Mike O'Hearn's Power Bodybuilding: The 12-Week Program
The workout videos represent examples of what it's like to train Power Bodybuilding-style. (You have watched them all, right?) They demonstrate proper technique with a dose of attitude thrown in for good measure.
However, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was Superman's body. If you want that big S across your own chest, you must follow my 12-week Power Bodybuilding program to the letter, as outlined below.
Core Lifts: Incline, Squat, Deadlift
Weeks 1-4, 70%: 5 sets of 4 reps
Weeks 5-8, 80%: 5 sets of 3 reps
Weeks 9-12, 90%: 5 sets of 2 reps
The reps for the secondary work do not change.
Cardio:
Weeks 1-4, 30 minutes 4 days/week
Weeks 5-8, 45 minutes 5 days/week
Weeks 9-12, 1 hour 6 days/week
Warm-up:
Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip
1-3 sets, low weight
Working Sets:
Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip
6 sets, 5 reps, max weight
Dumbbell Bench Press
4-5 sets, 10 reps
Incline Dumbbell Flyes
3 sets, 8-10 reps
PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min
Warm-up:
Barbell Squat
1-3 sets, low weight
Working Sets:
Barbell Squat
7 sets, 3 reps, heavy weights
Leg Press
5 sets, 10 reps, heavy weights
Leg Extensions
3 sets, 8 reps, heavy weights
PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min
Standing Shoulder Press
3 sets, 8 reps
Wide-Grip Upright Barbell Row
3 sets, 8 reps
Standing Dumbbell Upright Row
3 sets, 8 reps
Side Lateral Raise
4 sets, 12 reps
Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise
4 sets, 12 reps
Barbell Curl
3 sets, 8-12 reps
Seated Dumbbell Curl
3 sets, 8-12 reps
Preacher Curl
3 sets, 8-12 reps
Lying Triceps Press
4 sets, 8-12 reps
Triceps Pushdown
4 sets, 8-12 reps
Dumbbell Incline Triceps Extension (shown with cable)
4 sets, 8-12 reps
PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min
Warm-up:
Barbell Deadlift
1-3 sets, low weight
Working Sets:
Barbell Deadlift
7 sets, 2 reps, heavy weight
One-Arm Dumbbell Row
5 sets, 10 reps, heavy weight
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown
3 sets, 8 reps, heavy weight
PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min
12 Week Program Log (PDF 3.4 MB)
50 Comments
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if you watch the video(s) he says he likes a rest time of 3-5 mins per set, lol.
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'0"
- wt: 194 lbs
- Body Stats
- ht: 10'0"
- wt: 154 lbs
You offer to do the basic heavy exercise three times a week, exercising 5 times. Cardio treninng every day! The person exercising the so-superman or fits tightly on steroids. Natural athlete with a fairly high rate of bench and squat is not in force. After a day of heavy squats should be at least two days rest, just no-load. The whole program is just a joke. Although at first it seemed a grain of truth there. Develop the strength and weight can heavy basic exercises performed 5 * 5, but the muscles grow when you rest. There should be enough days off. Newbie does not survive until the end of the twelfth week. Let's be realistic.
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'1"
- wt: 203.93 lbs
Very far from the truth. natty athlete should have no problem here.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'11"
- wt: 212 lbs
- bf: 17.0%
this program is awesome! for someone who doesn't give a **** about getting ripped, this works. Its about raw power and strength, not carving exercises. Squats, leg press, dead lift, and bench press are power lifts. If you are serious about getting purely strong and powerful, this is a good start. But if you want to get torn and lean, not exactly the best.
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'0"
- wt: 290 lbs
- bf: 31.0%
This is a ****** workout no matter what your goal is. Not enough rest days, too much volume on the arms and shoulders and too much overlap. Why in the hell would you work bis the day before legs.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'8"
- wt: 163 lbs
- bf: 11.0%
I have training with this system test drive last week and full speed this week (counting this as week one). I have minimal residual soreness and using arms day before back makes me focus on pulling to the hip moreso than the chest on rows. All about kinesiology and movement.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'5"
- wt: 210 lbs
- bf: 22.0%
what'd you say about starting strength then? Squatting heavy 3x a week.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'9"
- wt: 156.2 lbs
- bf: 10.0%
this programs is in no way for newbies.... its for bodybuilders and experienced lifter if you listen to what he says......
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'2"
- wt: 187 lbs
- bf: 7.0%
Shouldn't there be a day or two of rest between arms and back, as far as I know you use your biceps when doing back etc... program would be great if not for that stupid mistakes that will bring you no results, same with Ronnie Coleman Get Huge Program etc. Got no results form these whatsoever.
My thought exactly. Why do back the day after bis. Pretty stupid if you ask me.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'8"
- wt: 163 lbs
- bf: 11.0%
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'11"
- wt: 234 lbs
too many people trying to dis this... how about you try the workout first?? no different than doing bis and back on the same day.. or supersetting a bicep and back workout.. try it out this workout is great.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'11"
- wt: 214 lbs
- bf: 14.0%
idc what ANYONE SAYS im going to do this and when im done and strongeer and bigger then all you guys out there who werent willing to take the challenge ima laugh:).....
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'5"
- wt: 199 lbs
- bf: 7.0%
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'2"
- wt: 178 lbs
- bf: 9.0%
I know this is mainly power movement exercises, but when would you train your trapezoids? Calves? Upright rows hit traps slightly, and power movements and press hit calves, but no real exercise to develop them.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'9"
- wt: 189 lbs
- bf: 14.0%
bent over rear delts do and so does the 2 different up right rows work them ....just add some shrugs i guess lol
your ignorance kills me, deadlift is the ultimate trap builder, especially at that volume tool......
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'6"
- wt: 190 lbs
- bf: 12.5%
hello...im thinking about this program for the next year (2012)....im struggling with the idea because he suggest eating HEAVY before working out....I hit the gym within 60-90mins after waking up...Im not sure if this will be the ideal program for me...if anyone have any suggestions or comments then pls let me know here or PM...thanks
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'9"
- wt: 195 lbs
I'm no expert, but that seems like an ideal situation. Eat when you wake up, breakfast should usually be your largest meal of the day anyway. Then wait 45-60minutes before taking your pre-work out supplements and head to the gym. Then get your shake or post workout meal in right after your finished with your lifts.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'9"
- wt: 189 lbs
- bf: 14.0%
hey bro, i train in the am too, but heres how i eat before the gym, 3 jumbo eggs, 50g of oatmeal, a banana and a serving of pro, blend it all in a serving of milk, when you blend your food your body doesnt have to waste time and energy breaking it down it can start the digestive process immediately so after 30 min you r good to go bro
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'6"
- wt: 190 lbs
- bf: 12.5%
I second what Trevor just stated. I go with 2/3 cup pasteurized egg whites, 8 oz. lactose free skim milk, 1 banana and 1 scoop of whey protein. I even am considering adding a tablespoon of natural peanut butter just to drive in some healthy fats and calorie count.
Post workout, if you are on the fast food run because of schedule, might I recommend a plain potato and small chili from Wendy's. Inexpensive, filling and surprisingly nutritious.
- Body Stats
- ht: 5'5"
- wt: 210 lbs
- bf: 22.0%
I was actually wondering about calves as well. How are they incorporated into this routine? I've started a preliminary week before I go full blast into a 12 week routine, but I care about full body growth and don't wanna miss them. I'm not sure how I'll add them in yet, if he doesn't have an answer.
- Body Stats
- ht: 6'1"
- wt: 180 lbs
- bf: 11.0%
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