Advanced:

1. Being beyond others in progress or ideas

2. Being beyond the elementary or introductory

3. Greatly developed beyond an initial stage

4. One who has long ago mastered the basics

5. One who is greatly developed, experienced and who now has the sole purpose of maintaining muscle mass acquired while simultaneously refining and improving that muscle mass and physique

You have reached the highest point in your weight training; you are now training at a level most never will. Your body parts are now split down into more specific sections, you have long ago mastered all the basics and at this point simply needing to intensify your workouts even more and apply more concentration movements to gain added detail.

If you have reached this point odds are you have been training a pretty good while. How long? This is impossible to say, everyone is different and everyone reacts and responds differently. Some simply want have it in them to train in the manner in which will be discussed here, but the few that do will witness some amazing progress.

In many ways things from the intermediate level will be the exact same here, the same can be said in regards to the beginner’s routine discussed here at probodybuilding.com. The basics, squats, presses, dead lifts, etc, they will still be part of your routine and this will never change. If you are looking for some magical exercise then you are going to be disappointed at what you find; there is no such thing. Nothing will replace hard work and a sound diet, but at probodybuilding.com we will show you how to maximize these aspects.

There will be several keys to your success and the rate at which this success is met. Several will be discussed here; but the biggest of all, what makes any bodybuilder or health enthusiast successful is there diet. For complete guided diet information, check probodybuilding.com diet and nutritional outlines for the best and latest insight on the best way to eat.

***Age Factor***

It does not matter how old you are; if you have mastered the beginner’s outline then you are ready for the intermediate level of training.

***Form***

The form you use on these exercises is the most important aspect to your training next to consistency and diet. Without proper form you may indeed make some progress; “some” being the key word. Each one of these various exercises has a correct way to be performed, designed to hit the targeted muscle perfectly and most efficiently. With improper form, it is easy to lead to injury; it is also very easy to take away from the muscle group you’re trying to work. So many will work their shoulders and triceps more than needed when trying to work chest; because of improper form. So many will involve their biceps and forearms more than needed when trying to work back; the list goes on and on.

***Rest***

No matter how advance you may have become, your body will still need to rest. Our bodies actually grow while at rest, not when we are hitting the weights. Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it will be time to split up your training a little more, this will mean more days in the gym, but it will also mean it’s time to hit it even harder, so make your rest count.

***Note on rest: some will not be able to split their routine into more days per week. This is not the end of the world. If you still need to train your arms with other body parts then do so, but the odds are in your favor for more development if arms are trained separately.

***Workout Duration***

None of your training sessions should last more than one hour tops. This does not include any cardio or abdominal training you may do. Continually pounding and pounding your muscles in two or three hour weight training sessions is a futile attempt and complete waste of time when it comes to building muscle. The idea behind your workouts is “Stimulation” not “Annihilation.” Annihilation has its place in what you will undertake, but it should not be an every time, an every single time you go to the gym. This is a sure fire way to fry your Central Nervous System (CNS), a well as cause you to get burned out sooner then you should have. If you do thing correctly, and if you keep your drive alive, there should never be a reason for you to burn out.

***Consistency***

Consistency is one of the major keys to building any well toned muscular physique. Develop a plan of attack and stick to it; you will need to schedule and set aside time to train. Make training one of your priorities, it should become a regular part of your basic day. If you’re sick, then do not go to the gym; but only if you are truly sick. If you have a slight head cold or are just a little tired, push through it. It’s very easy to find a million excuses every day not to train; you have to make it a priority if you are going to succeed.

***Intensity***

When you hit the gym it is important to hit the gym hard; don’t waste your time while training, get in get out and get the work done. A long standing question has been; how hard do I need to exercise? You will need to train hard; no, you will not need to be on the verge of passing out every single set and rep. However, keep the intensity high, limit rest between sets to 60-90 seconds and when you feel really good, don’t be afraid to make the rest even shorter at times. Longer rest periods can be acceptable, such as when you’re doing heavy squats or dead lifts, say 120 seconds, but this should not be every time.

-One thing is for certain; vigorous exercise is more beneficial then exercise alone. Studies have shown that vigorous exercise in healthy individuals can increase endorphins in the body and create as strong state of increased positive hormone production, meaning it can increase testosterone and growth hormone levels within the body in ways moderate exercise cannot

***A lot more freedom as an advanced trainer. Pick and choose the most adequate way for you to warm up; this should be easy by now, if not you’re not ready. Begin adding in supersets, drop sets, giant sets, any other intensity technique you can come up with. The following outline will give you a good idea how to go about this, but you will need to continually change it up, give it your own twist if you want to continue progressing in the right direction.

Chest: (Workout A)

Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 Working Sets 6-10 reps each

Incline Dumbbell Fly’s super-set w/Flat Barbell Bench Press: 3 Sets 10 reps each exercise

Weighted Dips super-set w/Cable Crossovers: 3 Sets 10 reps w/Dips, 10-failure w/Crossovers

Chest: (Workout B)

Incline Barbell Press (Rest/Pause Reps): 3 Sets 8-10 reps each

Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each

Incline Fly’s: 2 Sets triple drop sets to failure

Back: (Workout A)

Wide Grip Pull-Ups or Lat Pull Downs: 4 Sets 8-12 reps each

Reverse Wide Grip Seated Cable Row super-set w/Incline Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets 10 reps each exercise

Barbell Rows: 3 Sets 6-10 reps each

Rack Dead Lifts: 3 Working Sets 5-10 reps each

Back: (Workout B)

Hanging/Elevated Pull-Ups: 3 Sets 10-15 reps each

Reverse Grip Barbell Rows super-set w/Reverse Grip Pull Downs: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each both exercises

T-Bar Rows: 3 Sets 8-12 reps each, last set triple drop set

Single Arm Behind the Neck Incline Lat Pull Downs: 3 Sets 10 reps each arm

Quads & Calves: (Workout A)

Single Leg Extensions: 3 Sets each leg, 15-20 reps each

Squats: 3 Sets 5-12 reps each

Unilateral Leg Press: 3 Sets each leg, 10-15 reps each set

Hack Squats super-set w/Staggered Squats: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each set on Hacks, 10 reps each leg on Staggered

Seated Calf Raise w/counted holds: 3 Sets 10-15 reps

Giant Set: Hack Squats w/Bosa Ball Squats w/Leg Extensions: 3 Sets 15 reps each

Standing in Place Deep Lunges: 3 Sets 10 reps each leg

Leg Extensions: 2 Sets both sets 50-failure

Standing Calf Raise super-set with Single Leg Standing Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps for Weighted, 10 for single leg

Shoulders & Traps: (Workout A)

Lateral Raise super-set w/Front Raise: 3 Sets 10 reps each exercise

Dumbbell Military Press super-set w/Dumbbell Shrugs: 3 Sets 10 reps each exercise

Bent-Over Staggered Lateral Raise: 3 Sets 10 reps each arm

Behind the Back Barbell Shrugs: 2 Sets 10-15 reps each

Shoulders & Traps: (Workout B)

