Week 1 on the Hybrid was AWESOME. Day 1 was a 5X5 chest and back day. I was warned 5X5s would take some “getting used to” as I have never followed a program that has such long rest periods between sets. The hardest part was figuring out what was 80-85% of my 1 rep max was as that’s a fairly new concept for me also. That was the weight I could successfully handle for about 5-6 reps while maintaining correct form. I was also warned it would take a few weeks to really dial in the correct loading (which changes depending on what part of the program you are following) so I’m still getting that figured out, which will be apparent from the number below. 😉
Regarding rest, I’ll agree that after a great set of squats and deads with a BIG weight, you do need all the rest. For me, it was mainly to regain the right mental attitude! Most people, especially women, are used to taking short rests between sets and have not really worked with such a planned program that forces you to work at specific weights, times between sets, etc.
5X5 upper body day
Bench Press:
95 lbs X 4 (ugh! That made me feel totally weak)
85 X 5
85 X 5 (big fight with that last rep)
80 X 5
85 X 5 (regained my attitude!)
Thought on the above: I see lots of room for improvement on weight. I’ve benched my own weight (110) for a 1 rep max so am on a mission to improve here! Some guy at the gym admired my “strict form” so that made me feel a little better! Strict form with lower weights beats “heavy” weights with sloppy form any time!
Deadlifts: (one of my favorite exercises, ever)
145 lbs X 5
145 X 4 (ack!)
140 X 5 (dropped weight a touch, but it felt “easy”)
145 X 5 (felt back rounding on last rep. Some guy lent me his fancy brand wrist straps saying it really helped him, but for me it was just another thing to get used to. No thanks for me, at least for now!)
145 X 5 (lost the wrist straps and a perfect set. Way to end!)
Deadlifts!
Day 2 was a 5×5 lower body day. Totally excited to get this one in, as I love training legs and LOVE the barbell squat.
Barbell Back Squat: (one of my favorite exercises, ever)
125 X 5 (ok too easy. Certainly not 80-85% of a 1 rep max)
135 x 4 (4! 4! That’s it? I think I sat too deep on this one. The power rack pins saved me!)
130 X 5
130 X 5 (regaining my confidence now)
135 X 5 (Yeay! Can’t wait for the next squat day)
Lying Leg Curl:
80 x 4 (grr. Too heavy, bar barely touches butt on last rep)
60 X 8 (grr. Far too easy)
65 X 7 (still too easy)
70 X 5 (ouch, that’s the weight)
70 X 5 (now I know where to start next time!)
Hybrid HIIT Day!
Nothing like an intense, sweaty, heart pumping session to make you feel like you’re really getting in a great workout. It has been months since I stepped on a treadmill so it was like getting reacquainted with an old friend. I decided to follow Will’s suggestion of walking at a medium pace for 5 minutes, and running for 1 and repeating several times, which is more interval training then true HIIT, but I’ll get the HIIT part of the program done as I get used to the overall program. It took me a couple tries to figure out what my “running” pace was. A 7 minute mile was the number. After 20 minutes, my heart was pumping and I was ready for my squat, chinup, and bench press circuits.
I was disappointed that I could only eke out 12 reps of unassisted chinups, so decided to do pulldowns for sets 2 and 3. Oh well- at least I have a target number to aim for! My trusty gym workout buddy, George said, “why don’t you just use the assisted chinup machine to get to 15?” but as I have learned from Will and crew, assisted machines don’t translate well to actual chins ups, so best to just work on those chins! The circuit truly kicked my butt! By set three on the final set of bench presses, the last rep was a fight!
I finished with 20 minutes on a machine I never ever use…a rowing machine. After I stood up I felt it everywhere, and especially in my glutes. Who knew? My new favorite piece of cardio equipment!
Upperbody Hypertrophy Workout: Memo to self: take more caffeine pre workout:
First of all, those 60 second rest periods were WAY too short! For the most part when I lift, I normally take 2 minutes, so cutting that in half was a real challenge. Plus, I had typically split all my upper body work in the past (i.e., a back day only, or a chest day, etc etc) so getting chest, back, shoulders, bis, and tris all in fried in one hour was a challenge! I had to drop weight all across the board (very humbling for us show -off types), but even so, with more reps and less rest the workout was a battle to the end. And OW!!!: chinups and weighted dips with weight belt were insane! This one guy did clap for me though 🙂 and my upper body was TOAST. Here’s a pic of me doing some bicep curls.
For Day 4 of the program, I was looking forward to lower body hypertrophy day. Same structure as the upper day (i.e., more reps, less rest) and I started with an exercise I don’t do very often, the front squat. Body Building Revealed teaches you to be strong from all angles, and although I can carry a much bigger load for a back squat, the front squat is a whole new feeling. I also did Barbell lunges (NOW I can get more weight on that bar!), Leg extensions, Straight leg deads, Leg curls (that was awesome, my hams were fried from all the high volume work!), and finished with some calf work. My overall take from today was that I’m still figuring out the appropriate load for this sort of routine, so now I know that next time, I can strive for more! I left the gym feeling strong.
Well, that’s my first week report of doing this program, and so far, it’s fantastic stuff. Oh and I’m posting a pic of my body on week 1 of the program. After 2 weeks of eating almost 3000 calories (according to FitDay) I’ve gained a whole pound, and so far body fat has remained constant. I’m a work in progress!
Please feel free to leave comments at the bottom.
Can’t wait for the next time!! Time to go eat!
Week Two Hybrid Training HERE!
Sumi Singh is an Austin-based personal trainer with nearly 2 decades of experience in fitness. She holds specializations in pre-and post natal fitness, group fitness, and sports nutrition. She’s the author of Stay at Home Strong, a complete workout program for new moms. She’s also an online diet coach, a busy single mom, has set various world, National and state records as a powerlifter, and holds an BSc from Tufts, and a Masters from Duke University.
And away she goes! Nice work. Will any women reading/seeing this follow your example?! Hope so…
Your progression with your weight loads is going well. I know some men larger than you who cannot properly squat as much as you do. Seriously.
YAY Sumi!! That is fantastic and you look great! Cannot wait to see the changes week after week.
Awesome job! I hope a lot of women who want to get in shape see that in order to look great just doing cardio will not cut it.
Hi Hugo- I'm so honored that you've commented. It was through your website that I discovered BBR. I love the wealth of information on your home page. The articles are awesome and you look AMAZING. Hope to keep receiving your feedback!
It will take you a little while to get comfotable with the loading. From the looks of it your doing well with it. Hybrid is a great program. Looks like your following it to the letter. Great start, keep it up!!!
Wow Sumi! You are a real inspiration to us all. Looking forward to following you week by week on your progress. Doing this journal is a great idea and help for us to understand the mechanics of weight training and keeping fit. Keep it up with the progression on the loads, you are doing awesome weight loads, which as a guy I can’t even perform yet. I am just a beginner, 6 months into weight training. So are a role model and inspiration. I am certainly learning a lot from this journal. Many thanks. God bless.
Thanks everyone!! From a former cardio addict, I know first hand there's nothing like a great weight training program to truly change the shape of one's body. I'm a believer! 🙂
Te ves fabulosa…♥ ~Arianna~
Sumi,
This is a great write-up and you are awesome, keep up the good work as this is motivational for all of us regardless of our individual fitness goals!!!!
yeah Sumi!! I'm inspired. Keep going for all of us.
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