JPG 10 Weeks
JPG 10 Weeks
JPG 10 Weeks
PROGRAM
04 PHASES EXPLAINED
05 WARM UP
06 READING TEMPO
07 NEURAL PHASE
10 HYPERTROPHY PHASE 1
12 HYPERTROPHY PHASE 2
14 CARDIO
15 NUTRITION
17 QUANTIFYING PROGRESS
18 SUPPLEMENTS
19 EXERCISE ALTERNATIVES
20 FAQ'S
22 DISCLAIMER
02
EXPLAINED
PROGRAM
The first 4 weeks of the program is a strength Hypertrophy Phase: the portion of a
focused phase to help potentiate the following 6 program that is dedicated to increasing
week hypertrophy phase. We will be utilizing the muscle mass.
same exercises in each phase; however, the rep
ranges, tempo, rest times and proximity to failure
may differ.
for best results and full context, read the entirety of the program before starting
03
PHASES
EXPLAINED
First 4 weeks: neural phase
Use the first week of the program to acclimate and get used to the layout of the split and exercise execution.
Throughout the entirety of the 4 week neural phase, you will not be training to failure for your heavy compound
movements (Multi Joint Exercises) as this portion of the program is strength focused. For those familiar with RPE, try
to stick to RPE 7-8. If you are not familiar with RPE, then base it off of your rep speed. Once you get to the point
where your rep speed has slowed significantly despite pushing as hard as you can, then you know you’re getting
close to failure. For the compound movements, you should aim to stop a rep or two before you hit a rep where you
really have to grind with a VERY slow rep speed. You may accidentally hit that point or even hit failure. Don’t stress it
if you do. It’s better to accidentally go over than consistently be under. Use that experience to better gauge your
sets for the next session.
For your isolation movements (Single Joint Exercises) if you are familiar with RPE, you can train those between RPE
8-9.5. If you are not familiar with RPE, then you’d be pushing to the point where your rep speed gets very slow
despite maximum effort. I would still be more conservative with your intensity during the early sets. However, since
these are isolation movements, it matters a bit less if you accidentally hit failure. So you can push yourself a bit
harder on the final set. If your rep speed still feels fast, then go for another rep. If the rep is a slow grind then you
should end the set there. Don’t worry you’ll be training to failure plenty during the hypertrophy phase!
For the full 4 weeks of this phase you will be moving through the sets as follows. You will use an ascending load and
descending reps as you move through your working sets. This means you should start with the higher end of the rep
range and increase the weight as you work up to your last set. So your last set will end up being your heaviest set
with the least amount of reps.
This phase of the program will solely be focused on building muscle. This means you will be working at a
closer proximity to failure as well as training to failure. The first week of the program you can work at
higher intensities similar to what you were doing for the isolation movements during the neural phase but I
would not train to failure just yet. The following weeks, is when you will start pushing to failure. Make sure
when you are pushing to failure that your form does not regress. You will also be using an ascending load
and descending reps during this training phase. In this case however your second to last set will end up
being your heaviest. Then on the very last set, drop the weight 10-20% and push to failure.
Learning RPE properly takes a lot of time training to failure so don’t worry about it if you’re not
already proficient.
Once you’re able to do a weight for the full rep range, you should increase the load.
You should always be aiming to best your previous session in terms of weight or reps.
If technique was sloppy, then I would stay at the same weight or decrease till you’re able to perform
the movement with good form.
03
WARM UP
The best warm up you can do is lighter sets with your main movements. This
is how I warm up for all of my training sessions.
TEMPO REFERS TO THE PACE THAT EACH PORTION OF A MOVEMENT IS PERFORMED AT.
TEMPO IS TYPICALLY DEPICTED WITH 4 NUMBERS, FOR EXAMPLE: 3-1-1-0
The first number, 3, refers to the speed (in The fourth number refers to the
seconds) at which one would perform the isometric that follows the concentric
eccentric portion of the movement. The eccentric portion of the movement. In a squat
portion of a movement is the portion in which the this is 0 because once the individual
muscle is lengthening. In the case of a squat, the rises from the squatting position, they
eccentric portion would be when the individual is will brace and lower into the squat
lowering the weight down into the squat. Given position immediately after each rep is
the above tempo, the individual would descend completed. This isometric hold is most
into the squat over a 3 second timespan. common in movements that load the
muscle in the shortened position. For
example, in a tricep extension, the
ECCENTRIC ISOMETRIC
tempo could be 1-0-1-2. The eccentric
The second number refers to the post-eccentric and concentric portions are fairly
isometric. Isometrics are essentially a ‘hold.’ In an quick, but at the end of the concentric,
isometric, the muscle contracts with little to no when the arm is fully extended, the
movement in the muscle (neither lengthening or isometric is held for 2 seconds.
