Build strength at home with this free muscle building workout plan: Build 30! Each day you’ll complete five minutes of mobility training, 20 minutes of strength training, and a burnout that is sure to test your limits. Download the program PDF with daily workout videos on YouTube. All you need is a set of dumbbells, and 30 minutes a day.
Build 30 is a muscle building workout plan that is designed to build strength at home in 30 minutes a day.
Each day you’ll complete five minutes of mobility training, 20 minutes of strength training, and a burnout that is sure to test your limits.
We’re taking strength and endurance training to the next level. We’ll target all major muscle groups including the upper body, lower body and core through both isolation exercises and compound movements.
This training split is designed to help you build strength, confidence, mental toughness and so much more, so you can continue to meet the demands of everyday life.
Build 30 is full of compound exercises that will challenge your total body strength and cardiovascular endurance. Each workout includes a mobility-focused warm up and cool down. Lift heavy weights to maximize muscular hypertrophy (muscle growth).

A strength training workout plan designed to increase muscle mass. This is an advanced workout plan, but we’ve included a modifier in every workout video to offer low impact, standing and beginner modifications. Follow along with the modifier for options to scale each move, and take these workouts at your pace.
This free, 2-week workout plan is modeled after our popular strength training programs: Strong 20, Stronger 25, SplitStrong 35, HIITStrong 35, MetCon 100 and Zero 30. These programs are different from our other free workout challenges because they include 10 daily workout videos (a new workout video each day) that were cohesively filmed as one complete program.
You can find more information about which signature program is right for you (and the order I recommend progressing through my programs) in this free Nourish Move Love Program Guide.
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A Set of Dumbbells (Discount Code: NMLTF5). Most of the daily workouts require a set of free weights. Each weight training workout will have a recommended dumbbell weight, usually between 10-25 pounds. You want a weight heavy enough that your last few reps are a struggle, but you are still able to complete the workout with good form.
Optional Exercise Equipment: Mini Loop Resistance Bands (Discount Code: NML), Heel Wedges and Optional Bench/Box/Chair.
Workouts are 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week.
This plan includes 2 rest days per week. You get to choose which days are your rest days. I suggest resting after day two or three (Wednesday or Thursday) and then again after day five (Sunday). OR completing days 1-5 and then resting on days 6-7; over the weekend. The goal is to make this plan work for YOU!
If you’re a runner, I would suggest completing 2-3 of the strength workouts per week. So your training plan would look like:
Week One:
Day 1: Full Body (Leg Focus)
Day 3: Core Training with Dumbbells
Day 5: Full Body and Abs
Week Two:
Day 6: Full Body (Arm Focus)
Day 8: Core Circuit
Day 10: Full Body Muscle Building
Intermediate to advanced, with modifications offered for all fitness levels in the daily workout videos.
Click here to try our functional strength training program, Strong 20. We recommend this signature program for beginners and pregnancy/postpartum.
FREE! No sign up needed.

The most effective muscle building workout routine will include compound lower body exercises, upper body exercises and core exercises in a split training routine (a popular format being push/pull/legs). This allows you to lift heavy while including a variety of exercises that stimulate multiple muscle groups at the same time, like squats, deadlifts, pull-ups and push ups.
In general, resistance training for 20 to 30 minutes, 2 to 3 days per week is enough to see results. You should target all your major muscle groups at least twice throughout your weekly workouts.
A split training format, alternating full body workouts with muscle-specific workouts, is effective for building muscle. The key to muscle growth is lifting heavy weights and implementing progressive overload. When you follow a split training routine, you can increase the reps or increase the weight you’re using while still allowing your body proper time to rest and recover.