Bent-Over Lateral Raise: 3 Triple Sets, each set contains 10 reps in each section

Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Hammer Strength Military Press (or equivalent) 3 Sets 8-12 Reps each

Hammer Strength Shrugs (or equivalent): 1 Set, Progressive Rep Drop Set

Arms: (Workout A)

Barbell Curls: 2 Working Sets 8-12 reps each

Dumbbell Preacher Curls: 2 Sets 8-12 reps each arm

Incline Hammer Curls: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each arm

Close Grip Bench Press: 2 Working Sets 6-10 reps each

Dumbbell French Press/Skull Crushers: 2 Sets 8-12 reps each

Single Arm Reverse Grip Pull Downs: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each arm

Arms: (Workout B)

Incline French Press/Skull Crushers super-set w/Incline Curls: 3 Sets 8-10 reps each exercise 3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

V-bar Press Downs super-set w/Straight Bar Cable Curls: 3 Sets 8-10 reps each3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

Close Grip Bench Press super-set w/Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 3 Sets 8-10 reps each3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

Hamstrings & Calves: (Workout A)

Unilateral Lying Leg Curl: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each leg

Stiff Leg Dead Lifts: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each

High Leg Press: 2 Sets 12-15 reps

Standing Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps each

Donkey Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps each

Hamstrings & Calves: (Workout B)

Lying Dumbbell Leg Curls: 2 Sets 10-failure each

Alternating Depth Dumbbell Stiff Leg Dead lift: 2 Sets 10 reps each

Walking Lunges: 2 Sets each set consist of 10-15 reps per leg

***Abdominals***

*Train your abs 3 days per week in the similar manner in which you did in the beginning routine. Pick 3 exercises from the 3 categories, but start experimenting with ways to make the exercises harder to add additional stimulation.

***KEEP YOUR AB TRAINGING GOING. Many people will neglect there abs thinking it’s not important unless they are dieting and leaning out for competition. Nothing could be further from the truth. Strong abdominal muscles greatly aid in stabilizing the body during other exercises. You need a strong midsection if you expect to go up in weight in lifts such as dead lifts, squats, military press, etc.

***Important Note***

-Some of the lifts that were listed in the beginner’s and intermediate routine are not listed in this Advanced routine; this does not mean that those lifts that were left out of the Advanced routine no longer have their place in your training. In fact, most all of the lifts that are discussed in all of the routines regardless of the level will always have a place.

-What was done here was to show you how to incorporate new exercises into your routine that were not included in the beginner’s or intermediate routine. You will still need to use some of the very exercise in the beginner’s and intermediate routine in this one. Learn to mix and match, but follow the formula here now that you’ve arrived.

-Take for example Plain good old fashioned leg press; it is not listed in the advanced routine, other leg exercise made their way into this sample outline. Remember, THIS IS A SAMPLE! You will still need to incorporate regular leg presses into your routine; the same can be said for all exercises

***The Sample Routine’s “A” & “B” Sections:

*These routines are just that, “Samples” they are not to say this is the only way you can pair your exercises for a body part. For instance, on chest day, Chest Workout B, on the list above it has you doing your fly’s after your presses, doing them first on one of your chest days is a great way to pre-exhaust your chest at the beginning. It’s important to mix things up to keep the body guessing, the body has a tendency to try it’s best to remain the same, to stay in a state of homeostasis. Let’s answer some questions you might have

Q: Should you follow the routines just as they are laid out?

A: When you first begin the advanced level, absolutely, follow the above routine the exact way it is laid out. The first week you begin training, follow workout A for each body part, the next week follow workout B and then repeat so on and so on. As you become accustomed to the training, begin to mix up the order of the exercises.

Q: Should I keep the reps and sets just like they are in laid out in the routine or should I play around with this as well?

A: Again, when you first begin the Advanced level, absolutely, follow the above routine the exact way it is laid out. As you begin to progress, feel free to play with the rep range slightly. Keep in mind; you are lifting for your physique not simply for strength alone, your reps should always fall in the 6-12 range on each set. The occasional burn out set of 20+ reps is a great way to mix things up, and if you want to do an occasional set of 3-4, go for it, but in general keep the sets in the 6-12 range. Try to keep your calf exercise in the 15 rep range throughout, calves respond more effectively to higher rep sets such as this.

Q: Most of the exercises have only 3 sets in them, some only 2, is this enough?

A: When you begin your workout, let’s use chest as an example, say you begin with Incline Barbell Press. You will need to warm up and do a few sets while progressively increasing the weight with each one. When it comes to the “3 sets” listed in the outline, these represent “Working Sets” the sets where you are pushing to the limit. After you’ve completed this first exercise, when you go to the next there is no reason to go through the same warm up again. You should not have to do a few sets of the next exercise, you should go right into the working sets; your body is already warmed up.

-As with everything in life, there are exceptions, and there are slight ones here. When you are doing legs, if you do not do squats first you may still need to do a set or two to sort of get in the groove; but do not waste a lot of energy on a bunch of “warm up” sets, you should already be warm. Same can be said with dead lifts, and some of the pressing movements.

Q: What if I feel like doing more sets, should I?

A: In general, no, you should be able to get all the work done in the prescribed amount of sets listed in this routine. Now sometimes to mix things up, sure throw an extra set or two in there, it will be good stimulation for the muscle. But in general, if you follow the guided outlines rules and recommendations, and if you follow them perfectly, you will make perfect gains and get the most out of your training.

Q: What about super-sets, drop-sets and other high intensity methods, they are not listed that frequently; shouldn’t there be more of this?

A: As an advanced lifter you are going to probably need to incorporate things like drop sets, super-sets and giant sets more often then you had previously in your training to keep the body moving forward. As always though, keep the basics in play because nothing will beat them; you are going to have to use your judgment to find what is perfect for you. There will be times when your body will respond more positively with more intensifying techniques, this is fine, but after a while your body will adapt and you will need to back off a little bit and lift in a more standard manner. As has been said in all of these routines, for the most bang for your buck, you would find your progress to be met with more success with the guidance of an approved probodybuilding.com trainer at your side.

***Notes on Exercises***

*Incline Dumbbell Fly’s: this is the same movement as a regular dumbbell fly performed on a flat bench; all that has changed is the angle. The new angle will provide greater stimulation to your upper chest, and many find that these cause less stress to the shoulders then traditional flat bench dumbbell fly’s.

-Lying on an incline bench, keep both feet on the floor and hold the dumbbells directly above your head, palms facing in. -Lower the dumbbells in a circular motion towards the floor -DO NOT lower them to the point where your shoulders start pointing behind the bench, this is too low -Pull the dumbbells back to the top and squeeze the pecs hard

*Flat Bench Press: the bar or the dumbbells, the downward portion of the movement should hit somewhere in the mid to upper chest region. If the bar is hitting you below the chest you are doing the movement incorrectly.

