The FREAKSTRENGTH BENCH program is designed utilizing Block Periodization. These three cycles are known as Accumulation, Transmutation, and Realization. The Realization Phase, the final phase, is the classified by the highest intensity and lowest volume.
The FREAKSTRENGTH BENCH program is designed utilizing Block Periodization. These three cycles are known as Accumulation, Transmutation, and Realization. The Realization Phase, the final phase, is the classified by the highest intensity and lowest volume.
The FREAKSTRENGTH BENCH program is designed utilizing Block Periodization. These three cycles are known as Accumulation, Transmutation, and Realization. The Realization Phase, the final phase, is the classified by the highest intensity and lowest volume.
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced (by any means) without the expressed written permission of Mike Guadango.
This manual is being offered for education and information purposes. There is inherent risk with any physical activity. Please consult your physician before starting this (or any) exercise program. Jeff Carr and Mike Guadango cannot be held responsible for any injury that may occur while participating in this program.
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General Block Periodization The FREAKSTRENGTH BENCH PROGRAM is designed utilizing Block Periodization, a program entailing three specific mesocycles sequenced in a precise order ending in some competition or assessment. These three cycles are known as Accumulation, Transmutation, and Realization. The Accumulation Phase focuses on developing general abilities. More specifically, this phase encompasses more exercises using lower intensities between 55-70% with a higher total volume to promote hypertrophy and increase work capacity. The goal of this phase is progressive preparation of your muscles, tendons, ligaments and central nervous system for future higher intensities and greater work. The Transmutation Phase concentrates on transforming the general abilities you have acquired into more specific abilities with moderate intensities of 75-90% and reduced volume. This phase demands the greatest focus and determination as you will not recover fully from each workout, however, you should never fail at attaining your rep schemes if you are following proper recovery protocols of nutrition, sleep, and active recovery. The best part of this phase is the week(s) following Transmutation are deload week(s), followed by a new Accumulation Phase or Realization. The Realization Phase, the final phase, is the classified by the highest intensity and lowest volume. During this phase, you will acquire how much your hard work and perseverance has paid offor how your lack of loyalty has caused the demise of your success.
FREAKSTRENGTH BENCH PROGRAM SYNNOPSIS
PROGRAM #1 (10 WEEKS) o ACCUMULATION #1 or #2 WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 o TRANSMUTATION #1 or #2 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 (Deload) o REALIZATION WEEK 8 WEEK 9 WEEK 10 (Deload) o TESTING WEEK 11
PROGRAM #2 (18 WEEKS) o ACCUMULATION #1 WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 o TRANSMUTATION #1 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 (Deload) o ACCUMULATION #2 WEEK 8 WEEK 9 WEEK 10 o TRANSMUTATION #2 WEEK 11 WEEK 12 WEEK 13 WEEK 14 (Deload) o REALIZATION #1 WEEK 15 WEEK 16 WEEK 17 (Deload) o TESTING WEEK 18
WEEK 1 ACCUMULATION #1
MONDAY Pre-Workout Super 8 MB Circuit Rep Scheme
1) Overhead Throws 10
2) Chest Pass into Wall 10
3) Rotational Side Throws R/L 10 4) Scoops 10
5) Bus Drivers 10 6) Chest Pass into the Ground 10
How is this different than other bench programs? This program is specific designed using BLOCK PERIODIZATION. Block Periodization was developed in the early 1980s in response to the inefficient training of Traditional or Linear periodization in sport. To quote the great Vladimir Issurin: The block periodization system presupposes the administration of highly concentrated workloads directed to a minimal number of abilities, or targets within relatively short training cycles, in training blocks. Thus, each block is focused on the proper combination of athletic abilities, which are developing mostly consecutively but not concurrently. The benefits of block periodization are associated with more selective and highly concentrated training stimulation such as possibilities to design multi-peak preparations, reasonable reductions of total training volume, and possibilities to avoid negative interactions between restrictedly or non-compatible training workloads.
What if I want to do lower body too? This program is STRICTLY developed to increase your bench. If you insist on performing any lower body exercises we HIGHLY suggest you incorporate Prilepins Chart lower percentage rep schemes during the ACCUMULATION PHASES ONLY.
Can I add more weight or sets than prescribed? We understand not every organism is genetically procreated the same, however, we HIGHLY suggest you realize this is a marathon and not a sprint. STICK TO THE PROGRAM. If you were educated in Block Periodization, you wouldnt need our program, you could write your own, modify it correctly to fit yours need and progress to a world class bencher. STICK TO THE PROGRAM
Do I repeat the program when Im finished? If your only goal in life is to have a big bench, then yes! Keep going!!! Know what your true goals are! If you want to be a better football player your bench press has a low correlation to general football performance. If you want to look JACKED, again, low correlation. Research and figure out what elements will get you to your specific goal.
