Hybrid Strength and Hypertrophy Training
Hybrid Strength and Hypertrophy Training
Hybrid Strength and Hypertrophy Training
This is an advanced routine that takes advantage of load/deload phases, failure and sub -failure
training, rest-pausing, weight load progression, etc ... Give it a go and see if it works for you.
Good luck!
Introduction
After years of trying different routines (DF, HST, DC, Upper/Lowers, Max -OT, Ultra High Volume,
Low Volume High Frequency, Full body splits, etc. the list goes on). I have decided to put together
my own routine that takes the things that have shown me the most benefit and puts them all
together in a nice solid dual phase routine.
This routine takes advantage of the benefits of load/deload phases, failure and sub-failure
training, rest-pausing, weight load progression, wave progression, high frequency combined
with moderate volume and more.
Disclaimer:
This routine is comprised of advanced training techniques, an unnatural amount of volume, and
components that work for ME. I am not going to put money down that this routine will be all
you hoped for and more, but I think you will not be disappointed.
You will need a few things to do this routine successfully: experience, dedication, an above
average recovery rate, the guts to want to train to failure, and the willingness to try some nasty
volume work.
Overview
Phase 1:
The first eight-week phase focuses on a split that hits body parts twice every seven days, while
employing a "3 workout" rotation that hits multiple body parts each session. The eight-week
phase is broken up into two mini-phases, four weeks each, that focus on going from a low
volume/moderate intensity effort, to a high volume/high intensity effort.
This phase utilizes a 3-6 rep range that encourages failure in weeks three and four, and
encourages using your heaviest weights, with constant progression. The purpose of this phase
is to start in a 'deconditioned' state then rapidly accelerate to the fine line of overtraining, push
slightly past it in weeks 4 and 8, and then reset.
Phase 2:
The second eight-week phase focuses on a low-frequency split (one body part per week, one
body part per session) that uses wave progression for four core lifts (for
example: squats, deadlifts, bench, and shoulder press), and steadily increasing volume as you
lower reps and increase weights each week for 3-5 other exercises for that body part (i.e.: 3 sets
of 12 one week, 4 sets of 10 the next).
Failure is not utilized in this phase, but heavy weights are . Volume will end up being high with
heavy weights and low reps, but the buildup is gradual so your body will become accustomed to
it, rather than overtraining like you would with the first phase's rapid buildup in
volume/intensity.
Phase 1
This phase is meant to destroy your body twice during the eight-week phase. Strength and
hypertrophy are both achieved through low reps (3-6), workload progression, increased
volume/workload and increased intensity. You should slightly overtrain during the overload
weeks. If you do not feel like you are flirting with overtraining, increase intensity.
Split
4 days/week, MT/HF
Rep Range
2-4 reps for squats, deadlifts, everything else 4-6 reps
The Logbook
You will keep a log book starting at Week 2. You will note how much you were able to lift in
each exercise. When that exercise comes around again you will beat it or match it (rep for
rep, pound for pound). No maybes.
If you fail to beat or match a previous lift two weeks in a row you need to drop it and insert a
new movement in its place. This technique reinforces constant strength progression and
eliminates plateaus.
You will give the logbook a 'break' during your active recovery and baseline weeks, as they will
be used for recovery and working back up to the failure workloads that begin in the load week.
If you are up to it though, feel free to try to beat your heaviest overload week sets without
hitting failure during your baseline week.
Week By Week Plan - Weekly Training Schedule:
Week 2 - Baseline:
Week 3 - Load:
Same as Week 2.
Week 6 - Baseline:
Same as Wweek 3.
Week 7 - Load:
Same as Week 4.
Week 8 - Overload:
Same as Week 2.
NOTE: For weeks 5-8 you can opt to start with Week 3 if you wish to focus more on your chest,
shoulders and tri's rather than legs. Upon completion of this 8-week phase start Phase 2.
Phase 1 Week By Week Plan Overview:
You will be rotating three workouts each week for a period of four weeks. This will allow you to
hit each body part twice in seven days. After each 4-week 'cycle' you will start with a new body
part for that first week as the starting workout (as shown in week five).
