{"id":630941,"date":"2026-09-21T00:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T00:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/630941\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T00:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T00:44:12","slug":"how-michelle-keegan-is-building-strength-and-definition-the-7-move-strength-workout-she-does-weekly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/630941\/","title":{"rendered":"How Michelle Keegan is building strength and definition \u2013 the 7-move strength workout she does weekly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"5\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Shortly after giving birth to baby Palma 18 months ago, Michelle Keegan overhauled her fitness routine. Working with coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/viphq_essex\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/viphq_essex\/?hl=en\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Danny-Lee Finch\" data-node-id=\"5.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Danny-Lee Finch<\/a>, The Blame star introduced one key change: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/workouts\/a40218848\/progressive-overload\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/workouts\/a40218848\/progressive-overload\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"progressive weight training\" data-node-id=\"5.5\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">progressive weight training<\/a>. \u2018Progressive weight training \u2013 which means weight training that always challenges her more than the previous session, by lifting heavier or performing more reps \u2013 has completely transformed Michelle\u2019s physique,\u2019 Lee-Finch tells Women\u2019s Health. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">\u2018She\u2019s become noticeably leaner, significantly stronger and has built more definition [meaning her muscles have become more visible, by increasing her muscle mass and lowering body fat]. Her training had become repetitive and motivation had naturally dipped, but by tracking improvements, constantly adapting the programme and making sure there\u2019s always a new challenge to work towards, she\u2019s constantly progressing.\u2019 <\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789951450_911_poster.jpg\" alt=\"Image no longer available\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Instagram @michkeegan<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"15\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Better still, her results come from just two-three hours per week. \u2018We train just two to three times per week, for an hour at a time,\u2019 Lee-Finch shares. Keegan, 39, and husband Mark Wright have also implemented a simple new routine to account for baby Palma. \u2018Rather than training together, they now take it in turns, so one of them looks after Palma while the other trains. It works brilliantly for their family and has allowed them to stay committed to their fitness despite the demands of parenthood,\u2019 Lee-Finch adds.  <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"20\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">When we ask Lee-Finch what makes his workouts so effective, there\u2019s a clear focus: \u2018We mainly use isolation exercises which target individual muscle groups, to allow us to really focus on developing specific areas, and each workout focuses on specific muscles to maximise results,\u2019 he explains. For example, one workout will train her legs, another will train her upper body \u2013 a concept known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a37630210\/workout-split\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a37630210\/workout-split\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"workout splits\" data-node-id=\"20.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">workout splits<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"michelle keegan\" title=\"michelle keegan\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3090\" height=\"4095\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1431c8e9-de6c-48a9-b381-c4545a41b812.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>@michkeegan\/\/Instagram<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">How he structures each session is deliberate, too. \u2018Each workout starts with heavier weights to stimulate strength and muscle growth while Michelle has the most energy, before reducing the load and incorporating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a42243785\/drop-set\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a42243785\/drop-set\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"drop sets\" data-node-id=\"26.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">drop sets<\/a> \u2013 a technique where you lift a heavy weight until you cannot do another repetition, then immediately reduce the weight and keep lifting without resting \u2013 to fully fatigue her muscles. It comes back to that progressive overload. We want to leave every workout knowing we\u2019ve pushed as hard as we could and made use of every minute in that hour.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"michelle keegan\" title=\"michelle keegan\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2001\" height=\"3000\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/41fd64ad-6853-494e-a949-70ad0e5d1c44.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Marc Piasecki\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Every session finishes with punches on a boxing pad. \u2018It\u2019s a great way to improve fitness, coordination and leave the session on a high,\u2019 Lee-Finch says. \u2018Outside of our PT sessions, she regularly attends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a62383728\/reformer-pilates-near-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a62383728\/reformer-pilates-near-me\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"reformer Pilates\" data-node-id=\"31.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">reformer Pilates<\/a>, which complements her strength work perfectly by improving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a708496\/mobility\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/strength-training\/a708496\/mobility\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"mobility\" data-node-id=\"31.3\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">mobility<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/a39120560\/ab-workouts\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/a39120560\/ab-workouts\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"core strength\" data-node-id=\"31.5\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">core strength<\/a> and overall movement.\u2019 Below, find the exact 7-move lower-body strength workout she does weekly.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"michelle keegan\" title=\"michelle keegan\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"778\" height=\"1376\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/12753b67-1336-497e-8016-dcc8866aa5cf.png\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/>@michkeegan\/\/Instagram<\/p>\n<p>Michelle regularly attends reformer Pilates alongside weight training<\/p>\n<p>Michelle Keegan&#8217;s lower-body workoutWarm up:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/fat-loss\/a69858260\/incline-walking-best-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/fat-loss\/a69858260\/incline-walking-best-workout\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Incline treadmill walk\" data-node-id=\"37.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Incline treadmill walk<\/a>: 6 minutes (8-12% incline, steady pace)Mini band <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/workouts\/a35305737\/glute-bridge\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/fitness\/workouts\/a35305737\/glute-bridge\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"glute bridges\" data-node-id=\"37.1.1\" class=\"body-link css-1e57p3n emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">glute bridges<\/a>: 2 x 15 repsReformer footwork: 2 x 15 repsReformer single-leg presses: 2 x 12 reps each legReformer scooter lunges: 2 x 12 reps each legMain workout:Finisher:Boxing pad: 4 rounds x 2 minsHow often to do the workout<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"46\" class=\"css-1ood0zq emevuu60\">Lee-Finch recommends doing the workout once a week, alongside one upper-body and one full-body session.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789951452_611_3c8d88e6-1a98-41e9-804d-2de8b0b9d75a_1741783208.file.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Bridie Wilkins\" title=\"Headshot of Bridie Wilkins\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As Women\u2019s Health UK\u2019s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.<\/p>\n<p>After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine\u2019s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!<\/p>\n<p>Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner\u2019s World and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across <a href=\"http:\/\/womenshealthmag.com.uk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"http:\/\/womenshealthmag.com.uk\/\">Women&#8217;s Health online and in <\/a>print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as \u2018Fit At Any Age\u2019, which showcases the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.<\/p>\n<p>She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks \u2013 all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Shortly after giving birth to baby Palma 18 months ago, Michelle Keegan overhauled her fitness routine. Working with&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":630942,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[133281,131377,1134,267826,1107,499,103,61,60,184510,1135,267825,223989,133355],"class_list":["post-630941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fitness","tag-collection-celebrity-workouts","tag-collection-fitness-app","tag-content-type-default","tag-contentid-0f85a66d-035c-415f-b814-f8a72c859ff7","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-fitness","tag-health","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-michelle-keegans-weekly-strength-workout","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-strength-training"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/630941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=630941"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/630941\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/630942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=630941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=630941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=630941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}