-Your elbows should remain perpendicular to your body; a slight inward turn is acceptable if this feels more natural, but only slightly. DO NOT allow your elbows to turn in towards your chest; this will put the stress on your triceps and shoulders and is one of the biggest leading causes to injury on the bench press. - Your butt should remain flat on the bench the entire time, with your feet flat on the floor. Do not flail your legs, do not twist and contort your body to get the weight up. If you can’t do this, then lower the weight because it is too heavy. Control is the key!

*Weighted Dips for chest: these are performed in the same manner as upright tricep dips are performed with one exception; here you will remain leaning forward with your chest the entire time, there by putting a large amount of the stimulation on your chest. You will need to use a belt with a chain attached to hook a plate or dumbbell to the belt.

-DO NOT lean up, stay at an angle throughout -Keep your chest tight the entire time

*Cable Crossovers: Gripping two D-handles, attach them to a cable station with them set at the position close to the top; they should be above your shoulders; experiment with the height and don’t use the same height every time. Grab the handles, step forward a few steps, and lean your body slightly forward. Simply bring the handles together in a circular motion and squeeze your chest at the bottom of the movement. Your hands should be at approximately level with your hips at the bottom of the movement.

-DO NOT over exaggerate the lean forward -DO NOT let your shoulders roll forward, if they do, you are using too much weight -Keep one foot slightly in front of the other for the best balance

*Incline Barbell Press (Rest/Pause Reps): The exercise works the same as standard barbell incline press, it is the way in which you perform the reps in terms of speed that is different.

-Lower the weight in a controlled manner at the same speed every time; it should be done very slowly, experiment with a 3 count and a 5 count to find the perfect groove. -At the bottom of the lift, when the bar is all the way down, hold in position for a count of 2 full seconds. -DO NOT let the bar rest on your chest, the bottom of the movement should have the bar approximately 1” above your chest -After the 2 second pause at the bottom, explode up. The weight is not going to move fast but get it up with as much power as you have in you

*Incline Bench Press: with the bar or the dumbbells, the downward portion of the movement should hit in line with the upper portion of your chest, just below your neck line for full stimulation.

-the downward portion of the exercise, your elbows should be at least at a 90 degree angle perpendicular to your body or slightly lower. If you have longer arms, there is no need to go down to where your elbows begin to point and drift behind your body. This will cause damage to your shoulders. -Your butt should remain flat on the bench the entire time, with your feet flat on the floor. Do not flail your legs, do not twist and contort your body to get the weight up. If you can’t do this, then lower the weight because it is too heavy. Control is the key!

*Wide Grip Pull-Ups: Wide Grip means just that; WIDE GRIP! Slightly beyond shoulder width is as close as you should ever get to your body. As you get stronger, widen your grip even further out.

-As you grip the bar, use a thumb less grip to take pressure off the forearms and keep it on the back. -Use your arms and hands as hooks; contract your back muscles to pull you up. If you feel added stress on your shoulders, examine your movement; you may be pulling with your shoulders and not your back; this is a very common mistake and easy to do. -Take the movement all the way to the top and all the way back down to the very bottom for a full stretch. The top part of the movement should have your chin at the top of the bar. -If you cannot do bodyweight pull-ups, use an assisted machine until you master the exercise and are ready for full fledged pull-ups. If your gym does not have an assisted machine, use the lat pull down on the cables; most gym do have an assisted machine.

*Reverse Wide Grip Seated Cable Row: Performed identically as the wide grip seated cable row, however, this time you will grip the bar with an underhand grip; everything else is the same.

-DO NOT jerk the weight back to where you are leaning backwards at the end of the movement. -After you’ve pulled the weight back and are preparing to lower it back down, let it stretch your arms and lats forward to get a good stretch. This is sort of a touchy thing, it can be easy to let yourself stretch forward and then use the momentum to thrust yourself backwards which will take your back out of the exercise in the incorrect way.

*Incline Dumbbell Rows: Lying face down on an incline bench, this exercise is similar to a standard dumbbell row. The big difference is the angle, you will find this exercise much harder to do correctly but it will provide a much needed added stimulation to your back. Keeping your head down, let the dumbbells hang naturally to your side and pull them straight up as high as you can, contracting at the top.

-DO NOT raise your head up -Keep your torso planet firmly on the bench -Make sure your elbows are coming straight back and not flaring outwards

*Bent-Over Barbell Rows: grabbing a barbell at shoulder width, using a thumb less grip, bend over to where the bar is hanging towards the floor, arms straight. As you bend down, bend at the hips, not at the waist. Your rear end should be pointed outward at an exaggerated position if you are bending over correctly. Bend over to a 90 degree angle. A 45 degree angle can be acceptable, however upright is not nor is a slight bend.

-Pull the bar straight up, keeping it towards your body the entire time. As you pull up, your elbows should be pointed straight back. Contract hard at the top and repeat. -At the top portion of the movement, the bar should hit in between the hips and your bellybutton; not below, not higher.

*Rack Dead Lifts: very similar to dead lifts, the difference here is the starting point. With Rack Dead Lifts, you will start with the bar right below your knees; other then that, the movement is exactly the same.

Why Deads off a rack? You should be much stronger by now; you are also not training purely for strength but for a well defined and developed physique. With regular dead lifts from the floor it is very easy for to cause unwanted distension in the stomach and over developed oblique’s which will make your waste appear wider, this is the last thing you want. Taking the starting point to slightly below the knees will greatly aid in preventing these things from happening.

Inside a power rack place the safety stops directly below the knees. Grab the bar with a slightly wider then shoulder width grip, both hands with an overhand grip, palms facing down. Pull straight up, contract your entire back and lower the weight back to the safety stops…repeat.

-DO NOT bend over at the waste letting your back round over. Remain as upright as you can naturally. -DO NOT bounce the weight off the safety stops. -Make sure you go all the way down with each rep

*Hanging/Elevated Pull-Ups: You will need to perform these using a Smith Machine. Lying under a Smith machine bar, place the bar approximately 2.5-3.5 feet off the ground. In front of your feet you will need a bench; a bench you would use for dumbbell military press will work best. Simply prop your feet on top of the back of the bench while gripping the Smith machine bar with your hands and pull yourself straight up into the bar; contract at the top.

-Your feet should be higher then your head at the bottom of the movement and your head will be slightly above the feet at the top. -Keep your torso as straight as possible throughout

*Reverse Grip Barbell Rows: The exact same movement as regular barbell rows, only this time you are gripping the bar with your palms facing up. The difference here is it will allow you to pull your elbows back slightly more.

-Pull the bar straight up, keeping it towards your body the entire time. As you pull up, your elbows should be pointed straight back. Contract hard at the top and repeat. -At the top portion of the movement, the bar should hit in between the hips and your bellybutton; not below, not higher.

*Reverse Grip Pull Downs: These can be performed using a Hammer Strength Machine that is specifically designed for this movement or with a lat pull-down bar on a cable station. Either way, your hands will be approximately 6” apart and you will hold the bar with a reverse grip, palms facing up. Simply pull straight down into your chest.

