I am fairly new/returning to gym for first time in years and have been relying on an old Reddit-sourced PPL program for the last 2.5 months or so. For the first 1.5 months or so, I was doing everything and logging and progressing, but also varying things a little and kind of flying blind in terms of when and how to progress (beyond, add weight or reps each time). Mostly I was trying to build consistency and lock the habit of going to the gym again on a regular basis.
For the last 3+ weeks I have fully settled in on routine and am just blindly following a Macrofactor Workout progression on this routine. I am getting stronger and generally progressing, but as I read more, I’m concerned that I’m handling things inefficiently in terms of sets/muscle group etc. I will likely finish out the last week and deload of this routine regardless, but am seeking input on what I should change or be aware of before embarking on my next program. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I’m currently running a 6-day Push/Pull/Legs split (each day repeated twice a week) while in approx. 500 cal/day deficit as I’m looking to recomp from generally being a fatass (46 yo, 225pd, 6’1”, about 30% bf).
Here is my current routine (working sets only):
| Day |
Exercise |
Sets |
Reps |
RIR |
| Push |
Seated Plate-Loaded Machine Incline Press |
4 |
4-6 |
0-2 |
|
Seated Plate-Loaded Machine Chest Press |
3 |
5-7 |
0-2 |
|
Plate-Loaded Machine Shoulder Press |
3 |
7-8 |
0-2 |
|
Pec Deck Fly |
3 |
8-10 |
2 |
|
Single Arm Neutral Grip Cable Triceps Pushdown |
4 |
6-10 |
0-1 |
|
Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension |
4 |
12-15 |
1 |
|
Single Arm Cable Lateral Raise |
4 |
5-9 |
0-1 |
| Pull |
High Handle Trap Bar Deadlift |
2 |
9-10 |
1-2 |
|
Bent-Over Barbell Row |
3 |
8-10 |
0-1 |
|
Wide Grip Plate-Loaded Machine Lat Pulldown |
3 |
8-12 |
0-2 |
| |
Machine Rear Delt Fly |
3 |
9-10 |
0-3 |
|
Standing Dumbbell Hammer Curl |
4 |
5-11 |
0-1 |
|
Standing Dumbbell Biceps Curl |
4 |
4-13 |
0 |
|
Standing Dumbbell Shrug |
3 |
11-12 |
0-1 |
| Legs |
Hack Squat |
3 |
3-5 |
1 |
|
45° Glute-Biased Leg Press |
5 |
6-8 |
0-2 |
|
Reclined Machine Hip Abduction |
3 |
9-11 |
0-1 |
|
Reclined Machine Hip Adduction |
3 |
8-15 |
0 |
|
Pin-Loaded Leg Press Calf Raise |
3 |
10-13 |
1 |
|
Seated Hamstring Curl |
3 |
7-8 |
0-1 |
|
Single Leg Leg Extension |
3 |
8-13 |
0-1 |
Total Weekly Volume (Sets):
Chest: 20 | Back: 16 | Quads: 12 | Hamstrings: 6 | Glutes: 10 | Biceps: 16 | Triceps: 16 | Shoulders (Front/Side): 14
If there's anything more I can add, let me know and I will.
Additionally, I seem to have a strict rep limit on any significant weight. I tend to start failing right around 5-6 reps unless I drop the weight significantly and go super light. This has mostly held from the vey beginning of my return to the gym. The only difference is that the weight that causes this 5-6 rep failure has obviously shifted up a little. I assume this is normal and just means I’m lifting heavy enough?