Frank Zane's training plan
Frank Zane is one of the greatest symbols of bodybuilding ever, winner of three Mr Olympias, he is still considered by many today as the ideal physique.
It measures 1.75m and weighed about 84kg in competition height.
This is the training used by Frank Zane at the time he won the Olympia, based on an ABC division and following the Push / Pull / Legs principle.
Normally I trained three days and rested one, which led to six workouts per week, however, I sometimes took a few extra days a month if I felt the need for a better recovery.
Another interesting detail was the fact that it stretched the muscle I was working on practically after all the series.
At the end of all workouts you worked your abs, and at the end of the article, you find your abs workout.
Workout A - Back, biceps, forearms and ABS
- Dead weight - 6 series x 15-12-10-10-10-8 repetitions
- Rowing in T - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Pulldown - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Dumbbell paddle - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Concentrated bicep with dumbbell - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Dumbbell curl - 3 sets x 8-10 reps
- Dumbbell curl on 45º inclined bench - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Superseries - 2 series
- Inverted curl with bar - 12 repetitions
- Seated forearm curl - 20 reps
- Sit-ups
Grades.
In this training the first three sets of dead weight were done in a normal way, starting the exercise on the floor, while the final three sets chose to place the bar on a slightly elevated surface.
In addition, taking into account that this was the main exercise of his training, he rested some time between each series to recover.
In the dumbbell-focused bicep exercise, I held the weight for a second at the top with maximum contraction and then descended slowly and in a controlled manner.
He also made slow negatives in the curl with dumbbells standing, while in the curl with dumbbells on the bench he opted for a lighter weight, probably to be able to concentrate as much as possible on the technique.
His rest day came normally after this training so that the impact of it on the lower back did not affect the squat of the next training.
Workout B - Legs
- Leg Extension - Some series for heating only
- Squat - 6 sets x 15-12-11-10-9-8 repetitions
- Press - 3 sets x 15-12-10 reps
- Leg Curl - 3 sets x 12-11-10 reps
- Leg Extension - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Elevation of standing twins - 3 sets x 15-20 reps
- Elevation of Donkey twins - 4 sets x 20-25 reps
- Elevation of sitting twins - 4 consecutive series without rest (Dropset)
- Sit-ups
Grades.
In the squat he chose to go below the parallel, and tried to make the negative phase (descent) as controlled as possible.
In the press I didn't put much weight, preferring to concentrate on going well below the negative phase.
This day did not include the elevation of legs suspended in abdominal training.
Workout C - Chest, shoulders and triceps
- Flat bench press - 6 sets x 12-10-8-6-4-2 repetitions
- Inclined chest press - 4 sets x 10-8-6-4 repetitions
- Declined openings - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Dumbbell pullover - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Bench press with short handle - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Halter tricep extension - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Tricep extension on the machine with V handle - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Dumbbells hindquarters - 3 sets x 15-12-10 reps
- Sides with cable - 3 sets x 12-10-8 repetitions
- Sit-ups
Grades.
In the bench press, he opted for a slightly short handle and opted for slow negatives.
In the press inclined to chest, I went down the bench incline in each series, starting at 70º and going down one level successively, also making slow negatives here, as in the bench press with short grip.
In the V-grip tricep extension, it held the contraction for one second at each repetition at the peak of the exercise and on the side with a cable sometimes did 3 sets of 12 repetitions without resting.
Abs Workout
Frank Zane's abdominal training was done at the end of each training session, in a super series, starting with just three exercises and increasing as he approached the competitive season, reaching 1000 repetitions in total per training session in the final phase.
Sometimes I chose to return to the gym later and do the abdominal training separate from the weight training, taking up to 30 minutes.
After the abdominal training, I would do a 15 to 20 minute bike ride or run at a low intensity of 2.4 km.
- Early stage
- Leg lifting - 4 sets x 25 reps
- Crunches - 4 sets x 25 reps
- Sitting Twists - 100 reps
- Advanced phase
- Leg lifting
- Crunches
- Elevation of legs in suspension
- Prayers
- Sitting Twists
