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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint to Mass Evaluate
As we speak,
It’s nonetheless largely agreed that regardless of there being many Mr. Olympias, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Golden Period’ physique remains to be the elucidation of perfection.
Not solely does his physique proceed to evoke admiration from his spectacular measurements (boasting a 57 inch chest and 22 inch arms throughout the prime of his profession), however equally by way of his extraordinary harmonious whole physique growth and definition.
There’s no denying,
Attaining these unbelievable aesthetics is a by-product of performing legendary exercises.
Arnold is legendary for advocating high-volume, physique half cut up routines which he regularly shared in numerous Weider publications to assist novices construct unprecedented ranges of muscle and power.
One such routine we might be protecting on this article is his Blueprint to Mass exercise.
An 8 week coaching programme designed to pack on some critical mass, make the women’ knees weak and put you on the trail to Mount Olympus glory.
In fact:
Constructing critical mass comes with a critical exercise, and constructing a physique of a champion requires dedication and sacrifice thus don’t anticipate a magic bullet.
So,
If you need a chest to impress, 22-inch bicep peaks and a large again with trim obliques, you then’ve found the proper exercise.
Let’s get into it.
Overview
Arnold’s Blueprint to Mass is an 8 week coaching programme designed to pack on muscle mass.
It consists of three exercises carried out twice per week for a complete of 6 days per week with Sundays reserved for relaxation.
This enables for better focus and permits you to deliver up any lagging areas in your physique.
The exercises are cut up into the next:
- Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms and Abs
In case you haven’t already gathered,
Blueprint to Mass is strictly for superior lifters with years of lifting expertise.
In case you’re simply beginning out, or have no less than one 12 months of lifting expertise beneath your belt, contemplate finishing just a few newbie to intermediate routines.
For absolutely the newbie, your major focus ought to be on constructing some foundational power. Contemplate doing Arnold Schwarzengger’s Home Workout for just a few months earlier than lifting weights.
For the skilled newbie or intermediate lifter, just a few cycles of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Golden Six, Vince Gironda’s 8×8, Stronglifts 5×5 or Jim Stoppani’s Shortcut to Size ought to be accomplished first earlier than making an attempt this plan.
That is in order that your physique turns into accustomed to quite a lot of quantity and depth in addition to major lifts such because the bench press, squat, deadlifts and barbell curls as there are quite a few transitions on this plan that you just won’t be used to.
Again to the plan itself,
Arnold’s Blueprint to Mass is cut up into 2 phases.
- Section 1 – which incorporates lifting reasonable weights for increased reps.
- Section 2 – which incorporates lifting heavier weights for decrease reps.
Throughout each phases, relying on which physique elements you’re coaching, you’ll carry out wherever between 7 – 14 workout routines in a single session.
Not solely this:
Throughout every exercise, you’ll be required to finish a superset (or 5) which is able to little doubt push you to the sting.
