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Cluster Torture
Intermediate–AdvancedFree

Cluster Torture

Where CNS meets the abyss - and grows stronger

burstyFD
burstyFD· Aug 2025
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
10 weeks
Days / week
4 days
Level
Intermediate, Advanced
Goal
Strength, Muscle
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
90 min
You don’t need another cookie-cutter program built for guys who spend more time taking selfies in the locker room than moving iron on the platform. Cluster Torture isn’t for everyone — it’s for the lifters who chase real strength, not participation trophies. It’s a powerbuilding program forged in the crucible of pain, precision, and progression, built around the time-tested brutality of Poliquin-style cluster sets and the speed-intent philosophy of Compensatory Acceleration Training (CAT). The mission? Simple: - Bench more weight than your joints think is safe. - Squat and deadlift so heavy your nervous system writes you a resignation letter. - Pack on hypertrophy with tough accessory work that burns like hell and builds like bricks. This isn’t about chasing the pump — it’s about earning it under fatigue, with intent, after your CNS has been slapped awake and dared to adapt. Every week is calculated chaos — alternating max-effort clusters with high-volume volume back-end beatdowns. Every 5th week? A strategic deload that still hurts — because 2x8 at higher loads ain’t a vacation. Inspired by Jailhouse strenght. Not affiliated.

Who it's for

Athletes at the Intermediate–Advanced level
Athletes focused on gaining both size and strength
Athletes who can train 4 days per week
Athletes with access to a full gym (barbells, dumbbells, cables, and machines)

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Quadriceps
13.8%
Hamstrings
13.8%
Glutes
12.9%
Triceps
10.5%
Front Delts
10%
Abs
9.4%
Chest
8.5%
Lower Back
4.5%
Upper Back
4.4%
Biceps
3.4%
Lats
2.9%
Middle Delts
2%
Adductors
1.5%
Rear Delts
1.5%
Forearms
1%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsRepsLoad
1Bench Press (Barbell)15 reps47.5%
15 reps60%
15 reps70%
15 reps80%
14 reps82.5%
23 reps85%
28 reps70%
2Bench (CAT)53 reps65%
3Lat Pulldown (Close Grip)15 reps65%
4Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)15 reps65%
5Tricep Pushdown (Cable)15 reps65%
#ExerciseSetsRepsLoad
1Squat (Barbell)55 reps90%
2Hack Squat54 reps@8
3Kelso Shrug15 reps65%
4Leg Curl15 reps65%
5Cable Crunch315 reps@8
#ExerciseSetsRepsLoad
1Barbell Bench Press 4''15 reps100%
2Barbell Bench Press 7''15 reps100%
3Bench (CAT)63 reps70%
4Seated Military Press (Barbell)15 reps65%
5Chin-Up (Bodyweight)15 reps@8
6Bicep Curl (EZ Bar)15 reps65%
7Lateral Raise (Cable)15 reps65%
8Rear Delt Fly (Machine)15 reps65%
#ExerciseSetsRepsLoad
1Deadlift (Barbell)38 reps70%
2Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)34 reps@8
3Chest Supported Row (Machine)15 reps65%
4Bulgarian Split Squat (Dumbbell)15 reps65%
5Leg Extension15 reps65%
6Abs Crunch (Machine)15 reps65%

Weeks 2–10 are in the app

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

Common questions

Yes, Cluster Torture is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. Download the app on iOS or Android, find the program, and start your first workout immediately. All 10 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.

Cluster Torture 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 10 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go.

Cluster Torture 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

Boostcamp app
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Auto-progressionWeights and targets update automatically based on how you perform.
Coaching notesBuilt-in cues from the creator inside every workout session.
Progress trackingLog every set and see your strength gains over weeks and months.
Advanced analyticsTrack volume, intensity, and 1RM trends to see exactly how your training is evolving.
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