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Fact Checked
Fact Checked
This article was written by one of our team of experienced writers, and fact-checked by our experts or our editors. The numbers in parentheses (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.) throughout the article are reference links to peer-reviewed studies.
Our team of experts includes a board-certified physician, nutritionists, dietitians, certified personal trainers, strength training experts, and exercise specialists.
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Sculpt Your Dream Physique: The Ultimate Aesthetics Training Program

An aesthetics-focused training program to help you build muscle proportions, symmetry, and definition.

Written by Vidur Saini

Updated by Ash, ACE, MSc

Last Updated on10 July, 2024 | 4:30 AM EDT

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People join gyms for various reasons. Some aim to lose weight, while others aspire to gain Hulk-like muscle mass. However, a distinct group has different goals. They don’t need to lose weight or aim for bodybuilding competitions. After years of training and introspection, they seek to build a physique with aesthetics that even Greek gods would envy.

Imagine this – You’re walking down the street and see someone with such a remarkable physique that you do a double-take. If you’re like me, this happens often, and each time, I think, “If only I could teach these guys how to build a body like mine.” Today, I’m doing just that.

Okay, I might have exaggerated a bit about my physique’s awesomeness, but picture Zac Efron from Baywatch in my place. Don’t worry, I won’t mind.

What is the Perfect Physique Aesthetics Standard?

Steve Reeves

Aesthetics is subjective. While some might find Mr. O bodybuilders appealing, others may prefer a small waist and a chiseled six-pack. If you ask a protein shake connoisseur at your gym about the perfect physique, there’s an 83% chance he’ll show you an old photo of himself. So, how do we settle this debate and determine if you have the right proportions for an aesthetic physique?

Thank god for Steve Reeves. The bodybuilding legend established standards for the ideal natural body, with ratios as follows:

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  • Arm size: 252% of wrist size
  • Calf size: 192% of ankle size
  • Chest Size: 148% of pelvis size
  • Waist size: 86% of pelvis size
  • Thigh size: 175% of knee size

We’d add one more standard: a body fat percentage of 12% or less. body fat percentage.

Tip: Use the Grecian Ideal Calculator to estimate your natural genetic muscular potential or ideal proportions.

Calculating your body proportions according to Reeves’ guidelines takes effort, but so does building an aesthetic physique. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to achieving a body that makes others stop and stare.

Must Read: Three Basic Steve Reeves’ Bodybuilding Training Rules

Principles For Building Perfect Physique Aesthetics

Achieving an aesthetic physique doesn’t happen by accident. Follow these principles to enhance your musculature:

1. Training For Aesthetics is Different from Training For Muscle Mass

Flexing Muscles In Front Of The Mirror

A 12-week bodybuilding program focused on muscle mass won’t necessarily carve an aesthetic physique. You don’t need 21-inch arms and a 52-inch chest for an aesthetically pleasing body. Bodybuilding is about illusions. You can build an aesthetic physique by working on muscle proportions, following an upper and lower body training split.

Related: How to Correct Muscle Imbalances – The Ultimate Guide

2. Your Diet Will Need a Major Overhaul

Building an aesthetic physique is impossible without a proper diet. You will eat nutrient-dense whole foods to meet your daily calorie needs. Additionally, you must eliminate refined and processed foods. A low-carb, high-protein, calorie-deficit diet will speed up your transformation. Also, cut out alcohol, as it interferes with carbohydrate and fat metabolism, hindering weight loss.

Must Read: How To Drink Alcohol Without Losing Muscle and Gaining Fat

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3. Building an Aesthetic Physique is Going to Take Time

Transforming your physique requires hard work and consistency, but don’t overdo it. Training breaks down muscle fibers, and muscles grow back stronger during rest. It may take 8-12 months to see significant results, so be patient and persistent.

Remember: The progression of physique improvement is not linear. Like the stock market, your gains compound over time. Stick with it, and you will be amazed at your results.

Best Diet For Building an Aesthetic Physique

Healthy Foods

Diet is crucial for improving aesthetics. Here’s a sample diet plan for someone weighing 180 lbs:

Meal 1

  • 2 eggs (150 calories, 14g protein, 1.5g carbs, 10g fat)
  • 1 cup oatmeal (160 calories, 6g protein, 27g carbs, 3g fat)
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter (180 calories, 8g protein, 6g carbs, 16g fat)

Meal 2

  • 1 scoop whey protein (120 calories, 24g protein, 3g carbs, 1.5g fat)
  • 1 cup skim milk (90 calories, 9g protein, 12g carbs, 0.5g fat)
  • 100 grams frozen blueberries (60 calories, 1g protein, 14.5g carbs, 0.5g fat)

