Powerbuilding Cycle Week 4 (2/10)

Day 1 – Lower Posterior and Upper Body Pull

Part A and B repeat week to week. Track metrics



A. Deadlift

Reps performed with STOP briefly on ground, providing time to reset and ensure optimal movement

pattern



Build to one top set of 3 Reps (with 0-1 RIR)

*Top set should be heavier than prior week as RIR decreases

Then complete 3 sets of 2 reps @ 95% of top set



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B. Weighted Pull-ups (@21X0) (Scaling below)

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

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



Build to one top set of 3 Reps (with 0-1 RIR)

*Top set should be heavier than prior week as RIR decreases

Then complete 3 sets of 2 reps @ 95% of top set

(Remember to take 90% of the total: BW + added weight)



SCALING:

Weighted “negatives” (lowers)

4 sets of 3 Reps

Use heaviest weight to start, and lower weight set to set as needed to ensure QUALITY

***Prioritize the portion of the movement where you STRUGGLE the most. Really make sure you take 3-4 seconds to lower through that top part of the rep (and obviously keep control throughout the entire lowering process) (total time should be around 5-6 seconds per rep)



If you cannot yet perform Pull-up Lowers in 5-6 seconds per rep, then use:

Band-Assisted Pull-ups

Rack Pull-ups (foot assisted)



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C. Bentover Row + RDL Complex

One Rep = Bentover Row + stand + RDL + stand

4 sets of 5 Reps

First two sets increase weight, then final 2 sets at same heavier loading

+ Immediately after the FINAL SET;

Row 20 Pulls for Max Calories (1 powerful pull every 3 seconds is the goal!)



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D. Booty and Biceps x 3 Rounds:

Note, for the single-leg high jump, video shows a jump over a bench. The “intention” of being explosive can occur without the bench (and minimize any associated risk)



Single-Leg LANDMINE Hip Thrust (weak side) x 12-18 Reps

Superset Single-Leg High Jump (weak side) x 3-5 Reps

Rest 1 min

DB Preacher “Hammer” Curls x 10-15 Reps

Rest 1 min

Single-Leg LANDMINE Hip Thrust (strong side) x 12-18 Reps

Superset Single-Leg High Jump (strong side) x 3-5 Reps

Rest 1 min

DB Spider Curls x 10-15 Reps

Rest 1 min



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Day 2 – Upper Body Push + Core

Part A and B repeat week to week. Track metrics



A. Pause Bench Press

Reps at 21X0 tempo, meaning 1-sec pause at bottom, and minimal or no pause at top of rep



Build to one top set of 3 Reps (with 0-1 RIR)

*Top set should be heavier than prior week as RIR decreases

Then complete 3 sets of 2 reps @ 95% of top set



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B. Incline DB Bench Press

Build to one TOP set of 4-6 Reps (0-1 RIR)

Then 2 additional sets (with rest between):

10% less than top set for 4-6 Reps

20% less than top set till 0-1 RIR



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C. Giant Set x 4 Rounds:

First 1-2 Rounds build in weight, then final 2-3 Rounds at same challenging loading



12 Reps DB Snatch (alternate arms) (heavy)

8-12 Reps Tricep Extensions + Max Reps Close-Grip Bench Complex

6 Reps DB Snatch (alternate arms) (same weight)

12-18 Reps KB Lateral Raise

Rest 2-3+ min between rounds



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D. Superset Core/Chest Sequence x 2 Rounds:



Plank on Rings x 30-60 seconds

Banded Crossovers x 15-20 Reps

Plank on Rings x 50% of time from first set

Push-ups x Max Reps unbroken

(elevate hands if needed to ensure 6+ unbroken reps)

Rest 2-3 min as needed



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Day 3 – REST DAY



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Day 4 – Full Lower Body (Quad focus) + Core

Part A and B repeat week to week. Track metrics



A. Back Squat

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



Build to one top set of 3 Reps (with a solid 1 RIR)

*Top set should be heavier than prior week as RIR decreases

Then complete 3 sets of 2 reps @ 95% of top set



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B. Choose Movement (stay consistent week to week)

5 sets of 6-10 Reps

Once you can achieve all 5 sets in the 8-10 range, add weight on just the first 2 sets. Over the next couple weeks, match that loading on the other sets. Work towards all 5 sets achieving the 8-10 rep range with the new loading, then repeat process



Weighted Hip Extensions

OR

45-Degree Hip Extension (add load as feasible)

OR

45-Degree Hip Extension + GHR finish (add load as feasible)

OR

Glute-Ham Raise (add load as feasible)

OR

Reverse Hyper (if available)



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C. One-Arm DB Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat (DB in hand of support leg)

Quickly find a tough weight for 15 Reps per leg

Rest a few minutes

Then complete 6-8 Reps “EMOM x 10 min” (alternating legs each min)

Use the same weight as the 15-rep set



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D. Complete each “Giant Set” Sequence x 2 Rounds

Perform quickly, resting only to ensure quality movement



Farmers Walk 100m (heavy; set down briefly at 50m)

Spanish Squat x 10-15 Reps

Decline/GHD Sit-ups x 10-15 Reps

Rest 2-3+ min as needed for recovery



Farmers Walk 100m (heavy; set down briefly at 50m)

“Long-Stride” Walking Lunge (BW only) x 20-30 Reps (10-15 per leg)

Reverse Crunches x Max Reps in 60 seconds

Rest 2-3+ min as needed for recovery



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Day 5 – Full Upper Body

Parts A and B repeat week to week. Track metrics



A. Alternate Movements x 4 sets each:

For both exercises, build to one top set of 3 Reps (with 0-1 RIR)

*Top set should be heavier than prior week as RIR decreases

Then complete 3 sets of 2 reps @ 95% of top set



Strict Overhead Press

Hang Power Clean OR Hang Clean High Pull

(choose and stay consistent week to week)



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B. Alternate Movements x 3 sets each:

For both exercises, build to one top set of 4-7 Reps (with 0-1 RIR)

Then complete 2 x 10-15 Reps @ reduced weight (BW or scaled as needed for dips)

Rest 2-3+ min between each as needed



Strict Pendlay Row

Weighted Dips (@21X0) (scaling below)



***If scaling dips, you should perform PUSH-UPS. If you can do “weighted” push-ups, that would be a great option, too. You could also perform the TOP set of 4-7 Reps with a Dip and then use the push-ups for the lighter backoff sets.

See video below for demo of a weighted Push-up that allows for small loading increases week to week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJtKTfVjYac



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C. Alternate Movements x 5 sets each:

Note that EVERYBODY should use assisted pull-ups for at least the first 2-3 sets, then you can switch to regular pull-ups or even add weight for the final set(s)



Strict Pull-ups and/or Band-Assisted Pull-ups x Reps 25-20-15-10-5 (increasing difficulty)

Rest 1-2 min

DB Fly/Press Hybrid x 12-15 Reps between each set

Rest 1-2 min



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D. Standing Curl (EZ or BB)

Using weight that is approx for a “challenging” set of 12-15 Reps, complete:

EMOM x 5 Min – Reps 10-9-8-7-6 (decrease 1 rep each minute)



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Day 6 – OPTIONAL Conditioning



A. 6 Rounds:



20/15 Cal Row (male/female)

Box Jumps x Reps 12-10-8-6-4-2 (increase height of box every round)



Box Jump Example:

12 reps at 24’’ and final 2-rep set at 39’’



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B. 6 Rounds:



Run 200m

16 Dual KB Deadlifts (unbroken, one KB each hand)

8 Dual KB Front Squats (one KB each shoulder)

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