7.8.13 SWOD + New SwoleFIT Strength Cycle Template

Attention everyone. I have an urgent, breaking news story. Starting this week will be a slightly modified SwoleFIT template so prepare yourself for MAX GAINZ. Emphasis will be placed on more consistent strength cycles for squat and bench press. Read about the dirty deets here.

WarmupUno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, cinco, seis

Strength

  • Back Squat: 8 sets of 3 @~80% 1RM
  • First week of 4-week squat strength cycle, use the same weight for all working sets.
  • Rest should be 60-90 seconds between sets. Choose a weight that you know you can hit (with a little pushing) for all sets.

Conditioning

  • 5 rounds: 10 hang power snatch* (95#), 20 sit-ups, 10 push press (95#), 20 reverse lunges (10 each leg- quick/explosive reps, alternate legs, use bodyweight)
  • *Sub hang power cleans for hang power snatches if you aren’t comfortable w/ form.
  • Prescribed rest (b/t rounds): 60-90 seconds

Motivation- Inspirational speech + yoked bros throwing up ridiculous weight = Motivation for today:

6.25.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM for 8 minutes- Flat Bench– 3 reps @ 50-60% 1RM

Volume

For the third week of this bodybuilding micro-cycle, decrease the reps and add on that weight. Push yourself to the limit and learn to tolerate the burning sensation as your muscles are broken down. In the words of a famous movie quote, “If you build it, they will come.” “It” of course refers to muscles and “they” refers to ladies. Science people.

5.27.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Work up to 3 rep max in hang clean
    • Here’s how I “work up” to my 3 rep max (on a good day):
      • 3×3 @ 135 lbs (warmup sets)
      • 1×3 @ 165 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 185 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 205 lbs
      • 1×3 @ 225 lbs
    • Take at least 3 minutes rest b/t heavy sets

Conditioning

Motivation

  • Check out this video of one of powerlifting’s greats: Ed Coan. Note his fluidity and near perfect biomechanics completing these super heavy lifts. Also note, the inspiring 80’s montage music. Beast mode.

5.24.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Bench Press
    • 2-3 warmup sets of 3 @ 50-60% 1RM
    • Working sets:  5-5-3-2-1, work up in each weight successively each set
  • Pendlay Rows
    • 3-3-3-3-3 (aka 5 sets of 3- go heavy)
  • Standing Barbell Curls
    • 3-3-3-3-3 (go heavy on this one too, make sure to maintain form and keep a static back)

Conditioning

  • “10 down- Pullups, Burpees
    • 10 Pullups, 10 burpees, 9 pullups, 9 burpees, 8 pullups, 8 burpees, etc. …. 1 pullup, 1 burpee
  • Prescribed rest (b/t sets): 30-60 seconds

Push yourself through this conditioning workout; it may sound easy but trust me it’s pretty challenging. This Friday’s workout will push you to the limit, get you in gear to take on the weekend. Use bands/assistance on the pullups as needed to maintain form and prevent flailing.

Motivation

  • If you need a spot for your workout, look no further for advice than good ol Dom.

5.23.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM for 7 minutes (EMOM = Every Minute On the Minute)

Volume (Rest periods should be 60-90 seconds b/t supersets)

Same volume workout as last week, yo. Increase all weights 5-10 lbs. Maintain perfect form, feel that pump, get awesomed out. If you are feeling extra confident, practice your bodybuilding poses. These are great to whip out while in the classroom, at a meeting, or if you just need to brighten someone else’s day in general.

5.17.13 SWOD

Warmup

Strength

  • Floor Press
    • 3 warmup sets @ 50-60% 1RM (flat bench
    • 5 working sets of 5 @ 70-80% 1RM (flat bench)
    • Rest at least 3 minutes between working sets
  • Weighted Pullups
    • 5 sets of 5, choose a fairly heavy weight, but do not go to failure
    • If you don’t have a weighted belt, just hold a dumbbell between your feet.

If floor press is a new movement to you, work on form and don’t go up too high in weight. Take the barbell down until your elbows initiate contact with the ground. Due to the reduced range of motion, floor press is a much easier exercise on your shoulder joint than flat bench. If you ever find yourself w/ shoulder pain or more limited range of motion, try switching up to this.

Conditioning

Conditioning workout should get you that quintessential pump to get your Friday GOIN’. Push yourself and get your heart rate going. More importantly, choose weights and take enough rest between circuits such that you aren’t failing mid-set on any of these exercises.

Motivation

  • Calves too small? Take a nice prescription sized dose of some Dom Mazetti

5.16.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM for 7 minutes (EMOM = Every Minute On the Minute)

Volume (Rest periods should be 60-90 seconds b/t supersets)

This week marks the start of a new series of movements for the shoulders/traps/legs/abs volume workout. Just like Tuesday’s workout, choose lighter weights for this week. Focus on stressing the muscle and maintaining perfect form! We’ll continue to work up in weight over the coming three weeks; no need to get ahead of yourself.

Motivation

  • SwoleFIT brother, Glenn from Kansas City sent me this link. It is perhaps one of the greatest, most underappreciated feats of strength of all time. 
  • Today we salute you, Mr. Steve Schmidt. Sure no one knows what this lift is, nor what purpose it serves. But you still nailed your attempt and inspired the world.

5.14.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) Flat Bench– 8 sets of 3 @ 50-60% 1RM
    • This weight should feel fairly light. Focus on slowly lowering the bar to your chest and subsequently exploding with full force/velocity on the way back up.

Volume (Rest periods should be 60-90 seconds b/t supersets)

Today’s volume workout marks the start of another 4-week cycle on a slightly different set of movements. However, the main principles and movement juxtapositions are the same. VERY IMPORTANT– choose lower, easier weights this week and we’ll continue to work up to heavier weights over the next three weeks.

Motivation

  • CT Fletcher at it again

5.9.13 SWOD

Warmup

Dynamic

  • EMOM for 7 minutes (Every Minute on the Minute)- 3 Box Squats @50-60% 1RM

Volume- (rest 60-90 seconds b/t sets)

  • [Superset 2- Legs/Traps]  4 sets, 8-12 reps

This will be the final week we do this particular volume workout so make it count! Push yourself to the limit here, and make those weights pretty heavy. If you’ve got some extra fuel left in the tank on the third set of each exercise, keep pumping it up until you’ve given all you can give.

Motivation

  • Prison is meant to be a place of social rehabilitation. Here’s a video of a prison powerlifting competition. It’s amazing that the simple act of moving around heavy objects can help re-direct the internal aggression of a lot of these inmates and really add a positive aspect to their lives.