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This is Week 3 of the THIRD and final MESOCYCLE in the “COMPOUND/ISOLATION” Training cycle. Next week will be the FINAL week of the cycle.
Please read COMPOUND/ISOLATION BLOG to learn about this training program.
Week to week, look to exceed your performance from the prior mesocycle (with the same “reps from failure”).
This cycle is based on system which was a large influence in my early years of training, but of course updated to resonate more with my current philosophies around training.
Per the standard SOP for Evolved Programs, we will progress effort week to week. The objective is to begin the cycle around 4 reps from failure on demanding compound movements and around 1-2 reps from failure for “short overload” single joint movements that have much lower fatigue cost per unit.
As the weeks progress, each type of movement will move closer to failure, with the less demanding SHORT movements progressing past failure by week 3. Details will be included within the programming.
Now as we enter “week 3,” the lengthened movements are closing in on 1-2 reps from failure, while the short overload movements will be moving into partials and other intensity techniques.
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Day 1 – Lower Body + Abs
Part A and B repeat week to week. Track these metrics
A. Barbell RDL OR Trap Bar RDL
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 6-10 Reps (~2 then 1 rep from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ SUPERSET the FINAL SET ONLY with:
Seated Leg Curl OR Lying Leg Curl x 8-15 Reps (~to technical failure)
+ Immediately after the FINAL set of Leg Curls…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
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B. Hack Squat OR Leg Press
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 8-12 Reps (~2 then 1 rep from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ SUPERSET the FINAL SET ONLY with:
Leg Extensions (pause contraction) x 8-15 Reps (~to technical failure)
+ Immediately after the FINAL set of Leg Extensions…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
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C. Back-Rack Split Squats (no elevation)
Over 2-3 warm-up sets, build to a tough weight for 12 Reps per leg (~2 reps from failure)
Rest a few minutes, then use the SAME WEIGHT, and complete:
6 Reps at the top of every minute x 10 minutes
*Alternate legs each minute; completing 5 sets for each leg
Min 1 = left leg
Min 2 = right leg
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D. Superset Movements x 3 sets each:
Weighted Hip Extensions (45-degree OR Horizontal/GHD) x 8-12 Reps (~2-1-0 reps from failure)
Medball Throw Sit-ups x Max Reps in 30 seconds
Rest 2-3 min
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E. Alternate Movements x 2 sets each:
Lying Windshield Wipers x 16-24 Reps (8-12/side; ADV use decline, or scale w/bent knees)
Rest 1 min
Seated Calf Raises x 12-20 Reps
Rest 1-2 min
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Day 2 – Upper Body
Part A and B repeat week to week. Track these metrics
A. Incline Machine Chest Press OR Incline “pause” Barbell Bench
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 8-12 Reps (~1-2 reps then 0-1 reps from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ SUPERSET the FINAL SET ONLY with:
Cable Crossovers OR Pec Fly Machine x 8-15 Reps (~to technical failure)
+ Immediately after the FINAL set of Crossovers…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
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B. Chest Supported Row Variation (see options below)
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 8-12 Reps (~to technical failure both sets)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ SUPERSET the FINAL SET ONLY with:
Straight Arm Pulldowns x 12-20 Reps (~to technical failure)
+ Immediately after the FINAL set of BOTH movements…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
Chest Supported Row Options (stay consistent week to week)
T-Bar Row
Seated Machine Row
Seated Cable Row
DB Seal Row
Prone DB Row
Head Supported Row
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C. Alternate Movements:
Over 2-3 sets, Find a TOP SET of 12-15 Reps for each movement (~1 rep from failure each).
