Workout Summary
- Main GoalBuild Muscle
- Workout TypeSplit
- Training LevelBeginner
- Program Duration12 weeks
- Days Per Week4
- Time Per Workout45-60 minutes
- Equipment RequiredBarbell, Bodyweight, Dumbbells
- Target Gender Male & Female
- Recommended Supps
- Workout PDF Download Workout
Workout Description
Brad Borland is a strength & conditioning specialist, cancer survivor and the founder of WorkoutLab.
Raw muscle and strength is impressive when witnessed with our own eyes. With the constant stream of superhero movies churning at the theaters, CGI and techniques of Hollywood magic can make the meekest of actors appear to have superhuman strength, speed and sometimes more muscle. But when we see someone at the local gym perform a feat of strength, carry an impressive amount of muscle or have the ability to execute some sort of agility or body weight strength move we pause for a brief moment of awe and the desire to experience it for ourselves.
These movie heroes possess abilities only seen in movies, but what about you? Can you build a strong, lean and muscular physique to blow away those “heroes” with a specific, no-frills program that will produce real-world results?
Building a foundation of big, brutal muscle and strength isn’t easy and at times can get a bit ugly – but, boy can it get fun! Although challenging, this program leaves out the unnecessary noise and focuses on the infrastructure of training.
The core of this program covers all the bases regarding building some muscle, developing functional strength and keeping you lean as long as a sensible diet is followed. Become the anti-hero and build something real. Enough talk, let’s take action!
The Anti-Hero Training Plan Principles
- Perform this training plan for four to six weeks. Afterward, take a break or go to a program with decreased intensity and workload.
- Perform each workout once per week such as Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Fight the urge to add in ancillary exercises such as chest flys, cable work and leg extensions. This plan utilizes the basics for a reason – to build muscle and strength. You can, however, add in some cardio on non-training days.
- Feel free to alter the order of some exercises and/or substitute in some alternative moves for personal preference due to injury prevention or equipment availability.
- Pay considerable attention to rest periods and warm-ups.
- Try keeping a record of your workouts for easy reference. Attempt to lift either a little more weight or one or more reps each session. If you don’t succeed every time, don’t let it derail your motivation. Simply note it, move on and try again for the next training day.
- Above all, since this program stresses progression, don’t let your ego get in the way of proper form and technique. Slow and steady progress trumps short-lived perceived daily personal records.
The Anti-Hero Training Plan
Day 1 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Upper Body | |||
Exercise | Warm Up Sets | Working Sets | Rest |
Incline Bench Barbell Press | 2x12 | 4x4-8 | 60 |
Flat Bench Barbell Press | 4x4-8 | 60 | |
Close-Grip Pull-Up (weighted if needed) | 2x12 (pulldowns) | 4x4-8 | 60 |
Bent-Over T-Bar Row | 1x12 | 4x4-8 | 60 |
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 3x6-10 | 60 | |
Standing Lateral Raise | 3x6-10 | 60 | |
Floor Crunch | 3x20 | 30 |
Day 2 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Lower Body | |||
Exercise | Warm Up Sets | Working Sets | Rest |
Seated Calf Raise | 2x12 | 4x6-10 | 30 |
Stiff Leg Deadlift | 2x12 | 3x6-10 | 60 |
Barbell Squat | 2x12 | 4x4-8 | 90 |
Dumbbell Bulgarian Split Squat | 3x6-10 | 60 | |
Barbell Curl | 2x12 | 4x4-8 | 60 |
Close-Grip Decline Bench Press | 2x12 | 4x4-8 | 60 |
Hanging Leg Raise | 3x20 | 30 |
Day 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Upper Body | |||
Exercise | Warm Up Sets | Working Sets | Rest |
Incline Bench Dumbbell Press | 2x12 | 4x6-10 | 60 |
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press | 4x6-10 | 60 | |
Wide-Grip Pull-Up (weighted if needed) | 2x12 (pulldowns) | 4x6-10 | 60 |
Bent-Over Barbell Row | 1x12 | 4x6-10 | 60 |
Standing Barbell Push Press | 3x6-12 | 60 | |
Wide-Grip Barbell Upright Row | 3x8-12 | 60 | |
3-Way Sit-Up | 3x20 | 30 |
Day 4 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Lower Body | |||
Exercise | Warm Up Sets | Working Sets | Rest |
Standing Calf Raise or Single Leg Calf Raise | 2x12 | 4x8-12 | 30 |
Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift | 2x12 | 3x8-12 | 60 |
Barbell Bulgarian Split Squat | 2x12 | 4x8-12 | 60 |
Barbell Front Squat | 4x6-10 | 60 | |
Seated Dumbbell Curl | 2x12 | 4x6-10 | 60 |
Parallel Bar Weighted Dip | 2x12 | 4x6-10 | 60 |
Lying Leg Raise | 3x20 | 30 |
51 Comments
will this work forever
No. It will work for a while, but eventually you will need to make a change so your body can continue to progress.
Am eating 3000 calories per day can i steel do that with this workout
I always have some confusion with the warm up sets and the working sets, as well as what weights to begin at. I am just starting this specific routine. Any guidance would be welcome.
David,
For the warm up sets, use a lighter weight than you use for your work sets. These are mainly to improve neurological activation, blood flow, and prime the nervous system for the subsequent workload.
Use a weight that you can control for the specific number of sets of reps.
Try to increase either the weight or the reps each week to continue to get stronger and encourage physiological adaptation.
Repeat until you become jacked and diesel.
Question- is it okay if I add more an work along with the floor crunches?
Hi Brad, how can I incorporate deadlifts into this routine...which exercise would be best to substitute them for? Many thanks
When I do this routine, I do squats on one of the "lower" days, and deadlifts on the other one.
