Can you handle training like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sergio Oliva or Lou Ferrigno? These legends set a new standard for muscle mass and training frequency.
Workout Summary

Workout Description

The 1970s was a dynamic era in bodybuilding. Physiques grew in size but also in personality. Many notable legends etched their legacies upon the world of bodybuilding during this decade:

It was during this era that training began to aggressively evolve away from full body workouts. Many lifters, including Arnold and Sergio, took the fullbody workout and morphed it into a high volume protocol.

It was not uncommon for these Herculean beasts to train 6 days per week as follows:

  • Monday - Chest and Back
  • Tuesday - Shoulders and Arms
  • Wednesday - Legs
  • Thursday - Chest and Back
  • Friday - Shoulders and Arms
  • Saturday - Legs
  • Sunday - Rest

1970s Bodybuilding Routine

The following workout is based upon the structure listed above. Make no bones about it: this is a brutal, taxing training style. It certainly is not for everyone.

If you consider running a program like this I strongly recommend backing it with plenty of rest and food. If at any time you feel worn down, take a complete week away from the gym.

Understand that this is my variation of a 1970s workout. It's what I would do if I were training using this template.

Note on the Landmine Press. The landmine press is performed with one end of a barbell secured in a corner, perhaps under the middle of a heavy dumbbell. The lifter presses the other end overhead with one arm.

Monday
Chest and Back
Exercise Sets Reps
Bench Press 3 8-10
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 8-12
Cable Crossovers 5 10-15
     
Low Rack Pull 3 6-8
Wide Grip Pull Ups 5 15
One Arm Dumbbell Row 3 10-15
     
Barbell Ab Rollout 3 8-12
Hanging Knee Raise 3 12-15
Tuesday
Shoulders and Arms
Exercise Sets Reps
Seated Dumbbell Press 3 10-12
Upright Rows 3 10-15
Bent Over Reverse Fly 5 10-15
     
Cable Tricep Extensions 4 10-15
Skullcrushers 4 10-12
     
Barbell Curls 4 8-12
One Arm Cable Curls 4 10-15
Wednesday
Legs
Exercise Sets Reps
Squats 5 6-12
Hack Squats 3 10-12
Leg Extensions 3 10-15
     
Good Mornings 3 8-10
Leg Curls 5 10-15
     
Seated Calf Raise 4 12-15
Standing Calf Raise 4 12-15
Thursday
Chest and Back
Exercise Sets Reps
Incline Bench Press 3 8-10
Chest Dips 3 10-15
Dumbbell Flyes 5 10-15
     
Barbell Row 3 8-10
Lat Pull Down 5 8-12
Seated Cable Row 3 10-15
     
Plank 3 60 seconds
Dumbbell Side Bend 3 10-12
Friday
Shoulders and Arms
Exercise Sets Reps
Military Press 3 8-10
Side Lateral Raise 5 10-15
Landmine Press 3 10-12
     
Seated French Press 4 8-10
One Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension 4 10-12
     
Seated Dumbbell Curl 4 10-12
EZ Bar Preacher Curls 4 10-12
Saturday
Legs
Exercise Sets Reps
Leg Press 5 20
Walking Barbell Lunge 3 10-12
Bulgarian Split Squat 3 10-12
     
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 3 8-10
Single Leg Curl 5 10-15
     
Floor Barbell Calf Raise 4 12-15
Leg Press Calf Press 4 12-15
98 Comments
Bodii
Posted on: Sun, 11/05/2023 - 00:05

Hello M&S Team..
Can I follow this routine permanently?

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Roger
Posted on: Mon, 11/13/2023 - 09:53

Eventually, your body will need different exercises and weight challenges to keep progress going, but you can certainly use this for a few months before making a change. Hope this helps!

Aiden kinsey
Posted on: Mon, 05/01/2023 - 19:02

When I am done with the 10 week program what do I do

Nate
Posted on: Thu, 03/23/2023 - 21:47

I’m 43 lost 75 lbs in 2 years 2 back surgery’s spinal fusion I lift 5 days a week I absolutely love this work out I’m still trying to cut weight should I lift this program and slowly increase the weight weekly to help with progressive overload or just stick with same weight week to week? And can I just run this routine I definitely thanks nate

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Roger
Posted on: Thu, 03/30/2023 - 15:31

Hey Nate, congrats on the weight loss. Work with progressive overload so you can challenge the muscles and use more intensity to stimulate the muscle. Run the routine as long as you continue seeing progress. Thanks for reading M&S!

