Workout of The Week 3.21.16-Phull-body Gainz

 

INTRO

You may have read the title with confusion. You may have either thought I made a word up, or I felt like being cool by replacing an “F” with a “Ph”. Well, if you thought any of these things, you are correct. However, there is actually more to the word than that. I actually combined 3 different training styles into one word- power, hypertrophy, and full body. Can you tell me the absolutely unbreakable workout rule that says you can’t combine these into one workout? I’ll wait. While I’m not huge on extreme variation in training, I think an unconventional workout here and there can not only give the body a new stimuli, but can serve as a mental boost alike.

Power: The amount of work per unit of time. Basically, lifting with speed or velocity.

Hypertrophy: Lifting specifically for muscular growth.

Full-body: A workout in which you target every major body part.

 

WARM-UP

Cardiovascular machine- 5min-10min: I would suggest a bike on a moderate resistance, since peddling places a greater amount of focus on the quads/hamstrings. Do not go overboard, because you do not want to hinder your lifting performance.

Dynamic/mobility routine- 5-10 minutes: This routine should consist of multi-joint, large muscle group movements that favor/mimic that of the workout below. You should work on passive motions in the joints to a range of motion close to functional limits. Remember, this should be moderately intense, do not go overboard.

Light warm-up sets- 1-2 sets of 10-15 reps with very moderate weight. This will familiarize the movement, and bring blood to the lower body.

 

WORKING SETS

Barbell Back Squat: 5×3; 120s rest (power)

Set-up: This set up is just like a normal squat, but lighter. You want to aim for roughly 70% of the weight you would normally do for 3 reps. The idea is speed and explosiveness, not simply lifting the weight.

Execution: To perform this lift, I would suggest descending at a normal speed. Then, unlike normal squat speed, explode from the bottom-up. Form should be sound, as sloppy form and squatsspeed are a dangerous combination. I would suggest practicing with weight much lighter than maximum.

Tips: A good rule of thumb for weight is to vibe how “explosive” you move. If you can shoot up so quick that the barbell nearly (or actually) leaves your shoulders, than the weight is too light. Contrarily, if you feel you are moving slowly, or “sticking”, than the weight is too heavy.

 

DB Front Squats: 3×15; super-set with hamstring curl (hypertrophy)

Set-up: You will need a set of dumbbells, and some adequate room. You will begin by curling the dumbbells up until they rest at your chest, with your fingers facing your body. I would suggest flaring elbows forward so that the dumbbells lean on your chest, and not force you to feel as if you’re curling them.

Execution: You should perform a squat with more of a vertical posture. This is done by

DB front squat
DB front squat

keeping chest as upright as possible, leaning over less, and allowing knees to move over feet more than usual (this won’t destroy them lol). Think of this technique more as a front squat, than a back squat.

Tips: You may feel the tendency of a forward pulling at first. This is caused by too much leaning, and not enough kneed flexion. Also, try overcompensating the weight into your heels, it may help until form is corrected.

Hamstring Curl: 3×15; 60s rest (hypertrophy)

Set-up: This is not angle specific. Feel free to use a lying, seated, leaning, or standing leg curl machine.

Execution: While keeping your toes pulled back, curl your leg until you hit a tight

hamstring curl.jpg
hamstring curl

contraction in the hamstring. Then, descend in a much slower/controlled fashion.

Tips: Some momentum is normal and expected, however, if you feel yourself unconsciously arching your back or swinging the weight, lighten the load. Basically, drop the ego, and lift to grow.

Bench Press: 5×3; 120s rest (power)

Set-up: You will need a barbell bench press, and a spotter. Much like the squat earlier, only add weight you can manage to move quickly.

Execution: Lower the bar in a normal motion until touching chest, then explode upward.

bench press.jpg
Bench press

You should lockout to reset. Repeat.

Tips: Much like the squat earlier, the bar should move quickly, but not so much that you almost dislocate your shoulder.

 

DB Fly + Neutral Press: 3×12; 60s rest (hypertrophy)

Set-up: You will need a flat or incline bench. You will also need a set of dumbbells you can do 8 reps or so on chest fly with.

