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Workout Summary
Download WorkoutWorkout Description
This is a muscle and strength building program for beginner and early intermediate lifters. It is designed to target all major and minor muscle groups, allowing you to maximize hypertrophy (the muscle building process) through the use of progressive resistance.
You will be training 3 days per week, resting at least one day in between sessions. Here is a sample schedule:
- Monday - Workout A
- Wednesday - Workout B
- Friday - Workout C
Workout Notes
How to work ramped 5x5 sets
The first 2 sets are "working warm up" sets. The weight you use for your warm up sets will be based upon the resistance used during your 3 working sets. Here is the set up:
- Set 1 - 60% x 5 reps
- Set 2 - 80% x 5 reps
- Sets 3-5 - 100% (working weight) x 5 reps
So if you are using 200 pounds as your working weight for sets 3, 4 and 5, your workout would look like this:
- Set 1 - 120 pounds (60%) x 5 reps
- Set 2 - 160 pounds (80%) x 5 reps
- Sets 3-5 - 200 pounds (working weight) x 5 reps
Ramped 3x5 sets for deadlifts
This is performed in the same way you worked your 5x5 ramped sets, but with only one working set:
- Set 1 - 60% x 5 reps
- Set 2 - 80% x 5 reps
- Sets 3 - 100% (working weight) x 5 reps
Workout C - Ramped 3x5 squats
If your squat sets during Workout A felt manageable, try to add 5 pounds to your working set during Workout C. Here's how your Workout C squatting would look like:
- Set 1 - 60% x 5 reps
- Set 2 - 80% x 5 reps
- Sets 3 - Workout A's working weight + 5 pounds x 5 reps
How much weight to use per set
For a given exercise, use the same weight for each set. When this amount of resistance feels manageable, add another 5-10 pounds to the bar. You want to focus on progression at all times, so when you are able to, load the bar.
Progression of weight drives gains. It is essential, and this program will not yield gains without it.
Rest between sets
For major lifts like squats, deadlifts, bench press, overhead press and barbell rows, rest about 2 minutes in between sets. You can use 60 to 90 seconds rest between sets for all other movements.
| Workout A | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fullbody Workout | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Squats (Ramped) | 5 | 5 |
| Bench Press (Ramped) | 5 | 5 |
| Barbell Row (Ramped) | 5 | 5 |
| Upright Row | 3 | 10 |
| Skullcrushers | 3 | 10 |
| Dumbbell Curls | 3 | 10 |
| Leg Curls | 3 | 12-15 |
| Ab Wheel Roll Out | 3 | 10-15 |
| Workout B | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fullbody Workout | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Deadlifts (Ramped) | 3 | 5 |
| Romanian Deadlift | 2 | 8-12 |
| Seated Overhead Press | 3 | 8-10 |
| Pull Ups or Inverted Rows | 3 | 10-15 |
| Dips | 3 | 10-20 |
| Barbell Shrugs | 3 | 10 |
| Standing or Seated Calf Raise | 3 | 12-15 |
| Plank | 3 | 60 seconds |
| Workout C | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fullbody Workout | ||
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Squats (Ramped) | 3 | 5 |
| Squats | 1 | 20 |
| Incline Dumbbell Bench Press | 3 | 10 |
| One Arm Dumbbell Row | 3 | 10-15 |
| Seated Arnold Press | 3 | 10-15 |
| Cable Tricep Extensions | 3 | 10 |
| Barbell Curls | 3 | 10 |
| Leg Curls | 3 | 12-15 |
| Ab Wheel Roll Out | 3 | 10-15 |
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145 Comments+ Post Comment
Hi Josh
I’ve completed the 12 week program absolutely loved it great results do you have another program you recommend after this one
Many thanks
Hi Jake,
You could give this one a go: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/total-package-workout
Hi
Can I swap the ab wheel roll out for cable ab crunches? If not what are some other substitutions for the ab wheel roll out?
Cheers
Hi
Can I do barbell rows instead of one arm dumbbell rows?
Thanks
Hi Tom,
Yes, that is fine.
Love the program! I'm seven weeks in and have had tremendous results. One question I have is should I incorporate ab routine? Everything is getting bigger...... including my abdomen.
have bad arthritis in both knees so squats and lunges hurt should I replace with a different exercise such as curl, Extensions or press?
For biceps, they're only being hit twice in the week. For workout day B, would adding in reverse EZ Bar curls be ideal?
The pull ups/inverted rows will hit the biceps.
I have completed 3-months with this program
Fullbody workout is very suitable to my life routine
I need to continue on fullbody workout
How long can I continue on this program?
What the changes in exercises and sets?
I want to build muscle
Pls advise me
Hi Taher,
You can continue this program for as long as you like.
