Scrutiny's Low Volume High Intensity Workout For Mass And Strength

M&S Writers
Written By: M&S Writers
July 11th, 2011
Updated: December 11th, 2017
250.8K Reads
An intense workout system focusing on training to failure, offering an alternative to the various high volume muscle building workout routines.
Workout Summary
  • Main Goal
    Build Muscle
  • Workout Type
    Split
  • Training Level
    Intermediate
  • Program Duration8 weeks
  • Days Per Week
    3
  • Time Per Workout45-60 minutes
  • Equipment Required
    Barbell, Bodyweight, Cables, Dumbbells, EZ Bar, Machines
  • Target Gender Male & Female
  • Workout PDF Download Workout

Workout Description

This specific routine offers variety when compared to the various high volume muscle building workout routines. It is excellent for those looking to kick up their training a notch, while also maximizing recovery for optimum results. In brief, its a no BS routine, focusing on hitting muscular failure on all sets. When used correctly, it can be extremely effective.

Monday - Push Workout
Chest, Shoulders and Triceps
Exercise Sets Reps
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 2 5-8
Dumbbell or Barbell Bench Press 2 5-8
Weighted Wide Grip Dip 2 5-8
Cable Crossovers 1 10-12
Seated Dumbbell Press 2 5-8
Dumbbell Lateral Raise 2 10-12
Close Grip Bench Press 2 5-8
EZ Bar Skullcrushers 2 5-8
Wednesday - Pull Workout
Back, Biceps and Traps
Exercise Sets Reps
Weighted Wide Grip Pull Up 2 5-8
One Arm Dumbbell Row 2 5-8
Seated Cable Row 2 5-8
Close Grip Pull Down 1 5-8
Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs 2 10-12
Standing Barbell Curl 2 5-8
Standing Dumbbell Curl 2 5-8
Friday - Leg Workout
Legs and Abs
Exercise Sets Reps
Squat 2 5-8
Stiff Leg Deadlift 2 5-8
Leg Press 2 5-8
Leg Curl 1 10-12
Standing Calf Raise 2 10-15
Seated Calf Raise 2 10-15
Cable Crunch 2 10-12
Cable Torso Rotation 2 10-12
137 Comments
J
Posted on: Sun, 03/17/2024 - 00:22

Hello it says cable torso rotation but when you click on the link it shows a twisted cable crunch ... So what one of the 2 is it we are supposed to perform? Thx

M&S Team Badge
Roger
Posted on: Mon, 03/25/2024 - 20:22

The twisted cable crunch may be the closest we had to a video demonstration, J. You can do either movement. Pick the one you prefer and go with it.

Hope this helps!

Max
Posted on: Thu, 08/12/2021 - 13:27

I've been following this workout plan for years (with some modifications). Love it! I've seen great results in terms of both muscle and strength gain. Truly the best of both worlds. Highly recommend it.

Bill
Posted on: Mon, 07/23/2018 - 12:07

I am curious as to 2 sets and the high reps on some exercises. Why not do just one set and make it much harder and do lower reps with more weight and make it much harder?

Raghu
Posted on: Mon, 11/03/2014 - 01:01

Yes I am following this page only. I am not using another
workout..... I like this kind of workouts

Panagiotis
Posted on: Tue, 12/24/2013 - 10:15

15 total sets it's low volume???

catalin manea
Posted on: Sat, 10/05/2013 - 16:01

I'm all about low volume high intensity. This looks like a great workout

Cristian
Posted on: Fri, 10/04/2013 - 14:09

rest beetwen set 3/5 minute?

Bones
Posted on: Sat, 08/10/2013 - 00:14

Can i do it back to back without days between n just 1 or 2 rest days?

Bones
Posted on: Fri, 08/09/2013 - 05:48

Hey, im into strength workouts like these but i just cant take a day between...it would affect some how if i do them back to back with one or two rest days by the end of the week?

Satish Sharma
Posted on: Fri, 05/17/2013 - 02:35

Dear All,

My Name is Satish Sharma and am belong to india, our weight is 65KG and My age is 25 year. i want 10 KG plus in our weight, am continues join GYM. Can you please explain? thanks SATISH SHARMA

William Bagby
Posted on: Mon, 02/18/2013 - 23:30

How many seconds do you rest in between sets?

Ed Finbow
Posted on: Mon, 02/11/2013 - 18:13

Would this workout be alright for a 17 year old boy, who has been going to the gym for 2 years and can lift fairly heavy for his weight and has a muscular build?