This will allow you to place a new body part on each of the OVERLOAD weeks, thus giving each
body part equal chance to get beat to h*ll. This is kind of confusing but once you 'get it' it
makes sense. The active recovery week allows your muscle s to get used to the routine, and to
recover (in the case of week five).
The load week introduces failure and increased volume. The beloved overload week will
attempt to push you past that overtraining limit just a bit, forcing your body to adapt, by
introducing more volume and training to failure.
The purpose of this week is to recover from the previous overload week (if you did one), and
to get used to the training schedule and exercises.
You will use weights lighter than you typically work with, but will still get solid stimulation. This
is the week where the most growth will occur if you are following up an overload week.
Week 2: Baseline
Moderate Volume, High Intensity
No Failure
The purpose of this week is to increase volume to a decent level. You will be utilizing
workloads that are at a maximal effort for the rep range for that exercise (2-4 reps for
squats/deadlifts, 4-6 reps for everything else). You will NOT hit failure on any sets, though.
Week 3: Load
Increased Volume, High Intensity
Failure Once Per Exercise
The purpose of this week is to increase volume, and to introduce failure into your workload.
You will still be using heavy weights, but you will take one set to absolute failure (i.e: you stop
knowing the next rep will bury you completely, or you need considerable help getting your last
rep up). This week will prepare you for what is to come.
Week 4: Overload
Very High Volume, Very High Intensity
Failure On Every Set
The purpose of this week is to bring your body to the border of overtraining, then push it
slightly. Your volume will be almost doubled compared to your load week, and you should try
to hit absolute failure every single set.
Rest-pause sets are utilized this week to push your body even more. You will not want to do
another week of overload workouts again if you can complete this week.
BB Rows x1
CG Pulldowns x1
Weighed Chins x1
Seated Rows x1
Deadlifts x2
Shrugs x1
EZ Curls x2
DB Hammers x1
Cable Curls x1
Legs, Calves:
Squats x2
Leg press x1
SLDL x1
Incline DB x2
Decline DB x2
DB Press x1
Side Laterals x1
Rear Laterals x1
Overhead EZ Ext x2
Pushdowns x1
Rev CG Bench x1
* Perform at least one set with 5-second static holds at the bottom of each rep.
Baseline Week:
Failure: Stay One Rep Shy Of Failure.
BB Rows x2
CG Pulldowns x2
Weighed Chins x2
Seated Rows x1
Deadlifts x2
Shrugs x2
EZ Curls x2
DB Hammers x2
Cable Curls x1
Legs, Calves
Squats x3
Leg press x2
SLDL x2
Incline DB x3
Decline DB x2
DB Press x2
Military Press x1
Side Laterals x2
Rear Laterals x1
Overhead EZ Ext x2
BTB Pushdowns x2
Rev CG Bench x1
* Perform at least one set with 5-second static holds at the bottom of each rep.
Load Week:
Changes: Add One Set To Two Or More Exercises
From Each Body Part.
Failure: Once Per Exercise.
BB Rows x3
CG Pulldowns x2
Weighed Chins x2
Seated Rows x1
Deadlifts x3
Shrugs x2
EZ Curls x3
DB Hammers x3
Cable Curls x1
Legs, Calves:
Squats x4
Leg press x2
SLDL x3
Incline DB x4
Decline DB x3
DB Press x2
Military Press x2
Side Laterals x2
Rear Laterals x2
Overhead EZ Ext x2
BTB Pushdowns x3
Rev CG Bench x2
* Perform at least one set with 5 second static holds at the bottom of each rep.
Overload Week:
Failure: Every Set.
Changes: Revert to BASELINE set totals, but triple rest-pause the last set of each exercise to
failure. Example Rest Pause set: 10reps (fail) - 15 deep breaths - 3reps (fail) - 15 deep breaths -
2reps (fail)
Calf movements: 10-12 reps, still doing at least one set with 5 sec
negative hold
Stay safe!
BB Rows x3
Deadlifts x3
Legs, Calves:
Squats x8
SLDL x5
Total Sets for 3 workouts: 101 (counting each failed rest-pause mini-set as a "set")
Conclusion Of Part I
That concludes the first portion of my Hybrid Strength and Hypertrophy Training program. This
should give you enough information to get started on the program.
By Par Deus