1 Table of Contents MOUNTAIN DOG HYPERTROPHY PROGRAM THE GRANDMASTER 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 PROGRAM DURATION AND SPLIT DELOADS OVERLOAD METHOD WARMING UP WHAT IS FAILURE TRAINING? RECOVERY NUTRITION RECOVERY LIFESTYLE BAND WORK REST BREAKS NUTRITION PROPER INTENSITY 12 27 40 53 67 81 WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 2 Mountain Dog Hypertrophy Program The Grandmaster The Grandmaster was a Marvel character that you have seen if you watched Thor battle the Hulk in Thor Ragnarok. He was the character who oversaw the planet and the games. In the comics, he was very old, like me, and was an “elder” in the Universe like me in the bodybuilding universe kinda sorta. He had almost God-Like ability to regenerate from injury, and he didn’t age. I’m still working on that. His gig was pitting teams against each other and seeing how the battles played out and who survived. Well I want to see who survives this program as it’s going to get really hard as you go. If you don’t think you can make it, let me know because the Grandmaster also had the ability to bring people back to life. I’ll make sure I do that for you and you survive! Are you all ready to get back to work on something crazy! Let’s do it! This is for those of you who like to push hard and go all out! The feedback I got on the last program, the High Evolutionary was tremendous, maybe the best I have ever received for a program. I have never seen so many people ask if they can run the program through a 2nd time as they made so much progress from it. This might mean we are right on target with our rest, and intensity. The balance seems to be really good. I want to continue with a high intensity model giving us 5 work days and 2 days off. I feel that this works very well for the majority of us. Let’s get into the specifics of the program. Get ready for The Grandmaster 3 PROGRAM DURATION AND SPLIT This is the exact same as The High Evolutionary (the last program). It’s not a push, pull, legs split, it’s more traditional with a separate arm day. I would consider it moderate frequency. With the intensity I am advocating in this program (we are ramping it up even more from the last program). You are going to get deep into the high intensity techniques on this one! The weeks are written as 5 days of training. I want 2 days for recovery every week. I built these to take Wednesday and Sunday off, with the thought process of spreading out rest days, but you could take any 2 days off if your schedule dictates it. Tuesday and Sunday, Thursday and Sunday, even Saturday and Sunday, so don’t feel handcuffed to these 2 days. Weeks 1 and 4 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Legs Chest OFF Back Arms Legs OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Chest Back OFF Arms Legs Chest OFF Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Back Arms OFF Legs Chest Back OFF Weeks 2 and 5 Weeks 3 and 6 Arm Customization If you want to focus as much on arms as other body parts you can work this split in anywhere you like. Saturday’s arm workout would repeat Monday. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Arms Legs OFF Chest Back Arms OFF 4 DELOADS There will be no deloads during this program given that it is a shorter duration program. Suck it up and push as hard as you can for the 6 weeks, then you can back off if need be. OVERLOAD METHOD The overload method will be: 1. Mechanical Tension - The 2nd exercise used in the rotation is generally nonrotating so is a great judge of where you are in terms of strength. Trying to improve the weight you can use to achieve your target number reps I lay out is an easy way to judge this. It is important to note that the first exercise may create some fatigue, but it should not have a significant effect on the 2nd exercise. Also, realize that with the lower number of sets in this program, it is CRUCIAL that you take my RPE directions as written. If I say go to RPE 10, your last rep better be true failure. If we go 11 or even a 12, you better dig past failure and be willing to endure some pain. 2. Cell Swelling/Pump - Secondly, we progress getting deeper into sets, working through pain thresholds as weeks go by. This is very heavy in your 3rd and/or 4th exercises as you’ll see. This type of intensity is a method of overload itself, although people rarely do this (they are scared). It is not separate from mechanical tension. You are still calling on all muscle fibers to work hard as you approach failure, and you are most certainly exhausting them. This fiber activation, load, and fatigue is the key for growth. It’s all about methodically bringing up intensity as our progressive overload method as well. 3. Volume – Volume is nothing without intensity, but we do creep it up methodically toward the end once we have reached max intensity. This will allow for additional work without going overboard and making recovery impossible. WARMING UP Here are 2 options on warming up. One is if you are short on time, the other is my general warm up technique. It starts at about 5 minutes in. How To Warm Up Intelligently (THE RIGHT WAY) 5 WHAT IS FAILURE TRAINING? It means doing all the full range of motion reps you can with perfect form. If you have to use sloppy form to do another rep, then stop unless I specifically state to loosen form up. If you could have done more reps with good form, it wasn’t to failure. Most people can do more than they think with proper focus and motivation. RECOVERY NUTRITION With this focus on intensity, comes the need for hyper focus on recovery to get maximum results. I highly recommend using an amino, electrolyte, and carb drink intra for maximum recovery. This will stimulate insulin response and you will drive more aminos and carbs into muscle and the recovery process is heightened. It also increases blood flow and supports your immune system fyi. Most males would do well with 6-10 grams of essential aminos, and 40-50 grams of carbs. Titrate the carbs up or down depending on your size. The goal is to greatly reduce soreness. When you do this, all of the right things are happening internally. Most females would do well with 6 grams of aminos and 20-30 of carbs. Again, titrate up or down depending on size and amount of muscle. My product choices are: • Recovery from Granite Supplements - Start with one scoop during training. If the body part doesn’t get excessively sore and recovers fast you are good to go. If it still gets pretty sore add a scoop of the intra-carb below to it. If it still gets sore add 8 oz of Gatorade in on top of that. • Intra Carb from Granite Supplements (if you need extra carbs per directions above) New customers can use code GraniteStrong25 to get a massive 25% off their first order. 6 RECOVERY LIFESTYLE With this focus on intensity make it your mission in life to reduce stress outside of the gym, and to get a full night’s sleep every single night. This will greatly enhance recovery as well. Generally, you want to get 5 full sleep cycles. Every cycle is about 90 minutes. As you can see from the chart below, earlier sleep cycles are heavier in non-REM sleep. Later sleep cycles are heavier in REM sleep (indicated in red). This is important because of these benefits: • Non-REM is physically restorative. You release GH, clear waste products, and resupply energy stores just to name a few things • REM is mentally restorative. Your memory is especially impacted positively Some tips for better sleep include: • Turn off all electronics 2 hours before bed, or at a minimum turn off the blue light on your mobile devices 1-2 hours prior • Make your bedroom as dark as possible • Make the temperature in your room around 65 (keep it cool) • Read a book or do something that relaxes you before retiring • Do not take later afternoon naps, 20-30 minute naps around lunch are ok 7 BAND WORK Band work is sprinkled into the program lightly at various points as well. Using bands is optional. Here are the bands you will need from EliteFTS.net if you also want to incorporate them: • 1 orange micro mini band (for face pulls and for women to use on chest press machines often but order 2 in this case) • 2 red long pro minis (for chest presses and pullovers) • 1 red short pro mini band (for spidercrawls) • 1 pro light band for assisted chins, pullovers, and banded good mornings • 1 pro average band for assisted chins and banded good mornings REST BREAKS Rest breaks should be as follows unless I state specifically what I want Base Work Phase 1 – Activation and pump – 2 minutes Phase 2 - Training explosively – 3 minutes Phase 3 – Supramax pump – 2 minutes (the last set frequently employs a high intensity technique that calls for very little rest during the set). Phase 4 – Train the muscle from stretch position – 90 seconds Pump Work (additive volume later in week) 60 seconds unless specified differently, which I do on occasion. 8 NUTRITION I wrote this program with the intention of it being used to gain size. If you are looking for a starting point, then try this: Multiply your bodyweight x 20 for your total calories. For example, Charles weighs 200 lbs., so this is 4,000 calories daily. Multiply your bodyweight x 1.25 for daily grams of protein. The 200 lbs. person thus needs 250 grams of protein daily. Multiply your bodyweight x .5 for daily grams of fat. The 200 lbs. person thus needs 100 grams of fat daily. The rest of your calories should be consumed as carbs. In this example, the 250 grams equal 1,000 calories (a gram of protein = 4 calories.) The 100 grams of fat equal 900 calories (a gram of fat = 9 calories.) 4,000 total calories minus the 1,900 calories from protein and fat leaves Piotr with 2,100 calories. 2,100 calories / 4 = 525 grams of carbs. * a gram of carbs equals 4 calories. I’ll add another example below for your daily macros. Our Hero Bodyweight Total Calories Protein Fat Carbs Charles 200 4,000 250 100 525 Emma 125 2,500 156 63 327 LEANER GOAL: If you are looking for a starting point for getting leaner, actually start with all the above to gain weight! 9 This may be higher than your normal intake but it’s important to build your metabolism so that you have “somewhere to go” with your calories as you hit plateaus. I would advise this for 2 weeks before starting the cutting process. Many times, people are not eating much, so the 1st week is really tough. Once you make it through week 1, week 2 isn’t so bad in terms of getting food down. Then you start the cutting! So, in the above example Charles’ adjustments will be something like this: 10% net total difference in calories in vs. calories out 5% from a reduction in calories via diet changes (200 calories reduced) 5% from an increase in caloric expenditure from adding cardio (200 calories expended via cardio) Continue to make changes more or less aggressively based on results. You may not want to adjust at all, or do another 5%, etc. If you want a more customized 1-time plan or weekly coaching to get you started, you should have been prompted with an option upon making your purchase of the training program. If you missed it, you can always find all of our coaching packages here. PROPER INTENSITY It is also critical to work at the right level of intensity regarding going to failure, especially with a lower volume plan. Going too hard or too easy can compromise results. I have taken the guesswork out of this and will give you an “RPE” on every exercise to tell you how close to failure you should go. Follow the RPE suggestion for each exercise to ensure you are training at the correct intensity level. 