Everyone seemed pretty fired up about the modified Westside program. I received an overwhelming response to my recent article, “Westside for Skinny Bastards.” I think there’s going to be many big and strong individuals walking around this summer. In response to some of the questions I received, I want to address two things—rest intervals for max effort lifts and the number of reps for repetition lifts.
There is no set rest interval for the max effort lift. Generally speaking, my lifting partners and I just go back and forth through the warm-up sets. There’s probably about 60–90 seconds between warm-up sets. When it comes time for the grand finale, we slow down the pace a little.
Personally, I’m stronger if I wait 3–4 minutes between maximal attempts. Remember, the purpose of max effort day is to lift the most amount of weight possible. If this means taking a longer rest, take your time. You can pick up the pace when you move on to the supplemental lifts.
Now on to repetition work…
On your repetition upper body lift, you should choose a weight that you can perform approximately 20–35 reps with on your first set. Stick with the same weight for all three sets, and record the total number of reps that you performed for all three sets. The goal is to perform more reps using the same weight the following week.
The same idea applies to the repetition lower body lift. I’ve provided a sample template below. Choose exercises from the list that you didn’t perform on your first lower body day.
A. Unilateral movement
Perform three sets of 15 reps each leg. Choose from the following exercises:
Single leg squats, back leg elevated
Barbell step-ups with knee lift
Barbell reverse lunges
Barbell reverse lunges, front foot elevated
Barbell reverse lunges, front foot elevated (with knee lift)
Low pulley split squats, front foot elevated
Walking lunges
“Speed skater” squats (one and a half rep single leg squats)
Barbell step-ups
B. Posterior chain/hamstring movement
Perform 3–4 sets of 10–15 reps for two of the following exercises:
Glute ham raises
Reverse hyperextensions
Seated or standing good mornings
Pull-thrus
Leg curls
Romanian deadlifts
Stability ball hamstring lifts
C. Weak point training
Perform one exercise for 3–5 sets of a lagging body part. Common areas include the upper back, external rotators, abs, and grip training.
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