6 Week High-Intensity Functional Training Workout

Times are a changin'. With more and more people working from home and staying clear of large crowds, many people have decided to cash in their old gym memberships to start fresh and build their own garage gyms and workout from home.

Although working out from home is arguably more convenient, it does present its own challenges. Whether it’s virtual group classes or a heavy lifting session in the garage, maintaining motivation and focus can be hard when you’re the only one keeping you accountable is yourself. It can be even tougher to force yourself out of the sweat pants you’ve been wearing for weeks at a time and workout in the same space you work.

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“People and myself included thrive off of group fitness. Whether it’s the conventional style gym, bodybuilding or training at a local CrossFit box, working out with or around others is accountable and motivating at the same time”, says CrossFit Level 2 Coach Zach Kaiser.

Training in isolation can be deafening and even defeating. Finding motivation and redefining your why is more important than ever to keep you going. The second challenge is programming, which is exactly why you’re here. This six-week workout program includes training modes such as high-intensity functional training, functional bodybuilding, and accelerated cardio movements. With just a few key pieces of workout equipment, you’ll be able to build more strength, more muscle, and optimize your athletic performance all from the comfort of your own garage.

High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT)

High-intensity functional training (HIFT) methods have exploded in popularity over the last ten years. A recent survey conducted by the American College Of Sports Medicine found that high-intensity training methods are in fact one of the leading trends in the fitness industry.

High-intensity functional training programs are designed to incorporate multiple facets of training modalities, including principles of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and functional training where relatively short bouts of high intensity exercise are used as an alternative to traditional aerobics training to promote metabolic conditioning. HIFT uses a training approach and principles from HIIT to structure intervals and use traditional HIIT workouts such as interval sprints, and rows as part of the programming. HIFT includes resistance training movements and olympic movements, performed at a quick pace under varying loads. HIFT emphasizes multi-jointed compound and constantly varied movements that can be modified to any fitness level.

HIFT programs are designed to build more strength, improve mobility, and produce greater muscular endurance. There’s a reason why Navy SEALS incorporate the same type of training in their tactical workout programs. If you’re ready for an all-out assault on what your body is truly capable of this training program is definitely for you.

Functional Bodybuilding

Functional bodybuilding is very similar to traditional bodybuilding. The only difference between the two is the training objective. Bodybuilding’s sole purpose is to create perfectly defined aesthetics. Functional bodybuilding focuses on building strength, and improving mobility to achieve better athleticism, workout performance, and to maximize your function based around human movement in a practical application. For example, bicep curls will help create a more aesthetically pleasing physique, yet they won’t necessarily help with the strength needed to perform common daily tasks.

Equipment You'll Need

• Kettlebells (Moderate – Heavy)
• Barbell
• Plates (25-45lb, with maximum load exceeding 135lb)
• Bench
• Box (Something to jump on)
• Resistance Band (moderate to intense)
• Dumbbells (Moderate – Heavy)

Sample Workout Schedule

This is a 6-day program with 3 functional bodybuilding workouts and 3 HIFT workouts per week. Every 2 weeks, you'll add in the Strength Ladder workout before either the Chest & Triceps workout or Back & Biceps workout.

A sample schedule could look like this:

Week 1

• Monday: Chest & Triceps
• Tuesday: HIFT
• Wednesday: Back & Biceps
• Thursday: HIFT
• Friday: Legs & Shoulders
• Saturday: HIFT
• Sunday: Rest

Week 2

• Monday: Strength Ladder, Chest & Triceps
• Tuesday: HIFT
• Wednesday: Back & Biceps
• Thursday: HIFT
• Friday: Legs & Shoulders
• Saturday: HIFT
• Sunday: Rest

Day 1: Chest & Triceps

Perform the following exercises with 65-75% max effort.

Day 2: HIFT

Perform the following exercises back-to-back with no rest. Complete 5 rounds for time. 

Day 3: Back & Biceps

Day 4: HIFT

Perform the following exercises back-to-back with no rest. Complete 5 rounds for time.

Day 5: Legs & Shoulders

Day 6: HIFT

Perform the following exercises back-to-back with no rest with 65-75% max effort. Complete as many rounds as possible in 25 minutes.

Strength Ladder

Perform the following exercises with 65-95% max effort. Repeat the following exercises once every two weeks. 

Supplement Reccomendations

High-intensity training programs demand more from your body, which includes key and vital nutrients for optimal performance. Supplementation is critical especially during extended periods of intense physical exercise and training.

Whey Protein Isolate

The most important macronutrient when it comes to building more muscle, is protein, and most of us are not getting enough protein through our diet, in order to reach our fitness goals. Not even close. That’s why adding in a couple scoops of high-quality protein powder into your diet is critical to reach your goals.

