Routine for Tough Period

[I. Kay]

As I've run out of the $$$ to keep up with Scrawny to Brawny, am desparately in search of more part-time work and also a real career-job, and am trying to find an apartment in NY, my patience (and sleep) has slowly but surely decreased.

I'll never stop lifting, but right now a complex routine like Scrawny to Brawny is simply draining me.

Anyhow, this is my "keep it simple" plan for the upcoming 1-2 months. Please let me know what you think:

Workout 1
Deadlifts 5x5
DB Bench Press 5x5
Russian Twists 3x8

Workout 2
Squats 5x5
Seated Rows 5x5
Leg Raises 3x8

Workout 3
Hang Clean & Press 5x5
Chinups 5x5
Swiss Ball Crunches 3x8

[gobbla]

what would you think about switching workouts 2 and 3 (spreading your *specific* leg workouts a little more evenly between rest days)?

[I. Kay]

Originally posted by gobbla:
what would you think about switching workouts 2 and 3 (spreading your *specific* leg workouts a little more evenly between rest days)?

That's a thought. The reason I spaced them this way was to separate the ham dominant (deads and cleans) and the pressing (bench and shoulder press) days.

But maybe you're right... the hang cleans are less of a leg exercise than the squat... hmmm...

[gobbla]

The pressing movement of the clean&press vs the bench pressing on monday, didn't even register in my brain.

If you wanted...just an idea (you've been doing this kind of thing longer than me, obviously)...You could add another push\pull lift to your 1&2days, making all days antagonist training, and change the rep scheme on workout 2 to be a little less...demanding (for lack of knowing what I really want to say) and have a little more variety to your weekly lifts.

Something like you already have
1 = 5x5 (8x3 or whatever)
2 = 5x10
3 = 5x5

More than anything I'm curious to see what you decide to do...and the reasoning, simply for my own knowledge\curiosity.

[Blackjack]

Check out some of Waterbury's routines. Specifically, the Backward Training that uses 10X3 sets. It really supercharges your CNS and the workouts are relatively simple, like the one listed above - only 3 exercises per day, 4 day split working muscle groups 2 times per week.

I did a version for a few months when I just wanted something simple due to the fact that my resources were limited. I did 10X3 of the big four movements: squat, bench, deadlift, military press. Then did 5X5 or 4X6 of the rest as listed in Men's Fitness a couple months ago.

Simple exercises, lots of weight, charges your CNS, all good things to get you through a tough time.

Ted