It’s necessary to remain targeted on the duty at hand and keep away from detrimental self-talk that will help you pull by way of.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint to Mass Exercise
Section 1 – Week 1 to 4
Monday: Chest, Again and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Flat Barbell Bench Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Incline Barbell Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Dumbbell Flyes (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Dumbbell Pullovers | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Huge Grip Chin Ups (superset with 2 following workout routines) |
4 | Failure |
Bent Over Rows or Dumbbell Rows or T-Bar Rows | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Leg Raises | 5 | 25-30 |
Tuesday: Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Clear and Press | 5 | 5 |
Dumbbell Press (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Full Frontal Increase | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Lateral Increase (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Upright Rows | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Barbell Curls | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Seated Incline Dumbbell Curls (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Focus Curl | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Shut-Grip Bench Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Barbell Skullcrushers (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
One Arm Overhead Dumbbell Extension | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Wrist Curls (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Reverse Wrist Curls | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Decline 3/4 Sit-Ups | 5 | 25 |
Wednesday: Legs, Calves and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Squats | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Straight Leg Deadlifts | 1 | 10, 6, 4 / 5, 5, 5 / 12, 10, 8 |
Lunges | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Leg Extension (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 – 12 |
Leg Curls | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Standing Calf Raises (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 – 12 |
Seated Calf Raises | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Kneeling Cable Crunch | 4 | 25 |
Thursday: Chest, Again and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Flat Barbell Bench Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Incline Barbell Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Dumbbell Flyes (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Dumbbell Pullovers | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Huge Grip Chin Ups (superset with 2 following workout routines) |
4 | Failure |
Bent Over Rows or Dumbbell Rows or T-Bar Rows | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Leg Raises | 5 | 25-30 |
Friday: Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Arnold Press | 5 | 5 |
Behind The Neck Press (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Full Frontal Increase | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Incline Rear Delt Flyes (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Upright Rows | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Barbell Curls | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Seated Incline Dumbbell Curls (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Focus Curl | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Shut-Grip Bench Press | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Tricep Pushdown (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
One-Arm Overhead Dumbbell Extension | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Wrist Curls (superset with following train) |
1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Reverse Wrist Curls | 1 | 30, 12, 10, 8, 6 |
Roman Chair Sit Ups | 5 | 25 |
Saturday: Legs, Calves and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Entrance Squats | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Deadlifts | 1 | 10, 6, 4 / 5, 5, 5 / 12, 10, 8 |
Lunges | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Leg Extension (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 – 12 |
Leg Curls | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Standing Calf Raises (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 – 12 |
Seated Calf Raises | 5 | 8 – 12 |
Kneeling Cable Crunch | 4 | 25 |
Section 2 – Week 5 to eight
Monday: Chest, Again and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Incline Barbell Press | 10 | 4 |
Flat Barbell Press | 5 | 6 |
Dumbbell Flyes (superset with following train) |
5 | 12 |
Cable Crossovers | 5 | 12 |
Huge Grip Chin Ups (superset with 2 following workout routines) |
1 | 50 |
Bent Over Rows or Dumbbell Rows or T-Bar Rows | 8 | 8 |
Leg Raises | 5 | 25 |
Tuesday: Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Army Press | 10 | 4 |
Arnold Press (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 |
Lateral Increase | 5 | 8 |
Heavy Upright Rows (superset with following train) |
5 | 6 |
Bent Over Rear Delt Flyes | 5 | 12 |
Barbell Curls | 5 and three | 8 and 5 |
Focus Curls (superset with following train) |
5 | 6 |
Seated Two Arm Dumbbell Curls | 5 | 6 |
Shut-Grip Bench Press | 8 | 8 |
Barbell Skullcrushers (superset with following train) |
5 | 15 |
Body weight Skullcrushers | 5 | 15 |
Wrist Curls (superset with following train) |
5 | 12 |
Reverse Wrist Curls | 5 | 12 |
Decline 3/4 Sit-Ups | 5 | 25 |
Wednesday: Legs, Calves and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Squats | 8 | 8 |
Straight Leg Deadlifts | 6 | 6 |
Lunges | 4 | 4 |
Leg Extension (superset with following train) |
5 | 20 |
Leg Curls | 5 | 20 |
Standing Calf Raises | 10 | 10 |
Kneeling Cable Crunch | 4 | 25 |
Thursday: Chest, Again and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Incline Barbell Press | 10 | 4 |
Flat Barbell Press | 5 | 6 |
Dumbbell Flyes (superset with following train) |
5 | 12 |
Cable Crossovers | 5 | 12 |
Huge Grip Chin Ups (superset with 2 following workout routines) |
1 | 50 |
Bent Over Rows or Dumbbell Rows or T-Bar Rows | 8 | 8 |
Leg Raises | 5 | 25 |
Friday: Shoulders, Biceps, Triceps, Forearms and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Behind The Neck Press | 10 | 4 |
Arnold Press (superset with following train) |
5 | 8 |
Lateral Increase | 5 | 8 |
Heavy Upright Rows (superset with following train) |
5 | 6 |
Bent Over Rear Delt Flyes | 5 | 12 |
Barbell Curls | 5 and three | 8 and 5 |
Focus Curls (superset with following train) |
5 | 6 |
Seated Two Arm Dumbbell Curls | 5 | 6 |
Shut-Grip Bench Press | 8 | 8 |
Tricep Pushdowns (superset with following train) |
5 | 15 |
One Arm Overhead Dumbbell Extension | 5 | 15 |
Wrist Curls (superset with following train) |
5 | 12 |
Reverse Wrist Curls | 5 | 12 |
Roman Chair Sit Ups | 5 | 25 |
Saturday: Legs, Calves and Abs
Train | Units | Reps |
---|---|---|
Entrance Squats | 8 | 8 |
Deadlifts | 3 | 4 |
Lunges | 4 | 4 |
Leg Extension (superset with following train) |
5 | 20 |
Leg Curls | 5 | 20 |
Standing Calf Raises | 10 | 10 |
Kneeling Cable Crunch | 4 | 25 |
The above rounds off Week 1 for Section 1 and a pair of of the Blueprint to Mass exercise.