Chris
Posted on: Mon, 05/23/2022 - 07:15

I’m currently on a Deload week now I’ve been doing the PPL routine 6 day split it’s come to a end now so I’m thinking do I do the program all over again or Can I try this programme out to mix it up looks really interesting and exciting having said that I did love the PPL routine thank you

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Roger
Posted on: Thu, 05/26/2022 - 21:09

Run it, Chris, and keep us in the loop on how you're doing!

Dale
Posted on: Mon, 08/02/2021 - 06:05

Hi should I stick to one weight or increase with each set.

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Marina
Posted on: Wed, 08/04/2021 - 14:30

Dale,

Pick a weight that allows you to perform the desired amount of reps and sets.

Dale
Posted on: Wed, 08/04/2021 - 17:38

Thank you for replying

James
Posted on: Fri, 07/09/2021 - 09:43

Been doing this workout, but doing 5 sets of everything. That to much?

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Abigail
Posted on: Mon, 07/12/2021 - 09:43

Hey James - it's best to follow the program as written.

Howard Menkes
Posted on: Mon, 06/14/2021 - 09:21

Mike Mentzer trained 3x per week, 1 set to failure

Juan
Posted on: Tue, 03/16/2021 - 15:35

What’s a good substitute for a hack squat

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Abigail
Posted on: Wed, 03/17/2021 - 10:27
Thế tài
Posted on: Fri, 03/12/2021 - 03:35

Not superset? Or alternative set?
Just doing all chest exercise first and back later?

Aaron Williams
Posted on: Sun, 04/05/2020 - 23:09

If I am currently in the process of cutting would you recommend I make any changes to this program or just stick with how it is designed whilst continuing my cutting diet?

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Daniel
Posted on: Tue, 05/05/2020 - 16:18

Hey Aaron - cutting is more about diet that workout. So you hit the nail on the head, just stick with your cutting diet and do this (or any other hypertrophy style workout) as you normally would.

Matt
Posted on: Fri, 10/11/2019 - 17:50

What kind of warmups do you recommend with this program?

Apologies if this has been asked already...

Ahmed
Posted on: Sun, 09/08/2019 - 18:22

Very nice, thanks

isaac
Posted on: Sun, 03/31/2019 - 19:01

how could i save this as a pdf?

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Mon, 04/01/2019 - 09:17

Hi Isaac,

We'll have one made. Not sure how this one didn't get one.

Steve
Posted on: Tue, 03/05/2019 - 13:20

Hi Josh,
How much time would you recomend to rest between the sets of this programme to have the best results??
Thanks

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Wed, 03/06/2019 - 10:40

Hi Steve,

I'd suggest 60 seconds on all accessory isolation lifts and 90 seconds on bigger compound lifts.

Lee
Posted on: Sun, 12/30/2018 - 14:46

Hi josh,
After I posted my last on here I took your advice and got back on track with this program, I am coming to the end of this program now but still haven’t reached my goal, I have changed the Monday workout to supersets but stuck religiously to the rest, I am planning to De load for a week do I continue with this program again for the full duration or do you recommend I change to something else? Thanks

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Wed, 01/02/2019 - 12:17

Hi Lee,

You might respond better to heavier loads with lower rep ranges. Give one of these a shot:

https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/phul-workout

https://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/6-day-powerbuilding-split-mea...

Emre Karakaya
Posted on: Wed, 10/24/2018 - 17:24

can you share more older workout please?

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Thu, 10/25/2018 - 08:54

Hi Emre,

We'll see what we can do! Thanks for the feedback!

Lee
Posted on: Tue, 10/16/2018 - 10:56

Hi Josh,
I have just completed the 10 week mass building program on which I gained 6kg, I still want to gain more mass so swapped to this program, I took a week off to deload and am now on my fourth week of this program, the first 2 weeks were great and I felt really good and was easily managing the extra work load, however last week and so far this week even though the weight I am lifting is still increasing on most exercises I am struggling to get any pump and feel really flat after my workouts, any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Lee

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Tue, 10/16/2018 - 12:41

Hi Lee,

A pump is always a good indicator that you're getting a good workout in.

And a lot of things could be going on here - what's you carb and fluid intake look like? Are you sleeping enough at night? Are you digesting your food well?

Could be you're growing use to your workouts, could be you're not eating enough - look at your lifestyle as a whole.

Hope this helps!

