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Personal Hypertrophy Program

THE BUILD

Heavy compound work, full muscle coverage, and the conditioning to back it up. Built for density, strength, and a physique that performs.

6–10Rep Range
3–4Working Sets
2Split Options
1 miRun / Session

HOW IT'S BUILT

This is a hypertrophy-focused program built around heavy compound lifting in the 6–10 rep range, with full coverage of every major muscle group across the week. The goal is muscle density and size built naturally, supported by hard conditioning and a strict commitment to form.

Two splits are included. Toggle between them anytime depending on how many days you can train that week — both are designed to hit everything, just distributed differently.

🏋️

Heavy & Dense

6–10 reps, 3–4 working sets on every main lift. Build for size and strength.

🔁

Two Splits

3-day full body or 4-day upper/lower. Switch based on your week.

🏃

Built-In Conditioning

1 mile run and 20 minutes of focused core work every single session.

🎯

Full Coverage

Chest, back, legs, shoulders, arms, and core all trained with intent.

Session structure (every day): Dynamic warmup → 2 warmup sets → main lifts (6–10 reps, 3–4 sets) → 20 minutes of abs → 1 mile run → static stretching. Plan for 60–90 minutes per session.

YOUR SPLITS

Toggle between the two splits below. Within each, tap a day to jump straight to that workout.

Workout A · Full Body
PUSH EMPHASIS
Squat-anchored lower work with heavy chest, shoulder, and tricep volume.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Barbell Back Squat2 × 15
Dumbbell Lateral Raise2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Barbell Back Squat
Quads · glutes · hamstrings · lower back · core
4 × 6–8
02
Barbell Bench Press
Mid/lower pecs · anterior delts · triceps
4 × 6–8
03
Incline Dumbbell Press
Upper pecs · anterior delts · triceps
3 × 8–10
04
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press
All delt heads · triceps · upper traps
3 × 8–10
05
Cable Lateral Raise
Medial delts · shoulder width
3 × 10–12
06
Skull Crushers (EZ bar)
Long + lateral triceps heads
3 × 8–10
07
Tricep Cable Pushdown
Lateral + medial triceps
3 × 10–12
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Workout B · Full Body
PULL EMPHASIS
Posterior chain, full back development, and dedicated arm volume.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Lat Pulldown2 × 15
Face Pulls2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Romanian Deadlift
Hamstrings · glutes · lower back · erectors
4 × 6–8
02
Weighted Pull-Up or Lat Pulldown
Lats · biceps · teres major · rear delts
4 × 6–10
03
Barbell or Dumbbell Row
Mid back · rhomboids · lats · rear delts · biceps
4 × 8–10
04
Seated Cable Row (close grip)
Mid traps · rhomboids · lower lats · biceps
3 × 8–10
05
Barbell Curl
Bicep peak · brachialis
3 × 8–10
06
Incline Dumbbell Curl
Long head biceps · stretch activation
3 × 8–10
07
Hammer Curl
Brachialis · brachioradialis · forearm
3 × 10–12
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Workout C · Full Body
LEG EMPHASIS
High-volume leg day with full quad and posterior chain coverage.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Leg Extension2 × 15
Hip Thrust2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Barbell Back Squat or Hack Squat
Quads · glutes · hamstrings · adductors
4 × 6–8
02
Romanian Deadlift
Hamstrings · glutes · lower back
3 × 8–10
03
Leg Press
Quads · glutes
3 × 8–12
04
Leg Curl (machine)
Hamstrings · knee flexion
3 × 10–12
05
Walking Lunge (weighted)
Quads · glutes · balance · unilateral
3 × 10 each
06
Standing Calf Raise
Gastrocnemius · soleus
4 × 10–12
07
Seated Calf Raise
Soleus · deep calf
3 × 12–15
08
Face Pulls
Rear delts · rotator cuff health
3 × 15
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Running the 3-day: Alternate A → B → C with at least one rest or light cardio day between sessions. Every muscle group gets hit each workout, so 48 hours between sessions keeps recovery on track.
Day 1 · Lower A
QUAD EMPHASIS
Heavy squat-driven quad day with full calf work.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Leg Extension2 × 15
Goblet Squat2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Barbell Back Squat
Quads · glutes · hamstrings · core · adductors
4 × 6–8
02
Hack Squat or Leg Press
Quads · glutes
4 × 8–10
03
Bulgarian Split Squat
Quads · glutes · hip flexors · balance
3 × 8–10 each
04
Leg Extension
Quad isolation · VMO
3 × 12–15
05
Standing Calf Raise
Gastrocnemius · explosive calf
4 × 10–12
06
Seated Calf Raise
Soleus · deep calf
3 × 12–15
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Day 2 · Lower B
POSTERIOR CHAIN
Conventional deadlift anchor with heavy hamstring and glute focus.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Hip Thrust2 × 15
Leg Curl2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Conventional Deadlift
Hamstrings · glutes · lower back · traps · full posterior chain
4 × 5–6
02
Romanian Deadlift
Hamstrings · glutes · spinal erectors
3 × 8–10
03
Barbell Hip Thrust
Glutes · glute-ham tie-in · hip extension
4 × 8–10
04
Leg Curl (machine)
Hamstring isolation · knee flexion
3 × 10–12
05
Walking Lunge (weighted)
Quads · glutes · unilateral strength
3 × 10 each
06
Seated Calf Raise
Soleus · deep calf
4 × 12–15
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Day 3 · Upper A
PUSH FOCUS
Chest-led pressing with full shoulder and tricep development.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Cable Lateral Raise2 × 15
Push-Up2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Barbell Bench Press
Mid/lower pecs · anterior delts · triceps
4 × 6–8
02
Incline Dumbbell Press
Upper pecs · anterior delts · triceps
4 × 8–10
03
Cable Fly or Pec Deck
Inner chest · pec minor · isolation
3 × 12–15
04
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press
All delt heads · triceps · upper traps
4 × 8–10
05
Cable Lateral Raise
Medial delts · width and capping
3 × 12–15
06
Skull Crushers (EZ bar)
Long + lateral triceps heads
3 × 8–10
07
Overhead Cable Tricep Extension
Long head triceps · full stretch
3 × 10–12
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Day 4 · Upper B
PULL FOCUS
Full back width and thickness with heavy arm volume.
Warmup2 × 15 · light
Face Pulls2 × 15
Lat Pulldown2 × 15
Main Work3–4 sets · 6–10 reps
#ExerciseSets × Reps
01
Weighted Pull-Up
Lats · biceps · teres major · core
4 × 6–10
02
Barbell Row (overhand)
Mid back · rhomboids · lats · rear delts
4 × 6–8
03
Seated Cable Row (wide grip)
Upper lats · rear delts · rhomboids
3 × 8–10
04
Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
Lats · mid back · unilateral balance
3 × 8–10 each
05
Barbell Curl
Bicep peak · brachialis
3 × 8–10
06
Incline Dumbbell Curl
Long head biceps · stretch activation
3 × 8–10
07
Hammer Curl
Brachialis · brachioradialis · forearm
3 × 10–12
08
Face Pulls
Rear delts · external rotators · upper back
3 × 15
Core — 20 Minutesevery session
01
Cable Crunch
Upper abs · rectus abdominis
3 × 15–20
02
Hanging Leg Raise
Lower abs · hip flexors
3 × 12–15
03
Ab Wheel Rollout
Full core · anti-extension
3 × 10–12
04
Lifted Leg Ab Crunch
Lower + upper abs
3 × 20
05
Lying Leg Raises
Lower abs · hip flexors
1 min
06
Lying Flutter Kicks
Lower abs · endurance
1 min
07
Kettlebell Ab Routine
Full core · rotational · stability
Finisher
🏃