-DO NOT lean back at all if you use the Hammer Strength method, a slight lean is acceptable on the cable station; no more then 10 degrees. -Keep your head up -DO NOT let your shoulders become involved

*T-Bar rows: there are two options to perform this exercise. First, some gyms have a t-bar row bench, it will have a pad you lean over on with your chest, and two handles that you reach down and grab. You simply pull the weight up to the bottom of the pad.

The other option, and this is the probodbybuilding.com favored method, do it the way it was originally intended to be done. Place a bar in a floor positioned t-bar holder or simply place a barbell in the corner of a wall. Put your weight on the opposite end of the bar and using a D-handle grab the bar and pull straight up towards your chest. You should remain bent at the hips at a 90 degree to slightly less the entire time, similar to how you would be bent performing barbell rows.

-DO NOT bend at the waste -Keep your head up -Contract your lats hard at the top -DO NOT bounce the weight off the floor

*Single Arm Behind the Neck Incline Lat Pull Downs: Place an incline bench directly in front of a cable station with a lat pull-down bar attached at the top. Lay face down on the incline bench while holding the bar with both hands at the top. You will perform the desired number of reps one arm at a time. Pull down with your working arm, letting the resting arm remain at the top.

-Keep your head down the entire time -Contract the side of the back being worked at the bottom of the exercise -Use full range of motion, the working arm should go all the way back to the top at the end of each rep for a good stretch

*Single Leg Extensions: Everything that is said about standard leg extensions is the same here; you will simply use one leg at a time for isolation purposes. Simply place both feet into the proper position on the leg extension machine and work one leg at a time.

-DO NOT lock your knee at the top -Squeeze and hold each rep at the top for a second -DO NOT bounce the weight

*Squats: with the bar across your back, you should squat down similar to if you were sitting down in a chair. Your feet should be shoulder width to slightly less than shoulder width apart. Spreading your feet further apart will give you more power, but will take away from the stimulation you are trying to achieve.

-the bar should not be up high on your neck, rather it should be resting on your lower traps. Having the bar too high can force your head down. Your head should remain up the entire time to relieve stress on the spine. -You should remain upright through the entire movement. However, this means upright in a natural position; you do not need to be at a 90degree angle. Your glutes should be going back and down as you make the movement. -The movement itself, your knees should not go out over your toes. Feet remain flat; your heels never come up. Your thighs should be parallel to the ground at the bottom portion of the exercise. Going below parallel is great, if you can squat glutes to calves then do so, but not at the expense of solid form in every other aspect. However, Parallel is a MUST!

*Unilateral Leg Press: On a leg press machine, you will perform these one leg at a time. Place both feet on the platform to get the weight up and then drop one leg to the floor; let it relax naturally. You will press the weight with the one leg left on the platform. You will need to keep your working leg positioned directly in line with your working side shoulder.

-DO NOT put your working leg directly in front of you to where your foot is in line with the center of your chest -DO NOT lock your knee at the top

*Hack Squats: You’re gym should have a machine called a “Hack Squat” this is the one you’ll use. The move can also be performed holding a barbell behind your back and squatting, but for our purposes we will use the Hack Squat machine press. There are two type of hack machines/benches:

1. Stand in the machine lying back on the pad with the shoulder pads directly over your shoulders. With your feet slightly less the shoulder width apart on the platform. Simply squat down.

2. Sit in the seat that has a V shaped bend, with your lower back directly above the crease/split. With your feet slightly less the shoulder width apart on the platform. Simply squat down.

-DO NOT let your back come up off the seat or off the back pad. This can lead to severe stress on the spine -DO NOT slouch your body; remain fully up right with your torso -Keep your toes pointed slightly out, slightly

*Staggered Squats: To use any decent amount of weight you will need to use a Smith Machine for this. Step under the bar just as you would to do regular barbell squats. Placing one foot out in front of you and the other stretched out behind you and up on your toe. Lower the weight down. The movement should be almost identical to a lunge, but you will be able to use a far greater amount of weight with these then with lunges. Keep in mind, these do not replace lunges, they offer a variation on stimulation.

-Remain perfectly upright throughout -DO NOT let the bending leg come out over your toe -The back leg should remain straight and relaxed

*Seated Calf Raise w/counted holds: These can be performed on any calf raise machine. You will simply be using a count to make the work more difficult and provide needed stimulation.

Press the weight to the top position and bring it down slowly for a count of 8 seconds; you should not reach the bottom until you have reached a full count of 8

At the bottom of the exercise, hold for a count of 5 full seconds

After the 5 second hold at the bottom, explode up and repeat

*Bosa Ball Squats: Standing on top of a Bosa ball, hold a weight in your hands and simply squat. A Bosa ball will have a rounded bubble on one side and be flat on the other side. This will require a good bit of balance, but will work key muscles in the legs that often get neglected.

-Keep your feet relatively close together -Squat down just as you would performing a barbell squat

* Leg Extensions: In a leg extension machine, simply extend your legs up with your ankles resting on the pad. Contract at the top

-Hold the rep at the top for a second and contract -Control the weight back down -DO NOT bounce the weight

*Standing in Place Deep Lunges: Almost identical to Waling Lunges; you will perform these remaining in one place the entire time. With a bar on your back or dumbbells in your hands, lunge forward; you should be able to lunge forward very deep, and then step back with the working leg, back to the starting position. This changes the stimulation slightly from the Walking Lunge because you do not get the back step with walking lunges like you do here.

-Keep your body upright the entire time -Reps can be performed one leg at a time or you can alternate legs

 

*Standing Calf Raise: Standing in a calf raise machine, place the pads on top of your shoulders. Your feet should be placed with your heels hanging off the foot platform. Press up and all the way back down, very simple

-DO NOT lock your knees, keep them relaxed -DO NOT bounce -Use full range of motion, do not forgo going all the way down. -Squeeze at the top

*Standing Single Leg Calf Raise: These will not seem like much, but if performed correctly they will burn your calves to pieces. Find a step to use, simply stand with one leg on the step, the other wrapped around the back of your working ankle. Raise up and down.

-DO NOT bounce -Full range of motion

*Standing Single Arm Lateral Raise: Almost identical to Standing Lateral Raise, the difference here is you will grasp on to some support and lean outwards. Everything else is the same.

-keep a slight bend in your elbows throughout -at the top portion of the movement, the dumbbells should be pointed slightly down in front of you as if you were pouring out a pitcher of water. -control the movement all the way back down to keep tension on your side laterals muscles -DO NOT raise the dumbbells up above your head. This causes undue stress to your traps, and in short will make you look like you don’t know what you’re doing. -You have to do these one arm at a time

*Front Raise: These can be performed with dumbbells or a straight bar.

