SERIOUS STRENGTH TRAINING By Tudor Bompa, PHD The following program is developed from the book Serious Strength training by Tudor Bompa, P.H.D. It is meant to be a guideline for those who want to improve their overall strength and power. It does not have specifically designed exercises or lifts for any particular sport but is meant as an overall program for muscle development. For those who want more information on this program I strongly suggest buying the book
WEIGHT TRAINING GUIDELINES Most people want to weight train to become bigger and stronger for their size. The common questions in weight training are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
How much weight do I use? How many reps do I do? How many sets do I do? How much rest do I take between sets? How many and in what order do I do the exercises? How many times a week do I do it?
Although no one answer will apply to everyone, this program is designed to adjust to fit your needs and give you the best results with the least work.
CREATING A PROGRAM •
First Phase - Anatomical Adaptation, 6-weeks
•
Second Phase: Hypertrophy Training- Phase 1, 6-weeks; Phase 2, 6-weeks
•
Third Phase - Mixed Training, 3-weeks
•
Fourth Phase - Maximum Strength, 6-weeks
•
Repeat the Four Phases
FIRST PHASE ANATOMICAL ADAPTATION or A AA@ PHASE, 6 WEEKS This is the first stage in which we hope to introduce you to a program that will help you develop mentally and physically and prepare him/her for the next stages of training. NOTE- it is important to remember that your muscles will develop quicker than your ligament and tendon strength. You must be careful not overload your tendons or ligaments and cause damage as you start to weight train.
Ligament- holds bone to bone. Tendons- hold muscle to bone.
At the bottom of the page is an example of a six week AA phase program. This program is to be done 3x a week on days 1-3-5. (Mon.,Wed.,Fri.) The sets are to be done in a circuit, that is one set of each exercise then start at the top again.
Each workout should take you about an hour to complete. Be sure to warm up, run, and stretch about 10 min. before each workout begins.
USING THE PROGRAM The first numbers we look at 40/15 X 3 represent the following. 40 means 40% of your maximum lift of 1 repetition for that exercise. In example if you can bench press 200 lbs one time, 40% 0f that would be 80 lbs. 15 is the number of repetitions you should do of that lift. 3 represents the number of sets you should do for that exercise. As you follow the program for six weeks you will see 2 sets of low, medium and high workout stages.
FINDING YOUR MAXIMUM Select a weight that you think you can do for 4-8 repetitions before failure. Please note that all lifts to find maximums must be done to complete failure in order to get a true maximum. Take at least a 3-5 minute rest between lifts when you are trying to find your maximum. In Example a 210 lbs lift x 5 repetitions will give you a maximum of 240 lbs. You can find your max. by Googling A one rep max@ and a chart will come up that you can fill in. Remember this program has been designed by one of the leading experts in the world, don= t try to second guess him if you do you will fail.
ANATOMICAL ADAPTATION PHASE, 6 WEEKS Remember the exercises are done in a circuit, one set of bench press then seated pulley row then thigh ext. then back to the top, not 3 or 4 sets in a row that comes later in the hypertrophy stage. Note: If you find that you cannot finish the required number of reps for the exercise lower the weight till you can do the correct number of reps, this is very important. Take a 1-2 min. rest between exercises, less as you get in better shape. Retest your maximum after 3 weeks. Exercise
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Bench Press
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Seated Pulley row
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Thigh ext.
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Hamstring curl Seated DB press
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Front pull-downs
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Arm curls
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
Tricep Ext
40/15x3
50/12x3
60/8x3
50/15x4
60/12x4
70/10x4
After you have finished the AA phase you will need a one week transition period (rest period) to prepare yourself for the next phase.
SECOND PHASE HYPERTROPHY TRAINING, PHASE 1 & 2, 6 WEEKS EACH The main objective of the hypertrophy stages is to create muscle density (thickness). This stage of the training is set up in two phases. Here is a suggested high adaptive response four day split for each stage. DAY 1+4- (Mon. + Thurs.) legs, calves, shoulders DAY 2+5- (Tues. + Fri.) chest, back, arms Note: Substitute different exercises than the ones listed only if you need to, but you must stay with the suggested number of repetitions and sets. As you progress in the Hypertrophy Stage you can shorten your rest period to 30 seconds so that you will reach fatigue at the end of your sets. On the next page you will find charts that will give you the suggested sets per workout, it is highly recommended that you do not exceed the number of sets per body part, think of it as holding a cup under a tap you can pour all the water you want in it but you will still only get a cup.