Arnold believed you need to frequently problem your self and to maintain your physique guessing in order to keep away from plateauing in your coaching.
As an example,
It’s endorsed that if you find yourself performing the incline barbell bench press in Section 1, you need to use a low angle incline in Week 1, a medium angle incline in Week 2, a excessive angle incline in Week 3 and at last a low angle incline in Week 4.

Not solely this:
The rep ranges would usually differ each week.
Beneath is a abstract of the reps to be carried out within the subsequent weeks in Section 1.
Section 1
- Week 2 – 1 x 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
- Week 3 – 1 x 30, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5
- Week 4 – 1 x Failure (on a significant compound lift) then, 1 x 20, 15, 12 on the remaining workout routines.
It’s necessary to notice that Arnold prescribed completely different rep ranges when coaching again. That is as follows:
- Week 2 – 1 x 30, 8, 6, 4, 2
- Week 3 – 1 x 30, 12, 10, 8, 6
- Week 4 – 1 x 20, 15, 12
While it isn’t clear within the plan why the reps are stored constantly excessive for again, it’s seemingly Arnold felt that his again developed effectively utilizing much more quantity.
Section 2
Section 2 of the Blueprint to Mass exercise is primarily power targeted as a result of decrease reps concerned.
Not like Section 1 that locations a bit extra emphasis on hypertrophy, Section 2 requires you to not solely develop extra power, however name on numerous different coaching ideas to fully shock your muscle tissue.
This consists of testing your one rep max, drop sets, 8×8 training, 10×10 coaching and extra.
While Section 1 isn’t plain crusing by any stretch, it doesn’t get any simpler throughout Section 2.
There’s little doubt that you’ll be required to summon the lifting Gods to maintain you pushing by way of.
For extra info on the exercise you possibly can obtain the total PDFs under:
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint To Mass: Phase 1 – [Free PDF] Download
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint To Mass: Phase 2 – [Free PDF] Download
You too can watch a full overview of the coaching plan right here:
Examination
Throughout the board,
This programme does a wonderful job of hitting your whole major muscle teams all through the week with a few single-joint workout routines added in for good measure.
Going from urgent, pulling and elevating workout routines multi functional session will stimulate your central nervous system (CNS) like no different.
Not like most silver-era bodybuilding routines that concentrate on coaching the first muscle teams (specifically shoulders, chest, again and legs), Blueprint to Mass encompasses many ideas from this period after which some.
This consists of high-volume ideas from the likes of Steve Reeves’ Classic Physique workout and the strength-focused ideas in Reg Park’s 5×5 workout, adopted by quite a few muscle-shocking necessities making a near-perfect golden-era exercise that may actually push you to your restrict.
It’s necessary to notice that in his prime, Arnold was on a critical quantity of drugs so his physique was primed to deal with the amount this plan entails.