2nd time reviewing this workout. It's a solid workout. I just got done with Jason blaha ICF 5x5 and this is a solid transition. This workout is more fun though because you have so many different workouts. I find this workout helps me put on muscle with about 2-3 pounds per month.
If I had limited time and to choose a plan that is optimal and time savy, it would definately include legs (squats) and back. I this plan I can always include squats and dealifts. Im a person who looks for intensity and am only impressed by people and exercises that nobody else does. usually when other people aren't interested,its because its harder.So this gives me a competive edge and i posses strength and size that nobody posses.(this is what motivates me and fuels my determination. you can't trade natural hard work for for the status quo.
Can I do this workout like Wednesday rest, rest, Friday, Saturday, Sunday?
Hi, Are the rest periods after 4 x 4-8 in a row or after each set of 4-8 reps?
thanks
How much weight should you use on the warm up sets?
Nice plan i'll try this on my next workout. I have one question though can i replace the standing barbell push press with clean & jerk? And if i want to include DLs here what exercise should i replace?
I know this routine doesn't focus on aesthetics... But will it help? I can put muscle on fairly easy. I just want to know if this workout plan will help me look good as well as helping get good strength and foundation.
What exactly are you suppose to do for the warm up just a lighter weight.
What exactly are you suppose to do for the warm up just lighter weight then heavier weight for the work out?
Great workout. I'm already sore but no pain no gain.
i was wondering if there was a way to calculate the amount of calories this burns daily on the different exercises i am currently 6'1" at 265#s and i am keeping track of my food intake on myfitnesspal.com please if someone knows respond to this so i can accurately keep track thanks again
I really like the setup for this but I csn only get in the gym 3 times a week. Is there any way this could be adapted to 3 days or would you recommend another similar routine?
Is there much development for traps in this routine? Also can you suggest substitutes for the machine sets as i only have a bench and dumbells to work with
Just started this training plan today, kind of motivated starting of with a new training plan.
I started following this program and I'm on my second week using it. Before, I was not doing squats and deadlifts in the same day so I'm struggling a bit on the leg days.
What percent of your max should you be using for your working sets? I think I might need to back down the weight a little so I can get through all the exercises.
I think the love handle comment was a joke!!!! Take it easy guys lol.
Love this site but does anyone know if there is a printable copy option of these workouts?
Can I incorporate deadlifts into the program?
Yeah I am including normal deadlifts on the second lower body day combined with the front squat, calf raises and split squats.
I am currently trying to bulk up, how long should use routine before taking a week to deload/rest? Also would you recommend inverted rows on a smith machine in the place of close grip pullups?
Working sets are 4 sets of 4-8 reps, if you can complete a full set of 8 with not much strain, you should up the weight......it's a strength workout so you build the weight up over the plan.
how does the working sets work
how does 4x4-8 means is it four sets with eight reps?
I guess is something like 4 sets with 4 or 8 reps. you choose, for me i choose 8.
Why is there upper body exercises in the Lower Body days but no Lower body on the upper body days... it doesnt make sense to me...
Really looking forward to it! I’m relatively new to bodybuilding and I find this program easy to follow.
One question: can I add 30 minutes cardio at the end of each session?
If you need to add cardio, do it on your non-lifting days. Stacking both on the same day ensures one workout will suffer. But cardio also implies your focusing on fat loss which is counterproductive to adding lean mass.
This looks awesome, thanks Brad! Also I read your blog and just wanted to say it's inspiring to read about someone whose gone through cancer and come out the other end even stronger. If that doesn't motivate me nothing will. Keep up the good work :)
I can see how this comment deserved a "thumb down". /end sarcasm
The article is a "beginner's level" program. Designed to "build a foundation" and "cover all the bases regarding building some muscle, developing functional strength". And this basically covers the entire body. Arm ARE world on in this workout.
I understand the point of this article. It's all about building and strengthening the larger muscle groups. Aesthetics is not main focus here. Mass and strength is. If you look at the splits., you have dips, rows, curls, all working shoulders, traps, ris and bis. I for think people are really looking at the joke program. Only day 1. -__-
Looks good, but what about arm work? I'm doing a two day split right now (Arnold's Level 1 advanced trainer) and I'd advocate anyone who can handle high volume doing two day splits or splits like this, just confused why no attention is given too the arms to build shape and size.
I like this set up. Close to my previous routines. But better developed. I'm going to do this workout.
Shaun,
Regarding "love handles" you would have work your entire core and include dieting and cardio or HIIT.
My background is in martial arts. And "love handles" (aka obliques) need to be targeted. The best way, in my experience, are twisting and bending motions. Waist twists, Side Bends, Rusian twists. To really build strength, burn fat, and develope the muscle, try using a medicine ball, for Russian twists, dumbellsnor kettle bells for side bends, and weighted barbel for upright twists. Don't forget to balance out your lower back. Roman back extensions is my personal favorite.
You cant TARGET love handles or and other fatty area... you can target the muscles underneath... that's it...
What about working out your bis abs tris?
Bis - pull ups, rows, curl,
Abs - pull ups, rows, crunch, leg raise, Romanian deads..
Tris - barbell press, shoulder press, etc
What's your question?
What about exercise for love handles??
Exercises for love handles are:
1. Head Shakes - when someone offers you food you shouldn't be eating, shake your head from side to side.
2. Push-Aways - when you've eaten your targeted amount of calories for the day, push away from the table.
Funny!!
Love handles are a derivative of excess fat. Focus on your diet.
Do I need a day rest after the first two days? (Ex: Day 1, Day 2, rest day, Day 3, Day 4)
its in the description DA...