Execution:

Part 1: Begin the lift with a DB Chest fly. Fingers facing each other, and arms slig-

chest fly
Part 1

htly bent as if you were going to hug a wide tree. Descend in a controlled fashion, focusing on a deep stretch in the chest. Then, rise towards the mid-line, stopping just before lockout. Perform this for 6 reps.

 

 

Part 2: Without stopping, switch into a press of the same style ( fingers still facing each other). Perform 6 of these as well.

Hammer-Grip-Decline-Bench-Press
Part 2 (notice greater elbow bend)

Tips: Basically do 6 of each, for a continuous total of 12.

 

Rack-pull From Knees: 5×3; 120s rest (power)

Set-up: You will need a squat rack, a barbell, and a cross bar (safety catch). You should set the height of the cross bar to just below or at your knees. You should use weight roughly 80% of your dead lift amount. Remember, explosive and speedy.

Execution: Begin by placing your shins/knees as closely to the bar as possible, and gripping it about shoulder width. Your lower back should be neutral, and your chest upright. Your chore should be tight and rigid. Place some tension on your straightened arms, and feet.

rack pull.jpg
rack pull from knees

Then, using your hips, stand up straight; much like a dead lift. As you raise, the bar should remain as tight to the body as possible.

Tips: This is one of the most common “ego-lifts” there are. Don’t let it consume you, instead, lift what you can. Do not use a tap-and-go method- reset. Instead, the movements should be quick, and your form should be as perfect as possible.

 

DB Reverse Fly: 3×15- 60s rest (hypertrophy)

Set-up: You may do on fly machine, with dumbbells, or cable machine; each have their own feel and benefit. Just make sure your spine and head remain neutral, can cause nerve pinching if not.

Execution: As mentioned, keep back/ neck neutral. While keeping elbows almost, but not completely locked out, open arms out from side until a contraction of your upper back and shoulders stop the movement. The movement should be controlled, as this is a technique needed isolation lift, rather than a heavy weight type.

DB Reverse Fly
DB Reverse Fly

Tips: Mentally chase the burn while doing this movement, which will take practice. If hands are prone, the movement will target post deltoids and traps. If hands are neutral, the upper back will be targeted more; experiment with both.

 

 

 

DB lateral raise: 3×15; 60 rest (hypertrophy)

Set-up: You will need a pair of dumbbells, and an arms-length amount of room.

Execution: While keeping elbows slightly bent, and shoulders depressed (not shrugged), raise your arms out from the sides of your body. Your elbows should always be higher than

lateral raise.jpg
Lateral raise

your hands.

Tips: If you feel you are shrugging, the weight is too heavy. If you uncontrollably bend your elbows, the weight is too heavy. If your hands rise before your elbow, the weight is too heavy.

 

Oh-F@!%s: 2×40 reps; 120s rest. (hypertrophy)

Set-up: You will need an EZ-bar, and a flat bench.I would suggest getting weight you can curl and/or do skull crushers for 20 reps with.

Execution (4 parts immediately in a row):

Part 1: Its a reverse grip (fingers facing forehead) skull crusher. I would suggest gripping the bar shoulder width, at a position is you can fully wrap your hand around. You should not reach failure, or struggle. – 10 reps

Part 2: It’s a normal E-Z bar curl. Stand up, and curl the bar with the exact same grip. You should not reach failure or struggle. – 10 reps

Part 3: A normal skull crusher (fingers facing away from forehead). While keeping elbows tight, perform a proper skull crusher. You may reach failure or just before at the last rep of this phase.– 10 reps

Part 4: It’s a reverse grip curl (palms down). You should curl in a reverse fashion. Make sure to keep wrists neutral, and elbows forward. – 10 reps

oh fuck

 

Tips: Keep the weight more modest than not. I would suggest a partner’s help. Buckle up for some burning. These should make you say “oh-f#$%” when you have to do them- hence the name.

 

This concludes the Phull-body workout. I would suggest taking a rest day following this workout.

 

STRETCH

The picture below has some recommend stretches to do following this workout. Both upper and lower should be performed.