10 ***FEEDER SETS – I will mention feeder sets often in the program. They are extremely important. These are low rep sets designed to just get you to your working sets carefully, so you do not get injured, but to not exhaust your muscles. Not doing these sets is why many people have been injured executing low volume/high intensity workout plans. These are not official sets as the intensity is extremely low on these. Rate of Perceived Exertion Flow Chart Fairly easy like a warm-up weight @ 6.0 You can do 4-6 more reps @ 7.0 You can do 2-3 more reps @ 8.0 You have 2 more reps left in the tank @ 8.5 You have 1 more rep left in the tank @ 9.0 Went to failure at perfect form @ 10 Went to failure with loose form after perfect reps completed @ 11 Used a high intensity technique to push beyond failure @ 12 Used multiple high intensity techniques/go apeshit set! @ 13 Click on any one of the tags for an example Generally, (not always) I count sets that are 7.0 and above as working sets. 11 Week 1 Your first 2 exercises for large body parts are foundational for weeks 1-3, meaning we keep these in, and work progressive overload via weight or rep increases on them. I want you to understand that if you are not able to make the increase, it doesn’t mean you did not improve. It is impossible to get stronger every workout forever. Consistent hard effort is the most important factor. Weeks 4-6 we will rotate in 2 new exercises. If you need to take notes on your top set to remember it, please do. Your next 1-2 exercises are to drive an insane amount of blood into the muscle, and then put a massive stretch on it during your final exercise. I believe this combination results in additional hypertrophy. Many of these exercises will end with an intensifier such as drop sets, cluster sets, partials, etc. These techniques allow you to exhaust muscle fibers, and need to be used very carefully, hence why I use a small number of them. Activate, load, and exhaust! Monday - Legs Thursday Upper legs 5 exercises 7 sets Back 5 exercises 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 9 sets 6 exercises 16 sets Tuesday - Chest, Shoulders, Abs Friday - Biceps and Triceps Chest 4 exercises 6 sets Biceps 3 exercises 11 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 3 exercise 11 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 8 exercises 19 sets 7 exercises 26 sets Wednesday - OFF Saturday - Legs Upper Legs 5 exercises 8 sets 5 exercises 8 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 12 WEEK 1 - MONDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 7 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets 1/ Upper legs | Seated leg curls This is your base leg movement #1. These are the most underrated leg exercise there is. Awesome for hams and set your squats up perfectly. Do 2 sets of 20 here to get the blood moving, and then just feeder sets of 4 until we get to our work set. On all these lower rep feeder sets I want you to use a 3 second eccentric (so lower the weight with a 3 count). For your work set, I want you to do 8 hard reps (still using a 3 second eccentric) where you can barely get the 8th rep with good form, then drop the weight 30% (ish) and go to failure again, and then do 10 slow partials from the stretch position. Watch in the video how Ken, Terrance and I continue with slow partials at around the 5:30 mark. We are using a lying leg curl, but the principle is the same on the seated version. Work through the pain. 1 total work set This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 8, followed by 110 x 6, followed by 10 partials out of stretch position (Work set) Note: If you don’t have a seated leg curl you can do a lying leg curl. Vlog 7 - Brutal Old School EliteFTS Leg Workout | Day in The Life #7 This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Activate and pump Pro Tip If you want maximum hamstring development, specifically the biceps femoris, work leg curls hard as part of this muscle only crosses the knee and is purely a knee flexor. Hip extension will do nothing for this muscle. 2/ Upper legs | Squats This is your base leg movement #2. Our target reps on this program for the first 3 weeks is 8 reps. Each week the goal is to use more weight to get your 8 reps. Take your time warming up, but don’t fatigue yourself as you do. Use feeder sets, and then I want 2 work sets. I want one set where you leave 2-3 reps in the tank, and then 1 set where you leave 1 rep in the tank. On all sets I want a 3 second eccentric. I want you to learn how to “own” the weight even when going heavier. This is tough. 2 total work sets Note: If you have a low back injury and prefer to not do these, use a machine that supports your back. I want the squat motion simulated. These sets are an RPE of 8, and 9 Goal – Train explosively This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 10 185 x 10 225 x 6 275 x 6 315 – 8 (2-3 reps left in tank) 345 – 8 (1 rep left in tank) Pro Tip If you want to work more posterior chain such as glutes, use a normal back squat. If you want to focus more on quads, use a Safety squat bar (also a Spider bar, and Transformer bar work). 13 3/ Upper legs | Leg press It’s time to get nasty. This means maximum pump and effort. Work up to a weight that is really tough 10 reps. Use low rep feeder sets to get you there, so you have plenty of strength. Now It’s time to go to work. Do your 10 reps leaving a rep or two in the tank then drop the weight and shoot for another 6 to 8, then drop the weight and shoot for another 6 to 8. On all reps use a 3 second decent. You have to maintain focus to do this and work through the pain. 1 total work set This is an example of what the dropset might look like: 5 plates per side x 4 6 plates per side x 4 7 plates per side x 4 8 plates per side x 10, drop a plate off each side and do 8, then drop a plate of each side and do another 8. This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump Pro Tip If you want to work more hams, glutes, and adductors, use a high and wide stance with toes slightly out. If you want more quad, use a medium stance with toes straight up. 4/ Upper legs | Barbell walking lunge You are going into these with a crazy pump. On these I want you to SLOW DOWN the reps. Take smaller steps and go nice and slow. Don’t worry about using a heavy weight. I want you to be able to take about 10 steps with each leg. Again, do these slow and controlled. Do 2 sets. 2 total work sets Note: If you don’t really have an area to walk with a barbell, do these holding kettlebells or dumbbells. My “3” Favorite Types of Lunges This set is an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Upper legs | Stiff legged barbell deadlift Here we are doing 2-3 feeder sets of 4 reps, before doing our hard set. I want you to lower the bar slowly, for a 3 count, and then come up all the way before going back down. Don’t lean back and hyperextend your spine at the top. Just stand up straight and flex your glutes. I want you to find a weight that you can do for 8 reps. You should fail around 8. Now let me be really clear here. Do NOT use bad form as you fatigue. If you lose form, drop the bar and stop. I want 8 perfect reps. That is what I define as failure. It will take some experimenting the first week to find the right weight. 1 total work set This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 4 185 x 4 225 x 4 275 x 8 (barely got 8th rep with good form) 14 Note: If you have a low back injury and prefer to not do these in the program, I want you to do banded hyperextensions. Follow the same target of around 10 reps hitting failure. You will need bands to make 10 reps hard. If you are lucky enough to have a reverse hyper machine, that is another great substation. Put your feet apart to do more ham and glute if so. Hyperextensions with Band Tension This set is an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 6/ Calves | Standing calve raises I want you to do a couple high rep warm up sets and then hit your 2 hard sets. You are going to do 2 sets of 10. After you do 10-12 reps, do 10 more partials, and then sit in the stretch for 10 more seconds. Do this on both work sets. 2 total work sets Note: In between all calve work sets in this ENTIRE PROGRAM (even feeders), do tibia raises. This means simply raising your toes (dorsiflexing foot). I like to let my toes hang off an aerobic step bench when doing these to get some tibialis stretch. Do sets of 20. I won’t mention this in the rest if the program, but I expect you to keep doing these as instructed. Here is a version using a short band if you do not have a tibia machine also. Exercise Index - Tibia Raises These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump and train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length This is an example of what it could look like: 50 x 20 100 x 20 150 x 5 175 x 4 200 x 10, then 10 partials, then 10 second stretch 200 x 10, then 10 partials, then 10 second stretch Pro Tip The stretch is a non-negotiable on calves. Your calves are used to walking and flexing, but not stretching. If you really want to grow your calves, you simply cannot ignore the stretch. 15 WEEK 1 - TUESDAY Chest 4 exercises 6 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight decline dumbbell press Base movement #1. This is my favorite way to do dumbbell presses. This also will give you zero stress in your shoulder joint. I want you to work your way up to a top set of 8 reps. This means that you find the most weight you can use with good form to get 8 reps with. Take the reps to ¾ lockout. 1 total work set Exercise Index - Slight Decline Dumbbell Press For example: Warm up set 1 – 20 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 2 – 40 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 3 – 60 lb dumbbells x 4 Warm up set 4 – 80 lb dumbbells x 4 Top set – 100 lb dumbbells x 8 (could not do a 9th rep with good form) NOTE: For women I prefer you use a high angle version Smith Press as your base exercise. Go to 9 minutes into the video to see. How To Get a “BIG” Chest with the Smith Machine This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Incline barbell press Base movement #2. I want you to do a top set of 6 here. Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. You can leave 1 rep in the tank on this one. 1 total work set Top set RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively For example: Warm up set 1 – 135 lbs. x 10 reps Warm up set 2 – 185 lbs. x 3 reps Warm up set 3 – 225 lbs. x 3 reps Top set – 245 lbs. x 6 (could not do a 7th rep with good form) Pro Tip Stopping an inch or two short of touching chest will take away significant stress from rotator cuff and keep shoulders healthier. Women don’t generally need to do this. 16 3/ Chest | Hex/smash press See the video below for a demo. The key is to smash the dumbbells together the entire range of motion. Squeeze your pecs as hard as you can! Do a hard set of 10, and then hit your 2nd set using your high intensity technique “cluster” set. Use the same weight but leave 2 reps in the tank. Rest 20 seconds. This time leave 1 rep in the tank, then pause for 20 seconds and go to failure. Your reps might look something like this ---> 8, 6, 4, 2 total work sets For example: Warm up set 1 – 35 lb dumbbells x 5 Work set 1 – 55 lb dumbbells x 10 (1 rep in the tank) Work set 2 – 55 lb dumbbells x 8, rest 20 seconds, then 6, rest 20 seconds then 4. See Cluster set technique for explanation on how to do these perfect. Exercise Index - Hex Press These sets are RPE of 9 and then 11. Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Chest | Machine or cable flye On these I want you to do 2 sets of 8. On the last/8th rep of each set, pause in the stretch position and hold for 10 seconds. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10-11 Goal – Train muscle from a stretch position 5/ Shoulders | Bent over lateral raise This is very simple way to get our rear delts cooking. Do 3 sets of 25 to start. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise The RPE is 8-9 on these sets Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder health bonus Before you start your next exercise, do 30 over and backs for shoulder health and flexibility. Over and back Rope Stretches 6/ Shoulders | Smith Machine seated overhead press Do these seated with a back support. If you are short like me you can do these standing. Only take the weight down to the top of your head. I intentionally keep a short range of motion on these. I want you to do 2 sets of 12, then a cluster set. 3 total work sets The first 2 sets are an RPE of 9, and the last set is 11 Warm up set 1 – 95 lbs. x 5 reps Work set 1 – 135 lbs. x 12 reps Work set 2 – 135 lbs. x 12 reps Work set 3 – Cluster set – 135 x 10 rest 20 seconds, 135 x 7 rest 20 seconds, 135 x 5 (this is just a random example) Goal – Supramax pump 17 7/ Shoulders | Dumbbell Y raise This is the 2nd exercise in the video below around 4:15. You lay against an incline bench and raise the dumbbell to 10 and 2 o’clock. I like to try to hold at the top for a split-second flexing hard too. Do 3 sets of 12 here. These are phenomenal for side delts. 3 total work sets The Perfect 3 Exercise Shoulder Workout for Capped Delts These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump If you have terrible triceps, let’s add this in. BONUS / Triceps | Dual rope triceps extensions I absolutely love these and the range of motion you can get with the dual rope configuration. You will likely only need 1 warm up set to find your work weight. Do 2 sets of 8 here. On your 3rd set I want a drop set. Do 8 reps, drop the weight about 20-25% and go to failure, then drop the weight another 20-25% and go to failure. 