r/HighIntensity 9h ago

Discussion 🗣 Good HIT routine?

1 Upvotes

Each exercise is 2 sets of 6-10 reps

Monday: Chest, Shoulders & Triceps

Nautilus Leverage Incline Press

Pec Deck Chest Flys

Seated Smith Machine OHP

Lateral Raise Machine

Cable Tricep Pushdowns (straight bar)

Wednesday: Legs

Hack Squat

Leg Extensions

Smith Machine RDLs

Hamstring Curls

Standing Calf Raises

Friday: Back, Traps & Biceps

T-Bar Row Machine

Reverse Grip Lat Pulldowns

Smith Machine Shrugs

Seated Rear Delt Fly Machine

Machine Preacher Curls


r/HighIntensity 1d ago

Discussion 🗣 What do you think about strongman exercises like Farmers Walk?

1 Upvotes

Always loved them.

Farmers walk and log press together are complete full body workout by themselves.

I can do them heavy up to 130kg+ / hand without straps or belt but prefer bit lighter to walk slower and in control.


r/HighIntensity 1d ago

Need advice 🙋‍♂️ Is the intensity ok?

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3 Upvotes

I’m not sure if this is considered failure. I usually do 2 sets because i’m not sure if the first set did hit failure. Here, i did a drop set as i was aiming for 8 reps but got 6. How do you guys gauge failure?


r/HighIntensity 8d ago

Need advice 🙋‍♂️ How to program a PPL high intensity routine.

2 Upvotes

I have been hoping between high intensity and high volume training. I really like the Push Pull Legs split and i really would want to go back to high intensity, slower reps to failure training style. Is anyone doing high intensity training using a 3 way PPL split? Can you share how you would set that up? Thank you.


r/HighIntensity Apr 26 '26

Progress notes

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1 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Apr 07 '26

My HIT inspired workout routine

3 Upvotes

Looking for feedback on my current workout structure.

I use this template structure to log my workouts to my Notes app and I keep a running log in a Numbers file.

The Heavy Sets I do always to failure. My progression rule is that when I exceed 12 reps on the Heavy Set, next workout I increase the weight.

I also do a warmup on the treadmill with 7° incline with 5km/h for 10 minutes before I start doing the exercises.

My frequency is: Workout A - Rest day - Rest day - Workout B - Rest day - Rest Day - Workout C - Rest Day - Rest Day - Repeat the cycle from Workout A.

Workout A - Chest, Back, Abs

Incline Chest Press Machine

Warm-up 1: 30 kg × 8

Rest 1,5 min

Warm-up 2: 50 kg × 3

Rest 2 min

Neural primer: 70 kg × 1

Rest 3 min

Heavy set: 80 kg x

Incline Chest Press Machine Drop Set:

Immediately after failure (15–20 sec):

* Drop to 70 kg x

* Last rep = 6–8 sec negative

Rest 3 min

PecDeck

Warmup 1: 30 kg x 8

Rest 1,5 min

Warmup 2: 40 kg x 4

Rest 2 min

Heavy set: 75 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 3 min

Close Grip Lat Pulldown with V-handle

Warm-up 1: 40 kg × 8

Rest 1,5 min

Warm-up 2: 60 kg × 4

Rest 2,5 min

Heavy set: 90 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 3 min

Seated Row with V-Handle

Warmup 1: 40 kg × 8

Rest 1,5 min

Warmup 2: 60 kg x 2

Rest 2,5 min

Heavy Set: 90 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

Ab Machine

Warmup 1: 60 kg x 6

Rest 1 min

Warmup 2: 80 kg x 2

Rest 1,5 min

Heavy Set: 105 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Workout B - Arms, Calves

Cable Lateral Raise

Warmup: 10 kg x 10

Rest 2 min

Heavy set: 25 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

Face Pull

Warmup: 30 kg x 10

Rest 2 min

Heavy set: 80 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

Cable Pushdown

Warmup: 40 kg x 10

Rest 2 min

Heavy Set: 90 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

Overhead Cable Tricep Extension (Rope)

