Program Description
THICK & CARVED is an 18‑week hypertrophy cut built to pack visual density into your chest and back while you strip fat. You’ll train four days per week with A/B rotations that bias heavy mid‑range loading (for myofibrillar density) and loaded‑stretch work (for deep fiber recruitment), then finish with targeted pump sets to lock in fullness. Why it works: Specificity for thickness: Heavy presses and strict rows in the 5–8 rep range harden the look; flys and stretch‑biased pulls in 12–20 reps add fullness and separation. Intelligent volume: ~21–22 chest sets and ~20–21 back sets/week are split across two sessions to maximize stimulus and minimize fatigue while cutting. Execution > ego: RPE‑guided loading (mostly RPE 7–8) preserves strength, signaling your body to hold muscle even in a deficit. Recovery‑aware design: Deadlifts are low‑volume (2×4–6) and AMRAPs are capped at technical failure—perfect when appetite is blunted and recovery is tighter. Complete physique coverage: Biceps (long/short head + brachialis), triceps (long/lateral/medial), delts (front/side/rear) and forearms (flexors, extensors, brachioradialis) so the whole arm matches your chest/back density. Cut‑friendly periodization: Simple load progressions, built‑in deloads, and clear “what to trim first” rules keep you progressing through the entire 18 weeks. Outcome: A rounder, thicker chest, a dense mid‑back with trap shelf, and harder detail everywhere that shows when shredded—without burying your recovery. What you’ll do Frequency: 4 days/week (Chest & Back A, Shoulders & Legs A, Chest & Back B, Shoulders & Legs B) Focus days: A days: Heavy thickness (5–8 reps, long ROM, pauses) B days: Pump/detail (8–20 reps, constant tension, stretch holds) Arms & Forearms: 11–12 biceps sets, 9–10 triceps sets, 14–16 forearm sets/week (high‑rep blood flow for density and veinyness) The science in plain English Loaded stretch drives high tension where the muscle is weakest → powerful hypertrophy signal. Myofibrillar focus (heavier sets) builds hardness; sarcoplasmic work (higher reps) adds fullness. RPE 7–8 maintains performance under fatigue—critical when calories are low or you’re on appetite‑suppressing meds. Exercise sequencing puts rows/pulls before forearm work and caps deadlift volume to protect recovery. Progress rules Add 1 rep before adding load. Keep 1–2 reps in reserve on compounds. If sleep or performance dips: Trim 2 fly sets, Trim 1 forearm slot, Keep rows/presses untouched. Deliverables you’ll feel Chest sits higher and fuller even cold. Mid‑back pops through a shirt. Forearms and brachialis add arm thickness from the side.
Program Overview
- LevelIntermediate, Novice
- GoalMuscle & Sculpting, Bodybuilding
- EquipmentFull Gym
- Program Length18 weeks
- Time Per Workout60 minutes
- CreatedJan 21, 2026 11:40
- Last EditedJan 25, 2026 07:17
