Hepburn Routine

12/22/2014 www.tnation.com/portal_includes/articles/2008/08115training.html

http://www.tnation.com/portal_includes/articles/2008/08115training.html 1/9

Hepburn Solution for Strength and PowerA Classic Strongman's Training Program

by Mike Mahler

In my last article, we learned what the legendary weightlifter Doug Hepburn thought about training. Nowlet's take a look at some of his favorite training programs and put that info into action.

Hepburn obviously wasn't concerned with marketing or advertising when he named his two mosteffective programs. The first plan we're going to cover is the "A Program." The second program is —yes, you guessed it — the "B Program." Don't let the titles fool you. Whatever they're lacking ininspiration, they make up for in building impressive size and strength.

Whether it's program titles or picking up chicks, Hepburn preferred to keep things simple.

Hepburn's "A Program"

Hepburn had incredible results with this training program and said it worked just as well for others. Heclaimed the "A Program" would add 120 pounds to any compound exercise in one year, and would add60 pounds to any isolation exercise. Hepburn said you could see continuous progress for one year, and inmany cases, two years or more.

The workouts in this plan contain two parts. First, the trainee starts with a power routine for developingmaximum strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is followed by a "pump routine" fordeveloping maximum size and endurance.

http://www.t-nation.com/article/bodybuilding/10_strength_tips_from_a_legend&cr=



Power training plus pump training for max strength and size.

Hepburn said you should always do the power phase first, which makes perfect sense. Heavy weights andlow reps stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and get you primed for the higher rep sets later inthe workout. The opposite, however, doesn't have the same effect.

The workout is designed to first get the beneficial CNS stimulation, and then finish off with higher repsto pump some blood into the worked bodyparts, which builds muscle and facilitates recovery.

The "A Program" requires a great deal of patience and discipline. Not discipline to train in a hyperintense manner, but discipline to restrain yourself and not train intensely. The program is wellplanned,and the gradual, progressive volume ensures that overtraining is avoided.

Some of the workouts might feel unproductive, in terms of how you feel afterwards, but remember thatthe goal of the workout isn't to induce fatigue and soreness. The goal is to induce strength and power,which doesn't come about by running yourself into the ground. Make sure you follow the program to theletter, and avoid the natural inclination to modify things and make the program harder.

Power Phase

Choose a weight you can lift eight times and do 8 sets of 2 in the first workout. Rest two to three minutesbetween each set. The weight will feel light... and that's the point.

You have to practice each lift to get better, but I don't mean practicing with poor form. Execute every repwith perfect form, which shouldn't be difficult if you're using your true eightrep max and takingadequate breaks between each set.



If necessary, have someone watch your form to prevent cheating.

At the next workout, keep the weight the same, but increase the overall reps by doing 7x2 and 1x3. At thethird workout, do 6x2 and 2x3. Keep adjusting, to add an additional set of three, until you get up to a fullworkout of 8x3. At this point, add 10 pounds for large muscle groups, and five pounds for small musclegroups, and go back to 8x2.

Pump Phase

After the power phase of the workout, take a five minute break, then do the pump phase. Reduce thetraining poundage by 20% and do 3x6. In the next workout, do 2x6 and 1x7. The workout after thatwould be 1x6 and 2x7. Continue adjusting the volume in the following workouts until you're up to 3x8.At that point, add five pounds, and start over at 3x6.

Hepburn's "B Program"

Similar to the "A Program," Hepburn claimed the "B Program" would produce progressive results for atleast a year, or in some cases, two to three years. Hepburn also said that you'll never feel like you'restruggling on the program.

That's a good thing for trainees interested in actual results. It's probably not what stimulusaddictedtrainees want to hear, but that's just too bad... you'll have to deal with it if you want to reach your goals.

Considering how the program is laid out, you really can't reach an overtrained state, unless you do toomany exercises, choose a starting weight that's too heavy, or deliberately avoid food and sleep.

The "B Program" is more of a pure strength and power program, with a focus on singles. Hepburnbelieved that single rep training led to the fastest strength gains. Like the "A Program," this plan also usestwo styles of training in each workout.