Whey protein isolate is a quick digesting milk protein that will help replenish your body to make bigger gains and lean out. Unlike traditional whey protein, whey isolate is filtered and removes excess lactose, fat, and carbohydrates leaving you with a purified and more concentrated protein. Whey protein isolate will help enhance your performance, optimize body composition as well as provide the essential amino acids to enhance exercise recovery.

Clean Carbs

One of the biggest challenges to building more muscle and developing the body you want, is eating and ingesting enough of the right carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are critical in providing the muscle fuel you need to build and rebuild muscle mass. The first source of energy your body utilizes for fuel is from glucose synthesized from the carbohydrates you eat and then stored as glycogen. Incorporating clean carbohydrate sources are critical to provide the long-lasting sustained energy you need to get through your workout at maximum capacity. 

Carbohydrates are often criticized and put on blast since most carbohydrate are broken down into the glucose, and spike insulin levels. Complex carbohydrates however are made of insoluble and soluble fiber, some of which pass through the gastrointestinal tract without raising blood sugar at all.

BCAAs

Branched chain amino acids are comprised of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. These three amino acids are responsible for stimulating muscle protein synthesis, or the muscle building process. Protein contains branched chain amino acids however, supplementing with BCAAs throughout the day, and/or around your training schedule will provide more muscle fuel and energy, to enhance your performance and recovery.

Normally, the body does not go straight to consuming amino acids for energy. Carbohydrates and fat are much easier for your body to utilize. Only when other energy stores are near depletion does metabolism shift toward amino acids. High-intensity training programs can often times lead to a catabolic state, therefore it is crucial to keep a positive amino acid balance throughout your workout, in order to maintain and build more muscle.

Kre-Alkalyn

Kre-Alkalyn is a pH correct form of creatine monohydrate. Numerous studies have shown that creatine can enhance peak performance, strength and power output. Yet in some individuals creatine been known to cause some negative side effects such as bloating, water retention, and cramping. Additionally, creatine monohydrate has incredibly poor absorption, which results in wasted product and sub-par performance results.

Kre-alkalyn was created to address these negative side effects and to provide better bioavailability. Head-to-head studies suggest that Kre-Alkalyn can improve strength, power output, and even endurance more than traditional creatine monohydrate. High-intensity training programs require the body to go under strenuous aerobic and anaerobic conditions. By supplementing the body with kre-alkalyn, you will induce a greater improvement in exercise endurance and athletic performance, resulting in stronger lifts and bigger gains.

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline Malate is one of the best supplements to power your workout performance and build more muscle mass. Citrulline Malate plays an imperative role in the krebs/urea cycle and promotes the natural release of nitric oxide (NO). NO widens or dilates your blood vessels, pushing more oxygen and blood flow to the muscle tissue, resulting in better performance, muscle gain, and recovery. More oxygen and blood flow will enhance muscular endurance and VO2 max, optimizing your workout performance and HIFT results.

Related: 3 Ways Citrulline Malate Can Power Up Your Pre-Workout

Krill Oil

HIFT requires you to use multi-jointed and compounds movements, while moving heavy loads at a quick pace. Continuous physical strain to your body, can result in minor aches and pain in you tendons, ligaments, and joints. Krill oil is an amazing source of Omega-3 and essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. Studies have shown that omega-3 supplementation improves training performance, muscle development, reduces post workout inflammation, and helps protect joints and mobility.

Beta-Alanine

Beta-alanine is one of the most researched sports performance products in the world. Studies show that 3.2-6.4g per day of Carnosyn Beta-Alanine supports increased time to failure, delayed muscle fatigue, and improved muscular endurance. If you’re entertaining any type of high-intensity training program, beta-alanine is a must have supplement in your regimen. Increased rep volume due to increased time to exhaustion will improve performance and gains.

Supplement Timing and Dosage

Morning

• Clean Carbs: 1 Scoop
• Whey Protein Isolate: 1 Scoop
• Krill Oil: 500mg

30 Minutes Pre-Workout

• BCAA: 6.5g
• Beta-alanine: 5g
• Citrulline Malate: 5g
• Kre-Alkalyn: 3g

Intra-Workout/Between HIFT and FBB

• Clean Carbs: 1 Scoop
• BCAAs: 6.5g throughout workout

Immediately Post Workout

• Whey Protein Isolate: 1 Scoop
• Clean Carbs: 1 Scoop

Before Bed

• Whey Protein Isolate mixed with Milk/Milk Alternative (Oat, Almond, Cashew, Macadamia): 1 Scoop