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Mike O’Hearn’s Power Bodybuilding: The 12-Week Program

Mike O'Hearn's Power Bodybuilding: The 12-Week Program

The complete Power Bodybuilding program. 12 weeks of superhero training for superhuman results! Want that S across your chest? Train like Mike, to the letter.


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.

Calendar

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

Monday: Chest

Warm-up:

Working Sets:

PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min

Tuesday: Legs

Warm-up:

Working Sets:

PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min

Wednesday: Shoulders
Thursday: Arms

PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min

Friday: Back

Warm-up:

Working Sets:

PM Cardio/Abs: 30 min

Saturday: Off
Sunday: Off

Take Power Bodybuilding with you!
12 Week Program Log (PDF 3.4 MB)

Exclusive content from Mike O'Hearn, plus answers to
your burning questions in his weekly Q&A.
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djwasi

Rep Power: 10

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djwasi

what are the rest times between these sets for this 12 week workout? plz and thanks

Article Rated:
Dec 2, 2011 2:20am | report
Abudd

Rep Power: 10

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Abudd

if you watch the video(s) he says he likes a rest time of 3-5 mins per set, lol.

Dec 13, 2011 1:15pm | report
shqson

Rep Power: 10

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shqson

shall i increase weight every next set?

Dec 24, 2011 11:11am | report
Andrey1178

Rep Power: 10

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Andrey1178

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.

Dec 2, 2011 5:29am | report
Inkelis

Rep Power: 3426

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Inkelis

Very far from the truth. natty athlete should have no problem here.

Dec 19, 2011 11:55am | report
churst08

Rep Power: 10

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churst08

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.

Dec 29, 2011 10:17pm | report
Grant73

Rep Power: 37041

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Grant73

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.

Jan 4, 2012 8:27pm | report
trainerwebby

Rep Power: 1144

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trainerwebby

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.

Jan 11, 2012 3:49pm | report
pattdogg

Rep Power: 162734

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pattdogg

what'd you say about starting strength then? Squatting heavy 3x a week.

Jan 25, 2012 1:39am | report
mgallagher1000

Rep Power: 10

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mgallagher1000

this programs is in no way for newbies.... its for bodybuilders and experienced lifter if you listen to what he says......

Feb 17, 2012 10:55pm | report
Kamil1820

Rep Power: 10

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Kamil1820

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.

Dec 3, 2011 8:38am | report
Grant73

Rep Power: 37041

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Grant73

My thought exactly. Why do back the day after bis. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

Jan 4, 2012 8:17pm | report
jheger09

Rep Power: 10

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jheger09

you guys are probably doing it wrong...

Mar 5, 2012 1:09pm | report
mizzou24

Rep Power: -1536

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mizzou24

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.

Mar 12, 2012 5:41am | report
geurgesalas77

Rep Power: 10

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geurgesalas77

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:).....

Dec 5, 2011 12:06am | report
Nicc85

Rep Power: 10

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Nicc85

I love this style of workout, massive weights and badass lifts. This is killing it

Dec 5, 2011 12:13am | report
RyanAndyBob

Rep Power: 50398

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RyanAndyBob

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.

Dec 6, 2011 11:19am | report
djwasi

Rep Power: 10

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djwasi

bent over rear delts do and so does the 2 different up right rows work them ....just add some shrugs i guess lol

Dec 7, 2011 1:22am | report
djwasi

Rep Power: 10

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djwasi

i also added calves too the workout

Dec 7, 2011 1:23am | report
trevorb82

Rep Power: 743

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trevorb82

your ignorance kills me, deadlift is the ultimate trap builder, especially at that volume tool......

Dec 17, 2011 4:09pm | report
SoftballNerd

Rep Power: 10154299

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SoftballNerd

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

Dec 8, 2011 10:43am | report
RyanAndyBob

Rep Power: 50398

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RyanAndyBob

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.

Dec 9, 2011 5:36am | report
trevorb82

Rep Power: 743

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trevorb82

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

Dec 17, 2011 4:12pm | report
trainerwebby

Rep Power: 1144

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trainerwebby

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.

Jan 11, 2012 3:44pm | report
PhysicsCrime

Rep Power: 10

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PhysicsCrime

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.

Article Rated:
Dec 14, 2011 11:38am | report
Showing 1 - 25 of 50 Comments

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