1. Dumbbells: hold one in each hand, and raise directly in front of you

2. Bar: hold the bar with an overhand grip, palms facing down, and raise the bar straight in front of you

-The top of the motion should have your arms at a perfect parallel height -DO NOT raise the bar above your head; this can cause undue stress to the joints

*Dumbbell Military Press: use a bench with a back support and press the dumbbells directly above your head.

-place the dumbbells on your thighs and kick them up one at a time to which you’ll be holding the dumbbells directly above your shoulders perpendicular to your body. The dumbbells should be pointed outward, not inward -press directly up but DO NOT lock out your elbows at the top -lower the dumbbells back down to the point to where your elbows are at a slightly lower then 90 degree angle. It should be the same point and line as a barbell military press

*Dumbbell Shrugs: hold two dumbbells to your side and shrug

-keep your head down throughout -DO NOT roll your shoulders at the top -DO NOT jerk your body -control the weight back down

*Bent-Over Staggered Lateral Raise: Performed much like standard Bent-Over Lateral Raises, sit on the end of a bench with dumbbells hanging at your side, palms facing in. Bend over just as you would to perform the standard version of this exercise. You will raise both dumbbells at the same time, but you will raise one directly to your side as you normally would, while raising the other at an angle that goes towards your back. With each rep, alternate which arm goes out straight and which arm goes at an angle.

-This exercise creates an “X” shape angle and pulls across your rear delts. -Keep your head down the entire time -At no time should the dumbbells go above your head

*Behind the Back Barbell Shrugs: Grab a barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing down with the bar behind your back; simply shrug up

-You will need to create a slight lean forward -keep your head down throughout -DO NOT roll your shoulders at the top -DO NOT jerk your body -control the weight back down -The bar will hit the bottom of your glutes, it’s supposed to

*Bent-Over Dumbbell Lateral Raise: Sit on the end of a bench and bend over to the point where your you are laying on the top of your thighs. Let the dumbbells hang down to your side beside your legs behind your feet.

-Using the same motion as a lateral raise, raise both dumbbells straight up -Keep a slight bend in your elbows -Keep your head down -Raise the dumbbells up until they are slightly higher then perpendicular to your chest. IF your shoulder blades pull close together, you have gone back too far and have taken the stress off your rear delts.

*Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise: Performed one arm at a time, grab a D-handle cable attachment and hold it behind your back. Simply raise up as you would doing a dumbbell lateral raise.

-Stand upright the entire time -The top of the motion should have you slightly above shoulder height

*Hammer Strength Military Press or Machine Equivalent: This will be the same motion as any military press. The difference here is on this machine you will lean slightly back. Everything else is the same except for the fact that you should be able to use a pretty decent amount of weight.

-Press directly up but DO NOT lock out your elbows at the top -Full range of motion

*Hammer Strength Shrugs (or equivalent): Performed as you would on a barbell or with dumbbells. You should be albe to use a massive amount of weight with these as well as add some intensity techniques that are more difficult to do with dumbbells or a barbell

*Standing Barbell Curl: standing upright, grip a barbell at approximately shoulder width. In a curling motion, raise the bar all the way up towards the chest and squeeze. Proceed to lower the bar all the way down in a controlled manner.

-DO NOT roll your shoulders or bring your shoulders into the movement in any way. If your shoulders come into play, chances are you are using too much weight -DO NOT cheat yourself and not come all the way back down. Full range of motion, as will do with all your exercises -Do not use your back in any shape form or fashion. If you find you are heaving your body and using your lower back, lower the weight. This is a very common mistake and is an ego factor that causes many lifters to seriously short change themselves, not to mention threaten serious injury to your lower back

*Dumbbell Preacher Curls: Exactly the same as regular preacher curls, only you will use dumbbells and perform the reps one arm at a time for a more concentrated affect. Everything else that is said about curls is true here.

-DO NOT let your butt come up off the seat for any reason -DO NOT roll your shoulders or bring your shoulders into the movement in any way. If your shoulders come into play, chances are you are using too much weight -DO NOT cheat yourself and not come all the way back down. Full range of motion, as will do with all your exercises

*Incline Hammer Curls: Lying on an incline bench, you will curl up just as you would doing standard hammer curls.

-Keep your head flat on the bench throughout -DO NOT raise up -Keep the dumbbells point vertically the entire time, palms facing in

*Close Grip Bench Press: Lying on a flat bench just as you would to do flat bench press when working chest, grab the barbell with your hands approximately 6” apart. Lower the bar down to your mid chest and explode up

-keep your elbows tucked in on this exercise, the exact opposite as you would do on flat bench press when working chest. -squeeze the triceps hard at the top portion of the exercise

*Dumbbell French Press/Skull Crushers: Exact same movement as standard French Press/Skull Crushers, only using dumbbells for added concentration; everything else is the same. Laying on a flat bench with both feet on the floor lower the dumbbells towards the center of your face; your arm length will determine exactly where this point is.

*Single Arm Reverse Grip Pull Downs: Using a D-handle on a cable station, place the cable attachment all the way to the top and grip the handle with an underhand grip, palm facing up. Keeping your elbow tucked into your side, perform the exercise by pulling straight down.

-Contract hard at the bottom -DO NOT let your body sway -You will not be able to use much weight on this exercise as compared to other lifts, but don’t let this concern you; it is the contraction and stimulation you are after

*Incline French Press/Skull Crushers: The exact same movement as standard French Press/Skull Crusher except you are lying on an incline bench and will need to let the bar go behind your head slightly. Everything else is the same.

-bend your arms all the way down to where your elbows are slightly below a 90 degree bend -explode up and squeeze your triceps hard at the top -Do not let your elbows flair out

*Incline Curls: Lying on an incline bench, you will curl up just as you would doing standard dumbbell curls. The starting point of the lift should have your palms facing in, at the top they wil have turned to facing up.

-Keep your head flat on the bench throughout -DO NOT raise up

*V-Bar Cable Press Down: Grip a V-Bar cable attachment and simply press down using your triceps. One of the simplest exercises you will ever do, but there are slight mishaps that can mess it up.

-Stand directly in front of the cable station; do not take several steps back to make it easier -Use full range of motion; at the top portion your elbows should be at 90 degrees directly beside your body -DO NOT bounce the weight

*Cable Curls: Exact same motion as a barbell curl, grab a straight bar cable attachment and curl. This exercise allows for an equal amount of tension to be on the muscle throughout. You should be facing the weight stack, not reversed with the cable between your legs as you may see people do. Everythign else is the same. In a curling motion, raise the bar all the way up towards the chest and squeeze. Proceed to lower the bar all the way down in a controlled manner.

