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4 days split - Hard Gainers
IntermediateFree

4 days split - Hard Gainers

Transform your hard-earned effort into real gains with this 12-week plan designed to unlock your strength and redefine your limits.

LOST ARC primes
LOST ARC primes· Aug 2025
1athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
4 days
Level
Intermediate
Goal
Athletics, Women's, Muscle
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
90 min
12-WEEK LEAN MUSCLE SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM SUMMARY CLIENT PROFILE Current: 69.5kg, 176cm | Target: 75kg (5.5kg lean muscle gain) Type: Hardgainer, high metabolism, sedentary lifestyle Goals: Sculpted physique emphasizing arms, chest, calves, visible abs, 3D deltoids PROGRAM STRUCTURE Duration: 12 weeks (3 phases × 4 weeks) Frequency: 4 days/week, 75-80 minutes/session Split: Back/Biceps/Rear Delts → Legs/Calves/Core → Chest/Triceps/Side Delts → Shoulders/Arms/Core 3-PHASE PROGRESSION Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4) Focus: Form mastery, strength baseline Volume: 90-95 weekly sets, RPE 6-8 Priority volumes: Arms 10 sets, chest 10 sets, calves 12 sets, core 15 sets Phase 2: Intensification (Weeks 5-8) Focus: Volume increase, advanced techniques Volume: 120-130 weekly sets, RPE 7-9 Techniques: Drop sets, rest-pause, supersets Priority volumes: Arms 16 sets, chest 16 sets, calves 15 sets, core 18 sets Phase 3: Peak Specialization (Weeks 9-12) Focus: Maximum development, definition Volume: 160-180 weekly sets, RPE 8-9 Techniques: Cluster sets, mechanical drops, giant sets Priority volumes: Arms 39 sets, chest 20 sets, calves 22 sets, core 24 sets PRIORITY MUSCLE TARGETING ARMS (2x/week each): Biceps: 16 weekly sets (barbell curls, preacher curls, hammer curls) Triceps: 15 weekly sets (close-grip bench, skull crushers, dips) Forearms: 8 weekly sets (reverse curls, wrist curls, farmer's walks) 3D DELTOIDS (34 weekly sets): Front: 11 sets (overhead press, Arnold press) Side: 12 sets (lateral raises, upright rows) Rear: 11 sets (reverse flyes, face pulls) CHEST (20 weekly sets): Upper: 10 sets (incline variations) Middle: 6 sets (flat press, dips) Lower: 4 sets (decline movements) CALVES (3x/week, 22 sets): Gastrocnemius: 13 sets (standing raises) Soleus: 9 sets (seated raises) CORE (2x/week, 24 sets): All angles covered for visible abs SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES Hardgainer-optimized: Conservative start, progressive volume increase Strategic pairing: Synergistic muscle groups prevent fatigue High-frequency priority: 2-3x/week for stubborn areas Progressive overload: Systematic weight/rep increases every week SUCCESS REQUIREMENTS Nutrition: 2,900-3,100 calories, 150g protein daily Recovery: 8+ hours sleep, complete rest days Consistency: Max 1 missed workout/month Patience: Visible changes at 6-8 weeks

Who it's for

Intermediate athletes ready for a structured program
Athletes focused on building muscle size
Athletes who can train 4 days per week
Athletes with access to a full gym (barbells, dumbbells, cables, and machines)

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Triceps
12.6%
Chest
10%
Front Delts
9.4%
Biceps
9.4%
Abs
9.2%
Middle Delts
7.4%
Upper Back
7.4%
Quadriceps
5.3%
Forearms
5.1%
Glutes
4.8%
Rear Delts
4.5%
Hamstrings
4.1%
Lats
3.7%
Calves
3.7%
Lower Back
2.2%
Adductors
0.9%
Stretching
0.5%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Deadlift (Barbell)48 reps@8
2Wide Grip Pull-Up210 reps@7
3Lat Pulldown310 reps@8
4Barbell Row310 reps@8
5Rear Delt Fly (Dumbbell)420 reps@7
6Bicep Curl (Barbell)412 reps@8
7Hammer Curl315 reps@7
8Reverse Wrist Curl (Barbell)315 reps@6
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Squat (Barbell)38 reps@8
2Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)310 reps@8
3Hack Squat312 reps@8
4Seated Calf Raise420 reps@7
5Calf Raise (Leg Press)320 reps@6
6Plank31 min@7
7Hanging Leg Raise320 reps@8
8Russian Twist (Dumbbell)320 reps@7
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Incline Bench Press (Barbell)48 reps@9
2Flat Dumbbell Chest Press38 reps@8
3Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)310 reps@8
4Dip (Bodyweight)310 reps@8
5Bench Press (Close Grip)310 reps@8
6Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)415 reps@7
7Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)412 reps@7
8Wrist Curls420 reps@6
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Overhead Press (Barbell)38 reps@8
2Arnold Press310 reps@7
3One Arm Lateral Raise (Cable)320 reps@7
4Preacher Curl (EZ Bar)410 reps@8
5Skull Crusher (Barbell)312 reps@8
6Hammer Curl (Cable)315 reps@7
7Tricep Pushdown (Cable)315 reps@7
8Cable Crunch320 reps@7

Weeks 2–12 are in the app

Download Boostcamp to follow the full program with auto-progression and built-in coaching notes.

Common questions

Yes, 4 days split - Hard Gainers is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. Download the app on iOS or Android, find the program, and start your first workout immediately. All 12 weeks are fully unlocked.

This program is built around a full gym. Make sure you have consistent access before starting, since the progression model assumes you can perform the same movements week over week.

Each session typically takes around 90 minutes to complete. That estimate covers your working sets but doesn't account for warm-up or rest between sets, so budget a little extra time when you're first learning the movements.

4 days split - Hard Gainers is structured around 4 training days per week, with rest days built in to allow for recovery. The Boostcamp app lets you reschedule sessions if your week doesn't go to plan.

The program runs for 12 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go.

4 days split - Hard Gainers is available inside the Boostcamp app, free on iOS and Android. Once you download the app, you can search for the program by name. The app tracks all your sets and weights automatically, so you always know exactly what to do next session.

Get started

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