3 total work sets Warm up set 1 – 95 lbs. x 5 reps Work set 1 – 140 lbs. x 8 reps Work set 2 – 140 lbs. x 8 reps Work set 3 – Drop set – 140 lbs. x 8, 110 lbs. to failure, 80 lbs. to failure Exercise Index - Dual Rope Tricep Extensions The first 2 sets are an RPE of 9, and the last set is 11 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. I try to use a weight that allows for about 12-15 reps. 4 total work sets Rope crunches These sets are all RPE of 10 Pro Tip If you want to practice vacuuming, do this 4x per week the entire program! How To Stomach Vacuum Like a Pro Goal – Supramax pump 18 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 19 WEEK 1 - THURSDAY Back 5 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | One arm barbell row This is going to be your first base movement for back the first 3 weeks of the program. Next week I’ll want a weight bump but the same rep count on your work sets. Do 2-3 warm up sets, then a set to failure with 10 reps. Then for your last set, add some weight and hit failure with around 8 reps. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - One Arm Barbell Row These sets are all RPE of 10 This is an example of what it could look like: 1 25 lb plate for 15 2 25 lb plates for 10 3 25 lb plates for 10 (work set) 3 25 lb plates and a 10 for 8 (work set) The numbers are just targets, the most important thing is that the sets are to true failure with good form. You can be off a rep or two. Goal – Supramax pump 2/ Back | One arm supinated pulldown This is your second base movement. We are going to perfect these! I love these, as I feel they are the most underrated back exercise there is. Do 2 sets of 10 here after a good set to feel out the exercise. See the video for the setup. This is a little unique. I love the angle because you can drive your elbows straight down and really flex your lat. At the bottom lean a little to the side your flexing (lateral spinal flexion) and squeeze even harder. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Single Arm Pulldown These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Rack pull Set the pins to mid-shin. At about 5 minutes into the video below you’ll see how I like to do these. It is not the same as just grip it and rip it. I want you to really feel your lats engage during this movement. These should feel outstanding after just doing the supinated pulldown. Do a few sets to get the feel of it, and then do 3 sets of 6. I want you to leave 1 rep in the tank on each set. 3 total work sets How To Deadlift like a Bodybuilder | Back Workout These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 20 4/ Back | Chest pulls I love these for rhomboids, rear delts, and lower traps. These are like facepulls, but as you can see in the video – you pull them into your chest. Flex hard in the contracted position. Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Chest Pulls These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Back | Dumbbell pullover with band Do 2 sets of 10 here. Leave 1 rep in the tank on each set. If you don’t have a band, that’s ok, just do with the dumbbell. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Banded Dumbbell Pullovers These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length BONUS – Men, if you have terrible traps, let’s add this in. I prefer women don’t generally work traps directly. 6/ Traps | Dumbbell shrugs Do 2 tempo sets where you go pretty fast for 30 reps on each one. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax Pump 7/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets Decline bench leg raises These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump Pro Tip I like to put abs in after lower back to get some of that blood out of your lower back and into your abs. If I would have only done this in my younger years instead of driving home with a nasty low back pump after endless reps of hypers! Also, as you do these, think about curling yourself up into a ball, and uncurling yourself as well to keep tension on abs, and off hip flexors. 21 WEEK 1 - FRIDAY Biceps 3 exercises 11 sets Triceps 3 exercise 11 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets *** I really don’t use base movement for arms as contraction quality and pump are the focus as opposed to lifting heavier and heavier. Constantly pushing weight, on bicep work especially, will usually result in some form of tendonitis. 1/ Biceps and Triceps | Hammer curls Do a few warmups here and then we are going to do 4 rounds. Do 10 reps here. Then move onto next exercise immediately. Superset with 2/ Biceps and Triceps | Dual rope triceps kickbacks After warming up, now we do 10 reps here. Exercise Index - Dual Rope Tricep Extensions Do 4 rounds here after you have warmed up. 8 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Biceps and Triceps | Drag curls Do sets of 8 here. Do these very slow and controlled. I want you to feel the fire. Lower with control, and squeeze hard at the top. Exercise Index - Drag Curls Superset with 4/ Biceps and Triceps | Dumbbell lying extensions Now we do 8 reps here. Exercise Index - Lying Tricep Extensions Do 4 rounds here after you have warmed up. 8 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 22 5/ Biceps and Triceps | Concentration preacher curls Do these nice and slow and get a stretch at the bottom of each rep. Do 8 reps. Exercise Index - Concentration Preacher Curls Superset with 6/ Biceps and Triceps | Seated overhead rope extensions Do sets of 12 here and work that stretch hard. At the end of each set, hold the stretch position for 15 seconds. Seated overhead rope extensions Do 3 rounds here after you have warmed up. 6 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10-11 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 7/ Calves | Standing calve raises We are going to double up on the sets that we did Monday here and do 4 sets. I want you to do a couple high rep warm up sets and then hit your 4 hard sets. You are going to do 4 sets of 10. After you do 10 reps, do 10 more partials, and then sit in the stretch for 10 more seconds. Do this on all work sets. 4 total work sets Note: One final reminder here. In between all sets (even feeders), do tibia raise. This means simply raising your toes (dorsiflexing foot). I like to let my toes hang off an aerobic step bench when doing these to get some tibialis stretch. Do sets of 20. Here is a version using a short band if you do not have a tibia machine. Exercise Index - Tibia Raises These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump and train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 23 WEEK 1 - SATURDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 8 sets 1/ Upper legs | Seated leg curl On Monday you worked up to a tough set of 8 before doing the drop set. This time, we change to a cluster set. So, you still work up to 8, but that last set is now a cluster. This is overload because you are doing more reps with the heavier weight in this scenario. Normally I say leave a rep or two in the tank at the start, but don’t on these today. Go all out. 2 total work sets This sets are an RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Activate and pump This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 8, failing at 8 (work set) 140 x 8, rest 20 seconds and then go to failure, and then rest 20 seconds again before going to failure one final time. 2/ Upper legs | Squats This is your base leg movement. Remember we want to try and increase the weight we do for 8 reps from Monday. Take your time warming up, but don’t fatigue yourself as you do. Use feeder sets, and then I want 2 work sets. I want one set where you leave 2-3 reps in the tank, and then the final set where you use a little more weight than on Monday even if it’s just 5 lbs. 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 8 and 9 This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 10 185 x 10 225 x 6 275 x 6 320 – 8 (2-3 reps left in tank) 350 – 8 (goal is to increase what you did Monday by 5 lbs..) Goal – Train explosively 3/ Upper legs | Hack squat Now it’s time to break out the cluster set, again. You can see one of my cluster sets at 17:00 in the video below. Work up to a weight that is really tough 10 reps. Use low rep feeder sets to get you there, so you have plenty of strength. Now It’s time to go to work. Do your 10 reps leaving a rep or two in the tank, then rack the weight and count to 20, and do what you can, then rack the weight and count to 20 and do it one more time. This means you are doing a lot of really tough reps, and essentially 3 sets in one. 1 total work set This is an example of what it might look like: 2 plates per side x 4 3 plates per side x 10, rest 20 seconds and do 7, rest 20 seconds and do 5 Note: If you do not have hack, find a machine where your back is supported. This is key so as you get tired during the cluster set, you don’t lose form and injure yourself. Vlog 7 - Brutal Old School EliteFTS Leg Workout | Day in The Life #7 This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 24 4/ Upper legs | Leg extension Another nasty set coming here. Give me EVERYTHING! Do a set to find what will be a tough 10. Now I want you to do 10 hard reps, and then give me 25 partials out of the bottom. It’s going to hurt, but you can do it if you just focus. Do not get out of the seat until you do all 25 partials even if the weight is moving only 1 inch. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Upper legs | Stiff legged barbell deadlift This is the same as Monday, but we add a work set. Here we are doing 2-3 feeder sets of 4 reps, before doing our hard sets. I want you to lower the bar slowly, for a 3 count, and then come up ¾ of the way before going back down. I want you to find a weight that you can do for 10 reps. You should fail around 10. Now let me be really clear here. Do NOT use bad form as you fatigue. If you lose form, drop the bar and stop. I want 10 perfect reps. That is what I define as failure. 2 total work sets This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 4 225 x 4 275 x 8 (barely got 8th rep with good form) 275 x 8 (barely got 8thth rep with good form – you may lose a rep or two fyi) These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 25 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 26 Week 2 Monday - Chest, Shoulders, Abs Thursday Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 3 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 8 exercises 20 sets 7 exercises 25 sets Tuesday Friday - Legs Back 5 exercises 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 3 sets 6 exercises 15 sets Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets 5 exercises 10 sets Saturday - Chest, Shoulders, Calves Wednesday - OFF Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 5 sets 8 exercises 21 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 27 WEEK 2 - MONDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight incline dumbell press Base movement #1. Whatever you did last week for 8, our goal is to beat the reps this week, so shoot for 9 or 10 reps! 1 total work set Exercise Index - Slight Decline Dumbbell Press NOTE: For women I prefer you use a high angle version Smith Press as your base exercise. Go to 9 minutes into the video to see. How To Get a “BIG” Chest with the Smith Machine For example: Warm up set 1 – 20 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 2 – 40 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 3 – 60 lb dumbbells x 4 Warm up set 4 – 80 lb dumbbells x 4 Top set – 100 lb dumbbells x 9 (could not do a 10th rep with good form – assuming you did 8 last week) This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Incline barbell press Base movement #2. I want you to do a top set of 7 or 8 here with what you did for 6 last week. Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. 1 total work set Top set RPE of 9 For example: Warm up set 1 – 135 lbs. x 10 reps Warm up set 2 – 185 lbs. x 3 reps Warm up set 3 – 225 lbs. x 3 reps Top set – 245 lbs. x 7 (could not do a 8th rep with good form) Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Dips Watch in the video how I do these. I love these for thick outer gorilla style pecs. Do 3 sets to failure here. Let’s pump up the volume some. 3 total work sets Go to 10 minute mark in video for dip form. Constant Tension *HEAVY* Chest Workout @ Madtown Fitness Note: If you have shoulder health issues, using an assist machine should allow you to do these. These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 28 4/ Chest | Low cable crossover On these do 1 hard set of 8 to start. Next, I want a massive drop set. I want you to hit 8 reps, drop the weight some and hit another 6 or so, then drop it again for another 6, and then one final time for another 6. On your last rep, hold and flex for a 10 count isohold. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Low Cable Crossover Note: For women I prefer you use a high angle version of this. Set the pulleys up high. These sets are RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length Time to jam your delts FULL of blood! 5/ Shoulders | Landmine shoulder press These are for your front delts and also serratus. Training this muscle helps support shoulder health. Do 3 sets of 8 here. See the video below for proper form. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Landmine Shoulder Press These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Shoulders | Bent over dumbbell lateral Do 20 reps here. Superset with 7/ Shoulders | Dumbbell side lateral Now stand up and hit 10 side laterals immediately. Do 3 rounds here after you have warmed up. 6 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. I try to use a weight that allows for about 12-15 reps. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 29 WEEK 2 - TUESDAY Back 5 exercises 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 3 sets 1/ Back | One arm barbell row Do 2-3 warm up sets, then a set to failure with 12 reps with what you did for 10 reps last week. Then for your last set, add some weight and hit failure with around 10 reps with what you did 8 reps with last week. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - One Arm Barbell Row These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump This is an example of what it could look like: 1 25 lb plate for 15 2 25 lb plates for 10 3 25 lb plates for 12 (work set) 3 25 lb plates and a 10 for 10 (work set) The numbers are just targets, the most important thing is that the sets are to true failure with good form. You can be off a rep or two. 2/ Back | One arm supinated pulldown This is your second base movement. Do 2 sets of 12 here with what you did 10 with last week after a good set to feel out the exercise. Remember to drive your elbows straight down and really flex your lat. At the bottom lean a little to the side your flexing (lateral spinal flexion) and squeeze even harder. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Single Arm Pulldown These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Low cable row With your lats jammed full of blood, these should feel really good. This is just your good old basic low cable row. Keep your lats tense the whole time, and drive those elbows back squeezing as hard as you can. Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets YOU ARE Doing the Low Row X WRONG X (DO IT LIKE THIS) These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Back | Dumbbell pullovers Let’s get your upper and outer back stretched out good now. Feel free to do the banded version if you like. Do 3 sets of 12 here. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 30 5/ Back | Barbell hyperextension What a brutal way to finish off your low back/spinal erectors. Do 2 sets of 10 here. Use a slow tempo on these and control the weight throughout the entire movement. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Barbell Hyperextensions These sets are all RPE of 8-9 Goal – Supramax pump Men, if you have terrible traps, let’s add this in. I prefer women don’t generally work traps directly. BONUS / Traps | Dumbbell shrugs Do 2 tempo sets where you go pretty fast for 30 reps on each one. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Calves | Toe press I do more of these now then anything. I just use a leg press and do toe presses on it. I love to work these heavy and really work the stretch hard. Let’s do 3 hard sets of 8 here after 2-3 high rep warm ups. Go to 5 minutes in the video below for proper form. 3 total work sets Get Big Calves | Short On Time Calf Workout These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 31 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 32 WEEK 2 - THURSDAY Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 3 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets More pump insanity today – let’s get it! 3 exercises back to back to back 1/ Biceps | EZ bar curls Do a few warmups here to get the elbows feeling good, and then the rep number will be 8 reps. Superset with 2/ Biceps | Hammer curls Do 8 here. Superset with 3/ Biceps | One arm cable curl Do 8 here, notice the nice stretch and contraction. Exercise Index - One Arm Cable Curl Do 3 rounds here after you have warmed up. 9 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 3 more exercises back to back to back. 4/ Triceps | Dual handle pushdowns Do a few warmups here to get the elbows feeling good, and then the rep number will be 8 reps. Tricep pushdowns with single handles Superset with 5/ Triceps | Kettlebell lying extensions Do 8 here. You can use dumbbells if you do not have kettlebells. Exercise Index - Kettlebell Lying Tricep Extensions Skull Crusher 33 Superset with 6/ Triceps | Bent over extensions with single handles Do 8 here, work that stretch! Bent over extensions with single handles Do 4 rounds here after you have warmed up. 12 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 7/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises Do 4 sets to failure here. You should be continually trying to beat your reps on your ab work as well. 4 total work sets Decline bench leg raises These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 34 WEEK 2 - FRIDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets 1/ Upper legs | Seated leg curl Last week we finished with a big cluster set here, after doing drop sets earlier in the week. Now I want you to slow it down and we are doing more straight set volume. I simply want you to do 3 really hard sets of 10 after you have warmed up well. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Activate and pump This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 8 140 x 8 140 x 8 2/ Upper legs | Squats We are sticking with your target reps of 8. So, work up to a tough 8, and stay there and do 2 hard sets of 8. Try to beat the weight you used last week by even if just a few pounds. 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Upper legs | Leg extension It’s time to break out the cluster set. This one is going to hurt. I want this to be a really hard 10 reps to start. I want you to flex hard at the top of all reps for a 2 count. Rest 20 seconds after you’re done, and then do it again, but you don’t have to pause. Just keep the weight moving. Now after resting 20 seconds again, do 10 more, and you will have to use partials to get your 10 guaranteed. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Upper legs | Leg press Now that your quads are on straight fire, let’s further push them. You don’t have to train them until next Thursday, so let’s push! I want a tough set of 30 here, rest 20 seconds and see if you can get 6 to 8 more, then rest 20 seconds and see if you can get 6 to 8 more. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 35 5/ Upper legs | Stiff legged barbell deadlift We continue to add some volume here, and do 3 sets of 8 this time, as opposed to the 2 we did last week. Come all the way up and flex your glutes. 3 total work sets Note: If you have a low back injury and prefer to not do these, I want you to do banded hyperextensions. Follow the same target of around 10 reps hitting failure. You will need bands to make 10 reps hard. This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 4 225 x 4 275 x 8 (barely got 8th rep with good form) 275 x 8 (barely got 8thth rep with good form – you may lose a rep or two fyi) 275 x 8 (probably lose a rep or so) These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 36 WEEK 2 - SATURDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight decline dumbell press Base movement #1. Now we finish this week by beating what you did Monday by a rep or two. Let’s see 12 reps with your top weight on these today! 1 total work sets NOTE: For women I prefer you use a high angle version Smith Press as your base exercise. This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Incline barbell press Base movement #2. I would really love to see 8 or 9 reps this time on these with your top weight. More progress! Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. 1 total work set For example: Warm up set 1 – 135 lbs. x 10 reps Warm up set 2 – 185 lbs. x 3 reps Warm up set 3 – 225 lbs. x 3 reps Top set – 245 lbs. x 8 (could not do a 9th rep with good form) Top set RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Machine press Pick your favorite chest machine for your big cluster set here. Hit a tough set of 10, rest 20 seconds, and go again, then rest 20 seconds and go again! 1 total work set This sets are an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Chest | Dips A little volume bump coming here to finish. We take the 3 sets to failure from earlier this week to 4 sets. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 37 5/ Shoulders | Landmine shoulder press I want to continue these again this week with all the pressing we are doing. These are for your front delts and also serratus. Training this muscle helps support shoulder health. Do 3 sets of 8 here. See the video below for proper form. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Landmine Shoulder Press These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump Can you take even more pain and blood flow than Monday? More reps coming. 6/ Shoulders | Bent over dumbbell lateral Do 30 reps here. Superset with 7/ Shoulders | Dumbbell side lateral Now stand up and hit 15 side laterals immediately. Do 3 rounds here after you have warmed up. 6 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Calves | Toe press Let’s do 4 hard sets of 10 here after 2-3 high rep warmups. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 38 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 39 Week 3 This is the final week for our first 2 base exercises for major body parts. They rotate out for weeks 4-6. Monday Thursday – Legs Back 5 exercises 12 sets Upper legs 5 exercises 14 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 16 sets 6 exercises 18 sets Tuesday Friday – Chest, Shoulders, Calves Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Triceps 3 exercise 9 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets Calves 1 exercises 4 sets 7 exercises 20 sets 8 exercises 20 sets Wednesday - OFF Saturday - Back Back 5 exercises 13 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 17 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 40 WEEK 3 - MONDAY Back 5 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | One arm barbell row Do 2-3 warm up sets first. Last week we worked our reps all the way up to a tough set of 12 and then 10. Now we are in position to add more weight to the bar and bring the reps down some. Now your 2 work sets are going to be a tough set of 8, and then a tough set of 6. If you remember in week 1, we went to a tough set of 8 and 10. I am betting your 8 now is better than it was then! 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Back | One arm supinated pulldown Same thing here. Now we can go a little heavier and bring the reps down. So, let’s take our reps down from 12 to 8, and increase weight. Maintain perfect form! 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Single Arm Pulldown These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Rack pull Since we aren’t hitting legs until Thursday, and we last hit these in week 1, time to get back on the rack pulls. Remember the technique from week 1. Set the pins to mid-shin. At about 5 minutes into the video below you’ll see how I like to do these. It is not the same as just grip it and rip it. I want you to really feel your lats engage during this movement. These should feel outstanding after just doing the supinated pulldown. Do a few sets to get the feel of it, and then do 3 sets of 6. I want you to leave 1 rep in the tank on each set. 3 total work sets How To Deadlift like a Bodybuilder | Back Workout These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 4/ Back | Curry 3-way pulldowns This is a movement Brandon Curry taught me that is straight fire. Do 3 sets here. The reps are 6, 6, and 6 on each set. Welcome to pain. 3 total work sets Brandon Curry 3 Way Lat Pulldown For a Crazy BURN These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 41 5/ Back | Dumbbell pullover with band Do 2 sets of 10 here. Leave 1 rep in the tank on each set. If you don’t have a band, that’s ok, just do it with the dumbbell. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Banded Dumbbell Pullovers These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length BONUS/ Traps | Dumbbell shrugs Do 3 sets where you hold the weight at the top for a 3 count. 