The following details my primary chest, shoulder and triceps workout from this past Wednesday night at Kirkland Gold’s Gym. The workout was based on a program by my coach, John Meadows, and I trained alongside my bride. Here is the workout…
Banded Horizontal Hammer Chest Press
This is the band I used: https://www.elitefts.com/pro-mini-resistance-band.html.
Set 1 x 8 reps with 45lbs each side
Set 2 x 8 reps with 70lbs each side
Set 3 x 8 reps with 90lbs each side
Set 4 x 8 reps with 120lbs each side
Set 5 x 8 reps with 135lbs each side
Set 6 x 8 reps with 135lbs each side
Set 7 x 8 reps with 135lbs each side
*The band is to add tension so driver the weight and squeeze hard once you’re warmed up. I counted this as 3 working sets.
Here is a video:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNeiIa9z7C4]
Bench Press
Set 1 x 8 reps with 225lbs
Set 2 x 8 reps with 225lbs
Set 3 x 8 reps with 225lbs
Set 4 x 8 reps with 225lbs
*The key here is to pause 2-3 inches above your chest on each rep before driving the weight up. The goal is to generate a lot of tension.
Flat Cable Pronated Flyes
Set 1 x 10 reps with 35lbs
Set 2 x 10 reps with 35lbs
Set 3 x 10 reps with 35lbs
Set 4 x 10 reps with 35lbs
*The key is to do these with your palms pronated rather than neutral and flex as hard as possible in the contracted position.
Here is a video from last week where I did them with an incline bench:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHYemTKTwx8]
Dumbbell Rear Laterals
I did this lying face down on an incline utility bench – FYI.
Set 1 x 20 reps with 35lbs
Set 2 x 20 reps with 35lbs
Set 3 x 20 reps with 35lbs
Set 4 x 20 reps with 35lbs
*Hinge at the shoulder joint rather than expanding and retracting your scapula. Blow up your rear delts!
Dumbbell Side Lateral Partials
Set 1 x 25 reps with 35lbs
Set 2 x 25 reps with 35lbs
Set 3 x 25 reps with 35lbs
Set 4 x 25 reps with 35lbs
*These are not full reps, but really put the blood into the delts. Check out the video for form.
Here is a video:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfKF73hdygg]
Superset: Supinate to Pronate Grip Single Handle Pushdowns
Supinate Grip x 8 reps with 70lbs
Immediately followed by…
Pronate Grip x 6 reps with 70lbs
*Pin your elbows to your sides and try to flex hard in the contracted position especially on the supinated grip pushdowns. Spread the handles at the bottom as much as possible. Do the superset for 3 rounds.
Here is a video:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeCFMnHUwVo]
EZ Bar Overhead Extensions
Set 1 x 12 reps with 80lbs
Set 2 x 12 reps with 80lbs
Set 3 x 12 reps with 80lbs
*Now is the time to stretch out the triceps. Don’t go crazy with weight as I’ve seen guys detach their triceps here. Work the stretch and use good form controlling the eccentric.
Here is a video:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUFos6m-KsM]
That concluded this chest, shoulder and triceps workout.
Train hard!
Mark
I have been a huge fan of yours for years. Was wondering if diet this time is similar approach to last years (laid out in the article you wrote "6 weeks out"). Thanks and best of luck this season.
My diet looks a little different this time around. I'm planning to wait to see how things come together onstage before I go into much detail. If I suck there's no point in sharing, but I think my conditioning will be on point. Hit me up after my contests if you haven't seen me post the specifics.
Thanks!
Mark
Thanks so much brother...I appreciate your support!
All the Best,
Mark