The period of 70s and 80s are the golden era of bodybuilding. It is due to the fact that bodybuilders who gained prominence and fame during this period exhibited both size and aesthetics. The term “aesthetics” found a new dimension when Frank Zane stepped into the scene. His physique not only exhibited size but also exhibited a great deal of definition and aesthetics. The overall stature of Frank Zane was so impressive that it could even make Zeus envious for a while. Undoubtedly, he went on to win the most coveted Mr. Olympia title three times, even beating Arnold Schwarzenegger once.
Let’s talk about Frank Zane workout philosophy, Zane’s prime focus is quality over quantity. The finesse presented by his physique was the result of combining both heavy and light training sessions. He designed his training program in such a manner that it promoted size gains on one hand and ensured leanness and symmetry on the other hand. What was his training program? How did he train? Was he lifting too heavy? You will find the answers to all these questions here.
Frank Zane Growth Workout Overview
Frank Zane’s growth workout program typically consisted of a three-day split. This split emphasized training the pulling muscles on Day one, training the legs on Day two, and training the pushing muscles on Day three (PPL). Frank Zane’s workout routine was designed by him in such a way that each workout would include at least one powerlifting movement. This was primarily done to add the component of heavy lifting in his workout routine to promote strength and size gains. Some other features of Frank Zane growth workout program included the following:-
- Stretching movements were performed in between the sets on day one that targeted the lats. This enabled Zane to get a wider back.
- Peak contraction was ensured in every bicep movement along with controlled eccentrics.
- The squats performed in this workout program were performed in a “below parallel” manner.
- Leg presses were done with higher reps to get an overall pump in the quadriceps.
- Bench presses were done with a shoulder-width grip to emphasize pectorals, front deltoids, and the triceps.
- The pressing movements were performed without any lockout at the top and with a slow negative phase.
- Movements that targeted the abdominals were performed with fairly high reps.
Did Frank Zane Lift Heavy?
If you want to gain strength and muscle size you would have to lift heavy. But aspiring to get a physique like that of bodybuilding legend Frank Zane would require you to make certain alterations to this preconceived notion. Frank Zane’s workout plan consists of both heavy and light training. In the earlier phase of his career, he trained with lighter weights performing higher reps with them. This provided him with the leanness that let him win various bodybuilding titles. But winning the Mr. Olympia title was still his dream. Joe Weider was impressed with his definition but he also suggested Zane to gain some size so that he could become a strong contender for the Mr. Olympia title.
In 1977, under the guidance of Joe Weider, he modified his training program to some extent. His workouts then consisted of performing three sets of three to four exercises performed for all body parts except the calves and the abdominals.
This protocol was characterized by a lower volume. This training system allowed Frank Zane to gain a considerable amount of size which led him to win the glorious Mr. Olympia title in 1977. He further claimed that there is no other alternative to gain size apart from lifting heavier weights. But you should also be careful about your form as lifting heavier weights with poor form can lead to injury.
Training with lighter weights and performing higher reps with them further promotes leanness and definition which gives an aesthetic appeal to one’s physique.
Frank Zane Workout Split
The Frank Zane workout split can be understood by his 5,5,5,6 training protocol. In this workout split, you would be able to train your entire body in 3 days. Frank Zane workout schedule can be represented as follows:-
Day | Training Pattern |
Cycle 1 | |
Monday | Back, biceps and forearms |
Tuesday | Rest Day |
Wednesday | Legs |
Thursday | Chest, shoulders, and triceps |
Friday | Rest Day |
Cycle 2 | |
Saturday | Back, biceps and forearms |
Sunday | Rest Day |
Monday | Legs |
Tuesday | Chest, shoulders, and triceps |
Wednesday | Rest Day |
Cycle 3 | |
Thursday | Back, biceps and forearms |
Friday | Rest Day |
Saturday | Legs |
Sunday | Chest, shoulders, and triceps |
Monday | Rest Day |
Cycle 4 | |
Tuesday | Back, biceps and forearms |
Wednesday | Rest Day |
Thursday | Legs |
Friday | Rest Day |
Saturday | Chest, shoulders, and triceps |
Sunday | Rest Day |
Once you complete all four cycles, you would restart from Cycle 1 by following the respective training patterns. | |
The Frank Zane workout plan presented here is performed in cycles. If you don’t skip any of your workouts, these cycles tend to repeat themselves in the same pattern after every 3 weeks.
By following this PPL workout split, every 3 weeks each workout is performed 4 times. Overall, you have 9 rest days and 12 training days. One of the most unique features of this PPL workout split is that you always end up getting the same day of the week off. It simply depends on the day from which you start your cycle. For instance, if you start to train as per this split on Monday, every week you will get Fridays off.
Don’t miss:
Arnold’s Golden Six Routine
Juggernaut Training Method Base Program Spreadsheet
Greyskull LP (GSLP) Program Spreadsheet
In this workout split, you divide your entire body into three sections. This makes sure that you are capable to do more work respective to each body part. Moreover, you also get more time to recover between the workouts that target the same muscle groups. It further ensures that the soreness that you will experience after your workout would be limited to only a small section of your body. Your entire upper body won’t be sore in one training session. The bottom-line of Frank Zane’s 5-5-5-6 workout split is that it promotes more growth due to its nature of providing more rest between two workouts targeted towards the same body part. This leads to greater strength and size gains. Frank Zane’s workout philosophy was surely one of its kind.