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises I want to start our ab work with these again this week. Do 4 sets to failure here. Keep beating your numbers on rep here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 42 WEEK 3 - TUESDAY Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets Ok after all the arm pump insanity, let’s slow it down a little for arms this week! 1/ Biceps | Seated hammer curls This is my favorite hammer technique. 2 minutes into the video you’ll see me sitting down on a lat pulldown with my elbows braced and leaning slightly back to create a little stretch. Do several warmups here before you hit 3 sets of 12. 3 total work sets 3 Types of Hammer Curls to Build *HUGE* Biceps These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 2/ Biceps | Concentration preacher curls As you know I love these too! Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Concentration Preacher Curls These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Biceps | Ez bar curls Now it’s time to walk through the fire. Do 3 sets of 8, but after your 8th rep on all sets, slowly do 6 more partials. Slow down on these as you will be straightening your arms at the bottom and slowly curling up about ¼ of the way. Work through the pain. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Triceps | Dual handle pushdown Do 3 sets of 12 here once you are warmed up. Let’s move all that blood into your tris fast. On your last set do a drop set, where you drop the weight 20-30% and go to failure, and then another drop where you do the same. 3 total work sets Tricep pushdowns with single handles These sets are an RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump 43 5/ Triceps | Floor press Now let’s get some meat and potatoes! Do 3 sets of 8 here. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Floor Press For Triceps These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Triceps | Lying kettlebell extensions Do 3 sets of 10 here. If you don’t have kettlebells, you can use dumbbells. Remember to let the dumbbell/kettlebell to come back to your front delts to create that awesome stretch. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Kettlebell Lying Tricep Extensions Skull Crusher These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 7/ Calves | Toe presses This is when you do toe presses on a leg press machine. We are doing something really painful here. Do 2 cluster sets. Work your way up to a tough 10 and do the first cluster set. Then rest a few minutes and drop the weight down to something you can do for 1520 and do a cluster set with this weight to finish them off. Work the stretch at the bottom as always. So, get your reps, rest 20 seconds and go again, rest 20 seconds, and go again, and then one more time for both clusters! 2 total work sets This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 44 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 45 WEEK 3 - THURSDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 14 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Upper legs | Seated leg curl Ok, you got some easy straight set work last week, let’s get to the crazy stuff. Do 2 sets of 20 here to get the blood moving, and then just feeder sets of 4 until we get to our work sets. I want you to do 10 hard reps where you can barely get the 10th rep with good form. That’s 1 set. Now do it again for a 2nd set. Now do it again for set 3, then drop the weight 30% (ish) and go to failure again, and then do 10 slow partials from the stretch position, and then do a 10 second isohold in the lengthened position. Work through the pain. 3 total work sets This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 10, failing at 10 (work set) 140 x 10, failing at 10 (work set) 140 x 10, followed by 110 x 6, followed by 10 partials, then a 10 second isohold (Work set) These sets are an RPE of 10 and 12 Goal – Activate and pump 2/ Upper legs | Squats Last week we added more weight to the bar and went back down to 8 reps. This week, we are going to do a little more volume with the same weight. So do the 2 sets of 8, but then add a 3rd set of 6 with it. This is simply more reps with the weight, as our overload measure. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Upper legs | Reverse lunge I really like this movement for many reasons. It’s great for glutes, can smoke your quads too, and is easy on your knees. Let’s do 2 difficult sets here. After a warmup set to get the feel of the movement, do a set of 15 reps on each leg. I want these reps to be slow and controlled so you feel like your legs are about to burst into flames. On your last set, I want a cluster set. So do 12 reps, rest 20 seconds, and then do another 6 to 8, rest 20 seconds, and then do another 6 to 8. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Split Squats These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump 46 4/ Upper legs | Leg press close stance On these I want a medium close stance. We are going to lower the weight slowly and try to get pretty deep, so you really stretch your quads. Do 3 slow sets of 15 here. In between each set, put your feet up on the leg press while you rest (keep them elevated to pool blood). Don’t bring your legs down until you complete all 3 sets. Work the stretch at the bottom, and don’t bounce. Your teardrop should feel like the skin is going to tear on it. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Upper legs | Dumbbell stiff legged barbell deadlift Once again your quads are going to be so pumped up, we need to do these very slowly and with dumbbells. Do 3 sets of 8 with a slow temp. Take these to full lockout, squeeze glutes, and come right back down. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 6/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax Pump 47 WEEK 3 - FRIDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight decline dumbbell press Last week of these. Now that you have worked with a weight up to 12 reps, we bring the weight back down and go heavier! Work up to a top set of 8 reps today. 1 total work set NOTE: For women I prefer you use a high angle version Smith Press as your base exercise. This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Incline barbell press Again we have worked our reps up methodically on these, now we bring the reps back down to 6 but bump the weight used. Work up to a top set of 6. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Hex press Smash the dumbbells together and flex on all reps, big cluster set here. Hit a tough set of 10, rest 20 seconds, and go again, then rest 20 seconds and go again! 1 total work set Exercise Index - Hex Press This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Chest | Cable fly press A little volume bump coming here to finish. Take 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets Exercise Index - Cable Fly Press These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 48 5/ Shoulders | Rear delt band pulls Start off by firing up those rear delts. If you don’t have a band, another option is doing these bent over with a cable. Do 3 sets of 15 with each side. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Rear Delt Band Pulls These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Shoulders | Partial dumbbell side laterals So much pain. Ha, you’ll love these if they are new to you. Take a weight that is a little heavier than normal, tilt your head back and just sort of swing the weight out to the side only up about 1/3 of the way. Do 3 sets of 25 here. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Partial Dumbbell Side Laterals These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 7/ Shoulders | Top partial dumbbell side laterals Now we lighten the weight up and only work the top ½ of the movement. Do 3 sets of 10 here with perfectly controlled form to isolate the side delts. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Calves | Toe press Let’s do 4 hard sets of 10 here after 2-3 high rep warmups. On each set after the 10th rep, I want you to sit in the stretch for 10 seconds also before racking the weight. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump If you want some bonus triceps work! BONUS/ Triceps | Kettlebell Tate press These are a great way to stretch your tri and and uniquely hit them. Finish with 3 sets of 8 here. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Kettlebell Tate Press For Triceps These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 49 WEEK 3 - SATURDAY Back 5 exercises 13 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | One arm barbell row Do 2-3 warm up sets to start. Give me a hard set of 10. On your next set, I want you to go a little crazy. We used to call these challenge sets for those of you who have been around for a while. Basically go crazy and get as many as you can, and you CAN actually cheat a little once you get tired to get extra reps. Make sure you rest a good 2-3 minutes before you do your other side because you will be tired from the all-out set. 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Back | One arm supinated pulldown Same thing here. Give me some strict reps, then cheat a little, use a little momentum to get an extra few reps! Do a set of 10, then do a challenge set to see how many you can get! 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Single Arm Pulldown These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Barbell pullovers Let’s give our biceps a break now and get a nice stretch on those lats old school style. Do 3 sets of 10 here. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Barbell Pullover These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 4/ Back | Curry 3-way pulldowns Another week here, but now let’s bump the reps to 8, 8, and 8 on each set. Do 3 sets here. 3 total work sets Brandon Curry 3 Way Lat Pulldown For a Crazy BURN These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 50 5/ Back | Barbell hyperextensions Do 3 sets of 10 here. Use a slow tempo on these and control the weight throughout the entire movement. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Barbell Hyperextensions These sets are all RPE of 8-9 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump Bonus if you want to sneak in a little more bicep work for the weekend. 7/ Biceps | Preacher curl Do 4 sets of 10. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 51 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 52 Week 4 We are rotating in your new foundational exercises now for your big body parts. Now that you are trained in the ways of high intensity techniques, we will also begin to add a little volume to ensure you are working to your max capacity. The volume changes will be subtle, as the real key has been the focused loading and intensity. Now we hit the nitrous and redline it a little, before winding up the program. Monday - Leg Thursday Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets Back 5 exercises 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 14 sets 6 exercises 16 sets Tuesday - Chest, Shoulders, Abs Friday Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Triceps 3 exercises 12 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Biceps 3 exercise 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 8 exercises 20 sets 7 exercises 28 sets Wednesday - OFF Saturday - Legs Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets 5 exercises 10 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 53 WEEK 4 - MONDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Upper legs | Lying leg curl This is your base leg movement #1. Do 2 sets of 20 here to get the blood moving, and then just feeder sets of 4 until we get to our work set. On all these lower rep feeder sets I want you to use a 3 second eccentric (so lower the weight with a 3 count) and explode up. I know that is odd for a leg curl, but it works very well. Keep your form tight. For your work set, I want you to do 8 hard reps (still using a 3 second eccentric) where you can barely get the 8th rep with good form, then drop the weight 30% (ish) and go to failure again, and then do 10 slow partials from the stretch position. 1 total work set This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 8, followed by 110 x 6, followed by 10 partials out of stretch position (Work set) Note: If you don’t have a lying leg curl you can do a seated leg curl. This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Activate and pump 2/ Upper legs | Leg press This is your base leg movement #2. Our target reps on this program for the first 3 weeks is 8 reps. Each week the goal is to use more weight to get your 8 reps. Take your time warming up, but don’t fatigue yourself as you do. Use feeder sets, and then I want 2 work sets. I want one set where you leave 2-3 reps in the tank, and then 1 set where you leave 1 rep in the tank. On all sets I want a 3 second eccentric. 