Evidence-Based 4-Day Concurrent Training Program

Felipe Rojas

Unlock your potential with this 8-week Evidence-Based 4-Day Concurrent Training Program, designed for those looking to enhance both strength and hypertrophy. Each week, you’ll tackle targeted workouts that blend lower body strength and upper body hypertrophy, ensuring balanced development across all muscle groups. With a mix of barbell lifts, machine exercises, and bodyweight movements, this program is perfect for gym-goers ready to push their limits. Get ready to build muscle, boost power, and elevate your performance!

Hypertrophy priority with concurrent strength/power development and suboptimal recovery, this is a Daily Undulating Periodization (DUP) model across 4 days with strategic volume allocation.

Weekly Structure:
Day 1: Lower Strength-Power 
Day 2: Upper Hypertrophy 
Day 3: Lower Hypertrophy 
Day 4: Upper Strength-Power

Rationale:
48-72hr recovery between muscle groups
Lower frequency (2x/week per muscle) appropriate for recovery constraints
Strength work early-week when freshest; hypertrophy when CNS fatigue accumulates

Recovery Protocols
Non-Negotiables:
Sleep Optimization Attempt: Target 7hrs minimum
Earlier bedtime protocol, sleep hygiene interventions
Impact: Each hour of sleep debt = ~5-10% performance decrement (Fullagar 2015)
Stress Management:
10min daily breathwork/meditation
Consider adaptogenic supplementation (Ashwagandha 300-600mg if appropriate)
Deload Sensitivity:
Given recovery constraints, mandatory deload every 4-5 weeks
Watch for: plateau, elevated RHR, mood disturbance, libido drop
Intra-Week Recovery:
Days 3, 5, 6, 7: Active recovery (walking, mobility, sauna if available)
Post-workout: 10min cool-down walk

Progression Protocols
Strength Days (Days 1, 4):
Linear progression:
Add 2.5kg when hit top of rep range at target RPE for all sets
If fail, repeat weight next week with better execution
Hypertrophy Days (Days 2, 3):
Double progression:
Add reps within range (e.g., 8→10)
When hit top of range all sets, add 5% load, reset to bottom range
When to Adjust:
Regressing 2+ weeks: Drop volume by 2 sets per muscle group
Surging energy: Add 1 set to lagging body parts

Exercise Substitutions (Aligned with Preferences)
If Programming Calls For
You Can Substitute
Bulgarian Split Squat
Walking Lunges, Leg Press (single-leg), Step-Ups
RDL
Leg Curl variations, Good Mornings (if tolerated), 45° Back Extension
Barbell Rows
Chest-Supported Row, T-Bar Row, Seal Row
Free Weight Overhead
Machine Shoulder Press, Landmine Press


Key Performance Indicators (Track These)
Every 3 Weeks:
Body weight (same day/time/conditions)
Primary lift e1RMs (calculated from top sets)
Progress photos (front/side/back, same lighting)
Waist circumference @ navel
Weekly:
Average sleep hours
Subjective stress (1-10 scale)
Session RPE (1-10, logged 30min post-workout)

default

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Focus: Neural drive, RFD, absolute strength

Trap Bar Deadlift

Leg Press

LOWER STRENGTH-POWER

Mechanical tension, metabolic stress, muscle damage

Bench Press (Dumbbell)

T-Bar Row

Bicep Curl (Cable)

UPPER HYPERTROPHY

Focus: Time under tension, pump, metabolic stress

Hack Squat

Leg Press (45 Degrees)

Walking Lunge (Dumbbell)

Lying Leg Curl

LOWER HYPERTROPHY

Focus: CNS potentiation, maximal force production

Bench Press (Barbell)

Pendlay Row

Overhead Press (Barbell)

Pull-Up (Weighted)

Landmine Push Press

UPPER STRENGTH-POWER

Accumulation phase

Intensification

Realization Phase

1 reviews for Evidence-Based 4-Day Concurrent Training Program

Felipe Rojas