Chest, Shoulders, Triceps
(Week 4, Muscle Mastery Split)Day Overview
This session emphasizes heavy compound pressing to stimulate chest and shoulder development, followed by targeted isolation to exhaust the muscles and promote hypertrophy. Triceps are engaged during pressing movements and isolated with extensions. The focus is on high volume with controlled tempos to maximize mechanical tension and fatigue.
Exercises
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• Incline Barbell Press
Begin by setting an incline bench to approximately 30-45 degrees. Lie back on the bench with your feet flat on the floor and grip the barbell with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Unrack the barbell and lower it slowly towards your upper chest, keeping your elbows at about a 75-85 degree angle relative to your torso. Press the barbell upward until your arms are fully extended, ensuring control throughout the movement. Keep your back flat against the bench and avoid arching excessively. Maintain a steady breathing pattern, inhaling on the descent and exhaling on the press. Focus on squeezing the upper chest and shoulders during the lift, and keep the movement smooth and controlled.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 8-10 reps with an RPE of 8 on the first set, gradually increasing to RPE 10 on the last set. Use a controlled tempo (2-1-2) to maximize time under tension. Focus on full range of motion and scapular stability to target upper chest and shoulders effectively.
Working Sets:
4
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• Dumbbell Overhead Press
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand at shoulder height with palms facing forward. Engage your core and keep your back straight. Press the dumbbells overhead by extending your arms fully, ensuring your elbows are slightly in front of your shoulders. Keep your wrists stable and avoid arching your lower back. Lower the dumbbells back to shoulder height in a controlled manner, maintaining proper form throughout. Focus on smooth, controlled movements and avoid using momentum.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 8-10 reps with an RPE of 8-9. Use a slow eccentric (3 seconds) and controlled concentric to enhance muscle tension. Keep elbows slightly forward to reduce shoulder strain and maximize deltoid engagement.
Working Sets:
4
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• Dips
Lower and raise your body using parallel bars to work the triceps and chest.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 10-12 reps with an RPE of 8. Lean slightly forward to emphasize chest activation, and pause briefly at the bottom to increase stretch and tension.
Working Sets:
4
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• Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise
To perform the Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise, start by standing upright with a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and maintain a slight bend in your elbows. Engage your core and ensure your back is straight. Slowly raise the dumbbells out to the sides until your arms are parallel to the ground, keeping your elbows slightly bent. Hold for a moment at the top of the movement, then lower the weights back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Avoid swinging the weights and focus on using your shoulder muscles to lift.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 12-15 reps with an RPE of 8. Use a slow, controlled movement (2-1-2) to maximize deltoid isolation and fatigue the lateral head.
Working Sets:
4
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• Cable Overhead Tricep Extension
To perform the Cable Overhead Tricep Extension, start by attaching a rope or straight bar to the high pulley of a cable machine. Stand facing away from the machine and grasp the attachment with both hands, arms extended overhead. Your elbows should be close to your head, and your palms should be facing forward. Slowly lower the attachment behind your head by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary. Once your forearms are parallel to the ground or slightly below, extend your arms back to the starting position by straightening your elbows. Ensure to maintain a controlled movement throughout the exercise to effectively target the triceps.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 10-12 reps with an RPE of 8. Focus on a full stretch and controlled contraction, emphasizing tricep overload.
Working Sets:
4
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• Front Plate Raise
Stand upright holding a weight plate with both hands, palms facing down or inward. Keep your arms straight and lift the plate in front of you to shoulder height, ensuring your elbows are slightly bent. Pause briefly at the top, then slowly lower the plate back to the starting position. Maintain a controlled motion throughout, avoiding swinging or using momentum. This exercise primarily targets the anterior deltoids (front shoulder muscles) and also engages the upper chest and traps to a lesser extent.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 12-15 reps with an RPE of 8. Use a slow tempo (2-1-2) to target anterior delts and increase hypertrophic stimulus.
Working Sets:
4