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I love this format! The 30 rep buy-in is great and gets you pumped to start the workout, especially if you aren’t feeling particularly motivated. I loved the format of Build 30 and can’t wait to go back to it again.
Like every one of NML’s programs, I love and go back to this one many times. Lindsey pushes you, while completing the programs right along side you. I push play every weekday at 4:30am and I can’t think of a better way to start my day.
Love this program! I completed it and go back often! Whether its day 3 or day 8 for cardio days or a good arm day, I love that these work outs really push and strengthen me!
This is one of my favorite programs! I use these work outs for random days to get in a good sweat or follow the 2 week program!
I had a friend tell me about NML a few years ago but I was in the thick of a 3rd baby and wasn’t ready. I am so, so glad I ran across it again! I have never been more motivated to wake up early and get after a solid, challenging workout in my life. It is helping me feel stronger than ever at 39 as well as helping my mood, confidence and energy levels during an exhausting (but good!) season of homeschooling 3 kiddos. Thank you for all the work you do to make these available, free, and fun!
I love strength training with NML! I never was into working out much until discovering NML. The workouts go so quick and I feel so accomplished and strong doing them. Thank you Lindsey and team for making these workouts so accessible to everyone and so do-able for a stay at home mom!
I love this format!! True muscle building. Even after year of doing NML workouts this one made me sore. Please do more like this!!! My favorite program so far!
This is perfect for building muscle. This and Perform 20 are one of my favorites. I love that they are not too long. With Lindsays workouts I have built more muscle than others I have done. Don’t wait to try!
This is my very favorite NML program, hands down. I love that it is very challenging, but not TOO hard. I love the variety both on the area of your body it works each day, as well as the differing format of circuits and style each day. I’ve repeated it numerous times and it never gets old!
I absolutely am addicted to your workouts. I am 66 years old. I get so much from these 30 minute workouts. I started with 10s and 12s and now have moved to 15 and just got 20s for Xmas. Thank you for your encouraging words. You are such a positive person. I love the variety in all your programs. Bless you and the NML Family!
The format of this program’s workouts are my favorite! The 30 rep buy-in and 3 minute burn-out at the end breaks the workout into sections that help keep me motivated. I’m 23 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and just finished Build 30 for the 2nd time. My body and my mind feel so much stronger than they did a month ago!
I’ve done this workout program probably 6-7 times over the past 2 years through 2 postpartums and a pregnancy – it never ceases to challenge me!! I like that it is scalable based on where I am. Most recently, 8 mo pp and did it with 20s!
This plan was awesome! It kicked my butt while at the same time was so satisfying. It pushed me in all the best ways and left me feeling SO STRONG….. after the soreness went away HA!
The Build 30 was great! I hesitate to say I “enjoyed” it because it was hard and I pushed myself to use heavier weights. But I love how I feel after each workout—having accomplished something and really feeling like I’m building muscle! I also love the energy Lindsey and Rachel bring
If you’re looking for a program that pushes you, makes you feel strong, and boosts your confidence—this is the one! It’s so good and I’ve repeated it multiple times. I won’t ever get old.
Build 30 is one of my favorite formats. I am so thankful for Lindsey and her team for sharing amazing workouts that are centered around honoring the temple that God has given each of us. I appreciate that the workouts are always changing but consistent in concise, motivating, and strength building formats.
I’ve tried all of your programs, but Build 30 is by far my favourite. It’s challenging, but fun. I’ve repeated it a number of times and feel so strong and accomplished every time!❤️
I have never finished a workout program before. Not only did I finish and love Build 30 but I repeated the program for a second time. I got stronger and use heavier weights now! I can’t wait to repeat this program for a third time.
Love the series- I only did 3 workouts a week instead of 1 a day and it was still a great challenge. I repeated it and could tell I was getting stronger. Thanks NML team!
I’ve completed most of the NML programs, and I’ve enjoyed them all. But no other has made me feel like I was getting instant results like this one. I repeated it twice in a row, and I moved up in weights for several exercises. I could feel improvement in my form and confidence with the exercises, and my boyfriend noticed increased tone in my arms. I loved that there were modifications as needed, so everybody could complete each exercise. I felt like I was working really hard each day – and I was definitely sore – but I never had the exhausted, need-a-rest-day feeling I can get from some of the longer HIIT workouts. Felt like I could keep maintain this regularly. Can’t recommend enough.
I used mostly 15 pound weights, sometimes 20 (for lower body or for single dumbbell exercises), the occasional 12, I’m 54 and have been working out with NML since 2020.
This is a great workout to get done in a short amount of time
I love this program! It’s one I keep coming back to fornits basic, but tough, moves. It’s a great program to work on increasing weights 🙂
This was my first NML program and my first structured workout program three months postpartum. I discovered NML while searching YouTube for postpartum workouts, and it did not disappoint. I made plenty of modifications and started with 5- and 10-lb weights. As a former athlete, I love NML’s workout formats—they genuinely remind me of my track workouts in the best way. After completing three other NML programs, I recently returned to this one and am amazed at how much stronger I’ve become. I’m now using mostly 15- and 20-lb weights!
I completely trust Lindsey and the NML team to plan an efficient workout for me. The weekly workout plans sent to my email are my lifeline to “me time.” So even a challenging 30 minute/workout program is doable with the right mindset and with the NML team doing all the prep. I get to just show up and sweat. I’m 42 and feel the best I have since college.
I’ve done this whole workout several times over. It’s great.
Note: before beginning any new exercise program you should consult with your physician or midwife. The information provided with this workout challenge is intended for general information and use; it does not include specific, individualized recommendations and is not intended as medical advice. Before you begin any new exercise program Nourish Move Love recommends that you consult with your physician. Nourish Move Love primarily educates clients to assume more personal responsibility for their health by adopting a healthy and active lifestyle.
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