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The 7 Best Hypertrophy Programs for 2022

  1. 12 Week Maximum Hypertrophy Routine (Kizen)
  2. PHUL Workout Routine
  3. PHAT Workout Routine
  4. Mike Israetel Hypertrophy Workout Routine
  5. Hypertrophy Specific Training (HST) Routine
  6. Brogains 10 Week Powerbuilding Program
  7. Metallicadpa 6 Day PPL (aka Reddit PPL)

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

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.

Kai Greene Workout Routine Spreadsheet

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Kai Greene’s workout routine is a 5 day intermediate to advanced level bodybuilding program. It is a body part split that targets a different muscle group each day: chest & calves, shoulders & forearms, back, legs, and arms.

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Simeon Panda Workout Program Spreadsheet

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Simeon Panda’s 5 day workout routine is a high volume bodybuilding program built around a relatively small number of exercises per training session. Instead of significant variety within the exercise movements, Simeon Panda performs each movement for high volume. [Read more…]

Ronnie Coleman Workout Program Spreadsheet

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The man, the myth, the legend: 8 time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman. The Ronnie Coleman workout routine is an intermediate/advanced level workout routine with 6 training days per week, high volume, and a large number of movements – it is not for the faint of heart.

This is a brutal bodybuilding program inspired by the man some consider to be the GOAT bodybuilder.

[Read more…]

Michael B. Jordan “Creed” Workout Program Spreadsheet

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This is a workout program attributed to Michael B. Jordan, supposedly used in preparation for his role in Creed. It utilizes 4 training days per week and can be run indefinitely. [Read more…]

Intermediate Bodybuilding Program Spreadsheet by Ripped Body (5 Day)

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This is a 5 day intermediate bodybuilding program developed by the smart folks at Ripped Body. It runs for 4 weeks at a time, with the 4th week acting as a deload. It increases weight each week, but reduces volume each week of the cycle. If you’re still able to progress weekly without reducing sets or reps, then the beginner bodybuilding program is a better choice and will let you progress more quickly. [Read more…]

Jay Cutler Workout Program Spreadsheet

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Below you’ll find a spreadsheet, overview, and training videos for Jay Cutler’s workout program. [Read more…]

Beginner Bodybuilding Program Spreadsheet by Ripped Body (4 Day)

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Designed by the smart folks at Ripped Body, this beginner bodybuilding workout routine is a great introduction to hypertrophy training for novices. The spreadsheet for this bodybuilding program for novices is based on this post shared by Ripped Body.

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Mike Israetel 5 Week Hypertrophy Workout Routine Spreadsheet

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Note: The below spreadsheet is based on the 2019 version of Mike Israetel’s articles on muscle group hypertrophy. As of March 2020, he is in the midst of updating these articles with new guidelines. These guidelines have not yet been taken into account in the spreadsheet, but an updated spreadsheet is in the works. For the latest thinking from Mike Israetel, please read the articles linked in this post. A second update will be posted here when the spreadsheet is updated.

Dr. Mike Israetel published a very popular article entitled Training Volume Landmarks for Rennaisance Periodization.

A summary of the article is below, though reading the article in its entirety is recommended.

[Read more…]

BarBend 10 Week Powerbuilding Program

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The BarBend 10-week powerbuilding program was designed with the expertise of BarBend’s Fitness Editor Jake Boly MS CSCS, and is a program that was created in partnership with Gravitus mobile app. 

[Read more…]

“Next Level” Linear Progression Strength Program (Brian Alsruhe)

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This is a linear progression strength program from Brian Alsruhe. It is the “next level” continuation of the linear progression programming video that he originally published in 2016 (video below). [Read more…]

Ivysaur 3 Week Intermediate Aesthetic Workout Routine

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A progression from the recommended Ivysaur 4-4-8 Beginner Strength Program, the Ivysaur intermediate aesthetic program is a 5 day per week linear progression hypertrophy program. On it, you’ll be adding weight to your lifts every 3 weeks. [Read more…]

The Famous Reddit PPL Program Spreadsheet (Improved)

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The 6 day PPL program known as the “Reddit PPL” or “Metallicadpa PPL” is a great workout routine for those looking to increase strength and gain size. Several different spreadsheets have been created for this program, which I go into a bit below. I’m bringing forth a new and improved version here after being frustrated by the shortcomings of past efforts.

[Read more…]

Starscream: 12 Week Hypertrophy Program (5 Day)

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Starscream is the brainchild of /u/benchpauper, who concocted such popular spreadsheets as the MEGAZORD hybrid strength program. [Read more…]

8 Week Hypertrophy Program Spreadsheet (BigCoachD)

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Edit 9/22/19: Fixed an issue with the inputs. Using a “.” (i.e. period, full stop) is now supported in the 1RM input fields.

This program is an 8 week hypertrophy training program inspired by Reddit user and strength coach /u/BigCoachD. Good for off-season powerlifting training, bodybuilding, or anyone looking to increase their work capacity and get bigger.

It is a 4 day program based on linear periodization. Week 1 starts at 5×12 @50% of 1RM and adds 5% each week, gradually working up to 5×8@67.5% in week 8. [Read more…]

Shortcut to Shred Reviews

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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…]

Shortcut to SIZE Reviews

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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…]

Thinner Leaner Stronger Workout Program Spreadsheets

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Thinner Leaner Stronger is a workout program focused on developing aesthetics for women. In other words: lose weight, build muscle, look better naked, etc.  It was written by Michael Matthews, a trainer who has written extensively on nutrition and aesthetics for both men and women. [Read more…]

8 Week Powerbuilding Program (Seba Kot)

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This is an 8 week powerbuilding program designed by Seba Kot, Polish lifter (YouTube channel). This is a lightly translated version. [Read more…]

10 Week Powerbuilding Program

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This 10 week powerbuilding program is modeled off of basic 5/3/1 with inspiration from GZCL and BBB for accessories. On this program you’ll hit a major compound movement (for powerlifters, likely your competition movement plus one additional) for one top set of an AMRAP before moving on to accessory exercises.

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Coolcicada 6 Day PPL Spreadsheet

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The Coolcicada PPL is a popular 6 day PPL  that originated from a BodyBuilding.com forum member. The original thread is here. It has since gained great notoriety as an effective program for building strength and muscular development in many lifters.

[Read more…]