A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training

**Tall** · 29-02-2008, 09:55 AM

This is something I posted on another board. Its still a work in progress and will by no means suit everyone.

Its a routine I've used for a while to get my lifts up and is a hybrid strength/size routine based on abbreviated training (Brawn/Starting Strength etc) - it's not a BB'ing routine by any means, but I think its a good 'Beginners' routine.

Let me know what you think.

Quote:

A Basic Compound Routine For 'Beginners'
Had a number of "Can you check my routine threads" on here recently, I think alot of people on here are in agreement on how to train, so I thought I'd fire this up as a reference for anyone who's recently started training / looking for a change in training / hit a plateau etc.

This is a general strength routine. Nothing fancy. No fancy isolation work.

N.B. This routine is not designed for absolute beginners who have never set foot in the gym before. 3 months following a full body routine to acclimatise the body to the stress you will be placing on it is advised.

P.S. If you have never Squatted and Deadlifted before you must get someone to show you correct form.

Rep Range - I don't beleive this is hugely crucial. You can make progress on any rep range, but the ones I'll suggest are:

5x5 - 5 sets of 5 reps (Starr, Park, Ripptoe)
3x8-12 - 3 Sets, 8 to 12 Reps (Classic 'Hypertrophy' Routine)
20 Reppers - (One set of Twenty Reps) Best Suited For Squats, Deadlifts, SLDL and Chins only IMHO - 20 Reppers will need to be done Rest-Pause style as progress increases.

The assumption you know how to warm up correctly is being made here...

Recovery

This can be done 3 times in a 7 day period if you can recovery from it, or every 3rd day.

Bulking And Cutting

Is this routine suitable for Bulking/Cutting? Yes, its fine for both. Training shouldn't differ when bulking or cutting. When bulking you should find that your lifts increase well each week. When cutting - well thats a different story. As you're in a calorific deficit you shouldn't expect to hit PBs or have the same level of progression as when bulking.

When cutting you may need to adjust the weights you are using in order to complete the workout. You should also ensure that you are doing the correct level of cardio and that you are dieting correctly.

The Routine

Pull Day (Back and Bis)

Deadlifts
Chins (Palms facing) or Lat Pulldowns
Rows (Palms facing if you wish)

Legs

Squats
SLDL
Calf Raises (Optional)

Push Day (Chest,Tris and Shoulders)

Bench (Flat or Incline)
Overhead Press
Dips Or Close Grip Bench Press

The above is the 'core' of a good solid workout IMHO. You should look to add in flexability work, core work, and cardio.

The above routine shouldn't take you more than 45mins - it might not look much, but if you are lifting heavy, and especially if you are doing 20 Rep Rest-Pause Deadlifts/Squats it is quite taxing.

Progression

You have a number of options on this front.

Linear Progression

Aim to put at least 1kg onto each lift each week - you may need to invest in your own small plates (2x 0.5kg) for this - most gyms will only have 1.25kg as their smallest plates.

So assuming you could lift 100kgs on your Deadlift, a example 8 weeks would look like this:

Week 1: 5x5 @ 100kgs
Week 2: 5x5 @ 101kgs
Week 3: 5x5 @ 102.5kgs
Week 4: 5x5 @ 103.5kgs
Week 5(1): 5x5 @ 105kgs
Week 6(2): 5x5 @ 106kgs
Week 7(3): 5x5 @ 107.5kgs
Week 8(4): 5x5 @ 108.5kgs

N.B. At some point your linear progression will stop. At this point you may need to back down and 'take a run up' as per cyclic progression. By this stage however you should have gained enough knowledge to understand how your body is working and adjust appropriately.

Cyclic Progression

Working in 4 week cycles build up to hitting a PB in week 4, and then drop the weight back in week 1 of the next cycle by 10% - adding "5%" or 5kgs onto the bar each week.

So assuming you could lift 100kgs on your Deadlift, a example 8 weeks would look like this:

Week 1: 5x5 @ 90kgs
Week 2: 5x5 @ 95kgs
Week 3: 5x5 @ 100kgs
Week 4: 5x5 @ 105kgs (PB)
Week 5(1): 5x5 @ 95kgs
Week 6(2): 5x5 @ 100kgs
Week 7(3): 5x5 @ 105kgs
Week 8(4): 5x5 @ 110kgs

Recovery

The above progress cycles assume you can go 8 weeks solid without a week off. Thats not going to be the case for some people. You may want to alter your training cycles to somewhere in the 4 to 8 week range before taking a week off, and then re-starting the training cycle at the appropriate point. I find a reset after a week off is good, so assuming someone has a 4week cycle, an example 10 weeks would look as follows(based on our 100kg deadlift):

Week 1: 5x5 @ 90kgs
Week 2: 5x5 @ 95kgs
Week 3: 5x5 @ 100kgs
Week 4: 5x5 @ 105kgs (PB)
Week 5: Week off
Week 6(1): 5x5 @ 95kgs
Week 7(2): 5x5 @ 100kgs
Week 8(3): 5x5 @ 105kgs
Week 9(4): 5x5 @ 110kgs (PB)
Week 10: Week off

Weighlifting is a simple formula:

Correct Training + Progression + Diet + Rest = Results

bulldozer · 29-02-2008, 01:02 PM

Nice post.

cellaratt · 29-02-2008, 08:33 PM

That sums it well IMHO. Thanks

Another thread like that, for Diets would be a good companion to this post. Don't you think?

