Next Level Training Phase 1 done

So today was my final day with the first phase of Next Level Training (program designed by Christian Thibideau - who is a total beast btw).

So what effect did the first phase have on my body? Out of 10 I give it 9.5/10.

I have never been this cut in my life. Not only that, it seems that I gained back a little size but kept the weight going pretty stable from 168.4 lbs to 171.4 lbs.

And to think I only had to endure a 180 lb weight falling on my face!

So what is the next phase of this program? Get ready for this....

Next Level Training Part 2 - 3 weeks

MONDAY (LOWER BODY/HIPS DOMINANT)

A1. Deadlift from floor
4-6 reps
30 sec rest

A2. Deadlift from 2-3'' below knees
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

A3. Deadlift from 1-2'' above knees
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

A4. Wide stance DB squat (hold one DB with both hands between your legs)
As many reps as you can in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

* Try to use the same weight for A1, A2 and A3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

B1. Lying leg curl
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

B2. Good morning
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

B3. Back extension
10-12 reps
3-4 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

C1. Kneeling cable crunches
8-10 reps
no rest

C2. Swiss ball crunches
max reps
no rest

C3. REgular crunches
max reps
no rest

C4. Reverse crunches
max reps
1-2 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

TUESDAY (UPPER BODY/TORSO)

A1. Bent over barbell row, torso parallel to the floor
4-6 reps
30 sec rest

A2. Bent over barbell row, torso 45 degrees but no cheating
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

A3. Bent over barbell row, cheating row (use a slight lower back movement to get the bar started)
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

A4. Bent over DB rowing, alternate arm for speed
As many reps as you can in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

* Try to use the same weight for A1, A2 and A3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

B1. Bench press
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

B2. 1/2 bench press (elbows 90 degrees)
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

B3. 1/4 bench press (elbows 135 degrees)
10-12 reps
30 sec rest

B4. Flat DB press
max reps in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes

* Try to use the same weight for B1, B2 and B3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

C1. Kneeling cable crunches
8-10 reps
no rest

C2. Swiss ball crunches
max reps
no rest

C3. REgular crunches
max reps
no rest

C4. Reverse crunches
max reps
1-2 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

THURSDAY (LOWER BODY/QUADS DOMINANT)

A1. Back squat
4-6 reps
30 sec rest

A2. 1/2 back squat (knees 90 degrees)
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

A3. 1/4 back squat (knees 135 degrees)
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

A4. Close stance DB squat (hold two DB, one on each side)
As many reps as you can in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

* Try to use the same weight for A1, A2 and A3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

B1. Leg press
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

B2. Leg extension
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

B3. Bodyweight squats (no lockout)
max reps in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

C1. Kneeling cable crunches
8-10 reps
no rest

C2. Swiss ball crunches
max reps
no rest

C3. REgular crunches
max reps
no rest

C4. Reverse crunches
max reps
1-2 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

FRIDAY (UPPER BODY/ARMS)

A1. Close-grip bench
4-6 reps
30 sec rest

A2. 1/2 Close-grip bench (elbows 90 degrees)
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

A3. 1/4 Close-grip bench (elbows 135 degrees)
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

A4. EZ bar lying triceps extension
As many reps as you can in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

* Try to use the same weight for A1, A2 and A3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

B1. Reverse preacher curl
6-8 reps
30 sec rest

B2. Wide-grip preacher curl
8-10 reps
30 sec rest

B3. 1/2 Close-grip preacher curl (top half portion only)
10-12 reps
30 sec rest

B4. Standing barbell curl
max reps in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes

* Try to use the same weight for B1, B2 and B3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

C1. Kneeling cable crunches
8-10 reps
no rest

C2. Swiss ball crunches
max reps
no rest

C3. REgular crunches
max reps
no rest

C4. Reverse crunches
max reps
1-2 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

SATURDAY(UPPER BODY/DELTS & TRAPS)

A1. Standing military press
4-6 reps
45 sec rest

A2. Standing push press
4-6 reps
45 sec rest

A3. Standing push jerk
4-6 reps
45 sec rest

A4. Seated DB press
As many reps as you can in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes rest

* Try to use the same weight for A1, A2 and A3
** NOTE: in the push press you use a ''slight'' leg drive to get the bar moving; in the push jerk you use a powerful leg drive to throw the bar up as fast as you can.

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

B1. Power clean from the hang
4-6 reps
45 sec rest

B2. Power upright row (using a shoulder width grip, bend the torso forward as in a romanian deadlift and perform an upright row, bringing the bar only to the sternum, while using a slight lower back momentum)
4-6 reps
45 sec rest

B3. Barbell shrugs
10-12 reps
45 sec rest

B4. DB shrugs
max reps in 30-45 seconds
3-4 minutes

* Try to use the same weight for B1, B2 and B3

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 4 TIMES

C1. Kneeling cable crunches
8-10 reps
no rest

C2. Swiss ball crunches
max reps
no rest

C3. REgular crunches
max reps
no rest

C4. Reverse crunches
max reps
1-2 minutes rest

PERFORM THIS GIANT SET 3 TIMES

So my first reaction to this program was that it looks effing crazy.

After that my second reaction is that it goes against my own belief that you cannot work your abs on consecutive days. Will that stop me? Hell no.

If the coach says to do abs 5 days a week then I'm going to do abs 5 days a week. That's the beauty of having a coach. You leave no room for questioning. You just do it.

You may let your own ego get in the way and then you may question it at the time, try to bastardize the shit out of the program by doing your own thing, then wonder why you are not getting the results promised.

Personally I wouldn't let just anyone devise a program for me because well...I just don't trust their judgment. I think coach CT is world class in his ability to devise AMAZING bodybuilding programs. So me thinks I'm going to listen to his suggestions regardless of my own dogmatic ways.

Wish me luck. Although luck has nothing to do with it.

DG

Ps. I don't know who is reading this but I'm doing my first women's bootcamp! If you are a female and need to get in shape you definitely want to get a spot in the next bootcamp I start. Unfortunately this one is all filled up.