-DO NOT roll your shoulders or bring your shoulders into the movement in any way. If your shoulders come into play, chances are you are using too much weight -DO NOT cheat yourself and not come all the way back down. Full range of motion, as will do with all your exercises -Do not use your back in any shape form or fashion. If you find you are heaving your body and using your lower back, lower the weight. This is a very common mistake and is an ego factor that causes many lifters to seriously short change themselves, not to mention threaten serious injury to your lower back

*Close Grip Bench Press: Lying on a flat bench just as you would to do flat bench press when working chest, grab the barbell with your hands approximately 6” apart. Lower the bar down to your mid chest and explode up

-keep your elbows tucked in on this exercise, the exact opposite as you would do on flat bench press when working chest. -squeeze the triceps hard at the top portion of the exercise

*Dumbbell Hammer Curls: Holding a dumbbell in each hand curl the dumbbells straight up but in doing so, keep the dumbbells pointed straight ahead the entire time, palms facing the body. Squeeze hard at the top and control the movement down.

-as you squeeze up, focus more on squeezing the biceps where they tie in with your forearms -as with all curling motions, DO NOT cheat by rolling your shoulders or using your shoulders at all or your lower back

*Straight Leg Dead Lift: Very similar to a standard Dead Lift, however you will keep your legs straight the entire time.

-Do not lock the knees, stand relaxed -Lower the weight towards the floor until you feel a good contraction in your hamstrings. -The distance you lower the weight will vary from person to person, depending on height. Try to lower the bar all the way to the ground, but if you reach a point to where the tension leaves your hamstrings and is placed on your lower back, you have gone to far; try to find the sweet spot. -The weight used on this exercise is not a major issue; you are going for the hard contraction. This is a very easy exercise to mess up and cause injury to your lower back or hamstrings; use caution and sound judgment every time.

*High Leg Press: On a leg press machine, you will perform this exercise identically to the manner in which standard leg presses are performed; the difference here will be foot position. You will place your feet up high on the platform, how high exactly will be determined by the length of your legs and the size of the platform; either way, they should be about as high as you can manage. This will take the stimulation off of the quads and put it on the hamstrings

-DO NOT let your back come up off the seat at all -Your Knees should be around your head at the bottom portion of the exercise

*Standing Calf Raise: Standing in a calf raise machine, place the pads on top of your shoulders. Your feet should be placed with your heels hanging off the foot platform. Press up and all the way back down, very simple

-DO NOT lock your knees, keep them relaxed -DO NOT bounce -Use full range of motion -Squeeze at the top

*Donkey Calf Raise: Two ways to be performed.

1. Place your lower back directly under the pad of the machine, and use the same motion as you would for a standing calf raise.

2. The other type of machine has a seat very similar to the seated Hack Squat machine, almost identical. Same motion as the other version.

-DO NOT lock your knees, keep them relaxed -DO NOT bounce -Use full range of motion, do not forgo going all the way down. -Squeeze at the top

*Alternating Depth Dumbbell Stiff Leg Dead lift: Holding dumbbells in each hand have them right against your quads, palms facing in. Lower the weight to the half way point of a standard Stiff Leg Dead Lift and go back up, then proceed to go back down this time lowering the dumbbells to the tops of your ankles, go back up; lower again and touch the floor and back up. You have now completed one rep

-Bend at the hips; DO NOT bend at the waste -Keep a straight line in your back -Keep a slight bend in your knees

*Walking Lunges: Use either a bar across your back or hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands. If your grip begins to give out before your legs do and you’re using dumbbells, switch to a barbell.

-lunge forward one leg at a time. For perfect form throughout, take one step forward and bring the other leg up to meet the lunging leg and stop then repeat with the other leg forward. Once you perfect your form, you may begin taking continuous strides without the stopping point. This is not a required necessity, if your form gets sloppy with this method, go back to one leg at a time then stop and repeat. -as you lunge, the back leg should come within inches of touching the ground. As you come forward with the back leg, push off hard with your back foot to intensify the stimulation in your glutes and hamstrings.

***Notes for Figure & Fitness Enthusiast***

*You have been training for some time now; there is a chance some exercises have needed to be replaced with others to ensure certain body parts do not become overdeveloped. For some of you this has been the case, for some of you it’s just now starting to become an issue. For you, it may be wise to follow the routine below.

*Legs:

-it is important as with all physique building endeavors that you build a proportional and well balanced physique. In your situation however, if can be a problem if your legs become too over developed. Because of this fact, at certain points in your training you may need to back off your barbell squats at times. Nothing on this earth packs on lean tissue to the legs like barbell squats. If you find your legs getting over muscular in a way that could be detrimental to your goals, back off, continue to do squatting exercises but back off the weight and go with more high rep squats. Some but few may need to forgo squats altogether for a period of time.

*Dead Lifts:

-One of the best if not the very best back exercise on the planet, however in its pure form this lift is not for you. There is too much of a risk of increasing the size of your oblique’s and this is simply a bad thing for what you want to do. It gives a wider appearance, something you do not want. For you, it is still recommended that you make certain types of dead lifts part of your routine. You should be doing “Rack” dead lifts on occasion. This will keep you from falling into some of the pitfalls that regular dead lifts may cause you. In the sample routine above it has you doing dead lifts every week as a beginner, for you, you will be doing rack dead lifts, but you will be doing them only every other back workout at first and as you progress you may need to make it every third back session.

*Shoulders & Traps:

Keep the shrugs to a minimum. Once every third to fourth workout will be perfect

*Reps:

For the figure & fitness enthusiast, you will need to change the rep range from the one listed above. Keep all your reps in the 10-15 range in every lift, with the occasional set of 8 reps. Forgo the lower rep sets.

Rest:

Keeping things moving while your training is what you should always be doing, in your case even more so. You are more then likely eating more food then when you began, if not, more then likely you are eating the right foods. Because of this, and because you will need to stay even closer to your contest weight then a bodybuilder, keep your workouts very fast paced.

***Advanced Training Routine for the Fitness & Figure Enthusiast***

Chest: (Workout A)

Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 Working Sets 12-15 reps each

Incline Dumbbell Fly’s super-set w/Elevated Pushups: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each exercise

Flat Dumbbell Bench Press super-set w/Cable Crossovers: 3 Sets 10 reps w/Dips, 10-failure w/Crossovers

Chest: (Workout B)

Incline Barbell Press (Rest/Pause Reps): 3 Sets 10-12 reps each

Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Incline Fly’s: 2 Sets triple drop sets to failure

Back: (Workout A)

Wide Grip Pull-Ups or Lat Pull Downs: 4 Sets 10-12 reps each

Reverse Wide Grip Seated Cable Row super-set w/Incline Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets 10 reps each exercise

Barbell Rows: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Cable Pull-Over’s: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

*Every 3^rd-4^th workout do: Rack Dead Lifts: 3 Working Sets 10-12 reps each

Back: (Workout B)

Hanging/Elevated Pull-Ups: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Reverse Grip Barbell Rows super-set w/Reverse Grip Pull Downs: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each both exercises

T-Bar Rows: 3 Sets 10-12 reps each, last set triple drop set

Single Arm Behind the Neck Incline Lat Pull Downs: 3 Sets 12 reps each arm

Quads & Calves: (Workout A)

Single Leg Extensions: 3 Sets each leg, 15-20 reps each

Squats: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Unilateral Leg Press: 3 Sets each leg, 10-15 reps each set

