
6-week arm specialization program
v1by FitnessGrid
An evidence-based intermediate hypertrophy program focusing on biceps and triceps through structured overreaching and deload phases.
Get an AI coach that uses this skill
FitnessGrid is an AI coach that plans your week and adapts as you go. Install 6-week arm specialization program and your coach will follow this protocol every week, learn from what you actually do, and adjust on the fly.
- Your coach builds the week from this skill
- Adapts to your actual progress, not a static template
- Free to start — no credit card, ~60 seconds to set up
Procedure
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Assess Eligibility and Integration: Confirm the user is an intermediate trainee. Advise that these two direct arm sessions should be integrated into their existing split (e.g., Upper/Lower or PPL) on non-consecutive days (e.g., Monday and Thursday).
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Phase 1: Baseline (Weeks 1-2):
- Use
create_workoutto establish the two arm sessions. - Prescribe the following exercise library using
add_exercise:- Biceps: Standing Barbell/EZ Curls (3 sets, 6-8 reps), Incline DB Curls (3 sets, 10-12 reps), Hammer Curls (3 sets, 12-15 reps).
- Triceps: Close Grip Bench or Dips (3 sets, 6-8 reps), Overhead Cable Extensions (3 sets, 10-12 reps), Cable Press-downs (3 sets, 12-15 reps).
- Set the RIR (Reps in Reserve) target to 2 for all sets.
- Use
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Phase 2: Overreach (Weeks 3-4):
- Increase volume: Add 1 set to the primary movements (EZ Curls and Close Grip Bench/Dips).
- Increase intensity: Progress load by 2.5%–5% if rep targets were met in Phase 1.
- Reduce RIR target to 1.
- For Week 4, add a note to reduce rest intervals for Hammer Curls and Press-downs to 60 seconds to increase metabolic stress.
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Phase 3: Deload (Week 5):
- Reduce volume: Set the number of sets to 50% of the Week 4 volume (e.g., 4 sets become 2).
- Maintain load: Use the same weights as Week 4.
- Set RIR target to 3-4 to dissipate fatigue.
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Phase 4: Peak (Week 6):
- Return to high volume (Week 4 levels).
- Set RIR target to 0-1 (training to or near volitional failure).
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Apply Coaching Cues: Use
update_noteor workout descriptions to provide specific cues:- Biceps: "Drive pinkies toward shoulders" (supination) and "Keep elbows behind torso" (Incline Curls).
- Triceps: "Reach for the wall behind you" (Overhead Ext) and "Lock elbows to ribs" (Press-downs).
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Monitor and Adjust: If the user hits the maximum rep range for all prescribed sets in a session, use
update_exerciseto increase weight for the next session.