shortening). At the bottom of the squat, the glutes
and quads are lengthened, but not moving. Using A PAUSE AFTER THE MUSCLE LENGTHENS A PAUSE AFTER THE MUSCLE SHORTENS
the tempo above, the individual will hold this POST ECCENTRIC HOLD POST CONCENTRIC HOLD
position for 1 second.
3-1-1-0
CONCENTRIC
UPPER
Traps driven into the bench with only a slight
1
FLAT DB BENCH 3-1-1-0 4 x 3-5 3-5 m arch. Keep feet planted and glutes engaged.
Press upper arm in towards the mid line of the 2
chest. Do not press with flared elbows, tuck in
3
to around 45deg to better leverage the pecs
4
Do seated if possible with an upright bench in
BILATERAL CLAVICULAR (UPPER) 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 3m front of the cables. Otherwise you can do it
1
standing. Set it up so you're pressing with the
CABLE PRESS
LOWER
Toes pointed straight ahead. Lower yourself 1
LEG PRESS OR STANDING CALF 3-2-1-2 4 x 6-10 2-3 m with control (no bouncing) getting a good
stretch. Actively flexing the tibialis anterior 2
RAISE can help. (front shin muscle) Then drive up
3
through your toes thinking about pulling your
calf to your knee. 4
For more quad bias focus on maximizing knee
1
flexion. Place feet as low on the platform as
HACK/PENDULUM SQUAT 3-1-1-0 4 x 3-5 3-5 m you can without heels lifting. If your low 2
back/hips get pulled forward off the pad at
the bottom of the squat your feet are too high 3
on the platform. Brace and maintain a neutral
4
spine
Low-Mid platform foot placement. Feet
1
slightly outside of hip width. We'll get a bit
more quad and adductor out of this. The more 2
BILATERAL LEG PRESS 3-0-1-0 3 x 6-8 3-5 m knee flexion you get the more quads will be
worked. Brace, Pull yourself into the seat and 3
don't allow your hips/low back to lift off the 4
seat. Make sure knees are tracking in line with
toes.
CHEST/BACK TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Bench height set to 45deg. Press from 45deg 1
INCLINE DB BENCH 3-1-1-0 4 x 4-7 3-5m upper arm angle not 90deg flared out to the
2
shoulders. Minimize any arch. If the ground is
too far causing you to arch, trying to reach it
3
with your feet you can put plates or dumbbells
under your feet. Control the eccentric then 4
drive the upper arms towards the middle of
the clavicles.
Do seated if possible with an upright bench in
front of the cables. Otherwise you can do it 1
standing. Set it up so you're pressing with the
BILATERAL STERNAL (MID PEC) upper arms at a 45deg angle and driving the
2
2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 3m
upper arms to the middle of the clavicles. The 3
CABLE PRESS cable angle will be a low to high angle. Find the
4
cable angle with no weight using the most
contracted position and lining up the cable
with the forearm angle.
Use an attachment with a neutral grip that
1
allows you to keep the arms tight into the side
of the body. If none you can throw d handles 2
SEATED LAT BIAS ROW 2-0-1-0 3 x 4-7 3-4m onto a straight/ez bar to fashion one. Lean the
torso as needed so the shoulder is flexed 3
90deg (upper arm around shoulder height). 4
Maintain a neutral spine then drive the upper
arm down and back.
shoulder flexion. Maintain a neutral spine. 4
Drive upper arms down and back with a
neutral grip.
You can use any chest supported row with
pronated handles where you're driving the 1
upper arm back at a 70-90deg angle. As the
UPPER BACK ROW 2
2-0-1-0 2 x 6-8 3m arms pass the torso finish the movement by
squeezing the traps. Keep your chest pinned 3
to the pad. .