**Tall** · 29-02-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellaratt

That sums it well IMHO. Thanks

Another thread like that, for Diets would be a good companion to this post. Don't you think?

Only problem is... there are too many ways to diet which work...

Fat+Protein but Low Carbs
Protein+Carbs but Low Fat
Balanced Diet (33P, 33C, 33F)

cellaratt · 29-02-2008, 10:26 PM

Could it be broken down as: Weight lose, Hardgainers ( Ectomorph ) and something for the in between?

**Tall** · 01-03-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellaratt

Could it be broken down as: Weight lose, Hardgainers ( Ectomorph ) and something for the in between?

I've had a go for you:

http://www.musclechat.co.uk/diet-nut...tml#post220184

It still needs some work.

cellaratt · 01-03-2008, 12:42 AM

Thank You Tall

**Tall** · 07-03-2008, 09:56 AM

I've been self indulgent and stickied this post...

cellaratt · 08-03-2008, 01:26 AM

Thats what I was hoping for. It will be a great reference for people to use and cut back on echo post.

crazycal1 · 08-03-2008, 11:38 AM

great post tall.
unfortunately i think the average trainer who reads that will see the shortness of the routine and add in sets and extra exercises that arent warrented cos they think its too short.
which is a huge shame!
oR if they do stick to it to the letter will find it too short/easy as you HAVE to have some easy workouts to build the momentum which will allow for progression.
alot of peeps cant get their heads round that.

i spent ages going thru this with someone over at HOJ for them to try it once and jack it in straight away for these very same reasons.

true there are many ways to grow eg a volume routine,but they dont work for all(ESPECIALLY the unassisted).

THIS WAY WILL WORK FOR ALL.

when gains dry up there`s a huge temptation to add volume not cut it.
get radical dudes and try it.

29-02-2008, 01:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
bulldozer Making Progress Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 498 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training Nice post. ______________________ Opinions are like asholes.......Everybody has one Last edited by bulldozer; 29-02-2008 at 01:04 PM.*

29-02-2008, 08:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
cellaratt In the Cellar Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VT...USA Posts: 404 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training That sums it well IMHO. Thanks Another thread like that, for Diets would be a good companion to this post. Don't you think? ______________________ The little men who live behind my eyes and scream directly at my brain told me to tell you hello. The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance. On the journey of life I choose the psychopath If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem. I'm like a Super Hero with no powers or motivation.

29-02-2008, 10:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
cellaratt In the Cellar Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VT...USA Posts: 404 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training Could it be broken down as: Weight lose, Hardgainers ( Ectomorph ) and something for the in between? ______________________ The little men who live behind my eyes and scream directly at my brain told me to tell you hello. The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance. On the journey of life I choose the psychopath If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem. I'm like a Super Hero with no powers or motivation.

01-03-2008, 12:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
cellaratt In the Cellar Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VT...USA Posts: 404 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training Thank You Tall ______________________ The little men who live behind my eyes and scream directly at my brain told me to tell you hello. The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance. On the journey of life I choose the psychopath If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem. I'm like a Super Hero with no powers or motivation.

07-03-2008, 09:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tall Moderator Musclechat Icon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The White House. But I'm moving soon. Posts: 2,479 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training I've been self indulgent and stickied this post...

08-03-2008, 01:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
cellaratt In the Cellar Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: VT...USA Posts: 404 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training Thats what I was hoping for. It will be a great reference for people to use and cut back on echo post. ______________________ The little men who live behind my eyes and scream directly at my brain told me to tell you hello. The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance. On the journey of life I choose the psychopath If your not part of the solution than your part of the problem. I'm like a Super Hero with no powers or motivation. Last edited by cellaratt; 08-03-2008 at 01:39 AM.

08-03-2008, 11:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
crazycal1 Illuminati Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nowhere Posts: 2,823 Rep Power:	Re: A Basic Compound Routine - Abbreviated Training great post tall. unfortunately i think the average trainer who reads that will see the shortness of the routine and add in sets and extra exercises that arent warrented cos they think its too short. which is a huge shame! oR if they do stick to it to the letter will find it too short/easy as you HAVE to have some easy workouts to build the momentum which will allow for progression. alot of peeps cant get their heads round that. i spent ages going thru this with someone over at HOJ for them to try it once and jack it in straight away for these very same reasons. true there are many ways to grow eg a volume routine,but they dont work for all(ESPECIALLY the unassisted). THIS WAY WILL WORK FOR ALL. when gains dry up there`s a huge temptation to add volume not cut it. get radical dudes and try it. ______________________ einsteins mind was the key to all things...to understand more than to know. www.englishmuscle.co.uk www.extremenutrition.co.uk

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