Frank Zane Workout Routine
Muscles Worked | Exercises | Sets x Reps | Notes |
Day 1: Back, Biceps, Forearms, Abs | |||
Back | Wide Grip Deadlifts | 3 x (15, 12, 10), 3 x (10,10, 8) 1 x 7 (optional) | The first 3 sets will be done from the floor and the remaining 3 from blocks. The 7th set is optional which you can perform occasionally. |
T-bar rows | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | This is done using a 7-foot Olympic bar. | |
Front pulldowns | 3 x (8-10) | Stretch your lats in-between the sets. | |
Dumbbell rows | 3 x (8-10) | ||
Biceps | One arm dumbbell concentration curls | 3 x (8-10) | Hold the dumbbell at the top of your curls, squeeze your biceps and then lower the dumbbells in a slow and controlled manner. |
Alternate dumbbell curls | 3 x (8-10) |
| |
45-degree incline dumbbell curls | 3 x (12, 10, 8) |
| |
Forearms | Barbell reverse curls (supersetted with Seated barbell wrist curls) | 2 x 12 | Stretch out your forearms after each set. |
Seated barbell wrist curls | 2 x 20 |
| |
Ab work | Crunches supersetted with leg raises | 1 x 50 (each) | You can increase the number of sets as per your requirement. |
Hanging knee-ups and seated twists | 1 x 50 (each) | You can increase the number of sets as per your requirement. | |
Day 2: Thighs, Calves & Abs | |||
Thighs | Leg extensions | 2-3 warm up sets with 15-20 repetitions | This gets your blood moving in the thighs. |
Back squats | 6 x (15, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) | Perform the back squat with slower negatives getting your quadriceps parallel to the floor. | |
Leg press | 3 x (15, 12, 10) | Go deeper in your leg press and don’t lockout at the top. | |
Lying leg curls | 3 x (12, 11, 10) | Stretch your hamstrings in-between the sets. | |
Leg extensions | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | Stretch your quads in-between your sets. | |
Calves | Standing calf raise | 3 x (15-20) | Stretch your calves for around 15 seconds between the sets. |
Donkey calf raise | 4 x (20-25) |
| |
Seated calf raise | 4 drop sets performed with 5 reps each (e.g. 120 kg, 110 kg, 100 kg, and 90 kg) | Stretch the calves for 15 seconds after completing the drop set. | |
Ab Work | Anything apart from the hanging knee-ups |
| This is done to provide some rest to the upper body. |
Day 3: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps & Abs | |||
Chest | Barbell bench press | 6 x (12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2) | Use a shoulder-width grip and don’t lockout at the top. Stretch your pectorals in between the sets and use slower negatives. |
70-degree incline dumbbell press | 4 x (10, 8, 6, 4-6) | Progress with the sets by dropping the angle of the bench in each set. | |
10-degree decline dumbbell flys | 3 x (12, 10, 8) |
| |
Crossbench dumbbell pullover | 3 x (12, 10, 8) |
| |
Triceps | Close grip bench press | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | Keep your hands around 12 inches apart. |
One arm overhead extensions | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | Lean back slightly and hold onto a support. Stretch your triceps in between the sets. | |
V-grip press down | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | Hold on to the contraction for one second on each rep. | |
Shoulders | Bent-over dumbbell lateral raise | 3 x (15, 12, 10) | Stretch out your shoulders between the sets. |
Side cable raise | 3 x (12, 10, 8) | At times you can do this exercise by switching from arm to arm for 3 sets of 12 reps without taking any rest. | |
Ab Work | Leg raise supersetted with ab crunches | 4 x 25 |
|
Seated twists | 1 x 100 |
| |
Hanging leg raises | 4 x 25 |
| |
Cardio | Stationary bike or |
| For 15-20 minutes. |
Running a slow mile and a half. |
|
| |
Don’t miss:
The Bridge Program (by Barbell Medicine) Spreadsheets
Sheikburn Program
Hepburn Powerbuilding Program
You might have noticed that the exercises presented in this workout routine are very basic in nature. Don’t switch them and substitute them for any other fancy movement. The exercises mentioned here tend to provide you with both strength and size gains provided you keep your diet on point.
The compound movements presented here should be performed with a full range of motion especially slowing down during the negative phase. If your form is getting compromised, lower down the weights.
Final Words
Frank Zane undoubtedly sported a fully developed and aesthetic physique of all times. Frank Zane Growth workout program promotes strength gains along with eye-catching aesthetics. Although this program was used by Frank Zane in the 70s and 80s, this old school routine is still significant in today’s scenario. You can surely expect to gain the best from it.
Related:
Boring But Big (531 BBB) Spreadsheets
Texas Method Workout Program
Phrak’s Greyskull LP Program