2 total work sets This is an example of what it could look like: 135 x 10 185 x 10 225 x 6 275 x 6 315 – 8 (2-3 reps left in tank) 345 – 8 (1 rep left in tank) These sets are an RPE of 8, and 9 Goal – Train explosively 54 3/ Upper legs | Smith split squats Now this is an exercise that is really underrated. I love these. Do a few feeder sets of 4 or 5 to get to a weight that is a tough 10. Now we add a little volume and do a hard work set of 10, before our drop set. On the drop set it will be 10, drop weight and shoot for 6 to 8 more, and then one more drop and another 6 to 8. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Split Squats These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump This is an example of what the dropset might look like: Empty bar – x 4 10 lbs. per side x 4 20 lbs. per side x 3 30 lbs. (3 tens) per side x 10 30 lbs. per side x 10, drop a ten and do 6-8, drop the last 10 and do 6 to 8 Pro Tip As I say in the video – more glute means lean forward, more quad stay upright (but it is still crushes glutes) 4/ Upper legs | Leg extension The drop set has your legs jammed full of blood, but we aren’t done yet. Now do a hard working set of 10 where you hold the flex at the top for 3 seconds on each rep as set #1. On the next set, you do the same thing, but I want you to add 25 little partials out of the bottom. Your teardrop is going to be so pumped you won’t believe. You will get to where you can barely move the weight at the bottom, just keep going until you hit 25. 2 total work sets Pro Tip Lean back a little when you do these, so your rectus femoris can stretch more (more range of motion). These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Upper legs | Single leg Romanian deadlift On these take your time and do these nice and slow. As I say in the video, bend you knees and shoot hips back. This is good for glutes and hams. Do 3 sets of 8 here to finish things off. 3 total work sets One Leg Romanian Style Dumbbell Deadlift for *AMAZING GLUTES* This sets are an RPE of 8-9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 6/ Calves | Toe press in leg press machine Let’s hammer out 4 sets of 12 here. As always work that stretch, and don’t forget your tibia work in between sets! 4 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump and train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 55 WEEK 4 - TUESDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight incline dumbbell press Base movement #1. Now we flip from the slight decline to a slight incline, another angle I absolutely love. I want you to work your way up to a top set of 8 reps. This means that you find the most weight you can use with good form to get 8 reps with. Take the reps to ¾ lockout. 1 total work set Incline Dumbell Press dropset This set is an RPE of 10 For example: Warm up set 1 – 20 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 2 – 40 lb dumbbells x 15 reps Warm up set 3 – 60 lb dumbbells x 4 Warm up set 4 – 80 lb dumbbells x 4 Top set – 100 lb dumbbells x 8 (could not do a 9th rep with good form) Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Slight incline barbell press Base movement #2. Look in the video how I have the bench set up. Same exercise but slightly different angle here. We are going to get your front delts and upper pecs thick! I want you to do a top set of 6 here. Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. You can leave 1 rep in the tank on this one. 1 total work set For example: Warm up set 1 – 135 lbs... x 10 reps Warm up set 2 – 185 lbs... x 3 reps Warm up set 3 – 225 lbs... x 3 reps Top set – 245 lbs... x 6 (could not do a 7th rep with good form) Exercise Index - Low Incline Press Top set RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Banded chest press The squeeze on these is amazing. There is a crazy contraction here and try to explode against the band! Do a hard set of 8, and then hit your 2nd set using your high intensity technique “cluster” set. Use the same weight but leave 2 reps in the tank. Rest 20 seconds. This time leave 1 rep in the tank, then pause for 20 seconds and go to failure. Your reps might look something like this ---> 6, 5, 4, 2 total work sets How to attach bands to a Hammer chest press These sets are RPE of 9 and then 11 Goal – Supramax pump 56 4/ Chest | Machine or cable flye Let’s sneak an extra work set in this time. On these I want you to do 3 sets of 8. On the last/8th rep of each set, pause in the stretch position and hold for 10 seconds. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10-11 Goal – Train muscle from a stretch position 5/ Shoulders | Reverse pec deck Do 3 sets of 15 to start. On each rep hold and flex for 2 seconds in the contracted position. 3 total work sets The RPE is 8-9 on these sets Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder Health Bonus Before you start your next exercise, do 30 over and backs. Over and back Rope Stretches 6/ Shoulders | Wide grip barbell row You could also do these with dumbbells. I attached a video below, I know it is a back video, but I wanted you to see the angle at which your elbows should pull. This is for rear delts and traps. Look at about 50 seconds in. So elbows out wide and NOT tucked in (that’s more lats). Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets Supported Row for a “THICK BACK” Exercise Index These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 7/ Shoulders | Dumbbell Y raise This is the 2nd exercise in the video below around 4:15. You lay against an incline bench and raise the dumbbell to 10 and 2 o’clock. I like to try to hold at the top for a split-second flexing hard too. Do 3 sets of 12 here. These are phenomenal for side delts. 3 total work sets The Perfect 3 Exercise Shoulder Workout for Capped Delts These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 57 Bonus/ Triceps | Dual rope triceps extensions I absolutely love these, and the range of motion you can get with the dual rope configuration. You will likely only need 1 warm up set to find your work weight. Do 2 sets of 8 here. On your 3rd set I want a drop set. Do 8 reps, drop the weight about 20-25%% and go to failure, then drop the weight another 20-25% and go to failure. 3 total work sets Warm up set 1 – 95 lbs. x 5 reps Work set 1 – 140 lbs. x 8 reps Work set 2 – 140 lbs. x 8 reps Work set 3 – Drop set – 140 lbs. x 8, 110 lbs. to failure, 80 lbs. to failure Exercise Index - Dual Rope Tricep Extensions The first 2 sets are an RPE of 9, and the last set is 11 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. I try to use a weight that allows for about 12-15 reps. 4 total work sets Rope Crunches These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 58 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 59 WEEK 4 - THURSDAY Back 5 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | Meadows row You knew this was coming as a base exercise! Do 2-3 warm up sets, then a set to failure with 10 reps. Then for your last set, add some weight and hit failure with around 8 reps. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Meadows Row These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump This is an example of what it could look like: 1 25 lb plate for 15 2 25 lb plates for 10 3 25 lb plates for 10 (work set) 3 25 lb plates and a 10 for 8 (work set) The numbers are just targets, the most important thing is that the sets are to true failure with good form. You can be off a rep or two. 2/ Back | Standing one arm dumbbell row This is your second base movement for weeks 4-6. This is another really unique but brutal back exercise. When I did these, I was honestly shocked that my lower back wasn’t fried. The setup is key, and this is a movement I have recently got back on, as they work exceptional. Form needs to be perfect on these as I mentioned, so let’s do 2 straight sets of 8. Next session you will be adding weight or reps as usual! 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Standing Dumbbell Row These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Chest pulls An easy on the low back movement here, but great for traps and rhomboids. Do 3 sets of 12 here flexing hard on every rep. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Chest Pulls These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 60 4/ Back | Stretch pulldowns Another nasty movement here for a big stretch. Hopefully you have a partner. The goal is for them to push down once you hit the stretch (not before), and to let go after a 1 second stretch. Watch the rhythm of it in the video of these with Fouad. Do 1 set of 10 to start once you get the feel of the movement. Then I want a cluster set. Do 10, rest 20 seconds, do another 6 or 7, rest 20 seconds and then finish strong. 2 total work sets Pulldowns with a forced stretch with IFBB Pro Fouad Abiad These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 5/ Back | Trap bar deadlifts These will wake your quads and glutes up, but I want to hit your spinal erectors. Work up to a pretty tough 5 and do 3 sets of 5 with it. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Trap Bar Deadlift These sets are all RPE of 8 Goal – Strength development 6/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets Decline bench leg raises These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 61 WEEK 4 - FRIDAY Biceps 3 exercises 12 sets Triceps 3 exercise 12 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets Back to some more supersets for pump insanity 1/ Triceps | Single handle pushdown As you know I prefer something with a spongy soft grip for these, and not the metal D handles. Do a few warmups here and then we are going to do 4 rounds. Do 12 reps here. Then move onto next exercise immediately. Tricep pushdowns with single handles Superset with 2/ Triceps | Bent over extensions Now just switch over to these for a little stretch and to further pump blood into the tris. Do 8 reps here. Bent over extensions with single handles Do 4 rounds here after you have warmed up. 8 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Triceps | Assist Dip machine This is a very nice movement to load your tris with heavy weight and stretch them hard. These are a big favorite of mine. Do 4 hard sets of 8 here. Take your time here. 4 total work sets Exercise Index - Assisted Tricep Pushdown These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 62 4/ Biceps | Drag curls Let’s move that blood into your biceps fast now. We can do this fast. Squeeze your bis as hard as you can as you curl and do these with a bit of a slow tempo. I am betting 2 sets in your bis will be on fire. Do 4 total sets of 12 reps each. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Biceps | Spider curls Another one of my favorites here to start the superset off. Do 10 reps here Spider curls Superset with 6/ Biceps | Ez bar reverse curl This is a simple reverse curl to help blow the forearms up as well as lower biceps. Do 8 reps here. Note: Here is another very cool exercise to try that you could use to replace the reverse curl if you want to experiment a little. ---> Exercise Index - Brachialis / Brachioradialis Curl Do 4 rounds here after you have warmed up. 8 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 7/ Calves | Seated calve raises I want 4 brutally hard and heavy sets of 12 here. Get a full stretch on all reps and pause in the stretched position for 1 second per rep. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump and train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 63 WEEK 4 - SATURDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 10 sets 1/ Upper legs | Lying leg curl On Monday you worked up to a tough set of 8 before doing the drop set. This time, we change to a cluster set. So, you still work up to 8, but that last set is now a cluster. This is overload because you are doing more reps with the heavier weight in this scenario. Normally I say leave a rep or two in the tank at the start, but don’t on these today. Go all out. 2 total work sets This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Activate and pump This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 8, failing at 8 (work set) 140 x 8, rest 20 seconds and then go to failure, and then rest 20 seconds again before going to failure one final time. 2/ Upper legs | Leg press Remember we want to try and increase the weight we do for 8 reps from Monday. Take your time warming up, but don’t fatigue yourself as you do. Use feeder sets, and then I want 2 work sets. I want one set where you leave 2-3 reps in the tank, and then the final set where you use a little more weight than on Monday even if it’s just 10-20 lbs.... 