The Gorilla Mecca Method
Strength takes time. The stronger you get, the more time it
takes to get even stronger. Interesting enough, not a lot of people get that,
especially newbies.
So, this is the method that I have been using for a while
and with enough cycles, I think it has a lot of potential to get me brutally
strong. This macrocycle is 16 weeks long, divided into four 4 week mesocycles,
each of which has a 1 week microcycle. The first mesocycle is 4 weeks of 10’s
of the major lifts. The second mesocycle is 4 weeks of 8’s of the major lifts. The
third mesocycle is 4 weeks of 6’s and 5’s of the major lifts. Then the fourth
mesocycle is 3’s, 2’s, and 1's of the major lifts to peak. A final week can be used
to test for maxes or the macrocycle can be repeated.
The week has 6 days of workouts. A rest day can be scheduled
in between any of these days.
Bench Press
|
Tricep Press
|
Squat
|
Light Bench
|
Light Tricep
|
Deadlift
|
The first bench day is dedicated to benching, obviously. The
keys to benching for the 10’s and 8’s weeks are as follows: Do not completely
lockout (the triceps will be worked the next day). Keep tension in the pecs.
Lower the bar slow to the chest and explode up. The last two mesocycles each rep should be paused on the chest and fully locked out. On the tricep press day, use an
EZ Curl bar or you can choose to use a barbell and closegrip press. The keys
here: lower the weight slowly and explode up, locking out completely. Try to use
the triceps exclusively. Squat day is for squatting. Light Bench and Light
Tricep days are exactly like their heavier counterpart days, just lighter
weights. Deadlift day is for deadlifts.
Supplemental
Exercises: These movements should closely mimic or compliment the main
movement for the day. These should be placed after the main movement and
prioritized based on weakness.
For Bench Day; Wide Grip Bench-for pecs. Close Grip Bench-for delts and
triceps. Incline-pecs and delts. Overhead Press-shoulders.
Tricep Press; Tricep Extension w/EZ Curl, Rope, Straight Bar, Dips.
Squat; Wide Stance Squats-for hips. Olympic Highbar Squat-for
quads. Pause Squat-for strength out of the hole.
Deadlift; Deficit Deadlift-for lacking strength off the floor. Block
Pull-for erectors and lockout strength. Rounded Back Deadlift-for erectors and lockout
strength. Stiff Leg Deadlift-for hamstrings and glutes.
Accessory Exercises:
These movements are used for weaknesses, lagging body parts and for joint
health.
These include; Curls, Shrugs, Rows, Lat Pulls, Pull-Ups,
Grip Work, Flys, Delt work.
The following table illustrates how one would organize the
days with supplemental and accessory work.
Bench
|
Tricep Press
|
Squat
|
Light Bench
|
Light Tricep
|
Deadlift
|
Wide Grip
|
Tricep Ext
|
Wide St Squat
|
Inc-Close Grip
|
Tricep Ext
|
Block Pulls
|
Inc-Close Grip
|
WeightPull-Up
|
Stiff Leg Deads
|
DB Incline
|
Pull-Ups
|
Oly Squats
|
OH Press
|
Barbell Row
|
Shrugs
|
DB OH Press
|
Lat Pulls
|
Shrugs
|
DB Laterals
|
1-Arm Row
|
Weighted Abs
|
DB Laterals
|
1-Arm Row
|
Weighted Abs
|
DB Front Raise
|
Curls
|
Calf Work
|
DB Rear Fly
|
Curls
|
Calf Work
|
So now that you have an idea of how to go about piecing
together your training, let’s talk about numbers and percentages. Your starting
point will be determined based on how well you perform reps below your max
single. The less “in-shape” you are for reps, the lower the percentage you can
start with. Ideally you can start with 60-70 percent for your sets of 10. From
there, you’ll add about 1.5%-2% per week for each major lift which equals to
about 10-15lbs each week for deadlifts, 10lbs each week for squats, and 5lbs
each week for bench.
Let’s look at how the program will add up with the main lifts. This is the current cycle I'm in.
Supplemental work rep ranges mimics the main work. Example, after 4x8 bench, I'll move on to incline bench for 3x8. Accessory work is usually done for the higher rep ranges from 10 all the way up to 40.
Further depth can be discussed with me via email if need be.