Warrior’s Primed Beef Cycle :: Phase 1
6 Weeks Priming
During the first six weeks, the goal is to prime the system for the upcoming growth phase. Priming will take several forms to sensitize the body to the system’s growth hormones (testosterone, insulin, thyroid,) as well as incoming nutrition and protein synthesis. Focus is on diet, training and supplementation to lead to a primed anabolic state for maximizing anabolism in the next stage. The goal during these six weeks is to drop 10-12 pounds of fat while priming the body for a growth phase.
Diet
Diet will contain four basic nutritional approaches with a Cyclic Ketogenic Diet structure. The CKD will use periods of low carbs (less than 10% total calories) with carb load phases of around 24-30 hours. The outline will start like this:
Sunday: Low Carb
Monday: Low Carb
Tuesday: Low Carb
Wednesday: Preload Carb
Thursday: Re-Feed
Friday: Moderate Carb
Saturday: Moderate Carb
Structure is subject to change based on results
Low Carb: low carb days will be kept well below maintenance; at around 1500-1800 calories from high protein and moderate fat sources. Carbohydrates will be kept at 100 grams or less per day; most consumed post-workout.
Preload Carb: basically the same as low carb days but about 25 percent less calories prior to the evening. Preload begins in the PM with 30 grams of carbs pre-workout to get the body sensitive to insulin. A Carb/Pro mix immediately post-workout will then be followed by a high carbohydrate dinner (around 60-25-15).
Re-Feed: re-feed days focus on glycogen super compensation via a high carbohydrate, moderate carb and low fat approach. Total calories will be aimed at around 5000 per day – based on previous loading experience.
Moderate Carb: moderate carb days will be structured like a typical Zone-type diet of 40-30-30 keeping the calories at around 2750-3000 per day. Carbohydrate intake ends the evening of the last moderate carb day.
Training
Training will also contain four approaches (similar to my abbreviated maintenance program using heavy compound movements with short rest intervals):
German Body Composition (GBC) training, as outlined by the great strength coach Charles Poliquin, uses giant sets with short rest intervals to deplete the muscles of all energy stores and sensitize them to growth hormones and nutrients. GBC is based on short rest intervals that lead to increased production of lactate, which leads to dramatic increases in endogenous GH thus resulting in greater body fat loss and better priming.
On the Preload Carb day, a Glycogen Depletion Routine will be performed. This is a full body workout to try and finish off remaining muscular glycogen stores... maximizing sensitivity in all muscle groups prior to ingesting simple carbs that night.
Then a day after carb loading - on a Moderate Carb day, a Carb/Creatine Loaded Routine will be performed. This is a full body power routine orientated to take advantage of the replenished condition – a time to fight for keeping up limit strength, prior to beginning another depletion phase.
I will illustrate training progress (or digress) using a basic Power Index equation for the same core movements every workout. (LOAD*REPS)SETS=TOTAL then TOTAL/MINUTES= "X pounds/min" This method won't bore you with too many figures but tell you exactly how strength is effected using the load and time variables.
Aerobic days will include running for a few days after a re-feed to get a jump on depletion and then shift to stationary cycling as energy levels dwindle. Cardio will primarily assist in fully depleting liver and muscular glycogen. The secondary purpose is cardiovascular and endurance progress.
The Advance GBC Program
The program divides into the following sections. I will continue to use the same movements for each muscle group, but may change the combinations. Giant sets are grouped in sequence by letters and performed in order by number.
Chest and Back
Chest
A1: (6) Flat Barbell Press
Rest 10 seconds
A2: (12) 45 Degree Incline Dumbbell Press
Rest 10 seconds
A3: (25) 30 Degree Incline Dumbbell Flye
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Back
B1: (6) Wide Grip Pull Ups
Rest 10 seconds
B2: (12) Bent Barbell Rows
Rest 10 seconds
B3: (25) Close Grip Front Pull downs
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Arms and Shoulders
Delts
A1: (6) Front Military Press
Rest 10 seconds
A2: (12) Standing Dumbbell Laterals
Rest 10 seconds
A3: (25) Standing Upright Rows
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Triceps
B1: (6) Flat Close Grip Presses
Rest 10 seconds
B2: (12) Incline Triceps Extensions
Rest 10 seconds
B3: (25) Standing Rope Extensions
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Biceps
C1: (6) Incline Dumbbell Curls
Rest 10 seconds
C2: (12) Standing Barbell Curls
Rest 10 seconds
C3: (25) Standing Reverse Grip Cambered Curls
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Legs
Quads
A1: (6) Full Barbell Squats
Rest 10 seconds
A2: (12) Hammer Hack Squats
Rest 10 seconds
A3: (25) Hammer Quad Extensions
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
Hams
B1: (6) Hammer Leg Curls
Rest 10 seconds
B2: (12) Romanian Deads
Rest 10 seconds
B3: (25) Back Extensions
Rest 2 minutes
Repeat 3 times
NOTE: Only two routines will be used per training week. Selection will be based on weak points and soreness. Legs will typically be paired with either of the other two since their training volume is generally more acceptable and progressive with the frequency.
The Glycogen Depletion Routine
This routine is using SETSXREPS and will always use the same movements and target reps in the same order to completely exhaust the whole body prior to the re-feed. The Power Index will gauge training progress. The goal of this full body workout is to sensitize every muscle group in the body to the incoming carb load’s nutrition.
(2X15) Full Barbell Squats
(2X10) Hammer Leg Curls
(2X15) Hammer Quad Extensions
(2X20) Seated Calve Raise
(2X12) Barbell Bench Press
(2X12) Bent Barbell Rows
(2X12) Military Front Press
(2X15) Close Grip Pull downs
(2X10) Incline Triceps Extensions
(2X10) Standing Barbell Curls
(2X20) Back Extensions
(2X20) Rope Crunches
The Carb/Creatine Loaded Routine
This routine is illustrated like the previous (SETSXREPS) and will always use the same movements with the targeted reps. The Power Index may vary quite a bit with these due to the more relaxed rest intervals. The main goal of this routine is to move heavier weight - AKA, strength training.
(5X6) Full Barbell Squats
(5X3) Rack Dead Lifts
(5X5) Barbell Bench Press
Aerobics/Cardio
The aerobic days will be broken into two types: running and cycling.
Run (progress gauged by time to completion)
Stationary Cycle (progress gauged by calories burned as indicated on bike)
Supplementation
Supplementation during this period will include a multivitamin/mineral to make up for nutritional deficits; as well as five grams of Vitamin C to support my immune system so I am less likely to get ill and three to five grams of Essential Fatty Acids for metabolism and cardiovascular health. I will use MuscleTech’s ThermoShred prior to training for increased energy and metabolism. I will take 10 grams of BCAA’s prior to training. Post-workout will be one banana with 40 grams of Glutamine after resistance training. Carb load days will include CellTech or straight dextrose to help fully volumize the muscle. Proviron will be used at 50mg everyday to support normal natural androgen levels. Bromocriptine will be staggered up to 5mg every morning to support normal metabolism, leptin and thyroid levels while restricting calories during the depletion phase. If the bromocriptine affects hunger during re-feeds, it may be reduced or omitted those days).
Why?
I plan on taking myself down in fat weight and then building back up with lean muscle to shift my body composition toward stronger and leaner. I chose to use the CKD primer for fat loss to keep from outgrowing my clothes, again – plus, I should be at a good point for a quick fat loss rotation since I have been on basic maintenance for a few months now. After the next growth phase, I will go back to cruising on my normal abbreviated maintenance program.
BEFORE (228lbs):
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