Program Description
To increase all 3 lifts while bringing strength to your entire body Your close grip bench max will be about 80% of your normal bench max
Program Overview
- LevelIntermediate, Advanced
- GoalPowerbuilding
- EquipmentGarage Gym
- Program Length3 weeks
- Time Per Workout70 minutes
- CreatedFeb 13, 2025 02:20
- Last EditedJun 18, 2025 11:32

Summary
Unleash your potential with the Big Chest 5/3/1 program, a focused 3-week journey designed to build strength and muscle in your upper body. Committing to 5 days a week, you'll tackle a blend of heavy lifts and accessory work, including Clean Deadlifts and Pull-Ups, to maximize your gains. This program is perfect for garage gym enthusiasts looking to elevate their chest and back strength while enhancing core stability. Get ready to push your limits and transform your physique!
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
5 reps
5 reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
2
2
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
3
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
4
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
5
12 reps
-
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
3 reps
3 reps
3 reps
70%
80%
90%
2
Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
2
2
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8
RPE 8.5
RPE 9.5
3
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
4
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
1
1
1
1
1
12 reps
12 reps
12 reps
12 reps
12 reps
RPE 7
RPE 7.5
RPE 8
RPE 9
RPE 10
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
3 reps
1 reps
75%
85%
95%
2
Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)
2
2
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8
RPE 8.5
RPE 9.5
3
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
4
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)
5
12 reps
-
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Clean Deadlift
1
1
1
5 reps
5 reps
5 reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Lat Pulldown
4
6-8 reps
-
3
Leg Raise (Captain's Chair)
3
12 reps
-
4
Pull-Up (Bodyweight)
1
2
10-12 reps
8-10 reps
-
-
5
Abs Crunch (Weighted)
4
8-12 reps
-
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Clean Deadlift
1
1
1
3 reps
3 reps
3 reps
70%
80%
90%
2
Lat Pulldown
1
1
2
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
RPE 10
3
Leg Raise (Captain's Chair)
1
1
1
12 reps
12 reps
12 reps
RPE 7
RPE 7.5
RPE 8
4
Pull-Up (Bodyweight)
1
1
1
10-12 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
RPE 9
RPE 9
RPE 10
5
Abs Crunch (Weighted)
4
8-12 reps
-
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Clean Deadlift
1
1
1
5 reps
3 reps
1 reps
75%
85%
95%
2
Lat Pulldown
4
6-8 reps
-
3
Leg Raise (Captain's Chair)
3
12 reps
-
4
Pull-Up (Bodyweight)
1
2
10-12 reps
8-10 reps
-
-
5
Abs Crunch (Weighted)
4
8-12 reps
-
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
1
1
3
1
12 reps
10 reps
8 reps
6 reps
-
-
-
-
2
Bicep Curl (Cable)
2
1
1
8-12 reps
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
-
3
Skull Crusher (Barbell)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
6-6 reps
-
-
-
4
Bicep Curl (EZ Bar)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
5-8 reps
-
-
-
5
Hammer Curl
5
12+ reps
-
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
1
1
3
1
12 reps
10 reps
8 reps
6 reps
-
-
-
-
2
Skull Crusher (Barbell)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
6-6 reps
-
-
-
3
Bicep Curl (Cable)
2
1
1
8-12 reps
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
-
4
Bicep Curl (EZ Bar)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
5-8 reps
-
-
-
5
Hammer Curl
5
12+ reps
-
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
1
1
3
1
12 reps
10 reps
8 reps
6 reps
-
-
-
-
2
Bicep Curl (Cable)
2
1
1
8-12 reps
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
-
3
Skull Crusher (Barbell)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
6-6 reps
-
-
-
4
Bicep Curl (EZ Bar)
1
2
1
8-10 reps
6-8 reps
5-8 reps
-
-
-
5
Hammer Curl
5
12+ reps
-
Day 4