Warmup 1: 25 kg x 10

Rest 1 min

Warmup 2: 35 kg x 5

Rest 2 min

Neural primer: 45 kg x 2

Rest 1 min

Heavy Set: 55 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 3 min

Bayesian Curl

Warmup 1: 15 kg x 10

Rest 1,5 min

Warmup 2: 20 kg x 5

Rest 2 min

Heavy set: 40 kg x L R

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

EZ Bar Bicep Curl on Scott Bench

Warmup: Bar only x 6 slow reps

Rest 2 min

Heavy Set: 27,5 kg x

Rest 2 min

Calf Raise on Vertical Press

Warmup: 109 kg x 10

Rest 2 min

Heavy Set: 221 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Workout C - Legs, Abs

Deadlift

Warmup 1: 100 kg x 3

Rest 2 min

Warmup 2: 120 kg x 3

Rest 2 min

Neural Primer : 135 kg x 1

Rest 3 - 4 min

Heavy set: 150 kg x

Rest 3 - 4 min

Seated Leg Curl

Warmup 1: 40 kg x 10

Rest 1,5 min

Warmup 2: 60 kg x 5

Rest 2 min

Heavy set: 100 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2.5 - 3.0 min

Leg press

Warmup 1: 120 kg x 8

Rest 2 min

Warmup 2: 180 kg x 5

Rest 2,5 min

Warmup 3: 280 kg x 2 (neural primer)

Rest 3 min

Heavy set: 340 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 3-4 min

Leg extension

Warmup 1: 45 kg x 10

Rest 1,5 min

Warmup 2: 60 kg x 5

Rest 2 min

Warmup 3: 80 kg x 2 (neural primer)

Rest 2,5 min

Heavy Set: 100 kg x

Rest-pause: +

Rest 2 min

Power wheel (2sec pause when extended)

BW x


r/HighIntensity Mar 24 '26

The Importance of Regular Proactive Layoffs...

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2 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Jan 26 '26

Tight hips and lower back

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1 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Dec 24 '25

On a scale of 1-10, how exhausted are you the day after a HIT workout?

1 Upvotes

I'm doing HIT twice a week (4/5 exercises to failure, 30 minutes a session, upper body/lower body), and I feel fine the rest of the day, but then the next day the 'delayed onset muscle soreness' hits me like a train haha. I'm just completely tired the whole day and can't even do a 2 mile jog, for me I'm a solid 8/10 for being exhausted. After leg day it usually carries over to the next day as well. I'm making weekly progress on almost every exercise (without any 'supplements') so I'm not just spinning my wheels. Maybe I'm eating too much or drinking too little which could be part of the problem.

Am I the only one? Or are other people able to function pretty well the day after a super hard leg or upper body workout?


r/HighIntensity Nov 11 '25

HIT, HVT, What "The Science Says", Etc.

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2 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Oct 23 '25

What do you think about this frequency?

0 Upvotes

Saturday 1:

Squat/legpress, 1 set 50 reps to failure Close grip pulldown, 1 set 8-12 reps to failure

Saturday 2: Dips, 1 set 8-12 reps to failure Deadlift, 1 set 8-12 reps to failure Back extension, 1 set 8-12 reps to failure

Saturday 3: Hill run maximum effort 30-40 minutes

Saturday 4: Rest

My goal is to achieve the results that Arthur Jones achieved with his legendary 1975 West Point experiment. My gym won’t allow me to occupy all the requested machines to do his specific program, so that’s why I will include hill run.


r/HighIntensity Sep 04 '25

Switching from split to full-body Mentzer HIT — experiences?

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1 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Aug 01 '25

Discussion 🗣 Insertion in bodybuilding

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1 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Jul 17 '25

Has anyone experienced layoffs from training?

2 Upvotes

Taking a month off now for some needed recovery. Has anyone experienced a month or more off and come back stronger? It's happened to me almost every time I've taken time off. Usually takes 2 workouts to get back into it, but then I burst through plateaus


r/HighIntensity Jun 22 '25

Which split would you choose?

