Reverse Pyramid Microcycle #2 (Mesocycle #3) - August 10th-17th, 2020

Day 1 – Upper Body Push

Part A and B Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.



A. Flat DB Bench Press

2 x 5-8 Reps (keep same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 (lighter backoff set)



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B. Alternate Movements x 3 sets each:



Alternating DB Upright Rows = 1 x 5-8 Reps, then 2 x 10-15 (lighter backoff sets)

(Reps listed are “per arm”, so 5-8 Reps = 10-16 Reps total)

Rest 1-2 min

Close-Grip Incline Barbell Press = 2 x 5-8, then 1 x 10-15 (Lighter backoff set)

Rest 1-2 min



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C. Superset Movements x 3 sets each:



Seated Lateral DB “Swings” x 20-30 Reps

Band Pull-Aparts x 15-25 Reps

Rest approx. 2 min



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D. Alternate x 2 sets each:



Single DB Incline Tricep Extension x 10-15 Reps

Rest only 20-30 seconds

1 and 1/2 Push-ups x 8+ Reps on FIRST SET

(elevate hands to ensure target reps)

Rest 2-3+ min between rounds



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E. Climb as High as Possible in 4 Minutes:



DB Snatch x Reps 4-8-12-16 etc… (alternate arms, increase 4 reps each round)

Double-unders (or “single unders”) x 24 Reps after each set of Snatches



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Day 2 – Lower Body + Core

Part A and B Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.



A. Stiff-Legged Deadlifts (@31X1)

31X1 tempo = 3-second descent, 1-sec pause bar on ground, EXPLDOE up, 1-sec pause at top)

(elevate barbell on a “riser” if you struggle to maintain a flat back at bottom)



2 x 4-7 Reps (same weight both sets)

1 x 8-12 Reps (lighter backoff set)



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B. Back Rack Split Squats (no elevation)

2 x 5-8 Reps (keep same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 (lighter backoff set)



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C. DB Hack Squats (with foam roller)

Reps 12-9-6 (increasing weight)

(Start super light so the 12 rep set is just a warm-up, like maybe just Bodyweight)



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D. Superset x 2 sets each:



Hang Squat Cleans x 6-12 Reps

Heels-elevated Air Squat x 8-15 Reps (use tempo shown in video)

Rest 2-3 min



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E. (weighted) Hanging Knee Raises

Build to a TOP SET of 8-10 Reps

Then complete 2 x 10-15 at lighter weight (or just BW)

+ Superset the FINAL SET ONLY with:

Reverse Crunches x 15-30 Reps



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Day 3 – Upper Body Pull

Part A and C Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.

Part B will change week to week but remain a “back focus” section



A. Strict Pull-ups (@21X0)

21X0 = 1-sec pause at bottom (full hang position)

***Choose neutral, pronated, supinated, or rings, and stay consistent week to week



2 x 3-6 Reps (same difficulty for both sets)

1 x 7-10 (lighter backoff set)



Scaling if needed to ensure QUALITY sets in desired rep range

***You may be able to perform harder variation for lower reps and then scale for backoff sets



Rack Pull-ups

Band-Assisted Pull-ups

Rack Pull-ups (foot assisted)



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B. Bentover Barbell Rows to chest

Find a challenging weight for 12 Reps

Then complete 3 x 8-10 Reps at the same weight (rest 60-90s between each as feasible)



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C. Standing EZ OR Barbell Curls



2 x 5-8 Reps (keep same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 (lighter backoff set)



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D. Complete alternating Sequence of Lift + Row x 2 Rounds:

***Select Assisted Pull-ups for a more physique focus (mind-muscle connection)

***Select Butterfly/Kipping Pull-ups as desired if proficient and capable of quality reps



Foot-Assisted Rack Pull-up (second swipe of IG post) OR Butterfly/Kipping Pull-ups x 10-20 Reps

Row 10-15 Calories

Rest 1-2 min



Bentover Rear Delt Raises (pinkies up) x 15-20 Reps

Row 10-15 Calories

Rest 1-2 min



DB Spider Curls x 12-18 Reps

+ Dropset after the FINAL SET ONLY (before going into the row)

Row 10-15 Calories

Rest 1-2 min then repeat all parts for second round



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Day 4 – Upper Body Push

Part A and B Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.