4
ARMS +
LOWER B TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Set the seat back to around 30 degs. Raise in 1
DB CHEST SUPPORTED Y RAISE 1-0-1-1 2 x 8-12 10-15s the scapular plane 30-45 deg forward of the
shoulder with the palms facing down. We want 2
a strong contraction on the middle delt. Keep
3
your chest pinned to the bench. Superset the
below exercise using the same weight. 4
Set the seat back to 70-80deg so you have a 1
CHEST SUPPORTED DB LATERAL 1-0-1-0 2 x 8-10 3m slight lean forward. Raise in the scapular plane
30-45 deg forward of the shoulder with the 2
RAISE palms facing down. Keep your chest pinned to
3
the bench. Don't worry if you cant get as high
as the Y raises. I expect you to fail in the mid 4
range.
Keep the upper arms fixed in place. You do not
Set the cable 2-3 notches lower than hand 1
height. Step forward so the cable is behind you
FACEAWAY CABLE CURLS 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 2m
just slightly off from in line with the hands. 2
Keep the upper arms fixed in place as you curl.
3
Think about bringing the forearm to the bicep
actively flexing. 4
Only a slight bend in the knees 5-10deg. Brace 1
STIFF LEG HAMSTRING BIAS OR 3-2-1-0 3 x 4-7 3-5m
then initiate and follow through the whole rep
2
by sending the hips back. Slightly tuck the
DB/BB/TRAP BAR RDL chin. Only go down as far as you're able to 3
push the hips back. Drive the hips back
through the come up. 4
IMPORTANT!
AT THE END OF THE 4 WEEK NEURAL PHASE YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO REMOVE
THE PAUSES THAT ARE PROGRAMMED IN FOR COMPOUND (MULTI JOINT)
MOVEMENTS ON THE LAST WEEK. THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO PUSH A BIT MORE
WEIGHT AND END THE STRENGTH PHASE WITH SOME WEIGHT & REP PRS. THIS
IS ONLY IF YOU ALREADY FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH HITTING THE
EXERCISES WITH THE PRESCRIBED TEMPO AND REP RANGES.
UPPER
Traps driven into the bench with only a slight
1
FLAT DB BENCH 3-1-1-0 4 x 6-8 3-4m arch. Keep feet planted and glutes engaged.
Press upper arm in towards the mid line of the 2
chest. Do not press with flared elbows, tuck in
3
to around 45deg to better leverage the pecs
4
Do seated if possible with an upright bench in
BILATERAL CLAVICULAR (UPPER) 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 3m front of the cables. Otherwise you can do it
1
standing. Set it up so you're pressing with the
CABLE PRESS upper arms at a 45deg angle and driving the 2
upper arms to the middle of the clavicles. The
3
cable angle will be a low to high angle. Find the
cable angle with no weight using the most 4
contracted position and lining up the cable
with the forearm angle.
1
T BAR ROW 2-0-1-1 4 x 6x8 3-4m Use a chest supported machine driving the
2
upper arm back at a 45deg angle. As the arms
pass the torso finish the movement by 3
squeezing the traps. Keep your chest pinned
to the pad.
4
Set the cable up around hand height and cross 1
HAND HEIGHT CABLE LATERAL 2-0-1-1 4 x 8-12 2-3m over behind you. Raise in the scapular plane. 2
Cue reaching out as you raise. Yes it is fine to
RAISE come up higher than shoulder height. 3
4
Keep the upper arms fixed in place. You do not have
to pin them to your side, you can allow them to
1
1-0-1-2 3 x 8-10 2-3m flare naturally. Slightly retract the scapula for
LONG ROPE CABLE TRICEP stability. Use a long rope that allows you to extend
2
fully in line with the elbows. If your gym has none
PUSHDOWN OR CROSS CABLE you can use two shorter ropes pulled through. If 3
EXT. you have access to dual cables then you can do
cross cable extensions. 4
LOWER
LEG PRESS OR STANDING CALF Toes pointed straight ahead. Lower yourself 1
with control (no bouncing) getting a good
RAISE 3-2-1-2 4 x 8-12 2-3m stretch. Actively flexing the tibialis anterior 2
can help. (front shin muscle) Then drive up
through your toes thinking about pulling your
3
calf to your knee. 4
Low-Mid platform foot placement. Feet
slightly outside of hip width. We'll get a bit 1
BILATERAL LEG PRESS 3-0-1-0 3 x 8-10 3m more quad and adductor out of this. The more
knee flexion you get the more quads will be 2
worked. Brace, Pull yourself into the seat and
3
don't allow your hips/low back to lift off the
seat. Make sure knees are tracking in line with 4
toes.