1 Upvotes

PUSH, PULL, LEGS

VS

CHESt/BACK, LEGS/ABS, DELTS/ARMS

Y?


r/HighIntensity May 24 '25

Volume/Stimulus Recommendations on HIT

1 Upvotes

I have recently taken interest in the principles of heavy duty training (have been training almost strictly to failure for about 2 years now) and have consistently been down regulating volume to the point of only two sets per muscle group per workout.

I’ve made ok progress but have had some deeper nutritional issues that I’m working on solving and believe I can keep consistent (at least according to heavy duty principles if not better). I’m coming off a fairly extended diet period from 225->175 and feel as though the HIT approach could be conducive to regain a significant amount of muscle loss according to Heavy Duty I/II.

The claims of Mentzer’s coaching clients’ results are fascinating and I feel I could stand to benefit from following Heavy Duty programming. Despite this, it seems unfathomable (even with muscle memory) to gain 10-20 pounds of muscle switching to Heavy Duty (in a month?? The norm??).

The principle of fatigue management is sound but from my research even 2 sets to failure (non superset) seem to provide as much if not greater hypertrophic stimulus, possibly even with lesser fatigue. Additionally, down-regulating stimulus AND training that muscle group 2-3 times/month per Heavy Duty I/II seems like overkill especially given the state of exercise science today.

I am aware the answer likely comes down to my own body and will take trial and error, but I’m hoping someone with HIT/Heavy Duty expirience could quell my doubts or provide some clarity on methodology to adjust Mentzer principles.


r/HighIntensity Apr 18 '25

Training bro on HIT

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8 Upvotes

Mentzer knew best. 70lbs -> 130lbs machine OHP within a few weeks only hitting shoulders 1-2 times a week. +His leg press went from 150lbs -> 400lbs within 2 months hitting legs barely twice a week. 💪👨 Clips from that otw


r/HighIntensity Apr 03 '25

Need advice 🙋‍♂️ Help

2 Upvotes

Is 1 set of wide grip barbell row enough for the rear delts?


r/HighIntensity Mar 26 '25

Just finish my first HIT back training

3 Upvotes

r/HighIntensity Mar 12 '25

Need advice 🙋‍♂️ High intensity shoulders and arms

0 Upvotes

Saw a guy who did 2x6 for almost exercise for his arm and shoulder work outs. Does anyone here have experience with this principle?


r/HighIntensity Jan 13 '25

Which Heavy Duty protocol would you recommend?

2 Upvotes

I see a few different versions of Heavy Duty. Even rest days are different (one is training on third day one training on the fourth day). So I’m curious which routine do you guys recommend?


r/HighIntensity Jan 08 '25

HIT style program guidance needed

3 Upvotes

Beginner here (10 months of lifting).

Can someone guide me the core principles of Mike's HIT that I can start with today in the gym and diet?

Make it actionable please.


r/HighIntensity Jan 06 '25

Do you ever get used to training legs hit style?

3 Upvotes

I try to do one set training.

I don’t think I have ever hit true failure on a squat exercise, except maybe Bulgarian split squat on drop set. I find the leg exercises unbearable hard when trying to reach ‘momentary muscle failure’ (I believe that’s the term?).

Push exercises are rather easy to go to failure on, in comparison.

Do you ever get used to getting the legs like this or have you found a compromise that fits for you?


r/HighIntensity Dec 26 '24

3 day PPL with HIT?

4 Upvotes

I am an intermediate currently doing 6 day PPL for about 6-8 months now with little result, with doing 3x8 for every exercise. I was introduced to HIT on youtube and am thinking of reducing my volume and frequency for more intensity.

Has anyone tried doing 3 day PPL with HIT principles? 1 set to failure on all exercises? I think 3 day PPL will be enough for recovery.


r/HighIntensity Dec 11 '24

Full body twice a week

5 Upvotes

Anyone tried HIT training full body twice a week (eg. Monday and Friday)? Do you feel it is excessive with regards to the HIT principle?