Alex
Posted on: Thu, 01/10/2013 - 09:52

Can i do hiit during 15-20 minutes after that, if i do this can i build muscle and burn fat

Dan
Posted on: Tue, 01/01/2013 - 21:36

Should you be progressing to heavier weight from the 1st to the 2nd set?

Tim
Posted on: Sat, 10/27/2012 - 06:57

Hello,

Is it possible to do this routine twice a week?

Thanks, Tim

kurogasa3l
Posted on: Mon, 10/22/2012 - 00:11

Hi Steve,

I have a question about the One Arm Dumbbell Row. The two sets recommended are for each arm? total of 4 sets?

Jay
Posted on: Mon, 09/03/2012 - 00:57

Hello,
It is one of the best work out for muscle gain but can anyone tell me that can i take Creatine with this work out????

Craig Sharpe
Posted on: Sun, 07/22/2012 - 10:14

Hi guys
Looking at starting this routine for my bulk up
Can someone tell me roughly how long this takes each time in the gym
I currently spend 2 hours a day on my 3 day split and know this is too much so want to cut it down
Thanks Craig

AbdelRahman
Posted on: Thu, 07/12/2012 - 08:44

Hi Steve,

I have been following the instructions of this workout for more than 2 months now. I stuck to its routine for one month and started to penetrate it with some extra workouts for strength. It is a good workout anyhow but I felt in the second month that it does give mass but no muscle definition. I use this workout as an excellent model for my bulking program but alas I fell a victim to night meals with a nice small belly :( so what can you advise for a bulking with no extra pounds of fatty shape on one hand and is it okay to add some strength workouts to my routine on the other.

BTW. Chapeau to you and M&S ;)

Thanks and best regards

chris
Posted on: Tue, 06/19/2012 - 23:38

hi im just wondering about the warm up , how many warm up sets should i be doing before i start each and every exercise? and do i have to do it for every single 1? also i cant do weighted wide grip dips is there any other exercise i can do instead ? hanks in advance for ur help :)

deepak singh
Posted on: Mon, 06/11/2012 - 02:12

for how long i can follow this schedule..
i mean i must follow this schedule for 3 month or for 6 month..?

Locky
Posted on: Mon, 05/07/2012 - 01:15

hey steve,
im looking for a workout to build strength and size, however i play football saturdays and have training tuesdays and thursday nights. ive tried a few workouts but im a pretty bloke (6.2 ft, 75 kgs) and find it hard to build muscle. thanks heaps mate
locky

Kevin
Posted on: Sat, 04/28/2012 - 12:29

Hey,
Do you recommend this workout for 15 year old, 5'9-5'10 145lbs, intermediate?
I'm running out of ideas of routines, seems like none of them are working as good as I hoped!

Robin
Posted on: Fri, 04/27/2012 - 18:13

Hey Steve,

I was wondering if you can treat this as a circuit, ie: 1 set of Wide Grip Pull-Ups straight into 1 set of Dumbbell Row etc. and then repeat the whole thing. I only ask because I feel like I'm short changing muscles on the last couple of exercises because I'm too tired to keep a good form.

Cheers,

Rob

Kyle
Posted on: Wed, 04/11/2012 - 11:45

How many weeks is this workout program?

Doug
Posted on: Wed, 04/04/2012 - 15:44

@tj
It was answered, I think. When you exceed the min reps, increase the weight. In my case, when I can push two more that the required rep, I bump up the weight.

Also covered was the wait period. no more than 2 min between sets.

This needs to have a FAQ. There are a lot of similar questions.

brad
Posted on: Wed, 03/28/2012 - 00:41

I've never been a big fan of lifting to failiure just because of how tired you can get from lift to lift. Can this workout also work if your not lifting to failiure and just lifting heaving weight to the required reps?

ahmed
Posted on: Mon, 03/19/2012 - 11:56

This 3day workout is awsme pushin 2 the max.less rips 2sets good strenght an mass.

tj
Posted on: Tue, 03/06/2012 - 00:24

this question was asked before, but i dont think it was answered. how much weight should you start at, and how often do you increase weight?

Graham L
Posted on: Sun, 03/04/2012 - 14:29

Hey steve. Iv been on this workout for almost a month now. Been following a good diet plan, with a good preworkout and multi. I have to say it has beenn working very well for me. Iv been staying focused on adding weight like you say and iv made some huge gains. you should see it man, forms good, adding weight, getting big. put on 2 or 3 lbs this last month and the muscle is chewing up the rest of the fat. This workout is huge and I got to give you proper recognition for it.