Rest as needed between sets to optimize execution and performance on the top set
Dual Cable Lateral Raise OR DB “X” Lateral Raise
Costal Cable Fly/Press OR DB Fly/Press Hybrid
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D. Alternate Movements at the top of each minute x 10 minutes (5 Rounds):
Use same weight as top 12-15 rep set from Part C
Dual Cable Lateral Raise OR DB “X” Lateral Raise x 8-10 Reps
Costal Cable Fly/Press OR DB Fly/Press Hybrid x 8-10 Reps
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E. Alternate Movements x 3 sets each:
1 warm-up, then 2 work rounds to technical failure each
Hinged Cable Pushdown OR Cross Cable Tricep Pushdown x 10-15 Reps
Rest 1-2 min
Wide Grip Pulldowns x 10-15 Reps
Rest 1-2 min
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Day 3 – REST DAY
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Day 4 – Lower Body + Abs
Part A and B repeat week to week. Track these metrics
A. Walking DB Lunges (quad dominant)
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 12-20 Reps (6-10/leg) (~2 then 1 rep from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ SUPERSET the FINAL SET ONLY with:
Heels Elevated Goblet Squat x 8-15 Reps (~1 rep from failure)
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B. Superset Single leg Movements:
1-2 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets each (see designated reps from failure for each)
B-Stance DB RDL x 8-12 Reps (left leg) (~2 then 1 rep from failure)
B-Stance Hip Thrust x 8-12 Reps (left glute) (~to technical failure both sets)
Rest 2 min
Repeat for RIGHT leg/glute
Rest 2 min
+ Immediately after the FINAL set of Hip Thrust for each glute…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
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C. Leg Extensions (pause contraction)
1-2 warm-up sets as needed, then:
Both work sets to technical failure
One set x 8-12 Rep Range
Rest a few minutes
One set (lighter) x 15-20 Rep Range
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D. 2 Rounds:
Keep resistance relatively light for Abs; consistent movement for each 45-sec work period
8-12 Reps Low Bar Good Mornings (~2 reps from failure)
Rest 45s
45 seconds of Hanging Leg Raises OR Hanging Knee Raises
Rest 45s
45 seconds of Reverse Crunches
Rest 2-3+ min between rounds
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Day 5 – Upper Body
Part A, B and C repeat week to week. Track these metrics
A. Neutral Grip “Lat” Pulldown
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 6-10 Reps (~1 then 0 reps from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ Immediately after failure on the FINAL set…
Complete 3-4 “attempted partial reps”
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
Pulldown Alternative options (stay consistent week to week)
Neutral Grip Rack Pull-ups
Neutral Grip Foot Assisted Pull-ups
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B. (weighted) Dips
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
2 work sets x 6-10 Reps (~1-2 then 0-1 reps from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
Alternate Dip/Push-up options (stay consistent week to week)
Assisted Machine Dips
Band-Assisted Dips
Foot-Assisted Dips
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C. Alternate Movements:
1-2 warm-up sets each, then:
3 work sets:
First 2 work sets to ~1 then 0 reps from failure
Final work set (see note below)
Dual Cable Lateral Raise x 8-12 Reps OR Prone DB Lateral Raise x 12-20 Reps
Rest 20-30 sec for quick setup/transition
Face Away Cable Curls OR Incline DB Curls x 8-12 Reps
Rest 2-3 min between rounds
FOR THE FINAL WORK SET OF EACH..
*INCREASE the weight 25%, then:
Match the reps achieved on the prior “FULL ROM” set
You will likely only achieve 3-8 “FULL ROM” reps and then you make up the remainder of reps with max effort partials
(i.e. you try hard as possible to make the rep, but fatigue prohibits you from getting full range of motion)
EXAMPLE:
15 reps FULL ROM at 15 lbs
Rest 2-3 min and increase weight to 20 lbs
6 FULL ROM reps + 9 Max Effort Partials (= 15 reps)
*Partial reps may appear more like small “pulses” if opting for the precise cable movement listed. If doing the DB version, you will find you get more ROM from the partials
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D. Alternate Movements x 4 sets each:
Complete ramp-up sets as needed prior to starting work sets
Start first work set with a weight you could do 12 reps UNBROKEN with ~2 Reps from failure.
Expect reps to drop set to set thereafter to maintain ~2 Reps from failure on each set
DB Floor Press OR Chest Press Machine (of choice)
Rest till the 2:00 mark
Strict Pendlay Rows OR Chest Supported T-Bar Rows
Rest till 4:00 mark
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E. Alternate Movements x 3 sets each:
1 warm-up, then 2 work rounds to technical failure each
One-Arm Cable Kickbacks x 10-15 Reps (weak arm)
Leaning One-Arm DB Curl x 10-15 Reps (weak arm)
Rest 1-2 min
One-Arm Cable Kickbacks x 10-15 Reps (strong arm)
Leaning One-Arm DB Curl x 10-15 Reps (strong arm)
Rest 1-2 min
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Saturday – OPTIONAL Conditioning
45-60 Minutes of ZONE 2 Cardio
This is best done on a bike or elliptical.
It can be done with rowing or running, however most people are inefficient rowers and runners, and therefore will often find it difficult to stay within the tight heart rate area required for ZONE 2
The section below will expand on this magic heart rate zone and how to find it.
The “Gold Standard” for determining ZONE 2, is to measure lactate. We would want to be between 1.7-2.0 mmol/L
Since this is not widely accessible, there are 3 Proxies you can use to determine your ZONE 2
1. The starting point is to use a crude Heart Rate measurement of 180 minus age. If you are in poor cardio shape, you can subtract 5-10 BPM from that. If you are in great cardio shape, add 5-10 BPM to that.
2. A “stressed” conversational level of exertion. This would mean you could be on a call with someone the entire time, but they would know you were exercising.
3. A pace you could hold sustainably for 60 Minutes without decreasing output due to fatigue.
A really cool metric to pay attention to is the WATTS that you are able to put into the exercise. Once you know what you can sustain for watts, you won’t have to pay attention to heart rate as much anymore. That is to say, until you become more fit, and then you may want to re-check your heart rate to make sure that the watts you’re using are still effective. It’s like progressive overload for cardio.
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SUNDAY – REST DAY
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