Hack Squats super-set w/Staggered Squats: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each set on Hacks, 10 reps each leg on Staggered

Seated Calf Raise w/counted holds: 3 Sets 10-15 reps

Quads & Calves: (Workout B)

Giant Set: Hack Squats w/Bosa Ball Squats w/Leg Extensions: 3 Sets 15 reps each

Standing in Place Deep Lunges: 3 Sets 10 reps each leg

Leg Extensions: 2 Sets both sets 50-failure

Standing Calf Raise super-set with Single Leg Standing Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps for Weighted, 10 for single leg

Shoulders & Traps: (Workout A)

Lateral Raise super-set w/Front Raise: 3 Sets 10 reps each exercise

Dumbbell Military Press super-set w/Upright-Rows: 3 Sets 10 reps each exercise

Bent-Over Staggered Lateral Raise: 3 Sets 12 reps each arm

Shoulders & Traps: (Workout B)

Bent-Over Lateral Raise: 3 Triple drop Sets, each set contains 10 reps in each section

Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each

Hammer Strength Military Press (or equivalent) 3 Sets 12-15 Reps each

Every 3^rd-4^th workout: Hammer Strength Shrugs (or equivalent): 1 Set, Progressive Rep Drop Set

Arms: (Workout A)

Barbell Curls: 2 Working Sets 12-15 reps each

Dumbbell Preacher Curls: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each arm

Incline Hammer Curls: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each arm

Close Grip Bench Press: 2 Working Sets 12-15 reps each

Dumbbell French Press/Skull Crushers: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each

Single Arm Reverse Grip Pull Downs: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each arm

Arms: (Workout B)

Incline French Press/Skull Crushers super-set w/Incline Curls: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each exercise 3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

V-bar Press Downs super-set w/Straight Bar Cable Curls: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

Close Grip Bench Press super-set w/Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each3^rd set taken to absolute failure both exercises

Hamstrings & Calves: (Workout A)

Unilateral Lying Leg Curl: 3 Sets 12-15 reps each leg

Stiff Leg Dead Lifts: 2 Sets 12-15 reps each

High Leg Press: 2 Sets 12-15 reps

Standing Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps each

Donkey Calf Raise: 2 Sets 15 reps each

Hamstrings & Calves: (Workout B)

Lying Dumbbell Leg Curls: 2 Sets 10-failure each

Alternating Depth Dumbbell Stiff Leg Dead lift: 2 Sets 10 reps each

Walking Lunges: 2 Sets each set consist of 10-15 reps per leg

***Notes on Exercises added to figure/fitness routine***

Only 2 exercises added to the figure/fitness routine not mentioned in the main list of exercises above. All of the other changes are listed within the routine itself.

Elevated Pushups: Placing your feet up on a bench simply hold yourself up by your arms and perform the desired amount of pushups.

-Keep a straight line in your back -Keep your head in the neutral position -Elbows should be slightly below 90 degrees at the bottom portion of the exercise

*Close Grip Upright Rows: same as wide grip upright rows only now your hands are 6” apart putting the stress on your traps and taking it off your shoulders. Everything else is the same.

-pull the bar straight up keeping it right in front of your body throughout. -as you pull upwards, your elbows should be working their way upwards to where they are pointing towards the ceiling at the top. -at the top of the movement the bar should be above your chest, it should never reach your head.

***Myths***

*Spot Reduction:

When you train a certain body part, this does not mean you are burning fat from the area being worked. Many people believe that if they do sit-ups or crunches, that they will in fact shrink their stomach; nothing could be further from the truth. When you exercise, the energy pulled from fat burns stored body fat from the entire body; it starts from the last place the fat was stored. When you work a certain body part, you do in fact improve the shape and strength of that body part, but you do not specifically remove fat from that area. Your goal is to shrink fat cells throughout the entire body, which is exactly what you’re doing when you exercise and eat right.

*Muscle to Fat…Fat to Muscle:

Many believe that when they stop training that the new muscle they have acquired will in fact turn into fat; the opposite is sometimes said about fat; some believe that when they begin training that the fat they now have will turn into muscle. Muscle tissue is not the same as fat tissue. Why does this myth exist? This is because of catabolism of muscle fibers for the use of energy, which in many cases will cause excess glucose to be stored as fat. What you end up having is muscle atrophy and increased fatty tissue in the same body part giving the appearance that muscle has turned into fat.

*Reshaping the Muscle:

Unfortunately you cannot reshape your muscles. The shape of your muscles is determined at birth. Your goal is to add all you can to the look of your muscle, to enthusiastically create a better appeal of the muscles in your body. By increasing the size and by removing excess body fat around the muscles, it will give them the appearance of better looking muscles.

***Sample Weekly Splits***

*Sample 1:

Monday	Back
Tuesday	Chest
Wednesday	Quads & Calves
Thursday	Shoulders & Traps
Friday	Arms
Saturday	Hamstrings & Calves
Sunday	Off/Rest

*Sample 2:

Monday	Rest/Off
Tuesday	Back
Wednesday	Chest
Thursday	Quads & Calves
Friday	Shoulders & Traps
Saturday	Arms
Sunday	Hamstrings & Calves

*Sample 3:

Monday	Arms
Tuesday	Quads & Calves
Wednesday	Off/Rest
Thursday	Shoulders & Traps
Friday	Rest/Off
Saturday	Back
Sunday	Chest

Notes on Sample Splits:

*In the advanced routine you are doing quads and hamstrings separately. For many of you this will be a great way to bring up lagging hamstrings, more of you will fall into this category then not. If not, or if you simply do not have time to add in the extra training session, it will not be the end of the world.

*In all three splits, back and quads are kept with at least one day apart from the two; no where are they listed on back to back days. You should be moving some pretty decent weight by now, and having them back to back can lead to too much stress on the spine.

*Arms, no where are they listed to where you train arms and then train chest, back, or shoulders the next day. They should always fall one day before you rest, or one day before you train quads or hamstrings to allow them to recover.

***How Long to Stay on Advanced Routine***

*Hopefully for the rest of your life. You will need to continually mix things up, find new ways to create adequate stimulation. If you stay tuned to probodybuilding.com we will continue to show you these ways.

-If you fall away from training for a short while, ease back into it just a little but don’t waste too much time. Get back going as quickly as you can

***Very Important***

-As you did at the intermediate level you will need to continue imploring different styles of training to compliment what you’re already doing. The probodybuilding.com outline should always be your base, but feel free to experiment with other training methods to compliment this one.

-For example, if you were to follow the probodybuilding.com training outline, as some point growth and progress will slow down; this will be true with any training method you follow. At this point you may very well need to consider switching to an alternate routine for several weeks. After you have made this switch, after you have trained with your alternate routine for a set amount of time, then it will be time to return to this outline.

-Lifting styles such as DC, PRRS Training Systems, HIT etc are excellent choices to give your body a needed change and boost in training.

