Max-OT

(credit to hepennypacker52)

# Max-OT for Dummies

Max-OT (Maximum - Overload Training) is one of the most popular training program out there, and it can give great gains in strength and size. This article will put in simple and short terms what exactly Max-OT is, what the training looks like, and what to expect from it. I've seen both beginners and experienced lifters gain well on Max-OT splits, so don't doubt it.

## Who Should Use Max-OT?

Anybody who is looking for a nice blend of strength and size, while keeping gym time short should do Max-OT. Max-OT also works very well for beginning lifters, but is not specific to just beginners, there are plenty of very big and very strong fellows that use the Max-OT way of training. Max-OT is also great if you are a person who complains that they can't workout because they "have no time." Max-OT would work perfect for you, because the workouts only last 30-40 minutes. Regardless, you still shouldn't have the mind-set that you have "no time" to workout, anyone can make time if they are dedicated enough.

## The Principles of Max-OT

We'll start by listing the principles of Max-OT, as directly stated from the Max-OT Handbook :

1. Each workout should last 30-40 minutes.
2. Train only 1-2 muscle groups per workout.
3. Do 6 to 9 total heavy sets per muscle group.
4. Do 4 to 6 reps per set.
5. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets.
6. Train each muscle group once every 5-7 days.
7. Take a 1 week break from training every 8 to 10 weeks.

The steps above are quite simple. The theory behind Max-OT is that you must constantly overload the muscle, and it will keep growing. You will be using the rep range of 4-6, and will be training to positive failure each set. Your goal each week is to keep increasing the weight, while maintaining the same intensity and form. The workouts are short and to the point, but will blast your muscles into new growth. As long as you follow each of the principles, you will be training the Max-OT way correctly, and will reap the benefits of it. To give you a little further understanding, I'll break it down a little bit more.

**1. Each workout should last 30-40 minutes.**

Your goal for each workout is to get into the gym, blast your muscles with overloading weights, and get out. We all know that muscle isn't actually built in the gym, it's built during recovery out of the gym, so it's time to put that idea into use. Each workout should be short and sweet, but you need to put forth 100% for that 30-40 minutes, no wimping out because you're "tired".

**2. Train only 1-2 muscle groups per workout.**

This step goes hand-in-hand with step one. You don't want to spend 2 hours in the gym blasting every body part, you want to keep the workouts short and intense. Only train1-2 muscle groups per workout, and following the other steps, your workout will be simple and effective.

**3. Do 6 to 9 total heavy sets per muscle group.**

Again, we are going for overload here, not volume. You want to blast your muscles with a few sets, going to complete concentric failure. Keeping the volume low and intense will ensure optimum release of growth factors, so you're not going for fatigue here.

**4. Do 4 to 6 reps per set.**

This is one of the main things that defines Max-OT. You'll be using 4-6 reps on almost all exercises, there are a few that are trained using higher reps, but for the most part it's all 4-6. You should hit failure during this range. The weight should be heavy enough to stay under 6 reps if you go to failure, but not heavy where you will only be able to do 1-3 reps.

**5. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets.**

With the intensity level you're training at, you're going to need the 2-3 minutes of rest in between each set. You need to let your muscles rest and energize them fully for the next set in which you will blast them to failure again.

**6. Train each muscle group once every 5-7 days.**

After each session, your muscles are going to be totally damaged. You need to give them plenty of time to rest and grow back bigger and stronger, so that next time you workout you won't damage them again. Well the next workout you have, you'll be increasing the weights and will damage them again. Your muscles are going to need at least 5-7 days of rest after each intense workout.

**7. Take a 1 week break from training every 8 to 10 weeks.**

This should be done with every training program, it is not specific to just Max-OT. As you keep lifting hard, eventually your body isn't going to be able to handle the constant training, and you'll start to over train, which actually can make you lose muscle. Now losing muscle is the last thing you want, so you need to give your muscles a break. After 8 to 10 weeks of solid training, take a week of from lifting, and try to enjoy it (although some of you I know will hate not lifting for a week). After that week of rest, you'll be able to start lifting heavy again and make some fresh gains.