In different phrases,
He was in a position to recuperate lots faster than these taking the pure route.
So:
When commencing this routine, the sheer quantity of quantity (notably in Section 1) may come as a shock to your physique.
Make sure you’re not being too tough on your self and to hearken to your physique always.
You may be required to raise some heavy ass weights because the weeks go on, so it’s necessary to maintain your ego in test as failure to take action will solely result in frustration, demotivation and a one-way practice to snap metropolis.
Performing the prescribed workout routines shouldn’t be too difficult both assuming you have got vital lifting expertise.
Not like the train choice in Shortcut to Size, the workout routines in Blueprint to Mass are pretty simple (even for the extra superior lifter) and consists of staples that the majority ought to be accustomed to.
Nonetheless:
At first look, regardless of the preliminary complexity of this plan, the timeless bodybuiding recommendation is that it is advisable to be always difficult your muscle tissue to develop.
Arnold was a giant believer in avoiding plateaus as a lot as doable.
Even in his day, he knew that permitting your physique to develop into accustomed to a exercise would solely breed inertia which nonetheless holds true at the moment.
Not solely will this programme problem you want no different, however it’s designed to depart your muscle tissue so confused each week they’ll’t assist however get greater and stronger.
Notes
Cycle
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint to Mass programme would require you to exercise six instances every week with in the future of relaxation reserved on Sunday.
In the course of the week, you’ll be hitting every physique half twice except abs which is educated throughout each session on the aforementioned 8 week cycle.
Personally:
I’d advocate avoiding any type of cardio or ‘lively relaxation’ on Sunday and use the day to completely recuperate from the week’s exercises.
It’s crucial to get as a lot relaxation as doable to permit your muscle tissue, nerves and joints to recuperate for the week forward.
Length
Throughout Section 1 of the programme, your relaxation intervals ought to be stored between 45 seconds – 1 minute throughout every set.
Usually talking,
As you’ll be required to carry out completely different reps for every train, your relaxation interval will seemingly be taken up including weights to the bar in preparation for the following set.
In whole, every exercise ought to final roughly as much as an hour and a half.
Throughout Section 2 of the programme, while you start to carry out the extra strength-based exercises, it’s necessary to relaxation so long as it is advisable to in preparation for the following set.
Ideally,
Your relaxation intervals ought to be stored between 2 – 3 minutes throughout every set.
It will give your physique sufficient time to recuperate and assist you to carry out these heavy lifts safely with good kind.
General, every exercise ought to final (or be barely longer than) two hours as a result of prolonged breaks.
Heat Up
In Section 1, you’ll discover that the majority workout routines begin with you performing 30 reps.
That is designed as a heat up and you need to on no account be lifting heavy for this set.
Intention to make use of the bar solely or some very mild weights that may assist you to safely full the 30 reps to make sure your muscle and joints are well-oiled earlier than commencing the 4 remaining units.
In Section 2, the 30 rep warmup is eliminated with every set used as a totally working set.
Nevertheless, I might nonetheless embrace some type of heat up/mild stretching beforehand as lifting heavier weights carries an excellent better threat of damage.
Contemplate performing the train involved with the bar just for 15 reps to get your coronary heart charge up.
Weight Choice
Choosing the proper weight to raise for every train is essential for this routine.
Because of the excessive quantity concerned, the danger of damage is excessive notably when fatigue begins to set in.
Supplied you’re a complicated lifter, you need to have already got an thought of what your one rep max (1RM) is for every train.
The under is a information of what you need to be aiming to raise based mostly on the quantity of reps required:
- 30 reps – 25% of 1 Rep Max
- 25 reps – 50% of 1 Rep Max
- 20 reps – 60% of 1 Rep Max
- 15 reps – 65% of 1 Rep Max
- 12 reps – 70% of 1 Rep Max
- 10 reps – 75% of 1 Rep Max
- 8 reps – 80% of 1 Rep Max
- 6 reps – 85% of 1 Rep Max
- 5 reps – 87% of 1 Rep Max
- 4 reps – 90% of 1 Rep Max
- 2 reps – 95% of 1 Rep Max
The above isn’t set in stone and will solely be used as an indicator relying on whether or not you’re emphasising increased or decrease reps all through the Blueprint.