-Once you have completed a set time period through one of these alternate training methods, when you do return to the probodybuilding.com training outline, you will find that your progress will increase yet again.

***Soreness***

*Soreness is not the end all to be all factor when it comes to actual progress or in determining if your training session went well.

-When you first begin this routine you are going to be sore, this is a given. You will be a little more sore then you have been in recent weeks when you begin this routine. Don’t let this concern you, it will hurt, it will be uncomfortable, but you need to work through it. If you are sore the next day after your leg workout, this does not mean you take the next scheduled lifting day off; you work through it. There will be times when it is difficult to sit or walk normally, there will be times when lifting your arms up is a difficult task; WORK THROUGH IT! As you continue to work, the soreness will lessen and become more manageable.

-Many people enjoy a manageable level of soreness after they workout; it lets them know and gives them a feeling of satisfaction that their workout session was a job well done. But it is not the soreness itself that leads to a “Good Workout.” The soreness was caused in part by the strain on the muscles and in part by the buildup of lactic acid around the muscles being worked. For some this will be worse than others. Proper diet and proper rest will alleviate soreness to a great extent; as will cardio. (See Cardio Section)

-Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): you have trained a particular muscle group, yet soreness does not show its self until an undetermined amount of time has passed. For example, You trained legs, after you are done training you are tired and fatigued, perhaps sore in a “strained” sort of way, yet actual “Soreness” is absent. The next morning when you wake up, perhaps even twenty-hour hours later, the intense soreness rears its head. There can be even another level of DOMS that is not uncommon; you have trained a particular body part, the extreme soreness shows itself the next day; 48 hours later, the soreness is intensified yet again taking it to its peak level. When this occurs it may take a few days before the soreness subsides completely. DO NOT WORRY, this is normal and all part of the new way of life you have undertaken.

***Taking a Break***

*After approximately 12-16weeks of training, it is strongly recommended that you take some time off from your weight training. At this point you will want to not touch a weight for a solid week. This will allow your body some much needed rest, it will let your muscle heal and prepare you even that much more for the training to come.

Q: Why take a break, shouldn’t I train more and more, won’t I lose my gains, won’t I hurt my progress?

A: Absolutely not, if anything you will help it tremendously

Q: Should I do nothing when I take my break?

A: Remain active, it’s recommended that you do something most days, this is simply just good for your health. Take a walk, go play some sort of pickup game with your friends, anything to simply get some exercise

Q: What if I reach the 12-16wk mark and don’t feel like taking a break, what if I am really in the groove and making great progress, should I still take a break?

A: There is nothing magical per say about the 12-16wk mark. If you are hitting it hard and really making progress, sure, go ahead and keep going for another wk or two, but you should really force yourself to break at some point during or slightly after that time frame. Your gains will be greater and your body will thank you.

***Cardio***

*Cardio is an absolute essential for anyone looking to build a great physique. It is beneficial for your cardiovascular system, it keeps your metabolism revved up, it helps regulate many of the hormones in your body that are essential for a proper functioning body to build an awesome physique.

*There are several things to consider when it comes to your cardio. Right now you are not dieting for a contest, you are not trying to get down to an extremely low body fat percentage, but cardio and keeping your metabolism burning quickly is important.

-As an advanced bodybuilder, you should be carrying a lot of muscle on your frame by now, your diet is more then likely packed full of more food, and more meals then you have eaten in the past. Your metabolism is also firing very well, but because of the massive amounts of food you’re eating, you are going to need to stay diligent with the cardio. It is recommended that you get some cardio in almost every day after your weight training session; 30-45minutes per session. Some 20 minute sessions here and there and an occasional absence from the cardio machine is fine; just don’t make too big a habit of it. *The exception: Some of you will be the exception, you are the gifted and do not make up the majority. You will get by on a little cardio here and there, 20 minutes a session, 2-3 days per week. Then there are the even fewer, the genetically blessed, you will not touch a cardio machine, not unless it’s contest time; less then 5% of you will fall into this category. **Figure/Fitness athletes: 45 minutes every session, minimum 5 days per week

*The type of cardio or how hard you do your cardio is important. You should keep your heart rate in the fat burning zone. There is no need to sprint or get your heart rate flying; this will cause and put you at risk at burning precious hard earned muscle tissue. Keep it in the fat burning zone; your heart rate should be at 110-130 beats per minute.

*Final cardio note: regular post weight training cardio is one of the best ways to ensure you’re not sorer then you need to be. Nothing flushes out the lactic acid that builds up around your muscles during weight training and causes soreness like cardio does. If for no other reason then this, cardio should be executed regularly.

***Stretching & Warming UP***

*Both are important before any training session. Before you hit the weights it is not a bad idea to do 5-10 minutes of light cardio to get your blood flowing and get in to the right state of mind. Is it necessary? No, but it’s not a bad idea.

*When it comes to stretching itself, before each workout, stretch the muscles that you will be training. However, you do not and should not do any extreme stretching before lifting. This can be damaging to your muscles before you lift. Keep the intense stretching for after you lift. Is post workout stretching necessary? To an extent absolutely! It will help flush lactic acid away from the muscles making soreness more manageable. It will also help prevent injury

***Lifting Accessories***

*There is an ongoing argument among trainers, lifters and weight lifting experts as to which if any accessories are acceptable if any. Among pure strength athletes these can be a hindrance, but you are here to build a perfect physique, get stronger absolutely, and it is a fact that some accessories will aid you in this process.

*Belts: If you can get by without using them then by all means go for it. If you are feeling pressure on your lower back in some exercises then please use a belt. If you are feeling pressure during presses then you are twisting your back and should stop immediately and perfect your form. If you feel you need a belt while doing curls, then you are swinging your back and hips, stop lower the weight and perfect your form.

-Belts are acceptable for:

*Squats

*Dead Lifts

*Bent-Over Rows

*Shrugs

*Lifting Straps: some will argue that using lifting straps will take away from forearm development and that they should never be used. This is simply an overblown myth. When training your back your forearms will come into play on almost every exercise, on everyone of these exercises no matter how strong your forearms are, they will tire out before your back does. Your back will always be stronger then your forearms no matter how strong your forearms become. For this reason it is strongly recommended that you use lifting straps while training back and while performing shrugs in some instances. Worry about your forearm strength and development when you’re training arms.

*Knee Wraps: these items have their place in a training routine when it comes to legs. However, their use should be limited. As a beginner you were strongly urged not to use these items, as a more advanced lifter now, this may be the time for some of you to begin using them. So when is it time?

-You have built up a massive amount of strength in your legs.

-You have weak knees when it comes to the heavy weight you now need to push doing squats and lunges.

-Squats and lunges will be the only two acceptable places where you are to use knee wraps.

-At probodybuilding.com, we can say with almost all certainty that if 185lbs is considered heavy for you on squats, then there is no reason for you to use knee wraps on squats.

-You should be pushing 300lbs+ on squats if you are going to consider using these things. Doesn’t mean you have to, but let’s make 300lbs the bench mark.