CHEST/BACK TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Bench height set to 45deg. Press from 45deg 1
INCLINE DB BENCH 3-1-1-0 4 x 6-10 3-4m upper arm angle not 90deg flared out to the
2
shoulders. Minimize any arch. If the ground is
too far causing you to arch trying to reach it
3
with your feet you can put plates or dumbbells
under your feet. Control the eccentric then 4
drive the upper arms towards the middle of
the clavicles.
Do seated if possible with an upright bench in
front of the cables. Otherwise you can do it 1
standing. Set it up so you're pressing with the
BILATERAL STERNAL (MID PEC) upper arms at a 45deg angle and driving the
2
2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 3m
upper arms to the middle of the clavicles. The 3
CABLE PRESS cable angle will be a low to high angle. Find the
4
cable angle with no weight using the most
contracted position and lining up the cable
with the forearm angle.
Use an attachment with a neutral grip that
1
allows you to keep the arms tight into the side
of the body. If none you can throw d handles 2
SEATED LAT BIAS ROW 2-0-1-0 3 x 8-10 3m onto a straight/ez bar to fashion one. Lean the
torso as needed so the shoulder is flexed 3
90deg (upper arm around shoulder height). 4
Maintain a neutral spine then drive the upper
arm down and back.
shoulder flexion. Maintain a neutral spine. 4
Drive upper arms down and back with a
neutral grip.
You can use any chest supported row with
pronated handles where you're driving the 1
upper arm back at a 70-90deg angle. As the
UPPER BACK ROW 2
2-0-1-0 2 x 8-12 2-3m arms pass the torso finish the movement by
squeezing the traps. Keep your chest pinned 3
to the pad. LAST SET- Drop set once to failure.
4
ARMS +
LOWER B TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Set the seat back to around 30 degs. Raise in 1
DB CHEST SUPPORTED Y RAISE 1-0-1-1 2 x 8-12 10-15s the scapular plane 30-45 deg forward of the
shoulder with the palms facing down. We want 2
a strong contraction on the middle delt. Keep
3
your chest pinned to the bench.
4
Set the seat back to 70-80deg so you have a 1
CHEST SUPPORTED DB LATERAL 1-0-1-0 2 x 8-10 2-3m slight lean forward. Raise in the scapular plane
30-45 deg forward of the shoulder with the 2
RAISE palms facing down. Keep your chest pinned to
3
the bench. Don't worry if you cant get as high
as the Y raises. I expect you to fail in the mid 4
range.
Keep the upper arms fixed in place. You do not
Set the cable 2-3 notches lower than hand 1
height. Step forward so the cable is behind you
FACEAWAY CABLE CURLS 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 2m
just slightly off from in line with the hands. 2
Keep the upper arms fixed in place as you curl.
3
Think about bringing the forearm to the bicep
actively flexing. 4
Only a slight bend in the knees 5-10deg. Brace 1
STIFF LEG HAMSTRING BIAS OR 3-1-1-0 3 x 6-10 3-4m
then initiate and follow through the whole rep
2
by sending the hips back. Slightly tuck the
DB/BB/TRAP BAR RDL chin. Only go down as far as you're able to 3
push the hips back. Drive the hips back
through the come up. 4
UPPER TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Traps driven into the bench with only a slight 1
arch. Keep feet planted and glutes engaged.
3-1-1-0 4 x 6-8 3-4m Press upper arm in towards the mid line of the
2
FLAT DB BENCH chest. Do not press with flared elbows tuck in
to around 45deg to better leverage the pecs
3
4
1
T BAR ROW 2-0-1-1 4 x 6x8 3-4m
Use a chest supported machine driving the
upper arm back at a 45deg angle. As the arms 2
pass the torso finish the movement by
squeezing the traps. Keep your chest pinned 3
to the pad. LAST SET- Drop set once to failure.
4
HAND HEIGHT CABLE LATERAL Set the cable up around hand height and cross
2-0-1-1 4 x 8-12 2-3m over behind you. Raise in the scapular plane. 1
RAISE Cue reaching out as you raise. Yes it is fine to
2
come up higher than shoulder height. LAST
SET- As soon as you finish the set drop the 3
cables down to the lowest notch and do
another set to failure. You should fail around 4
the mid-short range this time.
