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This is Week 5 of the 7-week Strength cycle. This will be followed by a 6-week metabolic-focused Hypertrophy cycle.
Next week “Week 6” will be a TAPER WEEK in which we reduce volume significantly, and intensity slightly. This will help prepare the body to excel during MAX OUT in Week 7.
Please make sure you read the Winter 2024 Strength and Metabolic Blog to learn all the details of the cycle and optimize your success with the program!
As you’ll note in the blog and programming, most of the large compound strength movements will have a top single rep as well as some lighter backoff “strength” sets.
As we move into Week 5, we can expect each movement to be working slightly closer to failure. The higher fatigue demanding compound movements will be ~1-2 reps from failure, while the less demanding short overload / isolation movements will be at failure and beyond. Many of the less fatiguing short overload movements will be utilizing partials and/or other intensity techniques to increase the stimulus and emphasize the lengthened position of the exercise.
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Monday – Lower Body
Parts A and B repeat week to week
A. Back Squat (Low Bar or High Bar)
2-3 second descent, brief pause bottom, explode up
No more than 1 breath at top
Strength Focus:
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
1 set x 1 rep (~1-2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 2-3 reps)
Rest 2 min
3 sets x 2 Reps (~2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest 2-3 min between each
Next week is a “Taper” week to prepare for the “Max-out” week that follows
Points of Performance for LOW BAR:
-Bar resting across the rear delts / shoulder blades
-Feet just outside of shoulder width, toes pointed ~10 degrees out
-Initiate movement by sending the hips back, which will bring the torso forward a bit.
-Controlled descent; while maintaining the torso position established at beginning of rep (remainder of descent made up by bending at the knees).
-Pause bottom where hip crease ends below knees
-Explode up driving hard through the ground (with focus on glutes initiating the momentum up).
-Maintain torso position established on descent (avoid letting hips shoot up, which would force the torso to cave over more).
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2-3 second descent, brief pause bottom, explode up
1 sec pause at top contraction
5 sets x 5 Reps
First 2 sets increase in weight/effort (progressive warm-up sets)
Final 3 work sets (target ~2-1-0 reps from failure; working closer to failure each set)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ Immediately after Failure on the FINAL SET:
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)
Points of Performance:
-Setup such that torso is flat (hips same height as shoulders) at the top of the rep
-Shins vertical at top of rep
– Remember this is a HINGE of the torso and hips moving together, not a “scooping” with the hips.
-Think about thrusting towards your feet as you ascend
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C. Superset x 3 sets:
Increase weight/effort each set, such that ONLY the final set is truly challenging.
See “target Reps from failure” next to each movement (as they differ)
Banded Sissy / Leg Extension x 8-15+ Reps (~4-2-0 reps from failure)
Walking DB Lunges (Quad focus) x 8-16 steps (4-8/leg) (~6-4-2 reps from failure)
Rest 2-3 min between sets
Alternative movements you can swap:
–Heels Elevated Goblet Squat
–Spanish Squat
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D. Reverse Hyperextension (on GHD)
*If you have access to a true Hyper extension machine, use that instead of these mods!
1-2 warm-up sets, then:
1 work sets x 8-15 Reps (1 rep from failure)
Rest 2 minutes
1 work set x 8-15 Reps (see note below)
FOR SECOND WORK SET:
Add 20-25% weight then MATCH reps achieved from the prior set.
This will be a combination of FULL + Partial reps to achieve the same rep total
Alternative Movement you can swap
–Reverse Hyperextension Machine
–Reverse Hyperextension (Incline bench)
–Reverse Hyperextension (on bench)
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E. Superset x 4 sets:
First set warm-up, then:
3 challenging work supersets
Target ~2-1-0 reps from failure across the 3 work sets
Barbell Sit-ups x 5-8 Reps
Barbell Leg Raise x 6-12 Reps
Rest 2 min
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Tuesday – Upper Body
Parts A and B repeat week to week
A. Flat Barbell Bench Press
2-3 second descent, brief pause on chest, explode up
No more than one breath at lockout
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
1 set x 1 rep (~1-2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 2-3 reps)
Rest 2 min
3 sets x 2 Reps (~2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest 2-3 min between each
Next week is a “Taper” week to prepare for the “Max-out” week that follows
Points of performance:
-Begin from lockout, where arms are vertical from the shoulder joint (support position).
-Hands just outside shoulder width
-As the bar begins to descend, the elbows should travel at approx 45-degree angle to the body (versus being flared out like a “T” shape)
-Bar descends to the LOWER chest (below the nipple line)
-Pause briefly, then explode up, pressing back towards the head, to reach the “support position” at the top.
-Make sure to avoid twisting or contorting the body to achieve additional tough reps.
