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submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by Grogon@lemmy.world to c/fitness@lemmy.world

How did I manage to go from 0 times gym in my life (now 32 years old) to jnot being able to stick to Upper Lower Routines cause I want to go to gym and hating rest days?

I know they are important, but I just can't stick with 4 day plans.

Now I am currently doing a PPL (5day) routine I made up in the hope it will workout better.

I know PPL Rest PPL,... would be better but I am now trying PPL(A Strength Focused )PPL(B Calisthenics Focused) in a 5 day rotating scedule. So PPLPP Weekend Rest LPPLP Weekend Rest PLPPL Weekend Rest PPLPP, and so on. This means every third week I will hit either Legs, Pull or Push only once a week. But this also means every third week one of the days gets a bit more rest.

Since I am rotating A (Strength Machine/ Freeweight focused) with B (Calisthenics, Bodyweight) I hope I can manage fatigue as natural.

Any ideas how I can get this done better?

Should I maybe do 4 weeks PPL A and then after 4 weeks do PPL B?

With rotating I am afraid of not being able to focus properly on one version. But I like the idea of swapping through to reduce strain on joints and not have the same pattern for 4 weeks.

With PPL A PPL B PPL A PPL B and so on I can only track once a week my progress, while sticking to A or B for 4-6 weeks I could track every few days.

I already tried hybrid approaches like Upper Lower Rest PPL, or PPL Rest UL but those rest days in the mid of the week are annoying. I just want saturday and sunday off, but sometimes I end up going anyways and doing cardio.

At this point I'd probably have more gains or success doing UL Rest UL but just the thought of 3 rest days is exhausting.

My plan if anyone is interested:

  • PULL A – Strength + Machine-Based Pull
  1. Wide Grip Pull-Ups – 3×6–10 1.2) Superset: Machine-Assisted Pull-Ups to hit 10 total per set
  2. Unilateral Chest-Supported Row Machine – 3×6–10
  3. Cable Face Pulls – 3×10–14
  4. Cable Hammer Curls (Rope) – 3×10–14
  • PUSH A – Strength-Based Push 1)Flat Barbell Bench Press – 3×6–10
  1. Incline DB Bench Press – 3×8–12
  2. Seated DB Shoulder Press – 3×8–12
  3. Cable Lateral Raises – 3×10–14
  4. EZ Bar Skull Crushers – 3×10–14
  • LEGS A – Foundational Strength
  1. Back Squat – 3×8–12
  2. Seated Leg Curl Machine – 3×10–14 3)Leg Extension Machine – 3×10–14 4)Smith Machine Calf Raises – 3×10–14
  3. Decline Crunches (Bodyweight) – 3 sets to failure
  • PULL B – Calisthenics-Focused Pull

  • 1.1)Neutral Grip Pull-Ups (Strict) – 3×AMRAP (aim for 6–10)

  • 1.2)Superset: V-Grip Lat Pulldown (Heavy) to complete 10 reps

  1. Australian Rows (Feet Elevated if Possible) – 3×10–12
  2. Cableace Pulls – 3×8–12
  3. Incline DB Curls – 3×10–14
  • PUSH B – Calisthenics-Focused Push
  1. Dips (Weighted if Strong Enough) – 3×6–10
  2. Push-Up Variation – 3×10–12
  3. Pike Push-Ups – 3×6–10
  4. Cable Lateral Raises – 3×8–12
  5. Bodyweight Triceps Extensions – 3×10–12
  • LEGS B – Calisthenics + Control
  1. Romanian Deadlifts (BB) – 3×8–10
  2. Assisted Pistol Squats – 3×8–10/leg
  3. Isometric Lunge Hold – 2×45–60 sec
  4. Standing Calf Raises ( Weighted) – 3×12–15
  5. Hanging Leg Raises – 3 sets (timed)
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this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2025
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