General Guidelines
- Warm-up: Spend 5-10 minutes warming up with light cardio and dynamic stretches focused on the shoulders, lats, and upper back.
- Progressive Overload: Gradually increase the weight, reps, or sets each week to ensure continuous progress.
- Rest Periods: Rest 60-90 seconds for hypertrophy-focused sets (8-12 reps) and 2-3 minutes for strength-focused sets (3-6 reps).
- Form Focus: Prioritize proper form over heavy weights to avoid injury and maximize muscle activation.
Weekly Routine Overview
- Day 1: Heavy Back and Thickness
- Day 2: Width and Isolation
- Day 3: Optional Active Recovery/Accessory Work
Phase Breakdown:
- Weeks 1-4: Foundation (Higher volume, moderate weights)
- Weeks 5-8: Strength & Size (Lower reps, heavier weights)
- Weeks 9-12: Peak Intensity (Pyramids and advanced techniques like drop sets)
Weeks 1-4: Foundation Phase
Day 1: Heavy Back and Thickness
1. Deadlifts: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
2. Barbell Rows (Underhand or Overhand): 4 sets x 8-10 reps
3. One-Arm Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets x 10-12 reps (each side)
4. Seated Cable Rows: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Back Extensions: 3 sets x 15-20 reps (bodyweight or weighted)
Day 2: Width and Isolation
1. Pull-Ups (Weighted if possible): 4 sets to failure
2. Lat Pulldowns (Wide or Neutral Grip): 4 sets x 10-12 reps
3. Straight-Arm Pulldowns: 3 sets x 12-15 reps
4. Chest-Supported Rows: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Face Pulls: 3 sets x 15-20 reps (focus on rear delts and traps)
Day 3: Optional Active Recovery/Accessory Work
1. Light Dumbbell Rows: 2 sets x 15-20 reps
2. Rear Delt Flyes: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
3. Farmer’s Carries: 3 sets x 30 seconds
4. Core Work (Planks, Hanging Leg Raises): 3 sets
Weeks 5-8: Strength & Size Phase
Day 1: Heavy Back and Thickness
1. Deficit Deadlifts or Rack Pulls: 5 sets x 4-6 reps
2. Pendlay Rows: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
3. T-Bar Rows: 4 sets x 8-10 reps
4. Close-Grip Cable Rows: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Weighted Back Extensions: 4 sets x 12-15 reps
Day 2: Width and Isolation
1. Weighted Pull-Ups: 4 sets x 6-8 reps
2. Close-Grip Lat Pulldowns: 4 sets x 8-10 reps
3. Straight-Arm Pulldowns: 4 sets x 10-12 reps
4. Chest-Supported Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Face Pulls (Superset with Band Pull-Aparts): 3 sets x 15-20 reps
Day 3: Optional Active Recovery/Accessory Work
1. Light Cable Rows: 3 sets x 15-20 reps
2. Trap Bar Shrugs: 3 sets x 12-15 reps
3. Farmer’s Carries: 3 sets x 30-45 seconds
4. Core Work (Ab Wheel, Side Planks): 3 sets
Weeks 9-12: Peak Intensity Phase
Day 1: Heavy Back and Thickness
1. Deadlift Pyramid (Work up to a 3RM): 5 total working sets
2. Barbell Rows (Drop Set on Last Set): 4 sets x 8-10 reps
3. One-Arm Dumbbell Rows: 4 sets x 8-10 reps
4. T-Bar Rows (Pause at Peak Contraction): 3 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Weighted Back Extensions: 4 sets x 12-15 reps
Day 2: Width and Isolation
1. Pull-Ups (Weighted if possible): 5 sets to failure
2. Lat Pulldowns (Drop Set on Last Set): 4 sets x 8-10 reps
3. Straight-Arm Pulldowns (Add Isometric Hold): 4 sets x 10-12 reps
4. Chest-Supported Rows: 4 sets x 10-12 reps
5. Face Pulls: 4 sets x 15-20 reps
Day 3: Optional Active Recovery/Accessory Work
1. Kettlebell Swings: 3 sets x 20 reps
2. Dumbbell Shrugs: 4 sets x 12-15 reps
3. Farmer’s Carries: 3 sets x 45-60 seconds
4. Core Work (Weighted Planks, Windshield Wipers): 3 sets
Cool-Down
- Spend 5-10 minutes stretching your lats, traps, and lower back. Incorporate static stretches such as:
- Child’s Pose
- Cobra Stretch
- Cat-Cow Stretch
- Hanging Lat Stretch
Stay consistent, eat to support your goals (calorie surplus for mass building), and ensure adequate sleep for recovery. You’ll see significant gains in your back strength and size over the next 90 days.
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