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 8, and 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Upper legs | Smith split squats We did these early in the week, and I have a feeling that you really liked them, but perhaps you thought it was too easy, so we will take a different approach this time. Work up to a tough set of 10 on each leg first. On your second and final set I want you to do a cluster set for each leg complete with an isohold. So do 10 reps, and then go down about 1/3 of the way (still above parallel) and hold for 10 seconds. Now rack it and count to 30 seconds (you need 10 more seconds on this), repeat for whatever reps you can with the isohold and then rest 30 seconds again before performing one final set. Rest 3 minutes and then do the other leg. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Split Squats These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump Pro Tip As I say in the video – more glute means lean forward, more quad stay upright (but it still crushes glutes) 64 4/ Upper legs | Dumbbell squat Your legs should be maximally pumped now. Well, you think they are. I think you can get just a bit more blood in there. I don’t think we need to do anything other than go through a very full range of motion now to put a nasty stretch on those quads. Get a weight that is a tough 10 reps and do 2 sets with it from a deficit as shown in the video. Do these nice and slow and feel the stretch at the bottom ok. Try to keep your spine as straight as you can too. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Dumbbell Squats These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 5/ Upper legs | Nordic leg curl I know these are brutal. Take your time and perfect your form. It’s ok if you help yourself during the positive, and really just focus on the negative. Just do 2 sets to failure. For me that’s like 6-8 reps. 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Nordic Leg Curls This sets are an RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump Note: As we did not do an exercise to really stretch the hams, I want you to do some simple static stretching post workout for your hamstrings. You have many options to use in this video. 65 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 66 Week 5 Monday - Chest, Shoulders, Abs Thursday Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Biceps 2 exercises 10 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 2 exercises 10 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 8 exercises 20 sets 5 exercises 24 sets Tuesday Friday - Legs Back 5 exercises 13 sets Abs 1 exercise 5 sets 6 exercises 18 sets Upper legs 5 exercises 13 sets 5 exercises 13 sets Saturday - Chest, Shoulders, Calves Wednesday - OFF Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets 8 exercises 18 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 67 WEEK 5 - MONDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight incline dumbell press Base movement #1. Whatever you did last week for 8, our goal is to beat the reps this week, so shoot for 9 or 10 reps! 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Slight incline barbell press Base movement #2. I want you to do a top set of 7 or 8 here with what you did for 6 last week. Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. 1 total work set Top set RPE of 9 For example: Warm up set 1 – 135 lbs. x 10 reps Warm up set 2 – 185 lbs. x 3 reps Warm up set 3 – 225 lbs. x 3 reps Top set – 245 lbs. x 7 (could not do a 8th rep with good form) Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Pec minor dips These are so difficult, I always hesitate to put then into plans, but they are so effective once you nail them. It just takes time and focus. Do 3 sets to failure. Failure may be 4 reps, maybe 10, just do the best you can. Really remember to flex yourself up. When you nail these, you will feel a very unique pump that makes your chest feel sort of lifted. 3 total work sets Note: Women as odd as this is, it can lift your chest up. You’ll feel it. Exercise Index - Pec Minor Dip | Chest Exercise Note: You could use a triceps pushdown machine to simulate these also. These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 68 4/ Chest | Low cable crossover On these do 1 hard set of 8 to start. Next, I want a massive drop set. I want you to hit 8 reps, drop the weight some and hit another 6 or so, then drop it again for another 6, and then one final time for another 6. On your last rep, hold and flex for a 10 count isohold. 2 total work sets Note: Women go with a high cable version. Exercise Index - Low Cable Crossover These sets are RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 5/ Shoulders | Dumbbell partial side laterals These are the heavy partials swing style side laterals. Start with 3 sets of 20 here. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder Health Bonus | Spidercrawls Do a set of these before moving onto your next movement. Exercise Index - Spider Crawls For Rotator Cuff health 6/ Shoulders | Reverse pec deck Do 3 sets here. I want you to do sets of 10, with a hard flex, and then 5 more slow partials only working out of the stretch position. So, partials at the beginning part of the movement, not the end. I want all 3 sets done like this. FIRE. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder Health Bonus | Spidercrawls Do a set of these before moving onto your next movement. Exercise Index - Spider Crawls For Rotator Cuff health 7/ Shoulders | Incline front delt raises Do 3 sets of 10 here. Enjoy the nice stretch on your front delts. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Incline Front Delt Raise These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 69 8/ Abs | Sit ups I really enjoy this style of sit up. Do 4 sets to failure here. I try to use a weight that allows for about 12-15 reps. I often get cramps from these, they are tough. 4 total work sets Exercise Index - How To Do a Proper Sit Up These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax Pump 70 WEEK 5 - TUESDAY Back 5 exercises 13 sets Calves 1 exercise 5 sets 1/ Back | Meadows row Do 2-3 warm up sets, then a set to failure with 12 reps with what you did for 10 reps last week. Then for your last set, add some weight and hit failure with around 10 reps with what you did 8 reps with last week. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 This is an example of what it could look like: 1 25 lb plate for 15 2 25 lb plates for 10 3 25 lb plates for 12 (work set) 3 25 lb plates and a 10 for 10 (work set) Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Back | Standing one arm dumbbell row Last week we started with 3 sets of 8 here. Let’s keep the same weight but shoot for 9 or even 10 reps this week on these. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Curry 3-way pulldowns Let’s get back on these for some crazy lat fire. Do 3 sets here. Each set is 6, 6, and 6 reps in the 3 different positions. 3 total work sets Brandon Curry 3 Way Lat Pulldown For a Crazy BURN These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Back | Dumbbell pullovers Let’s get your upper and outer back stretched out good now. Feel free to do the banded version if you like. Do 3 sets of 12 here. 3 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 5/ Back | Barbell hyperextension Let’s finish with another very tough movement. Do 2 sets of 10 here. Use a slow tempo on these and control the weight throughout the entire movement. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 8-9 Goal – Supramax pump 71 6/ Calves | Toe press Do 5 heavy sets of 8 here today. As always work the stretch, slow and controlled. 5 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 72 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 73 WEEK 5 - THURSDAY Biceps 2 exercises 10 sets Triceps 2 exercises 10 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets More pump insanity today – Giant Sets I tried to make these so you could do them in one place and not make everybody at the gym hate you! Carry the dumbbells over to the pushdown with you. 1/ Biceps | Dual handle pushdown Do a few warmups here to get the elbows feeling good, and then the rep number will be 10 reps. These are the spongy grip ones. Tricep pushdowns with single handles Superset with 2/ Biceps | Hammer curls Do 8 here. Superset with 3/ Triceps | Bent over extensions This is just where you bend over and extend arms. Form refresher in video below. Do 10 reps. Bent over extensions with single handles Superset with 4/ Triceps | Palms up supinated dumbbell curl partials On these fully supinate your hands so palms are facing up as you curl. Keep them like that the whole time. You are going to do partials out of the bottom slowly. Come up half way then go back down. It’s going to BURN. Do 15 reps. Do 5 rounds here after you have warmed up. 20 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 74 5/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises Do 4 sets to failure here. You should be continually trying to beat your reps on your ab work as well. 4 total work sets Decline bench leg raises These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 75 WEEK 5 - FRIDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 13 sets 1/ Upper legs | Lying leg curl Last week we finished with a big cluster set here. I want you to slow it down and we are doing more straight set volume. I simply want you to do 3 hard sets of 10 after you have warmed up well. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Activate and pump 2/ Upper legs | Leg press We are sticking with your target reps of 8. So, work up to a tough 8, and stay there and do 2 hard sets of 8. Try to beat the weight you used last week, see if you can get another 10-20 lbs. 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Upper legs | Reverse lunge At the 4:30 mark in the video you’ll see the reverse lunge. I want you to do 3 sets of 10 here. Nice and simple. Do these slow and controlled and maximize each rep. 3 total work sets My “3” Favorite Types of Lunges This set is an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Upper legs | Hack squat I am hoping you have a good hack squat. If you do, hit 3 good sets of 8 here getting full depth and leaving a rep or two in the tank. If you don’t have a hack, you can use a Smith Squat with feet out in front. If you can, I prefer you do the reverse banded version. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Reverse Banded Hack Squats These sets are an RPE of 8-9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 76 5/ Upper legs | Banded good mornings You could use the same band here that you used on the hacks if you used a thicker one. Simply do 2 sets of 25 here to finish things off. Don’t lean back as far as I was in the video. I was overextending too much. Just stand up straight and flex glutes. 2 total work sets Banded Good Mornings These sets are an RPE of 8 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 77 WEEK 5 - SATURDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 2 sets 1/ Chest | Slight incline dumbbell press Base movement #1. Now we finish this week by beating what you did Monday by a rep or two. Let’s see 12 reps with your top weight on these today! 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Slight incline barbell press Base movement #2. I would really love to see 8 or 9 reps this time on these with your top weight. More progress! Lower the weight under control and drive it up with authority and speed. Even though it’s heavy enough that the reps aren’t fast, still TRY to lift it up with explosiveness. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Machine press Pick your favorite chest machine for your big cluster set here. Hit a tough set of 10, rest 20 seconds, and go again, then rest 20 seconds and go again! 1 total work set These sets are an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Chest | Cable fly press Ok let’s go out in style, with a crazy stretch and pump here. 10 reps on that rep goal! Do 4 sets. 4 total work sets Exercise Index - Cable Fly Press These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 78 5/ Shoulders | Landmine shoulder press We took a little break from these, but I want to incorporate them back in today. Training this muscle helps support shoulder health. Do 3 sets of 8 here. See the video below for proper form. