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SAMSON Upper Lower
IntermediateFree

SAMSON Upper Lower

Simple back and shoulder specialization

Brad T.
Brad T.· Jun 2025
1athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
4 days
Level
Intermediate
Goal
Muscle
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
50 min
Main Focus: - Building back and shoulder mass while maintaining other main movers. - Using repeatable and stable movements for arms to scale growth - A flexible last phase depending on strength or hypertrophic work Details - Inspired by Alex Bromley's Bullmastiff's primary/secondary exercise selection. The main movements are OHP, RDL, and BB Row. Secondary movements are dips and pulldown variations. Each back/lower day has a short and intense hack squat session to maintain quads. - This program has 4 phases: starting, increase in volume, strength building, and a reset to start. If you run this program in cycles, use the last three weeks as a volume or strength peak, depending on goals. Use double progression for main movements. - Intensity recommendations are first set in the beginning 2 phases to be 8-9, with following sets to be 6-7. Secondary movements are not compound and should be trained to mechanical/technical failure. Train arms and tertiary movements to failure.

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
13.3%
Front Delts
12.2%
Abs
9.7%
Lats
8.9%
Upper Back
8.9%
Middle Delts
8.4%
Hamstrings
7.5%
Glutes
6.8%
Chest
5.9%
Biceps
5.9%
Quadriceps
5.4%
Lower Back
3.4%
Rear Delts
2.1%
Forearms
1.4%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Overhead Press (Barbell)16–8 reps
110–12 reps
2Dip (Weighted)26–8 reps
3Incline Chest Press (Machine)212 reps
4Lateral Raise (Cable)312 reps
5JM Press (Smith Machine)210 reps
6Abs Crunch (Weighted)312 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Hack Squat18–10 reps
110–12 reps
2Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)16–8 reps
210–12 reps
3Leg Curl212–15 reps
4Underhand Lat Pulldown210–12 reps
5Lat Pulldown28–10 reps
6Meadows Curl212–15 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Overhead Press (Barbell)16–8 reps
110–12 reps
2Dip (Weighted)26–8 reps
3Incline Chest Press (Machine)212 reps
4Lateral Raise (Cable)312 reps
5JM Press (Smith Machine)210 reps
6Abs Crunch (Weighted)312 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Hack Squat15–7 reps
18–10 reps
2Barbell Row16–8 reps
210–12 reps
3Underhand Lat Pulldown212–15 reps
4Hip Thrust (Machine)28–10 reps
5Single Arm Row (Dumbbell)28–10 reps
6Meadows Curl212–15 reps

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, SAMSON Upper Lower 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 50 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.

SAMSON Upper Lower 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.

SAMSON Upper Lower 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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