Do each stretch for 2-3 sets of 10-20 second holds.

Back stretches
Upper body stretches
Legs, Groin & Hips Stretches 001
Lower body stretches

PRAY

God gave you another day, and another healthy workout.

 

Kyle Blair, BS Exercise Physiology, CPT

 

Workout of the Week 2.21.16-It’s All in The Hips

Intro

Let me begin by addressing a common debate. Does the flood of  booty-specific exercises help to build a solid pair of glutes? Or should you just squat, and stick to the basics? In my opinion, why one or the other? DO BOTH! Why must everything in the fitness industry be thought of as black and white? Why is everything an “or” statement? Sure, heavy compound lower body exercises should be the foundation of your approach, but if you want a solid seat cushion, you should implement hip-extension isolation exercises as well. I would suggest breaking your lower body into two different sessions. The first, a heavy compound day, where you focus on squats, dead-lifts, lunges, etc.. The second, an isolation, glute-focused day, where you implement the exercises in this weeks workout.

3 Important notes

 1. Stop trying to improve your butt during your cardio sessions, it has little-to-no impact on the development of the muscle. Plus, it will not only bring down the quality of the cardio session, but it will hinder your glute workouts as well. Therefore, you will fail at not one, but both of your objectives..

2. Do not over-emphasize the curve of your lower back to make your butt look bigger in everyday life or during your workout. Instead, keep a neutral spine. Your spine will thank you. (see image below)

3. “30 day squat challenges” are not going to cut it. Instead, go to the gym and weight train for a good bit of time. Want to build a butt? Try a “3o week challenge”.

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Neutral%20Spine_tcm75-488271

Picture 1= NO

Warm-up

Cardiovascular machine- 5min-10min: I would suggest an elliptical or incline treadmill on a moderate resistance. Do not go overboard, because you do not want to hinder your lifting performance (aka, stairmaster)

Dynamic/mobility routine- 5-10 minutes: This routine should consist of multi-joint, large muscle group movements that favor/mimic that of the workout below. You should work on passive motions in the joints to a range of motion close to functional limits. Remember, this should be moderately intense, do not go overboard. Examples of this warm up can be found at the bottom of the page.

Light warm-up sets- 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps with very moderate weight. This will familiarize the movement, and bring blood to the lower body.

Working Sets

1. Dumbbell or barbell split squat: 4×15 each leg; 90s rest.

Set-up: You will need a set of dumbbells or a barbell, a bench/platform, and some coordination. Begin by standing about 2 feet out from the side of the bench, facing outward. Now, with confidence, reach back with one leg, and place your foot on the bench/platform behind you. If your distance and balance feel good, you are ready to begin. If not, do a few extremely small hops to re-position, or take your foot down,and repeat the

Bulgarian-DB-Split-Squat
Dumbbell version

set-up from a better position.

 

Execution: You will begin the movement by moving your hips backwards and bending your knee. I typically tell my clients’ to “sit back towards the bench behind you”. With the weight almost completely distributed into the lead leg, lower until you reach parallel or lower. Then, pressing from your mid-foot, extend the hips, and rise to just before lockout of the knee; repeat.

bulgarian_split_squat.jpg
Barbell version

Tips: I personally prefer using a barbell when doing this exercise, because I feel the shoulder placement emphasizes glute activation. However, for beginners and/or those less coordinated, dumbbells are the better and safer option.  To help keep balance, I typically insist on constant movement. Much like a bike, pausing will make you wobble. Lastly, if you feel a burn in the leg placed on the bench, find a shorter platform to fix it.

 

2a. Barbell hip-thrust: 3×10-20; no rest, super-set with next exercise.

Set-up: You will need a bench, a box, or a piece of equipment specifically designed for these (I-1). You will also need a barbell and a pad (for hips).  Begin by placing the very top of your back on

hip thruster
I-1

the bench, and sit on the floor. Then, roll the barbell over your legs until just above your hips. At this point, make sure and adjust your legs for an even stance.

