for five cycles of 45 seconds on, 15 seconds of rest/transition. Perform each exercise for 45 seconds before transitioning to the next exercise within the 15-second rest period.

See full workout below.

THE WORKOUT

You’ll need a set of light, medium, and heavy kettlebells. (Sub in a dumbbell if necessary.) Perform 12 to 15 reps of each exercise. In Week 1, repeat each circuit three times before moving on to the next circuit. Starting in Week 2, you’ll do each circuit four times through. Begin with the warmup and finish with five to 10 minutes of stretching and foam rolling.