Seated with the seat at 90deg. Keep the upper arm
1
fixed in place. Focus on driving the forearms up
SEATED SUPINATED DB CURLS 2-0-1-0 2 x 8-10 3m towards the bicep actively flexing. Control the 2
INTO HAMMER CURLS descent. Dont spend a bunch of time at the bottom
though as theres minimal tension there. As soon as 3
you hit failure do Hammer Curls to failure with the
same weight. 4
LOWER
For more quad bias focus on maximizing knee
1
flexion. Place feet as low on the platform as
HACK/PENDULUM SQUAT 3-1-1-0 4 x 6-8 3-4m you can without heels lifting. If your low 2
back/hips get pulled forward off the pad at
the bottom of the squat your feet are too high 3
on the platform. Brace and maintain a neutral
4
spine
Low-Mid platform foot placement. Feet slightly
outside of hip width. We'll get a bit more quad and 1
adductor out of this. The more knee flexion you get
BILATERAL LEG PRESS 3-0-1-0 3 x 8-10 3m the more quads will be worked. Brace, Pull yourself 2
4
Line your knees up with the axis of rotation of
the machine. Sit back and pull yourself into the 1
LEG EXTENSIONS 1-0-1-2 3 x 8-10 2-3m seat. Feet neutral or toes pointed up towards
your head. Legs should not be rotating as you
2
extend if set up properly. Make sure knees are 3
tracking in line with toes. LAST SET: Drop set to
failure 4
CHEST/BACK TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Bench height set to 45deg. Press from 45deg 1
3-1-1-0 4 x 6-10 3-4m upper arm angle not 90deg flared out to the
INCLINE DB BENCH shoulders. Minimize any arch. If the ground is 2
too far causing you to arch trying to reach it
with your feet you can put plates or dumbbells
3
under your feet. Control the eccentric then 4
drive the upper arms towards the middle of
the clavicles.
Do seated if possible with an upright bench in
front of the cables. Otherwise you can do it
standing. Set it up so you're pressing with the
1
BILATERAL STERNAL (MID PEC) 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 3m upper arms at a 45deg angle and driving the 2
upper arms to the middle of the clavicles. The
CABLE PRESS cable angle will be a low to high angle. Find the 3
cable angle with no weight using the most 4
contracted position and lining up the cable
with the forearm angle. LAST SET- once you
can no longer lock out do partials till you can
only do a 1/4 rep.
Use an attachment with a neutral grip that
allows you to keep the arms tight into the side 1
2-0-1-0 3 x 8-10 3m of the body. If none you can throw d handles 2
SEATED LAT BIAS ROW onto a straight/ez bar to fashion one. Lean the
torso as needed so the shoulder is flexed 3
90deg (upper arm around shoulder height).
4
Maintain a neutral spine then drive the upper
arm down and back.
You can use any chest supported row with
1
pronated handles where you're driving the
upper arm back at a 70-90deg angle. As the
2-0-1-0 2 x 8-12 2-3m 2
UPPER BACK ROW arms pass the torso finish the movement by
squeezing the traps. Keep your chest pinned 3
to the pad. LAST SET- Drop set once to failure.
4
ARMS + LOWER
B TEMPO SETS x REPS REST DESCRIPTION WEEK REPS WEIGHT NOTES
Set the bench height up around 30degs. Raise 1
DB CHEST SUPPORTED Y RAISE 1-0-1-1 2 x 8-12 10-15s in the scapular plane 30-45 deg forward of the
shoulder with the palms facing down. We want 2
a strong contraction on the lateral delt. Keep
3
your chest pinned to the bench. Superset the
below exercise using the same weight. 4
Set the seat back to 70-80deg so you have a 1
CHEST SUPPORTED DB LATERAL 1-0-1-0 2 x 8-10 2-3m slight lean forward. Raise in the scapular plane
30-45 deg forward of the shoulder with the 2
RAISE palms facing down. Keep your chest pinned to
3
the bench. Don't worry if you cant get as high
as the Y raises. I expect you to fail in the mid 4
range.
Keep the upper arms fixed in place. You do not
LONG ROPE CABLE TRICEP 1-0-1-2 3 x 8-10 2m
have to pin them to your side, you can allow
them to flare naturally. Slightly retract the
1
PUSHDOWN OR CROSS CABLE scapula for stability. Use a long rope that 2
allows you to extend fully in line with the
EXT. elbows. If your gym has none you can use two
3
shorter ropes pulled through. If you have 4
access to dual cables then you can do cross
cable extensions.
Set the cable 2-3 notches lower than hand 1
FACEAWAY CABLE CURLS 2-0-1-1 3 x 8-10 2m height. Step forward so the cable is behind you
just slightly off from in line with the hands. 2
Keep the upper arms fixed in place as you curl.