In case you are unable to raise a weight within the prescribed set and rep vary, don’t be a douchebag and even try and – you’ll solely tear your shit up (and never in a great way both).
Hearken to your physique, drop your ego and work in response to your potential.
Chin Ups
Arnold would sometimes carry out chin ups utilizing his personal body weight.
The first objective was to fully fatigue the again and arms and create an awesome pump earlier than starting a superset train for the again.
In fact:
In case you’re up for a problem, you possibly can all the time add a light-weight dumbbell between your legs when performing chin ups.
Simply keep in mind, you’ll both be required to go to failure or carry out 50 reps so solely do what you’re able to.
1-10 Methodology
This was a go-to technique Arnold used to supercharge his exercise and fully disrupt his regular routine that concerned switching up the variety of units, reps and weight choice on a given train.
For this technique, I’d advocate utilizing a barbell and keep away from dumbbells as a result of ease of ‘stripping’ down the weights from the bar versus hogging lots of of dumbbells on the fitness center.
The latter will solely make you seem like a cunt.
So, how does it work?
Utilizing the barbell flat bench press for example, after finishing a heat set or two, load up the barbell with weights the place you’re solely in a position to full one rep (i.e. your one rep max – 1RM).
After finishing one rep, you re-rack the bar and take away sufficient plates to be able to full 2 reps. When you’ve accomplished that, re-rack the bar once more and take away sufficient plates to be able to full 3 reps.
Preserve following this course of till you’ve accomplished 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and at last 10 reps.
In whole:
By working your approach as much as 10 reps and stripping down the weights as you progress, you’d’ve accomplished 55 excruciating reps.
Though we’ve used the barbell flat bench press for example, you are able to do this with some other train that you just choose (ideally one which requires utilizing a barbell).
This technique ought to final simply over 5 minutes relying on how rapidly you’re eradicating the load.
The 1-10 technique is brutal as a result of there is no such thing as a relaxation in between units. The one relaxation you get is while you’re unloading the weights.
I’d due to this fact advise solely performing this technique you probably have a coaching companion to identify you, and I’d additionally keep away from doing this each week (provided that you’ve get right into a rut together with your coaching) as doing so can rapidly diminish its effectiveness.
Take a look at the under video of Arnold describing how he used the 1-10 technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsNOEF2Ti4A
Drop Units
Additionally known as the ‘stripping technique/stunning precept’ within the Blueprint, performing drop units is a good way to fatigue the working muscle additional by creating better depth and stress.
After finishing your closing set on a given train, instantly take away just a few plates (or go just a few increments down in case you’re utilizing dumbbells) and churn out an additional 5-10 reps.
With no relaxation, preserve repeating this and lowering the load right down to the naked bar or a weight that may solely assist you to raise as a lot as you possibly can in your present state and crank out 15-20 reps.
The thought is to create huge muscular and metabolic stress to the purpose the place your muscle tissue have hit full failure and you may not do a single rep.
A very good indication of when this has been achieved is when your muscle(s) are trembling uncontrollably.
Take a look at the under video of Arnold describing this technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nt5hZDlwpg
Max Effort
From time to time, Arnold would look to check his one rep max (1RM) to test if he was in a position to transfer the needle additional.
Doing so can be really helpful within the Blueprint to Mass as it’s essential to get stronger with a purpose to promote extra muscular development within the long-run.
Ideally:
You need to be performing your 1RM max on a giant compound lift akin to on the bench press, squat, deadlift, army press and so forth.

Getting stronger in these actions can have a constructive internet impact on how a lot you possibly can raise with the opposite isolation-based workout routines all through the plan.