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2-3 second descent, brief pause with bar on ground, explode up to touch midline
No pause with bar touching midline
5 sets x 5 Reps
First 2 sets increase in weight/effort (progressive warm-up sets)
Final 3 work sets (target ~2-1-0 reps from failure; working closer to failure each set)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
+ Immediately after Failure on the FINAL SET:
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)
Points of performance:
-Find the bottom of your stiff-legged deadlift as “stance” (knees back, hamstrings and glutes both active)
-Arms hanging vertical from shoulder joint at the bottom (bar in pretty close to the shins)
-Initiate ascent by sweeping the elbows slightly back towards midline (the bar should touch the mid abdomen area at the top of the rep).
-Maintain torso parallel to the ground entire rep (avoid letting the torso elevate to make the last few inches of the rep)
-Lower under control back to a “STOP” on the ground. Do not lose tension in body as bar sits on ground
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C. Strict Barbell Overhead Press
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
1 work set x 6 Reps (~1-2 reps from failure)
Rest 2 min, then:
5 sets x 1 Rep at top of each minute
(use 6-rep weight established in first set)
*Focus on breathing/exploding
to “practice” 1-RM setup/execution
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D. Banded One Arm Lat Pulldown
1-2 warm-up sets per arm, then:
1 tough set x 15-20 Reps per arm (~to technical failure)
Rest 2 min
5 sets x 10-15 reps per arm (use 15-20 rep resistance)
Alternate arms each set with only ~15-20 seconds rest between arms
Expect the final couple sets to be quite challenging
+ Immediately after Failure on the FINAL SET for each arm:
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)
Alternative Movement you can swap for Banded pulldown:
–One-Arm DB Rows (lat focus, see cues in video description)
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E. Open Palm DB Curls
1 warm-up set, then:
1 work set x 6-8 Reps (~1 rep from failure)
Rest 1-2 min
1 work set x 10-12 Reps (slightly lighter; to technical failure)
+ Immediately after Failure on the FINAL SET:
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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F. One Arm DB Tate Press
1 warm-up set per arm, then:
1 work set x 6-8 Reps per arm (~1 rep from failure)
1 work set x 10-12 Reps per arm (slightly lighter; ~0-1 rep from failure)
Rest ~30 sec between arms on all sets
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Thursday – Lower Body
Parts A and B repeat week to week
A. Back Squat (Low Bar or High Bar)
2-3 second descent, brief pause bottom, explode up
No pause at top (hit lockout and descend again)
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
5 sets x 1 rep
Use same weight as 2-rep sets from Monday (a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest ~90 seconds between sets
Accelerate each rep as fast as possible on the “UP” portion (even though the weight is lighter)
***See blog for additional info about this second STRENGTH FOCUS back squat day
Points of Performance for LOW BAR squats:
-Bar resting across the rear delts / shoulder blades
-Feet just outside of shoulder width, toes pointed ~10 degrees out
-Initiate movement by sending the hips back, which will bring the torso forward a bit.
-Controlled descent; while maintaining the torso position established at beginning of rep (remainder of descent made up by bending at the knees).
-Pause bottom where hip crease ends below knees
-Explode up driving hard through the ground (with focus on glutes initiating the momentum up).
-Maintain torso position established on descent (avoid letting hips shoot up, which would force the torso to cave over more).
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B. Select Deadlift Variation (options below)
2-3 second descent, brief pause with bar on ground, explode up
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
1 set x 1 rep (~1-2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 2-3 reps)
Rest 2 min
3 sets x 2 Reps (~2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest 2-3 min between each
Next week is a “Taper” week to prepare for the “Max-out” week that follows
Points of performance for CONVENTIONAL DL:
-Setup with hands outside legs, and arms hanging vertical from the shoulder joint.
-Amount of knee bend will be dependent on individual anatomy. If knees are more bent, hips will be lower, and if hips are higher, knees will be less bent.
-A good “self test” of your setup, is to assess whether the body will “readjust” when you begin to pull. If the hips change position as you pull, it’s likely that you need to start with the hips HIGHER than you think.
-Initiate movement by pushing the floor away (instead of lifting the bar up)
-Make sure everything rises together (chest and hips simultaneously).
-Make sure the midline remains rigid (avoid letting the back turn into a question mark)
Deadlift Options:
–Conventional Deadlift
–Sumo Deadlifts
–Trap Bar Deadlifts
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C. Leg Curls (see at home options below)
1-2 warm-up sets to establish a ~12-15 rep max difficulty
use that 12-15 rep weight for:
5 work sets x 10-12 Reps
Rest only 60-90 sec between sets
Final 2-3 sets should be quite challenging!