What if I want to incorporate a bench shirt? This program was designed specifically to increase your raw bench. If you want a powerlifting or bench shirt program, please contact us at Freakstrength.com
Can I use this program to prepare for a bench competition? Absolutely, if it is a rawcompetition. We highly suggest not throwing on a bench shirt the day of the competition. See above as well.
What should my grip(s) be? We dont recommend a wide grip for ANY raw benching, due to keeping long-term health integrity of the shoulder girdle.
What if Im gone on business or vacation for a week? All our programs are intended for the virally serious and extremely dedicated organisms. Civilians need not apply. We assume those organisms engaged in the program will go to every length possible to continue their program during trip, however, we understand sometimes there is nothing you can do. For specific help, contact us at Freakstrength.com
Isnt benching 3 times a week bad for your shoulders? Wont I blow a pec? We have taken care of that for you. We have provided the proper sub-maximal periodization, coupled with the necessary precautions in pre-habitation and re-habitation exercises to decrease the likelihood of injury. The bench press has an assumed risk to it not matter what the organism.
How will I recovery if Im doing chest 3 times a week With properly progressed sub-maximal training, adherence to prescribed soft tissue ordinances, and supplemental recovery steady state cardio-vascular sessions; your recovery should not be an issue. Remember to, we are assuming you have a decent diet and a consistent 8 hour sleep pattern. Not to forget discarding negative influencing elements such as: alcohol and other drugs.
Can I do this program on back-to-back days? This program was SPECIFICLY designed for three training days a week with specific rest between those days, for example, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Yes, a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday-type schedule would work. If you are interested in a detailed program specifically designed for your schedule, please contact us at Freakstrength.com
Can I substitute exercises? I love doing lat pulldowns behind the head, upright rows, and military pressing. First, when addressing the above exercises to the general public we HIGHLY discourage their use. They carry a higher inherited risk than the exercises we have provided for you. If there is an exercise(s) creating pain for you, please contact us at Freakstrength.com and we will provide you will the optimal solution.
What is a deload week and why do I need to do one? A deload is to encourage or induce supercompensation. Supercompensation is the recovery stage during which the trained organism has a higher performance capacity than it did prior to the training block.
How can I incorporate bands and chains? To see the benefits from this program, the principle of accommodating resistance is not necessary. Nor will using accommodating resistance insinuate you will get more out of the program. ALTERING THE PROGRAM HAS A HIGH SUCCESS RATE OF FAILURE. If the program doesnt fit your needs, please contact us at Freakstrength.com
What is steady state cardio and can I skip it? Steady state cardio is performing typical cardiovascular exercises (walking, cycling, elliptical and others) at a consistent speed and resistance. The main objective for our steady state cardio is to induce a faster recovery and prevent injury. Our ideal heart rate for steady state cardio is between 40-65% of your maximum heart rate for 20-30 minutes. Skipping your steady state cardio sessions will likely result in a lower recovery state, thus, more likelihood of injury and poor performance.
Do I have to do the warm-up every time? Skipping or incomplete warm-ups will greatly increase the likelihood of injury and poor results in the program. It is just as important as the bench training, the accessory work, and other prescribed elements in the program. If it wasnt necessary to the success of a bigger bench or maintaining long- term shoulder health, we would not include it in the program.
Can I perform is during the in-season? After considering almost every sport we could think of, we highly discourage performing this program during the competitive season unless youre a powerlifter. Focus on your SPORT!!!
Should over-head athletes do this program? NO! We are not discouraging, we are saying no! The stress induced on the shoulder girdle from this specific program is not intended for the over-head athlete. After your athletic career is finished you can bench all you want. FOCUS ON YOUR SPORT. Please contact us for other specific programs intended for these athletes at Freakstrength.com How do I get stronger without using the dynamic effort method? A common misunderstood method. The principle behind the dynamic effort method is simply enhancing the utilization of the central nervous system. Civilians are comatose into believing you can only amplify your central nervous system between low percentages of maximal strength, such as forty- five to sixty percent. Relatively speaking, every major lift at its training percentage should travel as fast as possible.
How do I get stronger without using the max effort method? This program creates a progressively optimal stimulus and recoverable stress to supremely develop the desired training effect, while minimizing the common soft tissue and joint damage consistent in other programs.
What if I cant get to the gym twice for the AM & PM workouts? You can separate the two workouts with as little as a 20 minute low intensity cardio session. The whole point of splitting the workouts is to get more stimuli with less fatigue.