So as to carry out this, you need to work your approach as much as your 1RM and make sure the muscle tissue being labored are absolutely warmed up.
That is prescribed as follows:
When maxing out, it is usually useful to have somebody spot you in order to keep away from any accidents.
Due to this fact, guarantee you have got somebody readily available to cowl you.
Working The Rack
While not strictly included within the Blueprint, operating the rack is one other technique Arnold would make use of to fully confuse the muscle tissue.
The precept is straightforward.
Select a dumbbell-focused train (akin to dumbbell curls or the dumbbell press) and seize a weight the place you possibly can barely carry out 6 reps.
If you’ve accomplished the 6 reps, drop the dumbbells and seize a pair of dumbbells which are 2kg (5lbs) lighter and carry out one other 6 reps.
As soon as accomplished, drop the dumbbells once more by an additional 2kg (5lbs) and carry out one more 6 reps.
Preserve repeating this course of till you’ve began on one finish of the dumbbell rack on the fitness center and ended up on the opposite finish.
It’s best to find yourself at a pair of dumbbells (on the lighter finish of the rack) the place the considered finishing one other 6 reps will ship your muscle tissue into a whole oblivion.
It is a nice coaching technique to essentially problem your self and hearth up the muscle tissue being labored.
Take a look at the under video of Arnold speaking by way of this coaching technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLuiZKZEFvc
Diet and Dietary supplements
No matter how successfully you practice, the unhappy actuality is you possibly can’t out practice a nasty weight loss program.
Due to the intense quantity of quantity concerned within the Blueprint, it’s unsurprising to search out that so far as diet goes, you’ll be required to eat like a champion on daily basis.
Sadly,
This doesn’t imply attending to see the priceless look in your Uber Eats courier’s face after realising that he’s delivered 2 Massive Pizzas, 1 Facet and 1 Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream to your home for the tenth time this week.
Though that is reserved for Saturdays.
As a substitute:
Arnold’s Blueprint to Mass meal plan was compiled to make sure that not solely are you including mass, however lean mass.
You’ll be consuming meals wealthy in protein, carbohydrates, and fat to develop and recuperate in between every exercise.
It will require you consuming wherever between 3,500 – 3,800 energy a day.
No easy process.
Probably the most fundamental a part of Arnold’s diet plan is consuming no less than 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight on daily basis:
“There’s all the time a debate about how a lot protein the physique truly wants. I all the time lived off the rule that for each pound of body weight, I wanted one gram of protein.”
So for instance,
In case you at present weigh 85kg (187lbs), you need to be aiming to eat 187g of protein every day.
As a 250-pound colossus, the problem for Arnold (which may even seemingly befall you as effectively) was consuming 250g of protein every day and ensuring that his physique may use all of it:
“I felt prefer it labored greatest after I had 5 meals a day. There are some individuals who can work with three meals. For me, 5 meals was the reply, the explanation was as a result of I by no means was a giant eater. I all the time felt snug with a daily sized steak. In case you gave me a 10-ounce steak, even in my heyday, I used to be completely happy.”
Within the morning, Arnold would usually begin the day with 3 scrambled eggs, with a little bit of bacon or sausage, adopted by some chopped tomatoes and onions.
The issue was:
2 hours after that meal he would start to get hungry once more.
To get round this, Arnold would complement his meals with a high-quality protein shake to make sure he was hitting his every day protein requirement in addition to maintaining his starvation in test.
“As I used to be sitting there at Santa Monica Metropolis Faculty or I used to be on the office doing development work or wherever I used to be, I might pull out of my bag a bit plastic container that had milk and protein powder. That was the extra 30 grams of protein that I wanted at the moment.”
An hour later, Arnold would then head to the fitness center and do what he did greatest – raise some heavy ass weight.
After an exhausting 2 and a half hour exercise, he’d have a steak and a few greens for lunch which was then adopted by one other protein shake 2 hours later.