Lee
Posted on: Tue, 10/16/2018 - 13:37

Hi Josh,
I have had a fairly long lay off due to injury and have only been back training seriously for about 4 months, and up until last week my progression has been steady and I’m happy with the gains I have made so far I have gone from 94 to 101.5 Kgs in this time, I haven’t really change my diet and thought the change of program would help, I am nearly 40 could this be a factor? I really like this program is there any way I can stick with this program but alter the way I train? Thanks

Lee
Posted on: Tue, 10/02/2018 - 05:26

Hi
Could I do decline barbell press as opposed to the chest dips? Thanks

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JoshEngland
Posted on: Tue, 10/02/2018 - 09:10

Hi Lee,

That should be fine.

Hope this helps!

Fitchick
Posted on: Wed, 05/23/2018 - 06:52

Is it possible to get a 5 day version of this?

Reece
Posted on: Thu, 04/05/2018 - 23:24

What is the rest time between sets? Just usual, like 1.5 min?

Stuart
Posted on: Sat, 04/16/2016 - 20:09

How many weeks is ideal to repeat this workout for? I'm 24 years old but I'm really using this for my 35 year old friend who wants to pack on 10-15 pounds of lean mass.

Sachin
Posted on: Fri, 10/02/2015 - 15:26

In this whole week i have to do Cardio or not ?
Nd how to warmup ? Do i also have two do cardio before and after the workout

TheManFromTaco
Posted on: Wed, 06/24/2015 - 19:52

Who on earth is "Lour Ferrigno"?

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MikeWines
Posted on: Thu, 06/25/2015 - 09:12

Ha good catch, fixed!

Nik
Posted on: Thu, 11/12/2015 - 13:56

He played the Hulk in the tv series.

R. Steiner
Posted on: Mon, 09/26/2016 - 01:58

Hello "TheManFromTaco"! You must be kidding, right??
Lou Ferrigno:
1972 NABBA Mr. Universe -2nd
1973 IFBB Mr. America -1st
1973 IFBB Mr. Universe -1st
1974 IFBB Mr. Universe -1st
1974 IFBB Mr. Olympia -2nd
1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia -3rd (it would help if you watched "PUMPING IRON")
1992 IFBB Mr. Olympia -12th
1993 IFBB Mr. Olympia -10th
1994 IFBB Masters Olympia -2nd
By the way, his first name is not "Lour" but Lou (short from Louis).

TheManFromMontana
Posted on: Wed, 01/31/2018 - 22:58

A Spanish bodybuilder from the 1940's

EDDIE
Posted on: Fri, 03/20/2015 - 16:10

HI STEVE ON THE LANDMINE PRESS, HOW FAR DO WE LET IT DROP BEFORE WE START THE OVERHEAD PRESS AGAIN? THANKS STEVE, GREAT WORKOUT!!

Dario
Posted on: Sun, 01/18/2015 - 04:30

So Im doin this routine for two weeks now and I get my results. Its not for everybody but you deffently dont need any steroids for this routine!
But the danger of overtraing should be considerd! What I do is eat a lot of protin with my meal like 500g of meat per meal and take a nap. With good eating and sleeping you wont be overtraining.
Anyway listen to your body take a break when necessary.
In my first week I rested after the first three days to get my body used to it.
After 4 weeks with this routin I recomend to rest a week to fully recover.

kevin
Posted on: Mon, 11/10/2014 - 21:07

hey steve was just wondering if I can do this routine I been body building now for 4 years and gonna get your answer on this

day 1 chest and back
day 2 bicep and triceps
day 3 legs and shoulders
day 4 off
repeat for 12 to 14 weeks I do 6-8 reps for compound exercises and 8 to 12 reps for isolation for building muscle and losing fat while maintaining muscle and gaining muscle or what would you recommend for lifting for muscle and fat loss not looking to lose weight just turning fat in to muscle and sometimes I will do 4-6 reps on compound for strength cause I build strength to lift more for muscle on my 6-8 rep range let me know thanks

Fmg
Posted on: Thu, 09/11/2014 - 16:33

When do i train traps? Forearms?

rob
Posted on: Wed, 07/30/2014 - 16:29

This workout is great. I have a home gym so I had to adapt a little to fit with what I have. Also, I wanted to workout twice a day so I split it into AM & PM (chest am, back pm, etc.) so I may have added one or two exercises. The man said it was his template, I used it as mine while incorporating his 'Power/Muscle/Burn' system into the template and I'm pleased with my results. Thanks Steve, I'm writing up my 5th program right now thats still based on your routine here.

KAW
Posted on: Mon, 07/28/2014 - 10:23

Would you throw in barbell shrugs on back day, since they are already being activated by the rack pulls?