Open Gym Strength and Conditioning – Bodybuilding

Bodybuilding RPE Scale

RPE 1-3 || This should be a weight that an athlete can move with ease throughout the intended rep range.

RPE 10 || This is a max effort for the intended rep range. The athlete should be fully taxed at the end of each set.

Upper Body Posterior Warm-Up (Checkmark)

3 Rounds

15/12 cal Row

10 Scap Pull-ups

15 Bent Over Barbell Rows (empty bar)

5 Iron Cross (each side)

5 Down Dog/Seal Pose Transitions

Athletes Notes

Focus: Effort should be easy building into moderate. Get yourself moving and opened up for upcoming work.

Scap Pull Ups

Bent Over Barbell Row

Iron Cross

Down Dog/ Seal Pose Transition

Deadlift

2 sets: 5-3-1 reps – at the heaviest of the last 3 weeks

*Rest 2:00-2:30 b/t sets

Strict Pull-ups

2 sets: 5-3-1 reps – at the heaviest of the last 3 weeks

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Bent Over Barbell Row – Underhand Grip

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Focus: With a double underhand grip, deadlift bar to waist and then lower to a hang position (right above the knees) to start each set. Aim to pull with the elbows (rather than the hands) and bringing the bar to the hips (do not pull high towards the upper abdomen). Focus on getting a strong back contraction with each rep. Minimize the amount of kipping used between reps and feel the stretch in the lats/upper back when lowering the bar back to the hang position with each rep.
4 sets: 10 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Lying DB Pullover on Bench

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Focus: Lying on a bench, hold a dumbbell by the upper head in both hands. Keeping a slight bend in the arms, lower the dumbbell back towards the floor. Engagement should be felt in the lats/upper back. Only go back as far as control in the lift is still felt and start light to get a feel for the movement. Avoid overarching the back to facilitate a greater range of motion; core should remain engaged throughout. Suggested lying on the bench sideways so the upper back is the supported area by the bench (just ensure that bench is secured to prevent tipping over).
4 sets: 10 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Standing KB Crush Grip French Press

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Focus: In a standing position, take a KB and grasp it between both hands around the bell portion (not the handles). Palms will be facing each other on either side of the bell. Lift the KB overhead, being mindful of the positioning of the handles so they don’t hit the head. Keeping the elbows tucked and pointed at the ceiling, lower the weight behind the head. Extend back overhead to complete. Be sure to keep core engaged and avoid overextension in the low back.
4 sets: 10 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Inverted Skull Crusher

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

*Build to a moderate weight, stay the same or build across sets

Focus: Racking a bar on a rig around waist height, assume a plank position on the bar with hands roughly shoulder width apart. Bend the elbows and lower the body to the bar. Range of motion should result with forehead ending close to barbell (similar to a lying barbell skull crusher). Raise height of bar to decrease difficulty.
4 sets: 10 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Cooldown/Mobility (Checkmark)

1 min Standing QL Doorway/Rig Stretch (each side)

1 min Foam Roll Lats

1 min Thread the Needle (each side)

1 min Tricep Lacrosse Ball Smash (each side)

Demo Videos

Standing QL Doorway Stretch

Foam Roll Lats

Thread the Needle

Tricep Smash

Mayhem Mini Pump

Mini-Pump Sessions are used as a supplement to another Mayhem Athlete track or on days when you are pressed for time and cannot complete the full day’s bodybuilding session as programmed. You should NOT complete today’s bodybuilding program AND the mini-pump session. Choose one or the other.

Upper Body Posterior (4 Rounds for time)

4 Rounds

10 Barbell Deadlift @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

10 Strict Pullups @ Moderate weight – maintain control and quality RPE 7

10 Bent Over Barbell Row – Underhand Grip @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

12 Inverted Skull Crusher @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

-Rest 3 min b/t rounds-

Athletes Notes

Bent Over Barbell Row Underhand Grip

Inverted Skull Crusher