“So, I might have protein drinks two instances a day with a purpose to rise up to the 250 grams that I wanted as a result of it’s completely important that you’ve sufficient protein so you possibly can actually expertise muscle development.”

Beneath is the meal plan Arnold adopted so as to add lean muscle mass onto his body:
Meal 1 – Breakfast (Possibility 1):
- 1 – 2 items of Ezekiel bread with almond/cashew butter
Meal 1 – Breakfast (Possibility 2):
- 1/3 cup of oats with 1 tablespoon of honey
Meal 2 – Lunch:
- 10oz of grilled meat (pink meat or fish really helpful)
- 1 cup of combined greens or massive salad (served with olive oil)
- 2 – 3oz of nuts (almonds, walnuts or cashews really helpful)
Meal 3:
- 2 scoops of mass gainer of your alternative
- 12 – 16oz of entire milk of your alternative
Meal 4 – Dinner:
- 12oz of grilled meat (lean meat really helpful)
- 1 – 2 cups of combined greens or massive salad (served with olive oil)
- 1 – 2 cups of brown rice
Meal 5:
- 2 cups of full-fat cottage cheese
- 2 – 3oz of nuts (almonds, walnuts or cashews really helpful)
Right here’s the most effective half:
Saturdays are so that you can get pleasure from.
We’re speaking Cut price Buckets at KFC, Full Platters at Nandos, Double Whoopers at Burger King – you identify it.
The plan permits you to have a ‘slutty’ meal of your alternative each Saturday (ideally after your exercise) with a purpose to re-fuel your physique and construct up your reserves.
When it comes to dietary supplements:
As beforehand talked about, Arnold was a giant believer in dietary supplements to gasoline his physique and guarantee he was getting in sufficient energy and protein to construct mass.
Arnold’s Blueprint to Mass was sponsored by a sports activities diet firm known as MusclePharm whom Arnold had his personal line of dietary supplements with known as the ‘Arnold Sequence’.
Nevertheless:
Quite a few monetary points, shoddy merchandise and promoting dietary supplements with components which weren’t authorised by the FDA meant that Schwarzenegger’s identify was being dragged by way of the grime.
This resulted in Arnold severing ties with the company in 2016.
Because of this,
We is not going to be selling the particular dietary supplements on this article (or our web site for that matter) however the premise is straightforward.
Earlier than hitting the fitness center, the plan recommends taking a very good high quality pre-workout. After you’ve accomplished your exercise, it is suggested to take a high-quality protein shake for restoration in addition to a mass gainer that will help you get the extra energy it is advisable to construct measurement.
Lastly:
Earlier than you hit the hay, it is usually fascinating to take a some type of gradual absorbing protein, akin to casein, with a purpose to present a gentle provide of protein to the muscle tissue as you sleep.
We’ve reviewed just a few premium choices here which you’ll be able to take a look at.
In case you’re unable to discover a appropriate product, just a few manufacturers we’d extremely advocate you store from embrace:
Alternatively, in case you are a vegetarian or vegan, Myvegan are a very good possibility as effectively.
Restoration
Restoration is a vital side of coaching that doesn’t get the eye it wants.
Irrespective of how on level your nutrition and supplement recreation is, poor sleep and insufficient relaxation is not going to lead to any noticeable beneficial properties.
Thus, make sure you’re getting no less than 8 hours of undisturbed each single evening for optimum restoration.
Ideas
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blueprint to Mass is a good programme to comply with for the superior lifter.
The variation in units and reps coupled with the quite a few ‘stunning ideas’ such because the 1-10 technique, drop units and testing your 1RM makes the chance of plateauing miniscule.
With that mentioned:
The beneficial properties made on this programme can’t be understated.
Coaching every physique half twice per week will assist construct extra muscle tissue versus merely coaching them as soon as. Because of this, following this plan will enable you construct a well-balanced, fuller physique.
After simply 4 weeks of doing this exercise (finishing Section 1), I seen my arms, chest, again and legs have been all getting noticeably greater.
