Mayhem Affiliate Bodybuilding 07/21/2025

Crossfit Lillington – Mayhem Affiliate – Bodybuilding

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Functional Pump (Push & Pull) (Checkmark)

INSTRUCTIONS! Do NOT do this session with the rest of the bodybuilding track. It should be done alone for the day. We recommend doing it as the ONLY workout for that day and the next day (i.e. if you do the 3 functional pumps during the week, we don’t recommend doing any other workout apart from the 3 power lifts – Squat, Deadlift & Press).

Week 7 of 10:

Max Rep Bench Press at 50-60% of 1RM (+2.5-15lbs from last week), based on the chart in workout prep notes

-rest 1:00-

Burn Out Set: Max Reps @50% of the weight performed above

*Click “Workout prep notes available” for full explanation of Bench Press Cycle

-then-

3 sets:

Max Reps Strict Pull Ups (leave 1 rep in the tank)

-Rest :90 b/t sets-

3 sets:

Max Reps Strict Dips (leave 1 rep in the tank)

-Rest :90 b/t sets-

3 sets:

Max Reps Dumbbell Bent Over Row @ RPE 8 (leave 1 rep in the tank)

-Rest :90 b/t sets-

30 MINUTES VERSION (or less):

*Cut the accessory to 3-4 sets

Athletes Notes

How to approach the lifts

Safety and Form

Always have a spotter!

Control the weight, we don’t to see the bar pop in the air.

Make sure athletes focus on a deep stomach breath before every lift.

Grip should be a thumb length outside the chest. Shoulders stay pressed back against the bench while feet stay in contact with the floor.

Ensure athletes look at the clock after their Max and rest “exactly” 1:00 before performing their “Burn Out Set.”

Cycle explanation

During this 10 week strength cycle, we will be following a max-rep bench press program designed to build upper body strength, muscle hypertrophy, and pressing endurance. You will perform max unbroken reps at a progressively increasing load each week, promoting both physical and mental fortitude under the barbell. Once you complete the max lift, rest 1:00, drop the weight by 50%, and then complete a “burn out set” of max unbroken reps.

Start at the weight listed below for week 1 and progress weekly based on the listed increase for your 1RM.

In Pounds:

1RM………….Increase

<= 120#…….start at 60% and increase by 2.5 pounds every other week (or 2.5 every week)
125-185#…..start at 50% and increase by 5 pounds every week

190-255#…..start at 60% and increase by 5 pounds every week

260-360#…..start at 50% and increase by 10 pounds every week

= 365#……..start at 50% and increase by 15 pounds every week

In Kilos:

1RM…………..Increase

<= 55kg……..start at 60% and increase by 2.5kg every other week
55-85kg……..start at 50% and increase by 2.5kg every week

85-115kg……start at 60% and increase by 2.5kg every week

115-165kg….start at 50% and increase by 5kg every week

= 165kg…….start at 50% and increase by 7.5kg every week

Example Sets

Set 1:

Max Rep Bench Press @150# (70kg)

-rest 1:00-

Set 2:

Burn Out Set (Max Reps) @75# (35kg)

Based off of a 300# 1RM (135kg)

Demo Videos

Bench Press

Strict Pull Up

Strict Ring Dip

Strict Bar Dips

Double Dumbbell Bent Over Row


INSTRUCTIONS

These are intended to give you a great “pump” for the day. They are a mix of bodybuilding type movements, some CrossFit style structure and/or movements, and aerobic work.

The intensity is designed to just be MODERATE! It is so you can come and do a workout to get a “pump”, sweat some and get out of breath. Ideally you can hit these with friends as well!

Many of these are from, or built off of, recent workouts Rich has done. You can come and do them on a day when you aren’t feeling like doing as much intensity with our other more CrossFit based tracks, or when you want to change up your bodybuilding style. Have fun with them!

Do NOT perform this with the rest of the bodybuilding track. It is meant to be done alone for the day. We recommend performing these as the ONLY bodybuilding for this day and the following day (i.e. if you do all 3 functional pumps in a week, we don’t recommend doing any other bodybuilding, except for the 3 power lifts – Squat, Deadlift & Press).

See Scaling and Sub Document HERE for calorie conversion chart and recommended substitution options!

Current Bodybuilding Cycle: Week 9 of 15 (No Measure)

Bodybuilding Cycle 2

Goal: The goals are to stay focused and rest just long enough so that you can perform the next set with quality and control unless stated otherwise.

Keep your attention on each set and keep your phone in your bag. Sessions are not done “for time” but treat them like you are limited on time. Keep a visible clock running to keep you accountable.

Progression: The main lifts will follow a 4 week cycle that will have a deload after each for 3 full cycles. The main lifts will follow more closely with a percentage than an RPE. Starting out the cycle we will utilize a classic 5x56to set the weight athletes will use the rest of the cycle. The goal is to increase capacity with moving a heavy percentage for each individual athlete. Athletes should trust the process and stay as close to the percentages as they can. This cycle will get heavy and stay heavy throughout. If you need a break, take one and go lighter or just move. There will be a test week and deload weeks throughout this cycle that will take us into the end of August.

Length: This cycle will be a 17 week long cycle starting with a familiarization week and move straight into the heavy lifts. This cycle will test each athlete.

