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Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise 4-day split
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Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise 4-day split

HIT, Mike Mentzer, Heavy Duty

Mark Freeman
Mark Freeman· Mar 2026
4athletes running this program
iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
4 days
Level
Advanced
Goal
Muscle, Bodybuilding
Equipment
Full Gym
Session length
30 min
The program was created based on the film "Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise Video" published in 2008. This was Mike's most up-to-date HIT exercise system. Take a 72-hour break between training sessions to fully regenerate your body. Increase the number of repetitions beyond your strength range by using techniques such as forced reps, negative reps, and holding a static position When Mike Mentzer introduced his “Ideal Routine” in the mid-1990s, he did so after more than two decades of rigorous study, experimentation, and hands-on coaching with thousands of trainees. By that time, he had already reshaped the bodybuilding world with his Heavy Duty system, challenging long-held beliefs about volume, frequency, and what truly stimulates muscular growth.

Who it's for

Advanced athletes looking to push past plateaus
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
Quadriceps
16.3%
Hamstrings
15.1%
Glutes
14%
Front Delts
8.7%
Chest
8.1%
Triceps
7%
Abs
4.7%
Middle Delts
4.7%
Rear Delts
3.5%
Lats
2.9%
Upper Back
2.9%
Biceps
2.3%
Lower Back
2.3%
Abductors
2.3%
Calves
2.3%
Adductors
2.3%
Forearms
0.6%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Incline Bench Press (Smith Machine)16–8 reps
14–6 reps
12–4 reps
Superset
2APec Deck (Machine)16–10 reps
2BIncline Bench Press (Smith Machine)12–4 reps
3Lat Pulldown (Close Grip)14–6 reps
Superset
4ALying Pullover (Cable)16–10 reps
4BLat Pulldown (Close Grip)16–10 reps
5Deadlift (Barbell)16–8 reps
14–6 reps
12–4 reps
15–8 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Leg Press16–8 reps
14–6 reps
12–4 reps
Superset
2ALeg Extension18–15 reps
2BLeg Press18–15 reps
3Leg Curl18–15 reps
4Standing Calf Raise112–20 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Lateral Raise (Machine)16–8 reps
14–6 reps
12–4 reps
16–10 reps
2Rear Delt Fly (Dumbbell)16–10 reps
3Bicep Curl (Barbell)16–10 reps
Superset
4ATricep Pushdown (Cable)16–10 reps
4BDip (Bodyweight)13–5 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)16–8 reps
14–6 reps
12–4 reps
Superset
2ALeg Extension10.2–0.5 min
2BSquat (Barbell)18–15 reps
3Standing Calf Raise112–20 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, Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise 4-day split 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 30 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.

Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise 4-day split 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.

Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise 4-day split 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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Coaching notesBuilt-in cues from the creator inside every workout session.
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Advanced analyticsTrack volume, intensity, and 1RM trends to see exactly how your training is evolving.
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