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
5 reps
5 reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Leg Press
1
1
2
12 reps
10 reps
10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
3
Leg Extension
3
2
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
4
Lying Leg Curl
1
3
12 reps
10 reps
-
-
Day 4
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
1
1
1
3 reps
3 reps
3 reps
70%
80%
90%
2
Leg Press
1
1
2
12 reps
10 reps
10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
3
Leg Extension
3
2
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
4
Lying Leg Curl
1
3
12 reps
10 reps
-
-
Day 4
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
3 reps
1 reps
75%
85%
95%
2
Leg Press
1
1
2
12 reps
10 reps
10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
3
Leg Extension
3
2
8-10 reps
6-10 reps
-
-
4
Lying Leg Curl
1
3
12 reps
10 reps
-
-
Day 5
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Lat Pulldown
4
10 reps
-
2
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
5 reps
5 reps
65%
75%
85%
3
Push Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8
RPE 8.5
RPE 9.5
4
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
5
Dumbbell Row
1
1
1
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
Day 5
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Lat Pulldown
4
10 reps
-
2
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
3 reps
3 reps
3 reps
70%
80%
90%
3
Push Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
4
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
5
Dumbbell Row
1
1
1
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
Day 5
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Lat Pulldown
4
10 reps
-
2
Bench Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
5 reps
3 reps
1 reps
67%
76%
85%
3
Push Press (Barbell)
1
1
1
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
6-8 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
4
Bench Press (Close Grip)
1
1
2
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
80%
75%
70%
5
Dumbbell Row
1
1
1
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
8-10 reps
RPE 8.5
RPE 9
RPE 9.5
Week 1
1 / 3 Weeks
Day 2
1
Clean Deadlift1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
5 Reps
5 Reps
5 Reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Lat Pulldown4 Sets
6-8 Reps
-
3
Leg Raise (Captain's Chair)3 Sets
12 Reps
-
4
Pull-Up (Bodyweight)1 Set
2 Sets
10-12 Reps
8-10 Reps
-
-
5
Abs Crunch (Weighted)4 Sets
8-12 Reps
-
Day 4
1
Squat (Barbell)1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
5 Reps
5 Reps
5 Reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Leg Press1 Set
1 Set
2 Sets
12 Reps
10 Reps
10 Reps
@8.5
@9
@9.5
3
Leg Extension3 Sets
2 Sets
8-10 Reps
6-10 Reps
-
-
4
Lying Leg Curl1 Set
3 Sets
12 Reps
10 Reps
-
-
Day 1
1
Bench Press (Barbell)1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
5 Reps
5 Reps
5 Reps
65%
75%
85%
2
Seated Shoulder Press (Dumbbell)2 Sets
2 Sets
1 Set
6-8 Reps
6-8 Reps
6-8 Reps
@8.5
@9
@9.5
3
Bench Press (Close Grip)1 Set
1 Set
2 Sets
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
80%
75%
70%
4
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)5 Sets
12 Reps
-
Day 5
1
Lat Pulldown4 Sets
10 Reps
-
2
Bench Press (Barbell)1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
5 Reps
5 Reps
5 Reps
65%
75%
85%
3
Push Press (Barbell)1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
6-8 Reps
6-8 Reps
6-8 Reps
@8
@8.5
@9.5
4
Bench Press (Close Grip)1 Set
1 Set
2 Sets
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
80%
75%
70%
5
Dumbbell Row1 Set
1 Set
1 Set
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
8-10 Reps
@8.5
@9
@9.5
Day 3
1
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)1 Set
1 Set
3 Sets
1 Set
12 Reps
10 Reps
8 Reps
6 Reps
-
-
-
-
2
Bicep Curl (Cable)2 Sets
1 Set
1 Set
8-12 Reps
8-10 Reps
6-10 Reps
-
-
-
3
Skull Crusher (Barbell)1 Set
2 Sets
1 Set
8-10 Reps
6-8 Reps
6-6 Reps
-
-
-
4
Bicep Curl (EZ Bar)1 Set
2 Sets
1 Set
8-10 Reps
6-8 Reps
5-8 Reps
-
-
-
5
Hammer Curl5 Sets
12+ Reps
-