Going into month 2 I want to start supplementing some of the workouts for alternatives. ie; straight bar curls for preacher curls. ect. I figure if im paying so damn much to goto a good gym, I might as well use all the equipment.
What do you think?

jessica
Posted on: Mon, 02/13/2012 - 22:18

Can this routine work for womens..

jessica
Posted on: Mon, 02/13/2012 - 15:18

Hey steve would you recomend this workout for a woman...

jackson
Posted on: Mon, 02/06/2012 - 20:50

hi guys im working out but im really lost in the gym. im only seeing results in my biceps and chest. so like an idiot i keep doing the same routines. im aware this wont help in the fyure. So im going to use this plan for guidance. my main goal is to bulk up im already over average build im not fat i weigh 210lbs im following a diet plan. i dont want to be overly ripped just bulky and shaped nicely. will this plan help me?

cheers in advance guys

Daniel
Posted on: Sat, 01/28/2012 - 14:50

If i was to stick to this routine for 4 months, would i see results?

chetaan
Posted on: Tue, 01/24/2012 - 01:56

just started with this and geting failure after 9th or 10th rep,
also can i continue cardio twice a week with this routine???? please let me know... i need to reduce my vascular fat...

John
Posted on: Sat, 01/07/2012 - 00:47

Steve,

What do you recomend to replace dips and pull ups? I cant do either.

John

John
Posted on: Fri, 01/06/2012 - 22:12

Steve,

What do you recomend for replacements for the dips and pull ups? I can't do either one of them.

John

Adam
Posted on: Fri, 01/06/2012 - 10:17

Hi,really like your 3 days workout,wanted to ask if wanna build muscle is it right to the cardio in between,running,cycling,will i not start burning the muscles out again?
Thanks for your answer Adam

Ben
Posted on: Tue, 01/03/2012 - 05:16

I want to bulk up and cut at the same time. I play a lot of squash, if I combine this with 3 squash sessions per week would it balance nicely IYO?

Sam
Posted on: Wed, 12/14/2011 - 18:25

hi steve
i am currently doing shauns 3 day muscle building split workout and have been doing this for a few weeks, which routine would be the best to build muscle? and wehn doing the routine should i always go till muscle failure and should that be between 10-12 reps?

M&S Team Badge
Steven
Posted on: Wed, 12/21/2011 - 14:00

Either approach will serve you well. Pick the one that most motivates you to train. The real magic is is persistence and progression.

Should you go to failure? I am not personally a fan, but many are successful training to failure.

Udeepa
Posted on: Sun, 12/11/2011 - 02:54

Hi Steve i'd like to know substitute workouts for "Weighted Wide Grip Dip" and "Seated Cable Row" and also do you think performing 03 sets would be a problem?

M&S Team Badge
Steven
Posted on: Wed, 12/21/2011 - 12:02

I recommend dumbbell bench press and barbell rows.

Adam
Posted on: Tue, 11/22/2011 - 15:59

Steve,

Great workout!!! Just finished my first week of it, and I feel great all over!! However, my Gym doesnt have a setup for Chest Dip, is there another excercise I can to replicate this on another machine/using different equipment?

Cheers Steve

M&S Team Badge
Steven
Posted on: Tue, 12/13/2011 - 13:47

You are better off inserting a heavier chest movement like machine presses or decline benches.

CHARLZ
Posted on: Sun, 11/20/2011 - 02:48

hey there i was just wondering if there are some workout plans that you would recommend for me, im aiming to get toned aswell as keep muscle size?? does that make sense??

M&S Team Badge
Steven
Posted on: Fri, 12/09/2011 - 13:42

You want to focus on two things to maximize results:

1) Pushing yourself in the gym. Using good form, always push yourself on every set. When you can perform the recommended number of reps for a set, add weight.

2) Eating to maximize muscle retention while cutting fat. Here are two articles that can help:

https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/your-go-to-guide-for-cutting-...

https://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/how-to-create-a-bodybuilding-...

Adam
Posted on: Thu, 11/17/2011 - 01:29

Hi Steve,

To your above post, whilst once a week training is standard, would one not get better results with a twice a week or even three times a week training schedule?

Cheers, -Adam

Caleb
Posted on: Wed, 11/16/2011 - 20:47

Hey, iam 15 and want to get buff in 7 months, will this workout do it?