Follow the program to the letter, and don't add any of your own modifications. Hepburn knew moreabout productive strength training than you do, so don't overanalyze the program.



Don't let your training partner sweettalk you into adding concentration curls.

Power Phase

After doing two warmup sets, choose a weight you can handle for three reps, and do 5x1. Rest three tofive minutes between each set. At the next workout, do 6x1. If you can't complete all six reps, you eitherstarted too heavy, or you aren't taking long enough breaks. The goal is to work up to 8x1 over severalworkouts.

When you reach 8x1, add five to ten pounds, drop back to 5x1, and repeat the process. This manner ofprogression automatically cycles the intensity to avoid overtraining. As the workout's intensity goes up,the volume decreases to induce adaptation.

Pump Phase

After the power phase of the workout, take a ten to fifteen minute break, and then do the pump routine.Take a weight you can comfortably lift for eight reps, and do 6x3, resting just one minute between eachset. At the second workout, do 5x3 and 1x4. The third workout would be 4x3 and 2x4. Once you'veworked up to 6x5, increase five to ten pounds, and return to 6x3.

If you find the training to be too much to handle, and you aren't making progress, Hepburn'srecommendation was to cut out the power routine, and do only the pump routine of each program for twoto three weeks. Alternatively, you could start the power phase with 3x1 at the first workout, to giveyourself more time to work up to 8x1.

Workout Schedule



The basic schedule recommendations are the same for both the A and B programs. These workouts are anexample of the "A Program."

Training Twice per Week

If you can only train two times a week, train on Monday and Thursday. Use the military press, bentoverrow, and squat on Monday. On Thursday, do the bench press, weighted pullup, and deadlift.

Monday

A1) Barbell military press 8x2

A2) Barbell bentover row 8x2

Rest 90 seconds between each set of A1 and A2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted. Rest two minutes, and then continue.

B1) Squat 8x2

B2) Double dumbbell or kettlebell swing 8x2

Rest 90 seconds between each set of B1 and B2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted. Take a full five minute break, and then do the Pump Phase.



Rest one minute between each set of A1 and A2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted. Rest two minutes, and then continue.



B1) Squat 3x6

B2) Double dumbbell or kettlebell swing 3x6

Rest one minute between each set of B1 and B2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted.

Thursday

A1) Barbell bench press 8x2

A2) Weighted pullup 8x2


B) Deadlift 8x2

Take a full five minute break, and then do the pump phase.




B) Deadlift 3x6

Rest 90 seconds between sets.

Training Four Times per Week

If you have four days to devote to training, work each exercise twice per week.



Monday and Thursday




B1) Squat 8x2

B2) Double dumbbell oneleg deadlift 8x2

Rest 90 seconds between each set of B1 and B2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted. Take a full five minute break, and then do the Pump Phase.




B1) Squat 3x6

B2) Double dumbbell oneleg deadlift 3x6



Rest one minute between each set of B1 and B2. Go back and forth between the sets until all the sets arecompleted.

Tuesday and Friday




B) Deadlift 8x2

Take a full five minute break, and then do the Pump Phase.




B) Deadlift 3x6

Rest 90 seconds between each set.



Wrapup

Doug Hepburn laid out the rules for a program that will develop tremendous size, strength, and power.Follow the Hepburn plan for a few months and let me know what happens.

But don't forget one of the most important points that Hepburn made in his book: Have a life outside oftraining. Do the workouts and do them well, but afterwards, get your mind off training.

For more information on Doug Hepburn's life and training philosophy, check out the exceptional bookStrongman: The Doug Hepburn Story by Tom Thurston.

About the Author

Mike Mahler is the author of "The Aggressive Strength Solution For Size And Strength." For moreinformation on Mike, sign up for his free magazine at www.mikemahler.com.

© 1998 — 2008 Testosterone, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.amazon.com/Strongman-Hepburn-Story-Tom-Thurston/dp/1553800095

http://www.mikemahler.com/

Hepburn Routine

Documents

Transcript of Hepburn Routine