Open Gym Strength and Conditioning – Functional bodybuilding

Warm-up

Upper body pull warmup (No Measure)

50/35 cal Row

-into-

6 min AMRAP

10 ring rows

5 iron cross (each side)

5 seal pose/down dog pose transitions

10 seated single arm banded rows

Strict pull-ups (5×10)

-Hands outside shoulder width

-Full grip on bar

-Start hanging with arms extended

-Chest stays up with eyes forward

-pull until chin is higher than bar

-Complete at full arm extension
5 sets: 10 reps

Focus: Control should be shown across sets. Athlete should keep core engaged and avoid kipping. Band across rig is encouraged if strict reps are not possible and should be set at a height that allows for desired number of rep but no more. If using a band, make note of the hole that you are placing the back across the rig to keep consistency on resistance assistance across workouts.

body row on racked barbell (4×10)

4 sets: 10 reps

Focus: Set up a bar at waist height. It is advised to secure the bar to the rig with bands on either side so that bar will not unrack during sets. Approach bar from inside of rig. Extend legs out and grab bar from underneath, assuming a solid plank position. Pull towards the bar, making contact just below the sternum. Adjust feet as needed for correct position. Difficulty should allow for solid reps without “kipping” reps. Raise height of the bar to decrease difficulty. Feet can be placed on a bench or stacked plates to increase difficulty.

Bent Over Row (4×10)

4 sets: 10 reps

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.

lying DB pull overs (4×10)

Lying DB Pullover on Bench

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

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).

standing alternating db bicep curls (4×10)

4 sets: 10 reps (each side)

Focus: Stay with a weight that will allow for control and minimal kipping of reps. Keep dumbbells slightly in front of the body at the bottom position to keep tension on the biceps throughout set. When curling, turn the arm thinking about getting the pinky finger close to the shoulder to maximize contraction with each rep.

Single arm deficit bicep curls (3×10)

3 sets: 10 reps (each side)

Focus: Using either an incline bench or the rounded portion of a GHD pad, brace the back of the upper arm against the bench/pad. The bench/pad is used to completely isolate on the bicep and remove assistance from body/shoulder. Attempt very light weight before working sets to get a feel for range of motion/amount of isolation that is placed on the bicep. DO NOT OVERLOAD THIS MOVEMENT BY GOING TOO HEAVY. Curl the DB with one arm braced against the pad and then switch to the other side and complete on the opposite arm to finish the set.