Cory Gregory Workout Plan: A Comprehensive Guide
Cory Gregory’s 6-week Power Trainer program utilizes dumbbell-only workouts, four days a week, for 40 minutes each session, designed for effective muscle growth and strength gains.
Cory Gregory is a renowned fitness professional celebrated as a coach, company owner, and fitness model, but fundamentally, he’s a dedicated father and husband. His training philosophy centers around practicality and efficiency, acknowledging the demands of a busy lifestyle. Gregory understands the challenges of balancing fitness with family and professional responsibilities, shaping his approach to create accessible and effective workout routines.
He champions a dumbbell-focused methodology, eliminating the need for extensive gym equipment, making fitness attainable for anyone, anywhere. Gregory’s 6-week Power Trainer program embodies this philosophy, offering a structured plan designed to deliver tangible results within a reasonable timeframe, prioritizing consistency and progressive overload for sustainable gains.
The 6-Week Power Trainer Program Overview
Cory Gregory’s 6-Week Power Trainer program is a meticulously designed fitness regimen built around dumbbell-only training, requiring a commitment of four 40-minute workouts per week. The program is structured to progressively increase intensity, ensuring continuous adaptation and optimal results. It’s divided into three phases: building a foundation (Weeks 1-2), increasing intensity (Weeks 3-4), and peak performance & refinement (Weeks 5-6).

Each phase features distinct workouts targeting different muscle groups, incorporating principles of progressive overload and strategically placed deload weeks to prevent plateaus and minimize the risk of injury. This program is designed for individuals seeking a comprehensive and efficient path to enhanced strength and muscle development.
Program Goals & Target Audience
The primary goal of Cory Gregory’s 6-Week Power Trainer is to facilitate significant gains in muscle mass, strength, and overall physical fitness using only dumbbells. The program aims to build a solid foundation of strength during the initial phases, progressing towards more challenging and intense workouts. It’s designed to improve body composition and enhance functional fitness.
This program is ideally suited for intermediate to advanced fitness enthusiasts who are comfortable with basic weight training principles. It’s also beneficial for individuals seeking a convenient and effective workout solution that can be performed at home or in a limited gym setting, requiring minimal equipment.

Workout Structure & Key Principles
Cory Gregory’s plan centers around a four-day split, emphasizing dumbbell-only training, progressive overload, and strategic deload weeks for optimal recovery and continued progress.
Workout Split: Four Days Per Week
Cory Gregory’s program is structured around a focused four-day workout split, designed to maximize muscle recovery and growth while fitting into a busy lifestyle. This approach allows for sufficient rest between muscle groups, preventing overtraining and promoting optimal results.
The split typically involves dedicating specific days to upper body pushing movements, lower body and core work, upper body pulling exercises, and a full-body circuit. Each workout lasts approximately 40 minutes, making it time-efficient. This consistent schedule, combined with progressive overload, is key to achieving the program’s goals. The four-day structure ensures balanced muscle development and minimizes the risk of injury.
This schedule allows for adequate recovery, crucial for muscle repair and growth, and supports long-term adherence to the program.
Focus on Dumbbell-Only Training
Cory Gregory’s Power Trainer program uniquely centers around dumbbell-only training, eliminating the need for extensive gym equipment. This makes the program incredibly accessible, allowing individuals to achieve significant results from the convenience of their homes. Dumbbells offer versatility, enabling a wide range of exercises targeting all major muscle groups.
This approach emphasizes functional strength and muscle endurance. The program’s design leverages the benefits of dumbbells – promoting stability, coordination, and a greater range of motion compared to machines.
By focusing solely on dumbbells, Gregory simplifies the workout process and removes barriers to entry, making it ideal for individuals of all fitness levels. It’s a practical and effective method for building strength and muscle.
Progressive Overload & Deload Weeks
Cory Gregory’s Power Trainer program strategically incorporates progressive overload, a cornerstone of muscle growth and strength development. This involves gradually increasing the demands placed on your muscles over time – through increased reps, sets, or weight – to continually stimulate adaptation.
The program isn’t just about relentless intensity; it also recognizes the importance of recovery. Deload weeks are built into the 6-week structure, providing a planned reduction in volume and intensity.
These deloads allow the body to fully recover, preventing plateaus and minimizing the risk of injury. Gregory’s approach ensures sustainable progress, balancing challenge with necessary rest for optimal results.

