Question 1

What if I can't do 4×8 strict pull-ups yet?

Accepted Answer

You're not alone — even strong intermediates often top out at 3–5 pull-ups. Work toward the prescribed volume with one of these:
Banded pull-ups — loop a heavy resistance band over the bar, step into it; the band assists you out of the bottom. Drop to a thinner band as you get stronger.
Negative-only — jump to the top, lower yourself slowly (3–5 seconds), reset. Builds eccentric strength fast.
Mixed sets — do as many strict reps as you can, finish the set with banded or negative reps to hit 8 total

Most intermediates can hit 4×8 strict within 6–8 weeks of consistent banded/negative work plus the rest of this plan.

Question 2

Why bench press 5×5 instead of higher reps for hypertrophy?

Accepted Answer

Same reason as the deadlift on Day 1: this plan's two strength days are calibrated for max-strength gains, not pure hypertrophy. The 5×5 scheme at 80–85% of 1RM trains the nervous system to recruit more muscle fibers per rep — which builds raw pressing strength.

The two conditioning days (Days 2 & 4) and the lower-rep accessory work cover hypertrophy, conditioning, and stability. By the end of 12 weeks, you should see both a stronger 1-rep max bench AND a noticeable increase in chest/arm size from the combined training.

If you only want pure hypertrophy, Hypertrophy Focus Intermediate (PPL) or Bodybuilding Split Advanced are better fits.

Question 3

Should I do incline dumbbell curls before or after the compound lifts?

Accepted Answer

After. Compounds first, isolation last — always.

Bench press, pull-up, and shoulder press all involve the biceps as a secondary mover. If you fatigue your biceps with curls before pull-ups, you'll lose reps on a much more important lift. The plan ordering already handles this: bench → pull-up → shoulder press → incline curl.

If you're tight on time and need to drop one exercise, drop the incline curl, not the compounds. Direct bicep work is the easiest part of the session to make up on a different day or skip occasionally without hurting your strength progression.

Day 3 - Upper Body Power

Bench Press
5 × 5

Pull Up
4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press
4 × 8

FAQ

Plans with this Workout

Day 3 - Upper Body Power

Bench Press
5 × 5

Pull Up
4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press
4 × 8

FAQ

Plans with this Workout

Bench Press5 × 5

Pull Up4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press4 × 8

FAQ

Plans with this Workout

Bench Press5 × 5

Pull Up4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press4 × 8

FAQ

Plans with this Workout

Bench Press
5 × 5

Pull Up
4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press
4 × 8

Bench Press
5 × 5

Pull Up
4 × 8

Seated Dumbbell Press
4 × 8