## How to Warm Up for Max-OT Sets

Warming up the Max-OT way is the most efficient way to prepare yourself for a brutally heavy set. Many people warm up wrong, and this affects their sets, even if they may not notice it. When warming up, most people spend too many sets with too much weight. This fatigues the muscle too early, and it will not be able to work to it's maximum capacity. You also are asking for injury when you start a warm up with a heavy weight, it's not a warm up then. When you warm up, you should just simply warm up. A warm up is meant to increase blood flow to that muscle, and prepare it for the heavy weights that you'll be using. You should not be tired or feel fatigued at all from any of your warm up sets. Below is an example of how to warm up for a bench press of 285lbs for 4-6 reps :

135 x 12 (warm up)

135 x 10 (warm up)

185 x 6 (warm up)

225 x 3 (weight acclimation)

255 x 1 (weight acclimation)

285 x 4-6 (work sets)

## Max-OT Approved Exercises

With Max-OT training, you're going to be overloading your muscles as much as possible. You don't do this with isolation movements, you do it with compound movements. Compound movements will allow you to use the heaviest weight possible. Below are lists of approved Max-OT exercises. If an exercise is not on the list, then it probably doesn't overload the muscle as much as any of the other exercises on the list.

**Approved Legs Exercises**

Squat

Front Squat

Leg Press

Lunges

Stiff Leg Deadlift

Leg Curl

**Approved Chest Exercises**

Barbell Bench Press

Barbell Incline Bench Press
has
Flat Dumbbell Bench Press

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

Decline Barbell Bench Press

Dips

**Approved Biceps Exercises**

Straight Bar Curls

EZ Bar Curls

Alternate Dumbbell Curls

Cable Curls

Dumbell Hammer Curls

**Approved Upper Back Exercises**

Pull-ups

Pull Downs to the Front

Close-Grip V Bar Pull Downs

Seated Cable Row

Barbell Row

T-Bar Row

One Arm Dumbbell Row

**Approved Lower Back Exercises**

Deadlift

Good Morning

Weighted Hyper-extension

**Approved Triceps Exercises**

Skull Crushers

Cable Press Downs

Close Grip Bench Press

Seated Triceps Extension

Behind the Back Cable Press Down

Behind the Back Dumbbell Press Down

Reverse Grip Bench Press

**Approved Deltoid Exercises**

Military Press

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Side Laterals

Dumbbell Bent Over Laterals

Dumbbell Front Raise

**Approved Traps Exercises**

Barbell Upright Rows

Barbell Shrugs

**Approved Calf Exercises**

Standing Calf Raise

Donkey Calf Raise

Seated Calf Raise

45 Degree Calf Press

Hack Machine Calf Raise

**Approved Forearms Exercises**

Wrist Curls

Reverse Wrist Curls

Standing Dumbbell Wrist Curls

**Approved Abdominal Exercises**

Lying Leg Raise

Vertical Knee Raise

Crunch

Cable Crunch

## What Does a Max-OT Split Look Like?

So now you know the principles of the program, how to properly warm up, and what exercises to be used. Now it's time to take a look at what the actual training looks like, and it's nothing complicated. It's fully customizable for you to set up based on your schedule. Just make sure that you hit every body part, and that you abide to the 7 principles. In case you still aren't sure on what you should be doing, I'll lay out a few splits from the Max-OT Handbook.