Detailed Workout Breakdown
Cory Gregory’s 6-week plan is divided into three phases, each with distinct workouts (A, B, C, and D) designed to progressively build strength and muscle endurance.
Week 1-2: Building a Foundation
Weeks 1 and 2 of Cory Gregory’s program focus on establishing a solid base of strength and proper form. Workout A: Upper Body Push emphasizes chest, shoulders, and triceps using dumbbell exercises like chest presses, shoulder presses, and triceps extensions. Workout B: Lower Body & Core targets legs and core stability with squats, lunges, Romanian deadlifts, and plank variations.
The initial phase prioritizes mastering movement patterns before increasing weight. Focus is placed on controlled repetitions and feeling the muscle contractions. This foundational period prepares the body for the increased intensity of the following weeks, minimizing the risk of injury and maximizing results. Proper warm-up and cool-down routines are crucial during these initial weeks.
Workout A: Upper Body Push
Workout A centers on developing upper body pushing strength. Begin with dumbbell chest presses – 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions – focusing on controlled descent and explosive ascent. Follow with dumbbell shoulder presses, also 3 sets of 8-12 reps, maintaining a slight bend in the elbows. Incorporate incline dumbbell presses for upper chest development, again 3 sets of 8-12.
Finish with triceps extensions – 3 sets of 10-15 reps – ensuring full range of motion. A crucial element is maintaining proper form throughout each exercise to maximize muscle activation and prevent injury. Rest for 60-90 seconds between sets. This workout builds foundational strength in the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
Workout B: Lower Body & Core
Workout B targets lower body strength and core stability. Start with dumbbell squats – 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions – focusing on depth and maintaining a straight back. Next, perform dumbbell Romanian deadlifts, 3 sets of 12-15 reps, emphasizing hamstring engagement. Include dumbbell lunges, alternating legs, for 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg, ensuring proper form.
Conclude with core work: dumbbell Russian twists (3 sets of 15-20 reps per side) and plank holds (3 sets, holding for 30-60 seconds). Prioritize controlled movements and core engagement throughout. Rest for 60-90 seconds between sets. This workout builds lower body power and strengthens the core for overall stability.

Week 3-4: Increasing Intensity
Weeks 3 and 4 of the Cory Gregory program focus on elevating the challenge. Expect increased weight selection with your dumbbells, pushing beyond the initial foundation built in weeks 1-2. This phase introduces more demanding variations of exercises, demanding greater muscular effort and promoting continued growth.
You’ll notice a shift towards higher intensity techniques, potentially incorporating drop sets or slightly reduced rest periods. The goal is to progressively overload the muscles, forcing adaptation. Maintaining proper form remains paramount, even as the intensity rises. Prepare for a noticeable increase in fatigue, signaling effective muscle stimulation.
Workout C: Upper Body Pull
Workout C concentrates on developing the back and biceps, crucial for balanced physique development. This session utilizes dumbbell rows – both single-arm and bent-over variations – to target different back muscle fibers. Expect a focus on controlled movements, emphasizing the squeeze at the peak contraction.
Bicep curls, including hammer curls and concentration curls, are incorporated to isolate and strengthen the biceps. Shoulder work is included, often with dumbbell lateral raises and rear delt flyes. Proper form is vital to prevent injury and maximize muscle activation. Remember to maintain a full range of motion throughout each exercise.
Workout D: Full Body Circuit
Workout D is a dynamic, full-body circuit designed to elevate heart rate and enhance metabolic conditioning. This session combines exercises targeting multiple muscle groups in rapid succession, minimizing rest periods. Expect movements like dumbbell squats, lunges, push-ups, and rows, performed back-to-back with minimal recovery.
Core engagement is crucial throughout the circuit, often incorporating exercises like Russian twists or plank variations. The goal is to maintain proper form while pushing through fatigue. This workout builds endurance, improves cardiovascular health, and promotes overall strength. Focus on completing each round with controlled movements and a consistent pace.
Week 5-6: Peak Performance & Refinement
Weeks 5 and 6 represent the culmination of the 6-week Power Trainer program, focusing on maximizing strength gains and refining technique. Expect increased intensity and advanced variations of previous exercises. Workout A and B are revisited with heavier dumbbells and more challenging movement patterns.
This phase demands strict adherence to form to prevent injury and ensure optimal results. Prioritize controlled movements and full range of motion. Deloading isn’t explicitly mentioned, but mindful recovery is vital. The aim is to push boundaries while listening to your body. These final weeks solidify progress and prepare you for continued fitness endeavors.
Workout A (Revised): Upper Body Push ⸺ Advanced
Workout A (Revised) elevates the upper body push focus with advanced dumbbell exercises. Expect increased weight and challenging variations. Key movements include dumbbell bench press with a focus on controlled descent and explosive ascent, incline dumbbell press targeting the upper chest, and shoulder presses for comprehensive deltoid development.
Additional exercises may include lateral raises, front raises, and triceps extensions. Prioritize proper form throughout each set to maximize muscle activation and minimize injury risk. Rest periods should be strategically managed to maintain intensity. This advanced workout builds upon the foundation established in earlier weeks, driving further strength and hypertrophy gains.
Workout B (Revised): Lower Body & Core ⸺ Advanced
Workout B (Revised) intensifies the lower body and core challenge with advanced dumbbell techniques. Expect demanding exercises like dumbbell Romanian deadlifts, focusing on hamstring and glute engagement, and dumbbell lunges, emphasizing balance and stability. Bulgarian split squats add a unilateral challenge, increasing muscle activation.
Core work includes weighted Russian twists and dumbbell side bends, targeting obliques. Incorporate dumbbell goblet squats for quad development. Maintain strict form throughout each exercise to prevent injury and maximize effectiveness. Controlled movements and strategic rest periods are crucial. This advanced routine builds upon previous weeks, driving lower body strength and core stability.