3
Think about bringing the forearm to the bicep
actively flexing. 4
Only a slight bend in the knees 5-10deg. Brace 1
STIFF LEG HAMSTRING BIAS OR then initiate and follow through the whole rep
2
3-1-1-0 3 x 6-10 3-4m by sending the hips back. Slightly tuck the
DB/BB/TRAP BAR RDL chin. Only go down as far as you're able to 3
push the hips back. Drive the hips back
through the come up. 4
CARDIO
DO I NEED TO DO CARDIO?
We opted against prescribing specific forms of If you are already active during the day - perhaps
cardio because the type of cardio that you do will your job has you on the feet all day or you
differ from person to person. This can be regularly participate in a sport, then you can aim
dependent on not only personal preference and for the lower end of the 6-10k step goal. On the
personal fitness goals, but also your other hand, if these workouts have got you out of
cardiovascular health. Your general activity level breath and you want to work on your
outside of the gym is another important factor. cardiovascular health, then aim to hit the
Those who are already very active due to daily life recommended 1-2hrs total a week of zone 2
may not need to do as much cardio. cardio broken up in to 20min-1hr continuous
sessions. The continuous bouts of cardio will help
Whether you are bulking, cutting, or maintaining, keep your heart rate elevated and better improve
we recommend some form of cardio, as it's your cardiovascular health in comparison to
integral for your heart health. sporadic steps throughout the day.
How Much Cardio Do I Do? Aside from hitting your step goal, the type of
As a baseline, we recommend at least 1-2 hours cardio that you do is up to your personal
per week of zone 2 moderate cardio per week. preference. We recommend low intensity steady
Zone 2 cardio refers to any form of cardio that state cardio, but if you prefer high intensity or
falls into the low intensity, steady state category. interval cardio, we suggest either doing this on
Zone 2 cardio should be comfortable but still allow your rest days or further apart in time if you're
you to break a sweat. doing them on the same day as your lifts.
14
NUTRITION
For the nutrition portion of this program, we have created
three different “levels” for you to choose from based on your
proficiency with tracking nutrition and most importantly,
what you’re able to adhere to. If you’ve never done any kind
of nutrition tracking, then we recommend starting at level
one and working your way up.
From there focus on nailing your calories and protein. Try to eat +/- 5g of your
protein goal and within a 50cal deviation of your calories. Once you’re proficient
at tracking your calories and protein, you're ready to take on Level 3.
The greatest determining factor here will be your body fat percentage. If you are
on the overweight or obese end of the range, then you should likely start with a
deficit/cut. Newbie lifters as well as obese individuals will still be able to gain some
muscle mass while in a deficit assuming good nutrition, training intensity and
recovery.
Bulking is a good choice for leaner individuals who want to gain significant muscle
mass at a faster pace. You should be comfortable with gaining some fat mass as
well. However, if you do it properly and are at a good starting point the fat you gain
should not be excessive. Fat gain can be reduced by keeping your surplus calories
to 150-300 calories above maintenance. Bulking is typically ideal for men under
10% body fat and women under 20% body fat.
To recap, if you are not comfortable with gaining fat yet, but also wish to prioritize
gaining lean body mass, you may want to start at maintenance and move into a
bulk once you are happy with your body fat percentage. If you wish to grow more
muscle in the future but still feel that you have significant body fat to lose, you
may want to begin on a deficit. Lastly, if you wish to gain muscle mass quickly and
are lean enough that you are comfortable with gaining some fat - a bulk is the best
choice for you. You can always slow down the pace of your bulk by lowering your
surplus.
16
QUANTIFYING
PROGRESS
When you start this program it would be ideal if you took weekly pictures and measurements to
better track your progress. If you wish to take part in the transformation portion of the challenge this
is mandatory. I suggest taking pictures from the front, both sides and back. The pictures should be full
body showing quads and calves. Make sure you don’t cover your mid section in the side pictures. In
terms of what to wear Undergarments, Sports Wear and Bathing Suits work well but so long as you’re
able to see the majority of your musculature you can wear what you’re comfortable with.
Here's an easy way to take the pictures while ensuring sure you’re in frame. Prop your phone up in
selfie mode, then take a screenshot of each of the poses. Take the pictures in natural lighting if
possible. There should not be any harsh shadows. It is also important that the pictures taken are
similar in terms of how they are framed as well as the scale. Take them straight on, not at an angle. You
want to be able to compare your progress overtime accurately so if the pictures are all taken
differently it will be difficult to compare down the line. We also suggest taking a measurement of your
waist around the smallest part between the belly button and sternum. Do not suck in just relax when
taking the measurement. That way, even if your weight does not change or increases but your waist
gets smaller you know your body composition is improving!
