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Building muscle fast is often easier said than done…

First a quick caveat—the word ‘fast’ is not only subjective, but the results anyone is going to achieve depends on multiple factors:

#1 How consistently you train
#2 How good your eating/diet regimen is
#3 How much rest you get (daily)
#4 Your genetics

All that aside, here’s a training split that I think you’ll find easy to incorporate into any mass building phase that you approach.

If you’re after bang for buck, then I reckon this is it.

How is this training split unique?

It isn’t. Just because something is different, doesn’t make it BETTER. Furthermore, I’ve been using this program for a while (especially during the first weeks of my daughters birth) which has added some decent size to my frame. If you’re after bang for buck, then I reckon this is it.

Why only three days?

Most people have a ‘sweet spot’ when it comes to the number of days a week they can train or even LIKE to train. I find three days is typically ‘manageable’ for even the most time-poor of folks. If you want to train more days, then perhaps this split isn’t for you.

Just because something is different, doesn’t make it BETTER.

Training structure

Due to the amount of volume here, you’re going to need just over an hour. Try and keep your rest breaks short at no longer than a minute, but use common sense; if you’re exhausted, maybe wait a little longer until you get your breath back before attempting another set.

The last thing I want is an injury! 

Day 1 – Chest/Shoulders

ExerciseSets x Reps
Barbell Bench Press4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 (to failure on last set)
Incline One-Arm Dumbbell Bench Press4 x 10-12
Cable Flyes4 x 10-12
Standing Military Press4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 (to failure on last set)
Dumbbell Side Lateral Raise4 x 10-12
Face Pull4 x 10-12
Hanging Straight Leg Raise3 x 20+ (to failure)

One-Arm Dumbbell Bench Press

Day 2 – Hamstrings/Triceps/Biceps

ExerciseSets x Reps
Barbell Deadlift4 x 12, 10, 8, 6
Lying Leg Curls4 x 15-20
Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 (to failure on last set)
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension3 x 10-12
EZ-Bar Curl4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 (to failure on last set)
Hammer Dumbbell Curl3 x 10-12
Diamond Push-Up3 x 20+ (to failure)

Diamond Pushups

Day 3 – Quads/Calves/Back

ExerciseSets – Reps
Barbell Squat4 x 12, 10, 8, 6
Leg Extensions4 x 10-12
Standing (Weighted) Calf Raise4 x 15-20
Lat Pulldown4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 (to failure on last set)
Seated Cable Row4 x 10-12
Chin-Up3 x 10+ (to failure)
Ab Wheel (kneeling)4 x 10-12

Kneeling Ab-Wheel Rollouts

Important Notes

1Make sure to rest no longer than 60 seconds between sets (use common sense here).
2Volume is king here—don’t lift too heavy; go for lighter weights (70-80% of 1RM) to make sure you’re hitting the higher rep ranges.
3Exercises can be substituted if you don’t have the available equipment.
4This style of training is TAXING. Get your sleep and eat above your maintenance calories.
5Ramping down 12, 10, 8, 6 means you’re progressively adding weight EACH set.

The wrap up

Training with plenty of volume to stimulate the most muscle fibers at once is what it’s all about. If you’re looking to burst through your t-shirt and add some size pretty quickly—use this split for 8 weeks and then take a week off and assess how much you’ve filled out your clothing.

If you want to see some of the other workouts that I’ve been doing lately, head over to Fitocracy and visit my page here >

Editor’s Note: Got any questions about the exercises or setup? Ask away below.

Clint Nielsen

Author Clint Nielsen

Clint is a dad and husband trying to stay in shape. He's also a highly opinionated fitness enthusiast and author of Reveal The Steel. Follow him on: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Google+

More posts by Clint Nielsen

Join the discussion 5 Comments

  • jazorblades says:

    For this routine would you recommend an every-other-day type set up, like day 1 Mon, day 2 Wed, day 3 Fri?

    • Definitely a solid option bunt not mandatory. Will depend on how well you’re eating and sleeping. If you can handle 2 days in a row then a break, then I say go for it.

      • jazorblades says:

        OK cool, ill try doing day 1 Mon, day 2 Tue, & day 3 Thur, with Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun off. Btw I’ve been doing your RPT Routine for about a month now with good results, looking to change it up a little & try this one. Thanks again for responding…

        • Fantastic! it’s a great way to improve your numbers in a relatively quick time-frame. Keen to see how this one plays out for you.

          • jazorblades says:

            Yeah I went up 20 lbs on my bench so far, so I’m stoked..think I’m stick it out through most of October and then switch to this Routine…I’ll keep u posted. Thanks again!

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