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Landmine Shoulder Press These sets are all RPE of 8-9 Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder health bonus | Spidercrawls Do a set of these before moving onto your next movement. Exercise Index - Spider Crawls For Rotator Cuff health 6/ Shoulders | Bent over dumbbell swings Do 25 reps here. Do 3 sets. 3 total work sets Rear delt swings and over and back superset These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump Shoulder health bonus | Spidercrawls Do a set of these before moving onto your next movement. Exercise Index - Spider Crawls For Rotator Cuff health 7/ Shoulders | Dumbbell side laterals with forward lean One of my old school exercises I recently brought back. Do 3 sets of 10 here. 3 total work sets Seated side laterals with a forward lean These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Calves | Standing calve raise Many of you will remember this awful calve sequence. 10 full reps with a 10 second isohold and repeat 2 more time for 1 set. Do 2 sets. See the video! 2 total work sets Calve Program #4 - Mountain Dog Training These sets are all RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 79 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 80 Week 6 This is the final week. RIP. Monday - Back Thursday - Legs Back 5 exercises 12 sets Upper legs 5 exercises 15 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 16 sets 6 exercises 19 sets Tuesday Friday - Chest, Shoulders, Calves Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Triceps 3 exercise 9 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 10 sets Calves 1 exercise 3 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 7 exercises 21 sets 8 exercises 21 sets Wednesday - OFF Saturday - Back Back 5 exercises 13 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 6 exercises 17 sets Sunday - OFF - Family Day 81 WEEK 6 - MONDAY Back 5 exercises 12 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | Meadows row Do 2-3 warm up sets first. Last week we worked our reps all the way up to a tough set of 12 and then 10. Now we are in position to add more weight to the bar and bring the reps down some. Now your 2 work sets are going to be a tough set of 8, and then a tough set of 6. If you remember in week 4, we went to a tough set of 8 and 10. I am betting your 8 now is better than it was then! 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Back | Standing one arm dumbbell row Same thing here. Now we are able to go a little heavier and bring the reps down. So, let’s take our reps down from 12 to 8, and increase weight. Maintain perfect form! 2 total work sets Exercise Index - Standing Dumbbell Row These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Supported row More ugly brutal rows, but we give your lower back a break. You may not have this exact machine, but you can simulate it with dumbbells on an incline as well. Do 3 hard sets of 8. 3 total work sets Supported Row for a “THICK BACK” Exercise Index These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Back | Curry 3-way pulldowns Do 3 sets here. The reps are 6, 6, and 6 on each set. 3 total work sets Brandon Curry 3 Way Lat Pulldown For a Crazy BURN This set is an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 82 5/ Back | Dumbbell pullovers Finally we can give those arms a break and stretch everything out. Do 2 sets of 10 here. Leave 1 rep in the tank on each set. If you don’t have a band, that’s ok, just do it with the dumbbell. 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 6/ Abs | Decline bench leg raises Do 4 sets to failure here. Keep beating your numbers on reps here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 83 WEEK 6 - TUESDAY Biceps 3 exercises 9 sets Triceps 3 exercises 9 sets Calves 1 exercise 3 sets 1/ Biceps | Cross bench hammer curls Go to about 2:45 in the video for this. This is a great variation I picked up from Flex Wheeler in the 90’s. The position allows you to really focus on these. Do 3 sets of 12. 3 total work sets 3 Types of Hammer Curls to Build *HUGE* Biceps These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 2/ Biceps | Concentration preacher curls Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Concentration Preacher Curls These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Biceps | Ez bar curls I want a big dropset here. Do 2 sets of 8, then on your last do 8, drop the weight and get another 6 to 8, then drop the weight and get another 6 to 8. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Triceps | Dual handle pushdown Now we hit a big drop set here, and immediately move that blood into your tris. Do 3 sets of 12 here once you are warmed up. On your last set do a drop set, where you drop the weight 20-30% and go to failure, and then another drop where you do the same. 3 total work sets Tricep pushdowns with single handles These sets are an RPE of 9 and 11 Goal – Supramax pump 84 5/ Triceps | Pin press Back from the powerlifter days, pin presses! Do a heavy 3 sets of 5 here. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Pin Press These sets are an RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Triceps | Lying kettlebell extensions Do 3 sets of 10 here. If you don’t have kettlebells, you can use dumbbells. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Kettlebell Lying Tricep Extensions Skull Crusher These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 7/ Calves | Standing calve raise Yep, these again. Do 10 full reps with a 10 second isohold and repeat 2 more times for 1 set. Do 3 sets this time. 3 total work sets Calve Program #4 - Mountain Dog Training These sets are all RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 85 WEDNESDAY OFF DAY 86 WEEK 6 - THURSDAY Upper legs 5 exercises 15 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Upper legs | Lying leg curl Ok, you got some easy straight set work last week, let’s get to the crazy stuff. Do 2 sets of 20 here to get the blood moving, and then just feeder sets of 4 until we get to our work sets. I want you to do 10 hard reps where you can barely get the 10th rep with good form. That’s 1 set. Now do it again for a 2nd set. Now do it again for set 3, then drop the weight 30% (ish) and go to failure again, and then do 10 slow partials from the stretch position, and then do a 10 second isohold in the lengthened position. Work through the pain. 3 total work sets This is an example of what it could look like: 60 x 20 80 x 20 100 x 4 120 x 4 140 x 10, failing at 10 (work set) 140 x 10, failing at 10 (work set) 140 x 10, followed by 110 x 6, followed by 10 partials, then a 10 second isohold (Work set) This sets are an RPE of 10 and 12 Goal – Activate and pump 2/ Upper legs | Leg press Last week we added more weight and went back down to 8 reps. This week, we are going to do a little more volume with the same weight. So do the 2 sets of 8, but then add a back off set of 20 with it. You will obviously have to lighten up the load. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Upper legs | Reverse lunge Back to our favorite lunge, the reverse lunge. Nothing fancy this time, just 3 sets. First set is 20 reps. The next set go up in weight and do 15 reps, and the last set go up in weight again with and get 10 reps. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Reverse Lunges These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 87 4/ Upper legs | Leg extension Another very simple but hard 3 sets here. Do 3 sets of 12 and hold each rep at the top and squeeze for a 2 count. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 5/ Upper legs | Dumbbell stiff legged deadlift Do 3 sets of 8 with a slow temp. Take these to ¾ lockout and come right back down. 3 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position 6/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 88 WEEK 6 - FRIDAY Chest 4 exercises 7 sets Shoulders 3 exercises 10 sets Calves 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Chest | Slight incline dumbbell press Last week of these. Now that you have worked with a weight up to 12 reps, we bring the weight back down and go heavier! Work up to a top set of 8 reps today. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 10 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Chest | Slight incline barbell press Again we have worked our reps up methodically on these, now we bring the reps back down to 6 but bump up the weight used. Work up to a top set of 6. 1 total work set This set is an RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 3/ Chest | Hex press I want one big drop set here. Do 8 reps, then drop the weight and do another 6 to 8, and then drop it again for another 6 or so. 1 total work set Exercise Index - Hex Press This set is an RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump 4/ Chest | Machine flyes Let’s finish off pecs here with 4 sets of 10, and I want you to only take 45 second breaks between sets. You will have to lower the weight slightly as you go to get all 10 reps. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 89 5/ Shoulders | Cage press Now let’s slow it down so that we can muster all the strength we can on these presses. See the technique below. If you can’t do these, do a Smith overhead press. If you are too tall, do them seated. Do 3 sets of 8. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Cage Press for Shoulders These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Train explosively 6/ Shoulders | Rear delt band pulls Do 3 sets of 15 with each side. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Rear Delt Band Pulls These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 7/ Shoulders | Dumbell side laterals Similar to how we did the chest flyes, let’s go hard here with shorter rest breaks. Do 4 sets of 8 with 45 second breaks. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 8/ Calves | Standing calve raise Our last time on these, it’s been fun. Do 10 full reps with a 10 second isohold and repeat 2 more times for 1 set. Do 4 sets this time. 4 total work sets Calve Program #4 - Mountain Dog Training These sets are all RPE of 11 Goal – Supramax pump Bonus/ Triceps | Dual rope extensions These are a great way to stretch your tri’s and uniquely hit them. Finish with 3 sets of 8 here. 3 total work sets Dual rope tricep extensions These sets are all RPE of 9-10 Goal – Supramax pump 90 WEEK 6 - SATURDAY Back 5 exercises 13 sets Abs 1 exercise 4 sets 1/ Back | Meadows row Do 2-3 warm up sets to start. Give me a hard set of 10. On your next set, I want you to go a little crazy. We used to call these challenge sets for those of you who have been around for a while. Basically go crazy and get as many as you can, and you CAN actually cheat a little once you get tired to get extra reps. Make sure you rest a good 2-3 minutes before you do your other side because you will be tired from the all-out set. This is it, the end, so go nuts. 2 total work sets These sets are an RPE of 10 and 11 Goal – Activation and start pump 2/ Back | Standing one arm dumbbell row Same thing here. Give me some strict reps, then cheat a little, use a little momentum to get an extra few reps! Do a set of 10, then do a challenge set to see how many you can get! 2 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump 3/ Back | Straight arm pulldowns Let’s give our biceps a break now and get some old school straight arm pulldowns. Do 3 sets of 10. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Straight Arm Pulldown Pushdown These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Train muscle from stretch position / long muscle length 4/ Back | Curry 3-way pulldowns This is our last time on these, enjoy. The reps this time are 6, 6, and 6. 3 total work sets Brandon Curry 3 Way Lat Pulldown For a Crazy BURN These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 91 5/ Back | Barbell hyperextensions Do 3 sets of 10 here. Use a slow tempo on these and control the weight throughout the entire movement. 3 total work sets Exercise Index - Barbell Hyperextensions These sets are all RPE of 8-9 Goal – Supramax pump 6/ Abs | Rope crunches Do 4 sets to failure here. 4 total work sets These sets are all RPE of 10 Goal – Supramax pump Bonus/ Biceps | Concentration preacher curls Do 4 sets of 10. 4 total work sets Exercise Index - Concentration Preacher Curls These sets are all RPE of 9 Goal – Supramax pump 92 SUNDAY OFF - FAMILY DAY 93 Did you make it through?? If so let me know on Instagram at mountaindog1 @mountaindog1 @cedmonds18 @liftersclinic If you are looking for full training programs visit the Mountain Dog site at: https://mountaindogdiet.com/category/programs/ Follow John on YouTube at mountaindog1 for many more complete workouts! If you are looking to take your knowledge of training, nutrition, and supplements to the next level, please don’t hesitate to sign up on my member website at https://mountaindogdiet.com/membership/ Thank you so much for your support! John Meadows 94