- Blueprints for Success
- Training for Figure and Fitness
- Training Programs for Mass and Power
- Training Programs for Maximum Muscular Development
- Intermediate Training Program #1 (Complete Development of All Muscle Groups)
- Intermediate Training Program #2 (Muscle Size Building)
- Intermediate Training Program #3 (Back to the Basics for Maximum Muscle Size)
- Intermediate Training Program #4 (Continuous Quality Improvement for the Natural Athlete)
- Contest Training Programs
- Specific Bodypart Training
1. Your weight training goal is to improve your muscularity, muscle tone, and separation while developing an athletic looking physique.
2. In order to achieve your training goal and be the best “you”, you must show progress in one or more of the following areas each time you workout:
- Amount of resistance or weight used for a particular set.
- Number of reps performed with a particular weight.
- Reduce the amount of rest time between sets.
- Train harder – go for the burn.
- Increase the sets.
- Train more often.
3. Some indispensable do’s and dont’s:
- Keep a workout journal. It can be a spiral notebook or as fancy as you like. Keep track of every training session. Use the “star” method * to track your progress. Every time you use a heavier weight than before on a set, get more reps with a particular weight, or complete a series of sets in less time give yourself a star in your journal.
- Use proper form. Make sure each exercise is working the correct area. Use a full range of motion on every exercise to develop muscularity and separation.
4. Train with weights at least 5 times per week Monday through Friday. You can adjust the days as necessary but really try to get in 5 training sessions per week. We’ll be focusing on the parts that are especially important for Figure Competition – legs, back, shoulders, and arms (and of course abs and glutes).
Day 1: Legs (quad emphasis)
Day 2: Back / Delts / Biceps
Day 3: Chest / Triceps
Day 4: Legs (glute/hamstring emphasis)
Day 5: Back / Delts / Arms
In this program you’ll use the most effective progression scheme, the Double Progressive System. After a warm-up, use the same weight for all sets. Start at the low end of the suggested rep range. Gradually increase the repetitions, usually adding one rep each week until you reach the top number of suggested reps for each set of a particular exercise. Then add weight and start over at the lower end of the rep scheme.
Use AS MUCH WEIGHT AS YOU CAN WITH PERFECT FORM for the target amount of reps. If you can do more reps than the target, add weight. If you can't get at least the lower recommend amount of reps, then lighten the weight slightly. Go pretty quick between sets. You should not rest more than 90 seconds between sets. Your cardio should follow your weight training except for a 5-10 minute warm-up. The best times to do your cardio are in the mornings, after your weight training or in the evening before bed.
BONUS EXERCISES: it is very beneficial for the FIGURE COMPETITOR to perform push-ups and chins as often as possible. It can be as part of your cardio or at the end of your workout. To progress - just try to go for a greater cumulative number each week. If you do ten pushups each workout of week one, that’s 50 cumulative reps; next week – beat that total.