If you want to make changes, I'd recommend giving this article a read: https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/micro-progressions-non-stop-g...
Hope this helps!
Hi,
Please I Want to add some chest exercise. Is dumbbell BP fine in the middle of workout B?
I did the total package before this one, and I miss the amount of work I did on my chest.
Thank you for the answer.
Hi Malik,
Sure, you can add in an additional chest exercise to this program.
Is there a specific reason why there is no shoulder lift with ramped sets? Would it be detrimental to do so with the seated overhead press in workout b?
Why there's no leg extensions in the routine?
Did you get an answer to this? or did you add it to Workout C as the only place too
Hi,
For ramped deadlifts, can I do other variations like trap bar deadlift instead of conventional?
Thanks
Hi Tom,
Yes, that is fine.
Can i work in cardio into this routine?
Hi Chris,
Sure, that should be fine.
Hi Chris,
I'd say about 70-75% if possible. If you need to do less weight, do less weight. The point of that set is to feel a burn, not move heavier weight.
Hope this helps!
2 weeks in. Loving the workout. One more quick question. For the 1 set of squats at 20 reps in workout C , how much weight should I be using? 80%? 60%? Obviously I cant do 20 reps of my max working weight when ramping for example. What do you suggest?
What can I substitute for the leg curls?
Hi,
For the exercises that involve 5 reps, can I rest up to 3 minutes between sets so I can lift a heavier weight to build more strength? In previous workouts that’s what I’ve done when doing 5 reps
Cheers
Hi Tom,
Yes, that is fine.
Pls tell how many weeks should I perform this program to get result
Hi Hasan,
It is a 12 week program.
Learn to read.
On workout C the 20 squat reps after ramped squats 5x5 , I’m assuming it’s a drop set with much lighter weight ?
Hi,
Is there any substitution for upright row, skull crusher and leg curl... tried doing the 3 exercises but it only hurts my elbows and knees... I don't know if it's about my form or what, but I don't want to risk any injury in doing it. Thanks
Instead of upright row try the pedlay row if you have a strong back, stick to upright dips (weighted if possible) instead of skull crusher, if dips hurt you’ll have to do triceps pull downs, and instead of leg curl try the leg press
What about block pulls instead of the deadlift?
Hi Willian,
That's a fine substitution.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I don't know if my comment was posted so i'll ask again. I'm looking for a whole body workout, my goal is to have a good physique like athletic physique but i don't want to gain a bodybuilder like muscles. Is this workout good for it or if not can you suggest me a good workout. I go to the gym 2-3 times a week only. Thanks
Hi Josh,
I'm looking for a good fullbody workout since I can't always go to the gym, my target is to have a nice (athletic) physique and not to gain so much muscle, is this workout good for that? Thanks
Hi Joe,
Yes, this is a solid workout to help you attain your goals.
Hope this helps!
Hi Josh,
On the Workout C squats is it okay to do SSB squats? Also are there any good alternatives to the upright row as I find it really uncomfortable to perform?
Thanks mate,
Michael
Hi Michael,
Yes, that should be fine. Any lateral raise variation should do the trick.
Hope this helps! Best of luck!
Hi there!
I was wondering if this workout is ok for an Endo/Mesomorph body type.
Cheers,
A
Hi Andrew,
Yep! This workout is perfect for all body types.
Hope this helps!
Hi josh. I wanna ask. I have lifted for 6 months with 4 day push pull & legs program. Is it ok if I change my program to 3 days full body workout routine? And what the benefits if I change my program into full body workout?
Hi Taufiq,
Absolutely! Benefits of full body training include a higher training frequency for each muscle group (3xs per week as opposed to 2xs with upper/lower programs).
Hope this helps!
Hi josh, can i change the 5x5 range to 10×12 and still do ramped??
Hi Marlow,
Sure, that should be fine.
Hope this helps!
Where can I put a walking lunge in the workout?
Hi Harry,
Wherever you see fit. I just probably wouldn't start out with it based on this workout's recommendations.
Hope this helps!
This looks excellent! Just what I've been searching for as a beginner. Just a couple of questions...
1. How do I work out my initial working weight? Is it the max weight that I can complete one set with whilst maintaining form?
2. In terms of weight progression for the none ramped exercises, can that be done between sets during the same workout or should I just add more the following week?
Thanks
Hi David,
1. Yes. But you should feel as though you have 1-2 reps left in the tank after each set.
2. Yes, they can be done in that fashion.
Hope this helps!
hi JOSH,
I've been following Jason's workout routine for three months.( jason-blaha-ice-cream-fitness-5x5-novice-workout) Now it would be appropriate to go through the workout routine you mentioned?
REPLY
Hi HALİL,
Yes, this would be a solid next step.
Hope this helps!