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Home » Hypertrophy Programs

Hypertrophy Workout Programs & Routines

These are workout programs that have hypertrophy as one of their primary training goals.

  • 12 Week Maximum Hypertrophy Routine (Kizen)
  • PHUL Workout Routine
  • PHAT Workout Routine
  • Mike Israetel Hypertrophy Workout Routine
  • Hypertrophy Specific Training (HST) Routine
  • Brogains 10 Week Powerbuilding Program
  • Metallicadpa 6 Day PPL (aka Reddit PPL)

Recommended Reading: Encyclopedia of Muscle & Strength by Jim Stoppani, PHD (Amazon)

The full list of hypertrophy programs is available below.

What is hypertrophy?

Hypertrophy is the enlargement of tissue (like muscle) from the growth of its component cells. In the context of lifting weights, hypertrophy is a fancy way of saying getting bigger, jacked, yoked, or whatever your favorite slang term for muscular is.

Are hypertrophy programs just for bodybuilders?

Hypertrophy is not just for bodybuilders, though they certainly care about it too. Hypertrophy is an important part of training for any athlete that cares about getting stronger, including powerlifters and other strength training sports.

What causes hypertrophy?

In a very basic sense, muscular hypertrophy is caused by microtrauma to the muscle fibers, or tiny tears. Higher volume workouts tends to cause more microtrauma, leading to more growth in muscle size as the body overcompensates while repairing the torn muscles via protein synthesis.

PRIME 4 Week Powerbuilding Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated August 21, 2021

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 4

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Prime Powerbuilding Program

The PRIME powerbuilding program is a 4 week training routine designed to increase the one rep max of the squat, bench press, deadlift and overhead press and build muscle mass. It is similar to 5/3/1 in that it follows a 4 week cycle and focuses on one compound lift per training session.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Powerbuilding Program, Programs

Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

Tiger Shark 6 Week Bench Press Program

By Kyle Risley
Last updated August 11, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Peaking, Powerlifting, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Tiger Shark is a 6 week bench press program for intermediate and advanced level lifters. It was created by Nik D (@niklas.damb). As it only programs for the bench press, it is recommended that this is combined with a squat program and a deadlift program. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Bench Press Programs, 6 Week Programs, Bench Press Workout Program, Lift Specific Program, Programs


Bench press frequency: 3

Overhead press frequency: 3

German Volume Training Routine Spreadsheet (GVT)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated June 1, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 4, 7

Periodization: Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Mass

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): No


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

German Volume Training (GVT) is a hypertrophy program designed by Charles Poliquin to shock the muscles with a significant increase in volume through 10×10 sets. It is designed to be run for a relatively short period of time, about 4 weeks, and is comprised of three different workouts run five days per week. This is all explained in more detail below. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 4 Week Programs, 7 Week Programs, Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 5 Day Bodybuilding Program
Squat frequency: 1, 2
Bench press frequency: 1, 2
Deadlift frequency: 1

Lyle McDonald Generic Bulking Routine Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated May 4, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 6, 7, 8

Periodization: Block Periodization, Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Mass, Strength

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): No


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Lyle McDonald’s generic bulking routine (GBR) is a 4 day upper/lower split that focuses on building mass. It is a bulking routine for building mass that is designed to be run while on a caloric surplus with a weight gain goal of about 0.5 to 1 pound per week. It can be run for 6 weeks to 8 weeks before a 2 week deload. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 4 Day Bodybuilding Program, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1, 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

12 Week Mass Building Hypertrophy Workout for Powerlifters (Mathias Method)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated May 1, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 12

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Mass, Peaking, Powerlifting

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

This mass building workout focuses on stimulating muscular hypertrophy and developing raw strength. It is a 12 week powerlifting program built on 4 high volume training sessions per week and was developed by Ryan Mathias at Mathias Method. It is a peaking program that is designed to build your one rep max in the squat, bench press, and deadlift for meet day. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Programs, Peaking Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 12 Week Workout Plan, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 2

Shortcut to SIZE Reviews

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 23, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Block Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Hypertrophy, Mass

Uses RPE: No


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Shortcut to Size is a 4 day body part split program by Jim Stoppani (who also created Shortcut to Shred). It is best suited for athletes with aesthetic or hypertrophy goals. It is a 12 week bodybuilding program broken down into three 4 week phases. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Program Reviews
Tagged With: 4 Day Bodybuilding Program, 4 Day Split, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1

Shortcut to Shred Reviews

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 22, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 6

Periodization: Undulating Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Fat loss, Hypertrophy


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Here are reviews of Jim Stoppani’s Shortcut to Shred strength building and weight loss program from people that have run the program. Overall, Shortcut to Shred reviews are positive and show that the program can be effective for building muscle and leaning out. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Program Reviews
Tagged With: 6 Day Bodybuilding Program, 6 Day Workout Plan, 6 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1

Jeff Seid Workout Routine Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated November 1, 2021

Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate

Weeks: Indefinite

Periodization: Autoregulated, Linear Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Bodybuilding, Hypertrophy

Uses RPE: No

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): No


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Jeff Seid’s workout routine is a 5 day or 6 day split program focused on hypertrophy and bodybuilding aesthetics. The routine hits most muscle groups once per week, but has an optional sixth day where you can work on any muscle groups you think need extra attention. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 6 Week Programs, Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 5 Day Bodybuilding Program, 5 Day Workout Plan, 6 Day Bodybuilding Program, 6 Day Workout Plan, 6 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

Lean Muscle Building Workout Plans

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 18, 2022

Experience level: Advanced, Beginner, Intermediate

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Bodybuilding, Hypertrophy


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Here are some of the best workout plans for building strong, lean muscle. These routines focus on high volume, which stimulates muscular hypertrophy in the athlete. Coupled with proper nutrition and recovery, these programs will help the athlete develop larger, stronger muscles.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 4 Day Bodybuilding Program, 4 Day Workout Plan, 5 Day Bodybuilding Program, 5 Day Workout Plan, 6 Day Bodybuilding Program, 6 Day Workout Plan



Lee Hayward 12 Week Bodybuilding Workout Routine Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 12

Periodization: Linear Periodization, Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Bodybuilding, Hypertrophy

Uses RPE: Yes

Uses 1RM Percentage(%): No


As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure

Lee Hayward’s 12 week bodybuilding program is broken up into four 3 week cycles, each cycle focusing on adding volume to the same set of lifts before switching to new movement variations and rep ranges for the next 3 week cycle. Each week has four training days, with the recommended set up being Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Programs, Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 12 Week Workout Plan, 4 Day Bodybuilding Program, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

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