The 1-2-3-4 Training Program: Day 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB2pR5SWt_Q

For more information about this training program, click here for the introduction and day one. You can also see the complete video above. Very quickly I will remind you that in the 1-2-3-4 training program you will..

1. Perform one exercise, then rest and repeat until all your sets are completed.
2. Perform a superset (two exercises in a row with minimal to no rest in between exercises) and repeat until all your sets are completed.
3. Perform a tri-set (three exercises in a row with minimal to no rest in between exercises) and repeat until all your sets are completed.
4. Perform a giant set (four exercises in a row with minimal to no rest in between exercises) and repeat until all your sets are completed.

Day Four: Upper Body (Chest, Vertical Pulling/Back)

A1) Plyometric Push Ups: Chest (Explosive)

Exercise substitutions: Any explosive or speed horizontal push. (Med ball pushes, speed bench, ballistic bench press etc.) 

Sets: 5
Reps: 3-5
Rest between sets: 90 seconds

Perform the exercise above with 90 seconds rest between sets. Repeat until your sets are completed, then move onto the “B” exercises.

B1) Incline Barbell Bench Press: Chest (Strength/Hypertrophy)

Exercise substitutions: High or low inclined dumbbell, barbell, or smith machine bench press) 

Sets: 4
Reps: 6-8
Rest between sets: none go right into B2)

B2) Lat Pulldown: Lats (Strength/Hypertrophy)

Exercise substitutions: Any vertical pulling variation (Chin ups, pull ups, lat pulldowns etc.)

Sets: 4
Reps: 8-10
Rest between sets: 120 seconds

Perform the two “B” exercises above in succession. Rest 120 seconds and repeat until your sets are completed. Then move onto the “C” exercises.

C1) Flat Dumbbell Pec Fly’s: Chest (Isolation)

 Exercise substitutions: Dumbbell or cable chest fly variations etc. (Any horizontal adduction movement)

Sets: 3
Reps: 12-15
Rest between sets: None right into C2)

C2) Shoulder External Rotation with cables: Shoulder cuff (external rotators)

 Exercise substitutions: Cable or dumbbell shoulder external rotation exercises etc.

Sets: 3
Reps: 12/side
Rest between sets: None right into C2)

C3) Problem area or lat stretch

Sets: 3
Timed set: 60 seconds/side
Rest between sets: 90 seconds

Perform the three “C” exercises above in succession. Rest 90 seconds and repeat until your sets are completed. Then move onto the “D” exercises.

D1-D4) Push up/pullover repeat

D1) Push ups: Weighted if needed (30 seconds)

D2) Dumbbell pullovers: (10 reps)

D3) Push ups to down dog: (30 seconds)

D4) Dumbbell pullovers: (10 reps)

Ground rules

• Perform the recommended amount of time/reps for each exercise.
• Take minimal to no rest between each.
• Rest 60 seconds after all 4 exercises are completed.
• Repeat 1-2 more rounds.

If you want or need a specific warm up, feel free to do this. It is shown quickly in the video above as well…

Self massage (5 minutes)

In general, roll each area for about thirty seconds to two minutes or more. Since I cannot assess you, stay on the areas that need the most work you will stay on the longest. If you have no idea what those are, do this.

1. Foam Roll Upper Back/Thoracic spine: Or Problem Area #1

2. Foam Roll Lats: Or Problem Area #2

3. Lacrosse Ball Pecs: Or Problem Area #3

Ultra fast warm up (5 minutes) 

1. Side lying windmill x7 reps/side

2. Extended or regular front plank to push back x7 reps

3. Band pull aparts x7 reps

Also note: With each exercise don’t jump right into the weight you will be working with. Gradually increase the resistance with some “warm up sets” before performing and getting into the “working sets”.

For example let’s use the seated dumbbell overhead press. Let’s also say you have 4 sets of 8 reps assigned. Start with light dumbbells, then grab heavier ones each set. Once you progress to a weight that is challenging for 6 reps, this would count as your first set. Then you would have three more at that weight according to the above protocol.

• If you missed day one go here
• If you missed day two go here
• If you missed day three go here!

Thanks for reading and watching!