Nutrition & Supplementation Guidance
Optimal muscle growth requires prioritizing macronutrient intake, especially protein, alongside consistent hydration and adequate recovery strategies to support Cory Gregory’s program.
Macronutrient Recommendations for Muscle Growth

Achieving optimal results with the Cory Gregory 6-week Power Trainer program necessitates a focused nutritional approach. Prioritize protein intake, aiming for approximately 1 gram per pound of body weight daily, to support muscle repair and growth stimulated by the dumbbell workouts.

Carbohydrates should comprise around 40-50% of your daily calories, providing energy for intense training sessions. Choose complex carbohydrates like brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. Healthy fats, constituting 20-30% of your caloric intake, are crucial for hormone production and overall health; incorporate sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
Remember, these are general guidelines; individual needs may vary based on activity level, metabolism, and body composition. Consistent, balanced nutrition is key to maximizing the benefits of the program.
Importance of Hydration & Recovery
Successful completion of Cory Gregory’s 6-week Power Trainer program hinges on prioritizing both hydration and recovery alongside the dumbbell workouts. Adequate water intake – at least a gallon daily – is vital for nutrient transport, muscle function, and temperature regulation, especially during intense exercise.
Recovery is equally crucial. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow muscles to repair and rebuild. Incorporate active recovery days, such as light walking or stretching, to improve blood flow and reduce muscle soreness.
Don’t underestimate the power of rest; deload weeks built into the program are designed for this purpose. Proper hydration and recovery are non-negotiable for optimal results and injury prevention.

Beyond the 6 Weeks: Maintaining Results
Continued progress requires consistent progressive overload, increasing weight or reps, and incorporating new challenges to prevent plateaus after completing the 6-week program.
Continuing Progressive Overload
Sustaining gains from the Cory Gregory 6-week Power Trainer necessitates a commitment to progressive overload beyond the initial program duration. This principle involves consistently challenging your muscles by gradually increasing the demands placed upon them.
Methods include incrementally adding weight to your dumbbells, increasing the number of repetitions performed per set, or reducing rest times between sets. Another effective strategy is to explore more challenging variations of exercises. For example, transitioning from standard dumbbell squats to Bulgarian split squats.
Careful tracking of your workouts is crucial to monitor progress and ensure continued overload. Listen to your body, prioritizing proper form over lifting heavier weights, and incorporating deload weeks when needed to prevent overtraining and promote recovery.
Incorporating Variety & New Challenges
To prevent plateaus and maintain motivation post-Cory Gregory’s 6-week Power Trainer, introduce workout variety. While the program champions dumbbell-only training, consider strategically adding resistance bands or bodyweight exercises to stimulate muscles differently.
Explore new training techniques like drop sets, supersets, or tempo training to increase intensity and challenge your muscular endurance. Periodically swap exercises within the same muscle group to target fibers from different angles. For instance, replace dumbbell bench press with incline dumbbell press.
Don’t shy away from learning new exercises! This not only keeps workouts engaging but also promotes well-rounded development. Continuously seeking new challenges ensures ongoing progress and prevents the body from adapting too readily to a static routine.

Cory Gregory’s Background & Credentials
Cory Gregory is a respected coach, fitness model, and company owner, notably balancing a successful fitness career with his responsibilities as a dedicated husband and father.
Experience as a Trainer & Fitness Model
Cory Gregory has established himself as a prominent figure in the fitness industry through years of dedicated experience as both a trainer and a successful fitness model. He’s known for creating effective workout programs, like the 6-Week Power Trainer, emphasizing dumbbell-only training for accessible strength gains.
His journey showcases a commitment to practical, results-driven fitness, appealing to individuals seeking efficient and effective routines. Gregory’s work extends beyond program design; he actively embodies the lifestyle, frequently appearing on magazine covers and demonstrating his own physical prowess. This hands-on approach builds trust and credibility with his audience, solidifying his position as a respected authority in the field. He prioritizes balancing fitness with family life.
Family Life & Balancing Fitness with Responsibilities
Cory Gregory skillfully balances his demanding career as a fitness coach, company owner, and model with a fulfilling family life. He is a devoted husband to Rachael and a father to three children: Alex, Madelyn, and Anden. This commitment to family underscores his holistic approach to wellness, demonstrating that fitness isn’t about exclusion, but integration into a balanced lifestyle.
Gregory’s ability to prioritize both professional pursuits and personal relationships resonates with many, proving that achieving fitness goals doesn’t require sacrificing time with loved ones. He embodies the idea that a healthy lifestyle enhances all aspects of life, including family connections and overall well-being.