A. Seated DB Overhead Press (@21X0)

21X0 = 1-sec pause at bottom (DB’s hovering at shoulder level)



2 x 5-8 Reps (keep same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 (lighter backoff set)



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B. Weighted Push-ups (details and scaling below)

Reps also at 21X0 tempo (pause at “chest to bar” briefly)



2 x 5-8 Reps (keep same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 (lighter backoff set)



***Weighted Push-ups performed with a Dip-Belt are the most effective way to load and progress the movement week to week. Make sure the barbell is at the same height week to week when you add load.



***If scaling the movement, this is also the OPTIMAL setup. You should manipulate the height of the bar, and adjust it down by 2-3’’ as you get stronger. Once you are performing quality reps at around parallel, you can begin to add weight slowly.



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C. Alternate Movements x 2 sets each:



Seated DB Lateral Raises (strict) x 10-15 Reps + Dropset on the FINAL SET ONLY

(Dropset = Reduce weight 30-40% and continue accruing reps)

Rest 2+ min

DB Squeeze Press x 6-8, then 10-15 (backoff set; lighter)

Rest 2+ min



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D. Alternate Paired Supersets x 2 Rounds:



Banded Crossovers x 10-15 Reps

Rest 10-15 seconds

Burpees x Max Reps in 30 seconds

Rest 2 min



Lying EZ or BB Tricep Extensions x 10-15 Reps

Rest 10-15 seconds

Burpees x Max Reps in 30 seconds

Rest 2 min



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Day 5 – Lower Body + Core

Part A and B Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.



A. Back Squat

(choose LOW BAR or HIGH BAR and stay consistent week to week)



2 x 4-7 Reps (same weight both sets)

1 x 8-12 Reps (lighter backoff set)



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B. Single-Leg DB RDL (one in each hand)

*If really struggling with balance, perform as B-Stance RDL



Build quickly with bigger jumps to the TOP SET of 4-8 Reps per leg

Rest between legs as needed

Then complete 1 x 10-15 per leg

(MUCH lighter with focus on higher stimulus and less fatigue)



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C. Alternate Movements x 4 sets each:

Choose approx. 16-20 Rep weight for each exercise

The goal is to accumulate without volume without having to GRIND reps or be close to failure



Landmine Hack Squat x 10-12 Reps

(Note that a LANDMINE can be set up by wedging a barbell in a corner)

Rest 1-2 min

Gliding Leg Curls OR Swiss Ball Leg Curls x 12-15 Reps

Rest 1-2 min



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D. Weighted Sit-ups (DB on/above chest)

Reps 15-12-9 (increasing weight)

Start super light for the 15-rep set as progressive warm-up



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E. Landmine Rotational Twist

2 x 12-16 Reps (6-8/side)



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F. Single-Leg Calf Raise (unweighted, focus on deep stretch and pause at contraction)

Reps 10-9-8-7-6-5 PER LEG

Try to rest only while opposite leg is working!



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Day 6 – Upper Body Pull

Part A and B Repeat week to week. Track these metrics.



A. Bentover DB Row (one DB per hand)

2 x 6-10 Reps (same weight both sets)

1 x 10-15 Reps (lighter backoff set)



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B. DB PJR Pullovers

1 x 6-10 Reps

2 x 10-15 Reps (lighter backoff sets)



+ Rest 2 min after final Pullover set

Then 1 set of “Strict Pull-ups” (grip of choice)

Goal is to do a set of 8+ Reps with just Bodyweight (no added load)

Use scaling options from Day 3 if needed to ensure 8+ Reps

Each week, take the set to 1-2 RIR (reps shy of failure) and add a rep whenever feasible!



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C. 3 Rounds:

For both movements, select a weight/difficulty you *could* complete 15 reps unbroken if fresh

Rest as minimally as needed to optimize quality and ensure unbroken sets of each



Hang Power Cleans x 10 Reps

Pause Ring Rows x 10 Reps

(elevate rings as needed to meet the 15-rep “fresh” criteria for difficulty)



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D. EZ or Barbell Curls with shoulder elevation

4 x 10-15 Reps

+ Superset the FINAL SET ONLY with:

EZ or Barbell Preacher Curls x 8-12 Reps



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Day 7 – OPTIONAL Conditioning

This session can be added at any point throughout the 10-day microcycle

Optimally, it would be done on a day where you aren’t doing anything else



A. 3 Rounds:



Run x 600m-400m-200m

Russian KBS x 35-25-15 Reps

Burpees x 35-25-15 Reps



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B. Rowing Intervals:



1000m (Rest 4 min)

500m x 2 sets (Rest 2 min b/w each)

250m x 4 sets (Rest 1 min b/w each)

+ 10 min steady state Row

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