### Routine A

**Monday - Legs and Calves**

Squat - 3x 4-6

45 Degree Leg Press - 2x 4-6

Stiff Leg Deadlift - 2x 6

Standing Calf Raise - 3x 6-8

**Tuesday - Chest and Forearms**

Incline Bench Press - 3x 4-6

Barbell Bench Press - 3x 4-6

Decline Bench Press - 1x 4-6

Barbell Wrist Curls - 3x 8-10

Reverse Wrist Curls - 3x 6-8

**Wednesday - Back and Traps**

Bent Over Barbell Row - 2x 4-6

Close Grip V-Bar Pull Down - 2x 4-6

Pull-ups - 2x 4-6

Cable Row - 1x 4-6

Deadlift - 2x 4-6

Barbell Shrug - 1x 4-6

**Thursday - Shoulders and Triceps**

Dumbbell Press - 3x 4-6

Military Press - 2x 4-6

Dumbbell Side Laterals - 2x 4-6

Lying Skull Crushers - 2x 4-6

Triceps Press Downs - 2x 4-6

Seated Overhead Triceps Extension - 1x 4-6

**Friday - Biceps and Abs**

Straight Bar Curl - 2x 4-6

Standing Dumbbell Curl - 2x 4-6

EZ Bar Curl - 1x 4-6

Leg Raise (Weighted) - 2x 12-15

Cable Crunch - 2x 8-10

### Routine B (Jeff Willet's Max-OT Split)

**Monday - Chest and Triceps**

Flat Barbell Bench Press - 2x4-6

Incline Barbell Bench Press - 2x4-6

Incline Dumbbell Press - 1x4-6

1 Arm Overhead Dumbbell Press 1x4-6

Dumbbell Kickback - 1x4-6

Cable Press Down - 1x4-6

Lying Skull Crusher - 1x4-6

**Tuesday - Legs**

Leg Extension (just for warm up) - 2x10

Squat - 3x4-6

Leg Press - 2x4-6

Lunges - 2x4-6

Stiff Leg Deadlifts - 2x4-6

**Wednesday - Back and Biceps**

Pull-ups - \*x50 (as many sets as it takes to get to 50 reps)

Barbell Row - 1x4-6

Pull Downs - 1x4-6

Low Pulley Row (V Bar) - 1x4-6

Low Pulley Row (straight bar) - 1x4-6

Alternating Dumbbell Curl - 1x4-6

Straight Bar Curl - 1x4-6

**Thursday - Shoulders, Traps, and Neck**

Military Press - 2x4-6

Dumbbell Side Laterals - 2x4-6

Dumbbell Bent Laterals - 2x4-6

Shrugs - 2x4-6

Low Pulley Row - 2x4-6

Neck Flexion - 2x6-8

Neck Side Flexion - 2x6-8

Neck Extension - 2x6-8

**Friday - Calves, Abs, and Forearms**

Seated Calf Raise - 2x4-6

Standing Calf Raise - 2x4-6

45 Degree Calf Press - 2x4-6

Leg Raise - 2x20

Crunch - 2x20

Side Crunch - 2x20

Wrist Curl - 2x4-6

Reverse Wrist Curl - 2x4-6

### Routine C

**Monday - Legs and Calves**

Squat - 3x4-6

Leg Press - 2x4-6

Stiff Leg Deadlift - 2x6

Standing Calf Raise - 2x6-8

45 Degree Calf Press - 2x6-8

**Tuesday - Arms and Abs**

Straight Bar Curl - 2x4-6

Alternate Dumbbell Curl - 2x4-6

Cable Curl - 1x6

Lying Skull Crushers - 2x4-6

Cable Press Down - 2x6

Dumbbell Kick-back - 1x6

Wrist Curl - 2x6-8

Dumbbell Wrist Curl - 1x6-8

Leg Raise - 2x12-15

Crunch - 2x8-10

Cable Crunch - 1x8-10

**Wednesday - Shoulders and Traps**

Military Press - 3x4-6

Dumbbell Press - 2x4-6

Dumbbell Side Laterals - 2x6-8

Barbell Shrugs - 2x4-6

Upright Rows - 2x4-6

**Thursday - Back**

Cable Pull Downs - 3x4-6

Seated Cable Row - 3x4-6

Barbell Bent Row - 2x4-6

Good Morning - 2x4-6

Hyper-extension (Weighted) - 2x4-6

**Friday - Chest**

Barbell Bench Press - 3x4-6

Barbell Incline Bench Press - 3x4-6

Weighted Dips - 2x4-6

The Pros Use Max-OT

Just to prove that Max-OT isn't just for beginners, here are two bodybuilders and Max-OT advocates, Skip Lacour and Jeff Willet.

## Wrap Up

Max-OT is a tough, solid training program that will be useful whether you're bulking or cutting. Stick to the training, eat right, ensure a good amount of sleep, and Max-OT will take you places that you've never been before.

**Back to The Starting Strength FAQ**

**Back to "More Programs"**