Mayhem Bodybuilding Goals

Mayhem Bodybuilding is a stand alone hypertrophy focused program. You may layer this on top of some of the other Mayhem Athlete Program, but it is not designed to be performed on top of all other tracks each day. We will include pieces of some days in other programs as “ACCESSORY”

The goals are to stay focused and rest just long enough so that you can perform the next set with quality and control unless stated otherwise.

Keep your attention of each set and keep your phone in your bag. Sessions are not done “for time”

but treat them like you are limited on time. Keep a visible clock running to keep you accountable.

Bodybuilding RPE Scale

RPE 1-3 || This should be a weight that an athlete can move with ease throughout the intended rep range.

RPE 4-5 || This is a weight that provides a moderate amount of resistance but the athlete feels like they could double the intended rep range with the weight they chose

RPE 6-7 || This is a moderate-moderate/heavy weight for the athletes. This should provide a challenge for the intended rep range but should not be something that they are worried of failing. The rest needed between sets should be minimal.

RPE 8-9 || This is a near maximal effort for the intended rep range. Athletes should need and want adequate amount of rest between the sets at this RPE.

RPE 10 || This is a max effort for the intended rep range. The athlete should be fully taxed at the end of each set.

Upper Body Anterior Warm Up (Checkmark)

Crossover Symmetry Warm-up

-into-

3 rounds

10 Perfect Pushups (controlled form)

15 Band Pull Aparts

5 PVC Around the Worlds (each way)

10 Wall Angels

5 Scorpions (each side)

Athletes Notes

Focus: Effort should be easy building into moderate. Get yourself moving and opened up for upcoming work.

Crossover Symmetry

OR if you don’t have access perform as Banded 7s – 7 each rep

Perfect Push ups

Banded Pull Aparts

PVC Around the Worlds

Wall Angels

Scorpion Stretch

Bench Press

*Rest 2:00-2:30 b/t sets

Focus: Control should be shown with each rep on the way down and on the way up. Bar should be lowered to just below the sternum. Keep elbows at a 45 degree angle to the body and avoid flaring out. Shoulders should be loaded back against the bench throughout reps.
11 sets: 3 reps – 87.5% of 1RM

*Rest 2:00-2:30 b/t sets

Reverse Grip Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Focus: If you drop the dumbbells; you’ve gone too heavy. Focus on control and constant speed through all reps.
3 sets: 15 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Hex Press

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Focus: Sitting back on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand, assume a neutral grip position and press the dumbbells to the ceiling and together. Perform a DB bench while maintain a neutral grip and dumbbells pushed together throughout the pressing motion.
3 sets: 15 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Flat Bench DB Chest Fly

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

*Build to a light/moderate weight. Stay the same and focus on strict control throughout

Focus: Lying on a bench, extend two dumbbells towards the ceiling. Keeping a slight bend in the elbows, lower the dumbbells out to the sides. Dumbbells should be kept in line with the sternum or slightly lower. Shoulders should be loaded back against the bench through the entire movement. Refrain from going deeper than the level of the bench at end range. Movement can also be performed while lying on the floor.
3 sets: 15 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

DB Preacher Curl

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

*Build to a light/moderate weight. Stay the same and focus on strict control throughout

Focus: Using either an incline bench or the rounded portion of a GHD pad, brace the back of the upper arm against the bench/pad. The bench/pad is used to completely isolate on the bicep and remove assistance from body/shoulder. Attempt very light weight before working sets to get a feel for range of motion/amount of isolation that is placed on the bicep. DO NOT OVERLOAD THIS MOVEMENT BY GOING TOO HEAVY. Curl the DB with one arm braced against the pad and then switch to the other side and complete on the opposite arm to finish the set.
3 sets: 15 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Incline Dumbbell Curls

Incline Dumbbell Curls

Focus: Done with athlete laying on their back on an incline bench with dumbbells in both hands. The movement places a large amount of isolation on the bicep so do not be tempted to go too heavy with this movement. Do not sacrifice form/control for weight.
3 sets: 15 reps – RPE 7

*Rest 1:00-1:30 b/t sets

Cooldown/Mobility (No Measure)

1 min pec stretch against door/rig

1 min lacrosse ball pec smash (each side)

1 min overhead elbow grab tricep stretch (each side)

1 min bicep wall stretch (each side)

Athletes Notes

Pec Stretch against door or rig

Standing Lacrosse Ball Pec Smash or Lying Lacrosse Ball Pec Smash

Overhead Elbow Grab Tricep Stretch

Bicep Wall Stretch

Mayhem Mini Pump

Mini-Pump Sessions are used as a supplement to another Mayhem Athlete track or on days when you are pressed for time and cannot complete the full day’s bodybuilding session as programmed. You should NOT complete today’s bodybuilding program AND the mini-pump session. Choose one or the other.

Upper Body Anterior (4 Rounds for time)

4 Rounds

10 Barbell Bench Press @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

10 Reverse Grip Incline Dumbbell Bench Press @ Moderate weight – maintain control and quality RPE 7

10 Flat Bench DB Chest Fly @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

15 DB Preacher Curl @ moderate weight – maintain quality RPE 7

-Rest 3 min b/t rounds-

Athletes Notes

Reverse Grip Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

Flat Bench DB Chest Fly

DB Preacher Curl