How to part II

I'm gonna explain how to read the workouts real quick.

If an exercise says (1-3)(3-5) that means you find a weight that you can FAIL at for a set of 1-3 reps. Then you're gonna drop the weight (after a rest. I'll tell you how long for each workout) and do a set where you fail at 3,4 or 5 reps. So maybe that's Bench Press. You'd do a set of 185lbs for 2 reps, you can't get the 3rd (for some exercises, use a spotter or partner. If you have no partner, use a machine or a pair of dumbbells or any safe alternative where failing the rep doesn't mean you die). Then you might take a 2 minute rest and go for 155 lbs and fail at 4 reps. Then you're done.

In terms of picking the right weight, use warm up sets to find the perfect weight for you. Ultimately, the weight is not that important because your body does not respond to weight. It responds to mechanical stress. The weight is merely a tool. So make sure you nail your form, and keep your form consistent. Weight comes second to form (don't worry, there are plenty of videos). This is where the art of working out comes in. There may be days where you'll have to back off weight to get your form right. That's ok. Over the long term, you will get stronger. You will also get better at finding the right weight and rep range for you. Be patient. Just do your best and move on. Your body will take care of the rest.

If an exercise says 2 x 10-15 that means 2 separate sets of 10-15 reps. Find a weight that you can fail at for 10-15 reps, take your allotted rest and do the second set for 10 - 15. If you can't do another set of 10 - 15 at the same weight, drop the weight and do the second set. IF you tried the second set with a weight that's too heavy and you fail at 6, DON'T WORRY. That is a perfect stimulus for growth. Your body will do great with that. You will get better at managing/estimating the weights as you learn about your body's capacity. This is a beginner/intermediate program, so you will be learning A LOT. Just do your set and move the f*%# on.

A1) Inc Bench (3-5)(5-10)

A2) Bent Over Rows (6-8)(8-12)

This example means you've got a superset. A superset means two different exercises that you go back to back on. The rest time between each set will be specified for you. In the above example, you would do a set of 3-5 Bench Presses, then you would do a set 6-8 Rows. Then after, rest you would go back to Bench, and then to Rows. Like a big metal sandwich. Yum.

Complete and Continue