Back, Biceps, Abs
(Week 5, Muscle Max Split)Day Overview
This session emphasizes heavy pulling and arm hypertrophy with a focus on mechanical tension and metabolic fatigue. Compound movements are prioritized, followed by isolation and core work. Drop sets and rest-pause techniques are incorporated to push past fatigue points, stimulating maximum muscle growth in the back and biceps while engaging the core for stability.
Exercises
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• Deadlift
The deadlift is a compound exercise that involves lifting a loaded barbell or bar from the ground to the level of the hips, then lowering it back to the ground. To perform a deadlift, stand with your feet hip-width apart, with the barbell over the middle of your feet. Bend at the hips and knees to grip the bar with your hands just outside your knees. Keep your back straight, chest up, and shoulders back. Engage your core and drive through your heels to lift the bar by extending your hips and knees. Stand fully upright with the barbell in front of your thighs. Reverse the movement to lower the bar back to the ground, maintaining control throughout.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 5-6 reps at RPE 9, focusing on perfect form and explosive hip drive. Rest 3 minutes between sets to allow full recovery for maximum load. This is the primary back and posterior chain builder.
Working Sets:
4
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• Pull-Ups
To perform a pull-up, start by hanging from a pull-up bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, palms facing away from you. Engage your core and pull your body upward until your chin is above the bar. Keep your elbows close to your body and avoid swinging or using momentum. Lower yourself back to the starting position with control. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Prescribed Sets:
4 sets of 8-10 reps at RPE 8, aiming for controlled tempo and full range. Use assistance to maintain strict form if necessary. Rest 2 minutes. Focus on scapular retraction and biceps engagement.
Working Sets:
4
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• Bent-Over Barbell Rows
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell with an overhand grip. Bend at the hips while keeping your back flat and core engaged, allowing the barbell to hang at arm's length. Pull the barbell towards your lower chest or upper abdomen by squeezing your back muscles, keeping elbows close to your body. Lower the barbell back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Maintain a slight bend in the knees and avoid rounding your back throughout the movement. Keep your head in line with your spine and avoid using momentum to lift the weight.
Prescribed Sets:
4 sets of 8 reps at RPE 8, emphasizing a strict, controlled movement with a pause at the top. Rest 2 minutes. This targets mid-back thickness.
Working Sets:
4
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• barbell curl
standing barbell curl
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 8-10 reps at RPE 8, incorporating drop sets on the last set to failure. Focus on full contraction and controlled negatives. Rest 90 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Hammer Curls
Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing your torso). Keep your elbows close to your sides and curl the dumbbells upward by flexing your elbows, maintaining the neutral grip throughout the movement. Pause briefly at the top when your biceps are fully contracted, then slowly lower the weights back to the starting position. Keep your torso stable and avoid swinging the weights. Focus on controlled movement and engaging the biceps and brachialis muscles.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 10-12 reps with RPE 8, emphasizing brachialis development. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Ab Wheel Rollout
Kneel holding ab wheel, roll forward extending body, roll back contracting abs.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 12-15 reps at RPE 8, focusing on core stability and controlled movement. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Hanging Leg Raises
To perform Hanging Leg Raises, find a pull-up bar or any sturdy overhead bar. Grip the bar with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart. Hang from the bar with your arms fully extended and your legs straight. Engage your core and, keeping your legs straight, lift them up in front of you until they are parallel to the ground or higher, if possible. Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout the movement. Avoid swinging or using momentum to lift your legs.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 15 reps with RPE 8, emphasizing slow, controlled execution to target lower abs. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Cable Woodchoppers
Stand perpendicular to a cable machine with the cable set at shoulder or high chest level. Grasp the handle with both hands, keeping your arms extended. Engage your core and rotate your torso, pulling the cable across your body towards your opposite hip. Keep your hips stable and avoid using your arms solely; focus on twisting your torso. Return to the starting position in a controlled manner. Maintain a slight bend in your knees and keep your back straight throughout the movement. Breathe out as you twist and pull, and breathe in as you return to start.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 12 reps per side at RPE 8, focusing on oblique engagement and rotational core strength. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3