The transition from excessive quantity coaching in Section 1 to extra strength-focused coaching in Section 2 additionally meant that over 8 weeks in whole, my physique wasn’t in a position to guess what was coming subsequent (as a result of progressively overloading the muscle tissue every week) which meant much more beneficial properties.
Not solely was I bodily lots greater, however my power elevated dramatically on numerous compound lifts such because the flat and incline barbell press, squats, deadlifts and even on the focus curls.
In whole, I roughly placed on an additional 2kg of muscle mass onto my body (not unhealthy for an 8 week programme).
Nevertheless:
Regardless of the spectacular beneficial properties made on this plan, there are a selection of flaws with it.
Firstly, coaching six days every week constantly over 8 weeks requires a heck of quite a lot of self-discipline.
There have been usually days the place I used to be so brutally sore that I didn’t really feel like coaching. If this was the case, I’d nonetheless will my technique to the fitness center however I might simply go simpler on the poundage.
That approach, I used to be nonetheless working the muscle tissue, however lowering the stress on my joints and tendons.
This leads me to my subsequent level:
Restoration.
It’s no secret that Schwarzenegger was on the juice within the peak of his profession, and a plan like this with a mixture of excessive quantity, excessive depth and heavy poundage will take its toll on any pure lifter.
Your physique simply isn’t recovering as effectively (and as quick) as somebody who’s on performance-enhancing medicine.
Steve Reeves mentioned it greatest:
“Don’t overlook a lot of the ‘champions’ you examine at the moment are filled with anabolic steroids and different such growth-enhancing medicine which make their coaching applications ineffective to the pure bodybuilder – which is the one sort of bodybuilding I care about...
…You want relaxation in between, in any other case your nerves will get shattered and also you lose your enthusiasm. So it is advisable to discover the utmost exercise you possibly can take, with the best quantity of recuperation time in between exercises.“
Personally, this plan doesn’t embrace sufficient relaxation all through the week to warrant the quantity of stress being positioned in your physique.
Being a median, pure lifter – I’m a testomony that this plan may be accomplished on no drug enhancements.
Nevertheless, progress might be gradual and it’s necessary to watch how you’re feeling.
In case you genuinely can not naked the positioning of one other dumbbell, take an additional break day to completely recuperate. You’ll keep away from the chance of damage and also you’ll come again much more refreshed.
When it comes to diet,
The plan is straightforward and efficient and will come pure to the bodybuilder who’s accustomed to consuming such ‘clear’ meals.
The perfect half is:
Restriction is proscribed and you’ll be able to get pleasure from your self on the weekend.
The plan prescribes one cheat meal on Saturday, however personally, I turned this right into a cheat day as an alternative.
It’s necessary to award your self to your exhausting efforts all through the week however in case you’re something like me and have a quick metabolism, turning Saturdays right into a cheat day shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of a problem.
In fact,
In case you give into temptation like a priest seeing a brand new choir boy throughout Sunday service and really feel you’d over-indulge, I’d advocate sticking to the one cheat meal per week so that you don’t reverse your progress.
Conclusion
In abstract:
Arnold’s Blueprint to Mass is an efficient exercise programme constructed on tried and examined strategies to advertise muscle development as rapidly as doable.
While this plan isn’t for the feint hearted, it does offer you a transparent route as to the place you need to be heading (to construct mass).
Not solely is that this plan difficult each bodily and mentally, however some spectacular beneficial properties will bestow you by following this plan proper till the very finish making it each enjoyable and inspiring.
Over To You
Have you ever tried the Blueprint to Mass plan?
Did you see good outcomes?
Tell us your ideas within the feedback part under!

Joseph is the Founder and Editor in Chief of CheckMeowt. When he isn’t sat on the pc guzzling down the closest factor with protein in it, he may be discovered pulling up the world within the fitness center. Sometimes, he’s greatest described as socially unreliable and simply distracte.
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