Posting your pictures is not mandatory for this program unless you would like to take part in the
transformation portion of the challenge. You may post your progress within the group should you
wish to do so. Just make sure the pictures are not lewd in any way.
We’ve provided you sections to track your reps and weight for each week. This is a
must if you want to make the best progress possible. Only track the working sets. Warm
ups do not need to be logged. As you move through the program, reference your
previous weeks aiming to best the weight and reps used. Even if you are only able to
add a single rep or a 2.5lb plate you should aim to improve each session.
17
SUPPLEMENTS
LEGION ATHLETICS SUPPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
TRIUMPH MULTIVITAMIN
Fill in nutritional gaps
RECHARGE
Creatine
PULSE PREWORKOUT
Performance
WHEY/CASEIN/VEGAN
Easily digested protein
ASCEND NOOTROPIC
Cognition/Focus
You do not NEED supplements. Supplements are.... supplements, they are meant to
supplement a good pre-existing diet and training regimen. While you do not need
supplements in order to be successful on this program these supplements are a
great option if you do wish to utilize them. We recommend Legion due to their
supplements being backed in science. They use clinically effective doses, as well as
quality bioavailable ingredients that have been third party tested. For more
information on the ingredients head to Legion's Site, as they outline why they include
each ingredient under the supplement as well as the studies that support their use.
You can also use examine.com if you have further questions about an ingredient.
EXERCISE
ALTERNATIVES
FLAT DB BENCH: Flat barbell bench, flat machine press,
BILATERAL CLAVICULAR (UPPER) CABLE PRESS: Single arm press around, incline machine press
T BAR ROW: Seated cable row, chest supported barbell or dumbbell row
HAND HEIGHT CABLE LATERAL RAISE: Lying dumbbell lateral raise on incline bench, leaning to the non
working side standing dumbbell raise
LONG ROPE CABLE TRICEP PUSHDOWN/CROSS CABLE EXTENSION: Band push down
HACK/PENDULUM SQUAT: Heel elevated SSB or barbell squat/regular barbell squat, quad biased leg press,
quad biased split squat
BILATERAL LEG PRESS: Quad biased split squat, quad biased stationary lunge, smith machine split squat
BILATERAL STERNAL (MID PEC) CABLE PRESS: Pec dec fly., flat machine press, sternal cable fly
SEATED LAT BIAS ROW: Step back hammer row, kneeling single arm cable row behind the machine
LAT BIAS PULLDOWN: Kneeling lat pull down. Kneeling high to low hammer row variation
SEATED HAMSTRING CURLS: Lying leg curl, banded dumbbell lying leg curl
Are you able to progressively overload? If the soreness is affecting your ability to
Being able to consistently improve in terms of perform to a large degree then it is likely better
your weight x reps used from session to session to take another rest day. You should then
is a good sign that you’re headed in the right continue with the split in the same order keeping
direction the other rest days in place. Please don’t worry
about “being behind” as everyone is going to
Do you see changes in body composition? recover at different rates. Pushing through when
Part of the reason we have everyone take you may have significant accrued fatigue and
pictures and measure their waist is to be able to muscle damage will only hinder your progress.
tell if body composition is improving over the While this program is only 10 weeks just
course of the program. A common scenario this remember that building muscle is a marathon
could help with would be if your goal is to get not a sprint. So don’t be afraid to take rest days
leaner but your weight is going up. If you’re when they are truly needed.
looking noticeably leaner that may be a good
thing. You can then ensure things are moving in How Do I Know When to Increase My Weight
the right direction by checking your waist for Working Sets?
measurement to see if it has gone up, stayed the
Once you’re able to complete the top of a rep
same or even gone down. If it has stayed the
range with a given weight, you should challenge
same or gone down despite weight going up
yourself and increase. For example, lets say your
then that’s a good sign your body composition is
rep range is 8-10 and you did 100lbs on bench
improving.
for 10 reps. If you were able to do that on one of
How Much Muscle Will I Put On? your initial sets with more working sets left, then
I would increase the weight the following set 5-
The amount of muscle someone can put on will 10% depending on how hard that set was.