Meal 3

  • 1 chicken breast (285 calories, 53g protein, 0g carbs, 6g fat)
  • 1 cup low-fat yogurt (150 calories, 13g protein, 17g carbs, 4g fat)
  • 1½ banana (105 calories, 1.5g protein, 27g carbs, 0.5g fat)

Meal 4

  • 1-ounce almonds (160 calories, 6g protein, 6g carbs, 14g fat)

Meal 5

  • 4 ounces tuna (145 calories, 27g protein, 0g carbs, 3.5g fat)
  • 1 whole wheat tortilla (130 calories, 4g protein, 26g carbs, 1.5g fat)
  • 1 cuplettuce (7 calories, 1g protein, 1g carbs, 0g fat)
  • ½ cup chopped tomatoes (15 calories, 1g protein, 3.5g carbs, 0g fat)
  • 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise (15 calories, 0g protein, 2g carbs, 1g fat)

Meal 6

  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (160 calories, 28g protein, 6g carbs, 2.5g fat)
  • ½ cup pineapple (40 calories, 0.5g protein, 10g carbs, 0g fat)

Total Nutrients

  • Calories: 1972
  • Protein: 200g
  • Carbs: 162.5g
  • Fat: 64.5g

Best Aesthetics Training Program

Building an aesthetically appealing physique requires a high-rep and high-intensity training program. Keep rest durations below 60 seconds. Follow an upper and lower body training split to enhance muscle proportions, symmetry, and definition.

Chris Bumstead At Olympia Stage

12-Week Aesthetics Training Schedule

The aesthetics workout schedule consists of three training sessions per week, with rest days between each session. Here’s a breakdown:

Week 1

  • Monday: Upper Body Workout A
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Lower Body Workout A
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Upper Body Workout B
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Week 2

  • Monday: Lower Body Workout B
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Upper Body Workout C
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Lower Body Workout C
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Week 3

  • Monday: Upper Body Workout D
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Lower Body Workout D
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Upper Body Workout A
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Week 4

  • Monday: Lower Body Workout B
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Upper Body Workout C
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Lower Body Workout D
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Week 5

  • Monday: Upper Body Workout B
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Lower Body Workout A
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Upper Body Workout D
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Week 6

  • Monday: Lower Body Workout C
  • Tuesday: Rest
  • Wednesday: Upper Body Workout A
  • Thursday: Rest
  • Friday: Lower Body Workout A
  • Saturday: Rest
  • Sunday: Rest

Repeat the same weekly training routine for weeks 7-12. The aesthetics training program provides enough variety and ensures you never get bored of your workouts.

12-Week Aesthetics Workout Program Exercises

Dumbbell Workout

Now that we have discussed the 12-week aesthetics training schedule, let’s go over the exercises you will be performing.

Sure, here is the converted workout plan into a table format:

Upper Body Workout A

Exercise Reps
Chest: flat barbell bench press 4 sets of 6–8 reps
Back: bent-over barbell row 3 sets of 6–8 reps
Shoulders: seated dumbbell press 3 sets of 8–10 reps
Chest/triceps: dips 3 sets of 8–10 reps
Back: pull-up 3 sets of 8–10 reps
Triceps/chest: lying dumbbell triceps extension 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Biceps: incline dumbbell curl 3 sets of 10–12 reps

Upper Body Workout B

Exercise Reps
Shoulders: overhead press 4 sets of 6–8 reps
Chest: incline dumbbell bench press 3 sets of 8–10 reps
Back: one-arm cable row 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Shoulders: cable side lateral raise 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Rear deltoids/traps: face pull 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Traps: dumbbell shrug 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Triceps: seated overhead tricep extension 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Biceps: machine preacher curl 3 sets of 12–15 reps

Upper Body Workout C

Exercise Reps
Chest: barbell bench press 3 sets of 6-10 reps
Back: barbell bent-over row 3 sets of 6-10 reps
Shoulders: seated dumbbell shoulder press 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Back: lat pulldown 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Chest: low cable chest fly 2 sets of 12-15 reps
Biceps: dumbbell curl 2 sets of 12-15 reps
Triceps: overhead dumbbell tricep extension 2 sets of 12-15 reps
Shoulders: rope cable face pull 2 sets of 15-25 reps

Upper Body Workout D

Exercise Reps
Back: pull-up 3 sets of 5-10 reps
Chest: incline dumbbell bench press 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Shoulders: standing barbell push press 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Back: cable straight arm pull-down 3 sets of 10-15 reps
Chest/Triceps: bodyweight push-up 2 sets of 10-20 reps
Biceps: EZ-bar bicep curl 3 sets of 10-15 reps
Triceps: dumbbell tricep kickback 3 sets of 12-15 reps