Hypertrophy Training Program- Phase One, Legs, Calves and Shoulders Rest between sets should be 30-60 seconds. Rest between exercises should be 2- 3 minutes. If you cannot complete the suggested number of repetitions, lower the weight. Week Step
1 Low Day 1+4
2 Med. Day 1+4
3 High Day 1+4
1 Low Day 1+4
2 Med. Day 1+4
3 High Day 1+4
Seated Overhead 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 press barbell 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets Seated Overhead 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets press DB Standing side laterals DB
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Standing side laterals cable
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Bent over dumb bell lat
50/10 50/10 50/10 50/12 50/12 50/10 50/10 50/10 60/10 60/10 60/10 60/8 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets
Leg press
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 Thigh extension 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets Ind. Leg curl
50/10 50/10 50/12 50/12 50/10 50/10 50/10 50/10 60/10 60/10 60/8 60/8 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 Hamstring curl 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets Standing calf raise
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Hypertrophy Training Program- Phase One, Chest, Back & Arms Rest between sets 30-60 seconds, Rest between exercises 2-3 minutes. If you cannot complete the correct number of reps, lower the weight. Week
1
2
3
1
2
3
Step
Low Day 2+5
Med. Day 2+5
High Day 2+5
Low Day 2+5
Med. Day 2+5
High Day 2+5
Bench press
50/12 50/12 3 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Incline flys
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Seated pulley row
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Front wide grip Lat pull downs
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Decline skull crushers
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Cable Tricep extensions
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Biceps Preacher Curls straight bar
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Incline curls dumbbells
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
70/10 4 sets
Hypertrophy Training Program- Phase Two, Legs, Calves and Shoulders Rest between sets 30-60 seconds, rest between exercises 2-3 min. If you can= t do the reps lower the weight. Week
1
2
3
1
2
3
Step
Low Day 1+4
Med. Day 1+4
High Day 1+4
Low Day 1+4
Med. Day 1+4
High Day 1+4
Standing BB press
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated press machine
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated DB side laterals
50/10 50/10 50/12 50/12 50/10 50/10 50/10 50/10 60/10 60/10 60/8 60/8 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Rev. cable crossovers
50/10 50/10 50/12 50/12 50/10 50/10 50/10 50/10 60/10 60/10 60/8 60/8 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets
P.C.-deck reverse flys
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Squats
50/12 50/12 3
60/12
60/12
60/15
60/12
50/12
50/12
60/12
60/12
70/10
70/10
3 sets
sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Hack machine
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Stiff legged dead lift
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated Leg curls
50/10 50/10 50/12 50/12 50/10 50/10 50/10 50/10 60/10 60/10 60/8 60/8 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated calf raise machine
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Individual calf raises
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Hypertrophy Training Program- Phase Two, Chest, Back & Arms Rest between sets 30-60 seconds, rest between exercises 2-3 min. If you can= t do the reps lower the weight. Week Step
1 Low Day 2+5
2 Med. Day 2+5
3 High Day 2+5
1 Low Day 2+5
2 Med. Day 2+5
3 High Day 2+5
Decline smith 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 machine press 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets Incline DB press
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
One arm DB row
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated incline row machine
50/10 50/10 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
One arm cable tricep ext.
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Seated tricep ext. machine
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Biceps curl straight bar
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Concentration curls DB
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Barbell Shrugs
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
Upright Row
50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 60/15 60/12 50/12 50/12 60/12 60/12 70/10 70/10 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 3 sets 3 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets 4 sets
A Suggested Mixed Training Program Maximum lift stage / Hypertrophy stage Phase Three Maximum Lift Training Program
-Lifts are to be done in a circuit as in the AA Phase -Rest between lifts should be 2-4 min., this is very important.
Mixed Training Portion Phase Three Week
1
Step
2
Low
3
Medium
High
Day
1
4
1
4
1
4
T-Bar Row
70/8 3 sets
70/8 2 sets
70/8 1 set
80/7 3 sets
80/8 4 sets
80/8 4 sets
Bench Press
70/8 3 sets
70/8 2 sets
70/8 1 set
80/7 3 sets
80/8 4 sets
80/8 4 sets
Front-Lat Pull-downs
70/8 3 sets
70/8 2 sets
70/8 1 set
80/7 3 sets
80/8 4 sets
80/8 4 sets
Squats
70/8 3 sets
70/8 2 sets
70/8 1 set
80/7 3 sets
80/8 4 sets
80/8 4 sets
Hypertrophy Stage -this stage is to be done as in Phases 1 and 2. -as you work on the maximum strength phase you will notice larger gains in muscle. -this again is a split stage, working on days 2 and 6. -remember rest between sets is 45-60 seconds, rest between exercises is 3-4 minutes. -Remember your rest days are 3 and 7.
Hypertrophy Training Portion Phase Three Week Step
1 Day 2- Low
2
2
Day 2- Medium
Day 2- High
Incline Dumbbell press
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Supine DB Flys
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Bent over Barbell Rows
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Seated Incline Row
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Reverse Grip Tricep Ext
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Reverse Grip Straight Bar Curls
50/12 3 sets
60/12 3 sets
70/8 4 sets
Week
1
2
3
Step
Day 6 Low
Day 6 Medium
Day 6 High
Smith Machine Squats
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
Barbell Lunges
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
Seated Hamstring Curls
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
Standing Side Laterals DB Standing Barbell Press
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
50/12 3 Sets
60/12 3 Sets
70/8 4 Sets
Upright Row
Maximum Strength Phase 6 Weeks Phase Four
-this is the stage where you should see great results in muscle and strength gain. -lifts are to be done as in the Hypertrophy stage. -the rest period between lifts and exercises should be 3-5 minutes, your last lift should be as good as your first. -this program is done 3 times a week to allow for proper rest time. -repeat this program every 3 weeks, after 6 weeks take a week off -DO NOT LIFT BEFORE THE 3 MINUTE REST PERIOD WHEN LIFTING OVER 80% OF YOUR MAX EVEN IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT, YOU HAVE TO ALLOW YOUR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TIME TO RECOVER Week
1
2
3
Steps
Low
Medium
High
Days Squats Bench Press Chest Pull-downs Dead Lift Standing Barbell Press T-Bar Row
1 70/8 3 sets 70/8 3 sets 70/8 3 sets 70/8 3 sets 70/8 3 sets 70/8 3 sets
3 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets
5 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4sets 75/8 4sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets 75/8 4 sets
1 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets
3 80/6 4sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets 80/6 4 sets
5 80/6 3 sets 80/6 3 sets 80/6 3 sets 80/6 3 sets 80/6 3 sets 80/6 3 sets
1 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets
3 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets
5 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets 90/3 4 sets