Finish — 1 Mile Run

Run your mile at the end of the session, after the weights and abs. Push the pace as conditioning improves.

Running the 4-day: Lower A → Lower B → Upper A → Upper B. A common layout is Mon / Tue / Thu / Fri, training the two lower days first while you're freshest, then the two upper days, with rest on Wednesday and the weekend.

STRETCHING PROTOCOL

Dynamic before, static after. The dynamic work primes your nervous system and joints for heavy loading. The static work after training is where you actually build flexibility, since the muscles are warm and pliable. Don't skip the back half — it's what keeps you lifting heavy without breaking down.

Before — Dynamic

WARM IT UP

5–8 min · before lifting
  • Leg Swings (front & side)10 each
  • Walking Knee Hugs10 steps
  • Walking Lunge w/ Twist8 each
  • Arm Circles (fwd & back)15 each
  • Band Pull-Aparts20 reps
  • Cat-Cow / T-Spine Rotations10 reps
  • Bodyweight Squat to Stand10 reps
After — Static

COOL IT DOWN

5–10 min · after the run
  • Standing Quad Stretch30s each
  • Seated Hamstring Stretch30s each
  • Figure-4 Glute Stretch30s each
  • Doorway / Wall Chest Stretch30s each
  • Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch30s each
  • Overhead Triceps Stretch30s each
  • Child's Pose / Lat Stretch45s
Form note: Static stretching belongs after training, not before. Stretching a cold muscle before heavy lifting can temporarily reduce power output and won't protect you the way a dynamic warmup does.

WATER INTAKE

1–1.5 gal

Daily Target

Aim for roughly a gallon to a gallon and a half per day (about 128–192 oz), scaling toward the higher end on training days and hot weather. Muscle is ~75% water — staying fully hydrated directly supports strength output, pump, recovery, and joint health.

Practical system: 20 oz on waking, 20 oz before training, sip 20–30 oz through the session and the mile run, then spread the rest across your meals. Add a pinch of salt or an electrolyte tab on heavy sweat days to hold onto what you're drinking.

SUPPLEMENT STACK

Optional, but these are the evidence-backed picks that fit a natural muscle-building program. Food and training come first — supplements fill gaps, they don't replace the work.

💊

Creatine Monohydrate

5g daily

The most researched supplement there is. Increases strength, work capacity, and lean mass. Take it every day — timing doesn't matter. No loading needed.

🥛

Whey Protein

1–2 scoops daily

Convenient way to hit your daily protein target for muscle growth. Use around training or anytime you're short on protein for the day.

🐟

Omega-3 Fish Oil

1–2g EPA/DHA

Supports joint health and recovery from heavy lifting, and helps manage training-induced inflammation. Take with a meal.

☀️

Vitamin D3

2,000–4,000 IU

Backs testosterone production, bone strength, and recovery. Most people training indoors run low without knowing it.

Caffeine (pre-workout)

150–300mg

Optional. Boosts training output, focus, and endurance for the run. Skip late sessions so it doesn't wreck your sleep.

🧂

Electrolytes

As needed

Sodium, potassium, magnesium on heavy-sweat days. Supports the mile run, cramping prevention, and hydration.

Note: These are general, widely-used options — not medical advice. Check with a doctor before starting anything new, especially if you have any existing conditions or take other medications.

MAKE IT COUNT

Want this built around you?

This guide is a start.
A custom plan is the move.

Everything above is the same thinking I use with clients, just written for everybody. If you want a plan built around your schedule, your goals, and where you are actually starting from, that is the part I do.

John Richards · ISSA-Certified Personal Trainer · Lansing, MI