 

Execution: Raise your hips slowly, until tight against the barbell. Grab and hold the barbell firmly to the spot that was once the crease of your bent hips. At this point, you should take a moment and place some tension into your heals, and make sure your back is at a neutral bend (see top of page). Then, thrust your hips upward until you reach a tight contraction in your glutes and hamstrings. Briefly pause and emphasize to contraction. Then, lower your hips (without bending your back!) downward until just before the starting position; repeat.

hip thrust
Barbell hip thrust

Tips: I would HIGHLY recommend introducing this exercise with no weight. This is so you can familiarize the correct mechanics, before adding the load and concentration that comes with barbell inclusion. You may also add a band to the hips and/or the knees to increase the intensity!

2b. Lateral band walks: 3×15 each direction; 90s rest.

Set-up: You will need a flat and wide, full-circled resistance band (I-2). I do not suggest a thin band, because it will wind up and/or move too easily. I do not suggest tying a band into a circle, because it will more than likely come apart (sketchy). You should also find an

res band
I-2

open area at your gym.

This is the tricky part. You must find a band that  will allow your feet to be as close as possible, with a tension level that doesn’t make it too hard to fully open your hips.

Execution: Begin by holding your arms in front of your body, as this will allow you to squat down without falling backwards. Then, bend at your hips until at a comfortable depth.Your back should be neutral, and your chest should be up. While keeping your knees pushed outward, step laterally in lateral band walkseither direction with one leg. Then, follow with the other leg. Repeat in the same direction until the reps are completed, and then reverse the direction in the same manner. You should maintain a constant depth for the entire duration.

Tips: This movement does not have to be your best squat depth, in fact, I would discourage that. Instead, go to a maintainable depth, which is usually just above parallel. You may do this exercise alternating from side-to-side if you have no adequate room, I just typically prefer the method mentioned earlier.

3a. Cable donkey kick: 3×15 each leg; superset with next exercise.

Set-up: You will need a low cable pulley, an ankle attachment, and a small platform for elevation (optional). Begin by placing one ankle in the strap, and standing on the platform with the other leg. Then, bend at your hips slightly, and grab something for stability purposes.

Execution: While keeping your body still, swing your leg backward and slightly outward (south east direction) During this motion,

donkey kick.jpg
Donkey kickback

your knee should be slightly bent, and your hips should remain facing forward. The movement should continue until you feel a solid squeeze in your glutes and hamstrings. Then return back to just before the starting position; repeat.

Tips: Most people over-do the range of motion. There is no need to twist your hips, rotate your leg, bend all the way over, etc. The benefits of these extra add-on movements are targeted efficiently in the other exercises. Stick to hyper extension of the hip

3b. Lumbar extension: 3×12-20 reps; 90s rest.

Set-up: You will need the equipment shown (I-3), or be creative (partner, bosu ball,ext.). Start by setting the pad to the top of your

lumbar ext.jpg
I-3

thigh/crease of your hip. Feet should be tight to the platform and flat.

Execution: Begin by forming a neutral spine, and bracing your core. Then, slowly lean forward with all of the movement coming from your hips. Not your back, your hips. The depth of this movement  varies from person-to-person (see tips). Then, with force created by your legs (not your back), raise your body back to that starting position and conract your glutes/hamstrings. DO NOT hyper extend your back (I-4). Repeat.

Tips: An easy way to determine your proper depth, is to have someone watch you from the side.

lumbar-extension1
Glute-ham raise

Tell them to cue you when your hips stop their movement and the back begins rolls inward. You may also hold a weight while doing this exercise.

lumbar no no.jpg
I-4

This concludes the workout. Glute-focused days are great to pair with hamstring, calves, and quads.

STRETCH

  • Do 1-2 stretch variations for each major body part
  • 3-5 repetitions per stretch
  • 10-20s second hold each
Legs, Groin & Hips Stretches 001
Click to enlarge

FOAM ROLL

Use a dense foam roller/ softball to loosen and release tension that may have resulted from the high volume above.

DYNAMIC WARM-UP

dywrmup-eng

 

PRAY

You had another healthy workout.

 

Kyle Blair, BS Exercise Physiology, CPT