“At Home” Leg Curl Options:
Hamstring Walkouts (scaled option)
Gliding Leg Curls (with Rings/TRX)
Gliding Leg Curls (with barbell)
Hamstring Curls on Rower
Slider Leg Curls (Slider = skateboard, towel, socks, etc…)
DB Leg Curls
Stability Ball Leg Curls
Rings/TRX Leg Curls
Banded Leg Curls
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D. DB Step-ups (Glute Dominant)
1-2 warm-up sets per leg, then:
2 work sets x 6-10 reps per leg (~2 then 1 rep from failure)
Rest 1-2 min between legs
Alternative Movements you can swap for DB step-ups:
–Banded Step-ups (Glute Dominant)
Points of Performance:
1. Setup height so thigh right around parallel at the bottom of the rep (slightly above or below parallel is fine, based on how well you can avoid using your back leg for assistance.
2. Lean forward from torso
3. Hold Band/cable or support pole to keep torso leaned forward
4. Avoid driving through the back leg
5. Drive through heel of elevated leg
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E. Banded Crunch
5 sets of 8-15 Reps
Increase effort each set
First 2 sets warm-up
Final 3 sets = work sets (~2-1-0 reps from failure)
Alternative Movements you can swap
–GHD Curl-ups (advanced option)
–Flat Curl-ups
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Friday – Upper Body
Parts A and B repeat week to week
A. (weighted) Pull-ups
Rep scheme below applies to Strict Pull-ups, Weighted Pull-ups and Negatives. If you cannot perform those movements for the STRENGTH rep schemes, then you should select one of the “hypertrophy” options and follow the hypertrophy rep scheme.
2-3 second descent, brief pause bottom stretch, explode up
No pause at the top
Strength Focus:
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
1 set x 1 rep (~1-2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 2-3 reps)
Rest 2 min
3 sets x 2 Reps (~2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest 2-3 min between each
Next week is a “Taper” week to prepare for the “Max-out” week that follows
Hypertrophy Focus:
2-3 warm-up sets, then:
3 work sets x 5-8 Reps (~1-1-0 reps from failure across the 3 work sets)
Rest 2-3 min between work sets
Points of performance:
-Loop dip belt through the weight and the other carabiner to secure around waist
-Begin in a dead-hang; arms straight, lats stretched, scapula depressed.
-Initiate ascent by activating the scapula from it’s depressed position (essentially pulling down and back with the back musculature before bending the arms)
-Keep a SLIGHT lean-back of the torso (approx 5-10 degrees) throughout the rep
-Make sure to avoid compromising positioning as you fatigue
-Lower under control back to the deep stretch position at the bottom.
Alternate movements you can swap FOR STRENGTH FOCUS:
–Strict Pull-ups
–Pull-up Negatives (lowers)
Alternative Movements you can swap FOR HYPERTROPHY FOCUS:
Weighted Rack Pull-ups
Unweighted Rack Pull-ups
Leg in front Rack Pull-ups (no elevation)
Foot-Assisted Pull-ups
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B. Strict Barbell Overhead Press
2-3 second descent, brief pause with bar under chin, explode up
No more than 1 breath at top
2-4 warm-up sets, then:
1 set x 1 rep (~1-2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 2-3 reps)
Rest 2 min
3 sets x 2 Reps (~2 reps from failure; a weight you *could* do 4 reps)
Rest 2-3 min between each
Next week is a “Taper” week to prepare for the “Max-out” week that follows
Points of performance:
-Begin rep with hands just outside shoulder width
-Bar resting comfortably on the front delts (just above the clavicle) with the elbows mostly UNDER the bar (but err on the side of elbows being SLIGHTLY in front of the bar, as opposed to slightly behind the bar).
-As you begin to press, move the head slightly back and out of the way so that the bar can travel in a straight vertical line up (and avoid having to go AROUND the face).
-Lower under control back to a “stretch” position for the delts at the bottom.
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C. One-Arm DB Rows (lat focus, see cues in video description)
1-2 warm-up sets per arm, then:
1 work set x 8-10 Reps (~1 rep from failure)
3 work sets x 6-8 Reps each (same weight as 8-10 rep set)
Rest 1-2 min between arms on tougher work sets
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D. Flat DB Bench Press
1-2 warm-up sets, then:
1 work set x 8-10 Reps (~2 reps from failure)
3 work sets x 6-8 Reps each (same weight as 8-10 rep set)
Rest ~2 min between harder work sets
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E. EMOM x 8 minutes:
Alternate Movements at the top of each minute
Both movements for 8-12 Reps
(Target ~2-1-0-0 reps from failure across the 4 sets each)
Min 1: Squat Sit DB Curl
Min 2: Banded Tricep Pushdowns
Alternative Movement you can swap for Squat Sit Curl
–DB Spider Curl
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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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