be highly dependent on their training age,
genetics and how well they’re able to optimize all If that was a struggle at 10 Reps, then perhaps
aspects of their training, nutrition and recovery. you’d want to stay at the same weight then aim
to hit the top of the rep range with that same
I really wouldn’t worry about exactly how much weight the next session or even add a single rep
muscle you can put on and instead focus on to each set. However, if you managed to do that
doing your best when it comes to those 3 big with relative ease then I would increase the very
variables. That will ensure you’re putting on as next set.
much muscle as YOU can :)
While soreness is not a necessity for determining Yes! Congratulations you’re already doing plenty
whether a training session was effective or not, if for your mobility by strength training and
you're never getting sore then you may want to working your muscles under load through their
look at how hard you’re pushing during your lifts. full contractile range. Strength training is an
If you’re constantly challenging yourself in the excellent and effective way to improve mobility.
gym and looking to best your previous training
sessions then some soreness is very likely to
occur.
FAQ'S
What if I Want to Move My Workout Days Is This Program for Gaining Fat or Losing
Around? Muscle?
The program is written in such a way that the Depending on your current body composition
training and rest days complement each other so and training age, you could very well end up
as to allow for the best recovery. We would doing both over the course of this 10 weeks.
much rather you add an extra rest day as However, it will be easier for beginners especially
described above and then continue with the those with higher body fat to recomposition. We
program in the same order rather than moving don’t expect everyone to have the same goal
the training days around in a way we did not coming into this program . That’s why we’ve laid
account for when writing the program. out instructions along with a calculator to help
you find your nutrition needs to best fit your goal.
How Should I Pick the Weight for Working When Should I Use a Lifting Belt?
Sets?
The first week or two on the program is where A belt can be used on ANY lift that you feel
you’ll be testing the waters and finding working requires a large degree of bracing. If you do not
weights that are suitable for the desired rep know what bracing is, then you probably
ranges. If you’ve already done some of the shouldn’t be using a belt yet. If you do know how
exercises in previous programs you should have to use it properly, then feel free to use it on any
a fairly good idea. If you have no idea then ramp working sets that require a large degree of
up each set with your warm up sets and working bracing. For example, heavy squats would be a
sets till you find weight that allows you to train good exercise to use a belt on but you probably
within the set rep ranges close to or to failure don’t need it to do your curls.
depending on the training phase.
For this program, it will be most important to You should and must use lifting straps on any
understand the difference between movement where your grip has become the
form/technical failure and absolute failure. Form limiter (what is failing first). So pulling
failure refers to the inability to move the load movements like Rows, RDLs and Pulldowns for
without breaking form. Absolute failure refers to example would be movements you may need to
the inability for the muscle to move the load, use your straps on if you’re loading heavily
even with form regression. When training to enough.
failure aim to train until your movement
involuntarily slows and stops, even with maximal
exertion. You should aim to hit failure without
form breaking down.
DISCLAIMER
JPGCOACHING AND FIT WITH BREN LTD. ARE NOT DOCTORS
NOR REGISTERED DIETICIANS. ANY PROGRAMS OR ADVICE
GIVEN ARE INTENDED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND
ARE NOT INTENDED TO SERVE AS MEDICAL ADVICE. IT IS NOT
INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY
HEALTH PROBLEM. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR A QUALIFIED
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL FOR ANY MATTERS REGARDING
YOUR HEALTH. USE OF THE PROGRAM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
JPGCOACHING AND FIT WITH BREN LTD. WILL NOT ASSUME
ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT LOSSES OR
DAMAGES THAT MAY RESULT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, ECONOMIC LOSS, INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH. PAYMENT
IS NON-REFUNDABLE ONCE PLANS ARE ISSUED DUE TO THE
NATURE OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROVIDED.
FACEBOOK
GROUP
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND MAKING A TEMPORARY FACEBOOK
ACCOUNT FOR THE PROGRAM IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE
ONE. THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO GET THE MOST VALUE OUT OF
THIS PROGRAM, AS YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO OUR
EXCLUSIVE Q&A'S ABOUT THE PROGRAM AS WELL AS OUR
ASSISTANCE WITH FORM. THIS GROUP ALSO PROVIDES A
COMMUNITY TO SHARE YOUR PROGRESS WITH AND STAY
MOTIVATED. INTRA-CHALLENGE OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN
PROGRAMS WILL ONLY BE ACCESSIBLE VIA THE FACEBOOK
GROUP.