Lower Body Workout A

Exercise Reps
Legs: barbell back squat 4 sets of 6–8 reps
Legs: leg press 3 sets of 8–10 reps
Quadriceps: seated leg extension 3 sets of 10-12 reps
Quadriceps: dumbbell walking lunge 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Calves: calf press on leg press 4 sets of 12–15 reps
Abs: decline crunch 4 sets of 12–15 reps

Lower Body Workout B

Exercise Reps
Back/hamstrings: barbell deadlift 4 sets of 6 reps
Glutes: barbell hip thrust 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Hamstrings: Romanian dumbbell deadlift 3 sets of 10–12 reps
Hamstrings: lying leg curl 3 sets of 10-12 reps
Calves: seated calf raise 4 sets of 12–15 reps
Abs: leg raises on Roman chair 4 sets of 12–15 reps

Lower Body Workout C

Exercise Reps
Legs: back squat 3 sets of 6-10 reps
Glutes: glute-ham raise 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Quadriceps: alternating forward lunge 3 sets of 10-15 reps
Hamstrings: lying hamstring curl 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps
Calves: standing Smith machine calf raise 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Abs: reverse crunch 4 sets of 12–15 reps
Abs: cable crunch 4 sets of 12–15 reps

Lower Body Workout D

Exercise Reps
Legs: leg press 3 sets of 8-12 reps
Hamstrings: Romanian deadlift 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Quadriceps: Smith machine lunge 3 sets of 8-15 reps
Quadriceps: leg extension 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps
Calves: seated machine calf raise 3-4 sets of 12-20 reps
Abs: hanging leg raise 3-4 sets of 10-20 reps
Abs: Russian twists 3-4 sets of 10-20 reps

Supplements

Supplements can significantly impact your transformation, especially for beginners or intermediate lifters. These supplements can help fill macro and micronutrient gaps in your diet:

  • Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs): Plays a crucial role in building and repairing muscles.
  • Whey Protein Powder: Enhances muscle protein synthesis and increases muscle mass and strength.
  • Pre-Workouts: Help you push your limits in the gym & come in various targeted formulas.
  • Fish Oil: Supports heart health, aids weight loss, and improves joint function.
  • Zinc: Strengthens the immune system and reduces muscle inflammation.
  • Citrulline Malate: Enhances weight training performance.
  • Creatine: Boosts strength, increases lean muscle mass, and speeds up muscle recovery during exercise.

Wrapping Up

Track your progress throughout the aesthetics training program. Monitoring allows you to adjust as needed. Patience, persistence, and hard work are key to achieving a Greek god-like physique. We can’t wait to see your transformation.

Good luck!

Next Read: Zac Efron Baywatch Diet and Workout Program


If you have any questions or need further clarification about this article, please leave a comment below, and Vidur will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Vidur Saini

Vidur Saini

Vidur is an ACE-certified personal trainer, writer, and editor at FitnessVolt.com. He has been lifting since 2007 and loves sharing his hard-earned knowledge and passion for strength sports with anyone who lends him an ear. An expert at giving unsolicited advice, his writings benefit the readers and infuriate the bros. Vidur's work has appeared in leading publications such as BarBend and Generation Iron.

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Comments 5

  1. Avatar Loren says:
    3 years ago

    What is the difference between a lying leg curl (lower B) and a lying hamstring curl (lower C)? The internet does not seem to think these are different.

    Reply
    • Vidur Saini Vidur Saini says:
      2 years ago

      Hi Loren,

      Thank you for your question. You’ve brought up an important distinction: while both the lying leg curl and the lying hamstring curl primarily work the hamstrings, they do so from different angles and offer varied benefits. This underscores the importance of understanding the subtleties of each exercise to optimize your workout for targeted muscle development and overall balance.

      If you’re interested in more specific details about these exercises and how to incorporate them effectively into your routine, feel free to reach out for more guidance.

      Reply
  2. Avatar David Wilkins says:
    2 years ago

    What cardio should you be doing if following this programme

    Reply
    • Vidur Saini Vidur Saini says:
      2 years ago

      Hi David,

      Thanks for reaching out! In the aesthetics training program, incorporating low to moderate intensity cardio is key. Activities like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming for about 20-30 minutes, 3-4 times a week, are ideal. This approach helps in fat burning without losing muscle mass. Adjust intensity and duration to suit your fitness level and goals. Consistency in balancing cardio with strength training and diet is crucial for the best results.

      Vidur

      Reply
  3. Avatar Jeremiah Gatewood says:
    12 months ago

    Is there a website or formula I can adjust to my own weight goals for the diet portion of this? I’m genetically a larger man, and there is no way I’ll be able to structure my diet for a 180lb man without becoming emaciated.

    Reply

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