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lifting for martial arts and aesthetis
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lifting for martial arts and aesthetis

Here's a science-based 4-day lifting program designed for an advanced lifter training BJJ 2-3x/week and MMA 1x/week.

Bertoni Lee
Bertoni Lee· Jun 2025
2athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
4 days
Level
Advanced
Goal
Athletics, Women's
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
60 min
This program prioritizes martial arts performance enhancement (power, strength endurance, rotational/core strength, grip) while strategically stimulating hypertrophy for aesthetics, all within 60-90 minute sessions. Core Principles & Science-Based Rationale: Minimize Interference: Place the most neurologically demanding (heavy strength/power) sessions furthest from key martial arts sessions (e.g., competition sparring days). Hypertrophy sessions are placed where fatigue is less detrimental to technique. Power & Rate of Force Development (RFD): Critical for takedowns, explosive escapes, and strikes. Prioritized early in the week/session. Functional Hypertrophy: Focus on compound lifts with controlled eccentrics and full ranges of motion. Prioritize muscle groups key to aesthetics (back, shoulders, chest, arms, quads, glutes) and function (posterior chain, core). Strength Endurance & Grip: Integrated via rep schemes, exercise selection (carries, pull-ups), and minimal rest periods on accessory work. Rotational & Anti-Rotational Core: Essential for generating striking power and resisting forces in grappling. Trained specifically. Auto-Regulation (RPE): Essential for managing fatigue from variable martial arts intensity. Allows load adjustment based on daily readiness. Strategic Overlap: Lifting can be done on the same day as martial arts, but sequencing matters (see schedule below). Weekly Schedule Template: Monday: Strength/Power Lower + Core (AM) / BJJ (PM) or BJJ (AM) / Lift (PM - allow 6+ hours between) Tuesday: Upper Body Hypertrophy (AM/PM) / (Optional: Light MMA Drills or Recovery Session PM) Wednesday: MMA (Full Session) Thursday: Strength/Power Upper + Core (AM) / BJJ (PM) or BJJ (AM) / Lift (PM - allow 6+ hours between) Friday: Lower Body Hypertrophy + Grip/Conditioning (AM/PM) Saturday: BJJ (Rolling Focused) Sunday: REST (Active recovery like light walk, mobility ok) Adjustment: If BJJ is only 2x/week, place one session on Tuesday PM (after Upper Hypertrophy AM) and keep Saturday. Avoid heavy lifting the day before your hardest BJJ/MMA session.

Who it's for

Advanced athletes looking to push past plateaus
Athletes focused on athletics and women's
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
12.6%
Hamstrings
11.9%
Abs
11.1%
Glutes
10.3%
Front Delts
9.8%
Triceps
9.8%
Upper Back
8.2%
Lats
6.7%
Chest
5.2%
Biceps
4.1%
Lower Back
3.4%
Middle Delts
3.1%
Forearms
2.3%
Adductors
1%
Calves
0.5%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Squat (Barbell)45–8 reps@8–9
2Trap Bar Deadlift35 reps@8
3Single Leg Romanian Deadlift38–10 reps
Superset
4ALateral Med Ball Slam38–10 reps
4BHalf Kneeling Cable Rotation312–15 reps
5Cable Crunch425 reps
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Pull-Up (Weighted)46–10 reps
2Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)38–12 reps@7–8
3Seated Row (Cable)310–15 reps@8
4Hang Muscle Snatch310–12 reps@7–8
5Lat Pulldown312–15 reps@8
6Incline Curl (Dumbbell)310–15 reps@8–9
7Tricep Pushdown (Cable)312–20 reps@8–9
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)48–12 reps@7–8
2Front Squat (Barbell)310–15 reps@7–8
3Bulgarian Split Squat (Barbell)310–12 reps@8
4Leg Curl312–15 reps@8
5Farmer's Walk (Weighted)340–60 reps
6Sled Push340–60 reps
7Standing Calf Raise115–25 reps@8
#ExerciseSetsRepsIntensity
1Bench Press (Barbell)45–8 reps@8–9
Superset
2AOverhead Press (Barbell)35 reps@8
2BPush Press (Barbell)35 reps@8
3Dip (Weighted)36–10 reps@8
4Pendlay Row36–8 reps@8
5Hanging Leg Raise312–15 reps
6Landmine Twist38–10 reps@8

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, lifting for martial arts and aesthetis 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 60 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.

lifting for martial arts and aesthetis 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.

lifting for martial arts and aesthetis 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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