Hard Gainers

Build Muscle3 weeks · 4 days per week

beginnerintermediateadvancedOther

What this template is

This template is based on the 5/3/1 principles but it's modified to suit the needs of hardgainers. Make sure you are eating enough to pack on muscle.

Hard Gainers is listed for beginner, intermediate, advanced lifters. Confirm that its volume, frequency, and progression match your current training experience.

Run Hard Gainers in KeyLifts

Use the prebuilt schedule with percentage calculations and training-max progression prepared for each session.

Hard Gainers Volume Overview

Sets per Week (Main vs Accessory)

Main/Supplemental

Accessories

Weeks

Avg Sets/Week

175

Avg Reps/Week

Days/Week

Average Intensity by Week

Hard Gainers Weekly Schedule

Week 1

Squat

Main

5 reps at 65%

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

Squat

Supplemental

1 × 20 reps at 65%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Bench Press

Main

5 reps at 65%

5 reps at 75%

Bench Press

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 85%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Deadlift

Main

5 reps at 65%

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

Deadlift

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 65%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Overhead Press

Main

5 reps at 65%

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

Overhead Press

Supplemental

10 × 5 reps at 65%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Week 2

Squat

Main

5 reps at 70%

5 reps at 80%

5 reps at 90%

Squat

Supplemental

1 × 20 reps at 70%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Bench Press

Main

5 reps at 70%

5 reps at 80%

Bench Press

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 90%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Deadlift

Main

5 reps at 70%

5 reps at 80%

5 reps at 90%

Deadlift

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 70%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Overhead Press

Main

5 reps at 70%

5 reps at 80%

5 reps at 90%

Overhead Press

Supplemental

10 × 5 reps at 70%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Week 3

Squat

Main

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

5 reps at 95%

Squat

Supplemental

1 × 20 reps at 75%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Bench Press

Main

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

Bench Press

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 95%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Deadlift

Main

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

5 reps at 95%

Deadlift

Supplemental

5 × 5 reps at 75%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Overhead Press

Main

5 reps at 75%

5 reps at 85%

5 reps at 95%

Overhead Press

Supplemental

10 × 5 reps at 75%

Choose a Push exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Pull exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

Choose a Legs exercise

Assistance

50-100 reps

More programs like Hard Gainers

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Questions about Hard Gainers

How long is the Hard Gainers program?

Hard Gainers is represented here as a 3-week template with 4 training days per week.

What is the main goal of Hard Gainers?

Hard Gainers is categorized for Build Muscle. Its actual results still depend on appropriate loading, recovery, nutrition, and consistent execution.

Who is Hard Gainers designed for?

Hard Gainers is listed for beginner, intermediate, advanced lifters. Confirm that its volume, frequency, and progression match your current training experience.

How can I track Hard Gainers?

The KeyLifts version includes the schedule shown below and prepares percentage-based training weights from your training max.

KeyLifts

Hard Gainers

What this template is

Run Hard Gainers in KeyLifts

Hard Gainers Volume Overview

Hard Gainers Weekly Schedule

Week 1

Day 1

Squat

Squat

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 2

Bench Press

Bench Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 3

Deadlift

Deadlift

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 4

Overhead Press

Overhead Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Week 2

Day 1

Squat

Squat

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 2

Bench Press

Bench Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 3

Deadlift

Deadlift

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 4

Overhead Press

Overhead Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Week 3

Day 1

Squat

Squat

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 2

Bench Press

Bench Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 3

Deadlift

Deadlift

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise

Day 4

Overhead Press

Overhead Press

Choose a Push exercise

Choose a Pull exercise

Choose a Legs exercise