ATHLEAN-X

PUSH PULL
LEGS ROUTINE
THE COMPLETE GUIDE

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT WORKOUT

FOR BUILDING MUSCLE, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN
A PROPERLY DESIGNED PPL SPLIT.
 HIGHLIGHT REEL
Push Pull Legs Routine: The Complete Guide

One of the first pros of PPL is the flexibility of focus.

This means that you can follow the split regardless of
1 your training focus (e.g., strength gains, muscle mass,
general fitness, or athletic training).

The next pro of the PPL split is something called

2 functional efficiency. Due to the compound nature of
the exercises, you are providing a great opportunity for
progressive overload.

3 Another pro of the PPL split is built in recovery factor.

The next pro is that a 3-day PPL split allows for

additional conditioning which lends itself well to those
4 looking toward general fitness or even skill work for
athletes.

The first con of PPL is the order that it is generally

scheduled – with pull coming the day before legs. I
5 generally don’t like having pull and legs back-to-back.
An easy fix is to swap push and pull days.
 HIGHLIGHT REEL
Push Pull Legs Routine: The Complete Guide

The next con occurs if you decide to follow a 6-day

synchronous split, which means pull and leg days follow
6 each other. A quick fix comes from the flexibility of the
workouts where you can alter the nature of the compound
movement on the second pull day.

If you were to follow an asynchronous version of this PPL

split, you wouldn’t have to worry about doubling up on the
pull and leg days. This also means you wouldn’t have to
7 worry about manipulating volume or exercise selection. The
downside is that there is an ever rotating off-day, meaning
your schedule may need to be more fluid than it is right now.

The next potential con is that some might say there are
8 only 3 training days in a given week. Well, we’ve proven
that wrong with the 6-day synchronous and asynchronous
splits.

Another objection might be that there are 2 days of

upper-body workout and only one lower body day. If you
9 follow my recommendation of deadlifting on pull day,
you are getting significant lower body activation.

Finally, some say that with a PPL split it is harder to

incorporate intensity techniques. I will argue that it’s
10 not, simply because you are afforded a good rest
opportunity between each repeating workout.
 PPL SPLIT BASICS
What is the difference between a Bro Split vs. PPL split?

When we’re talking about PPL vs. a Bro Split, or an

isolation-based workout approach, it all comes down to
1 functional efficiency. In other words, which workout is
functionally efficient and which one isn’t?

When we look at a PPL split, we’re talking about shared

motor patterns, allowing muscles to work together that

2 prefer to work together. A Bro Split is the opposite. One of

the most common training splits, a Bro Split isolates
muscles with the purpose of creating hypertrophy through
focus and efficiency.

During a Bro Split, if I’m doing a standard dumbbell curl, I’m

trying to keep the forearms out of the movement. And, I would
do this by bending the wrist slightly backwards to allow the
3 biceps to do more of the work. During a PPL we know that the
function of bringing the arm up and closer is something the
biceps and forearms share. So, it’s encouraged to involve all
muscle groups that share functionality.

In a PPL workout we’re allowing our body to work

4 muscle groups that prefer to work together and that
efficiency can give some great results.
 Types of PPL Splits

SYNCHRONOUS 6 DAY SCHEDULE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1

Push Pull Legs Push Pull Legs

Week 2

Push Pull Legs Push Pull Legs

ASYNCHRONOUS 6 DAY SCHEDULE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1

Push Pull Legs Push Pull Legs

Week 2

Push Pull Legs

 Types of PPL Splits

M-W-F 3 DAY SCHEDULE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1

Push Pull Legs

Week 2

Push Pull Legs

M-THUR-F 3 DAY SCHEDULE

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1

Push Pull Legs

Week 2

Push Pull Legs

 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2
EXERCISE 1 DEADLIFTS SNATCH GRIP DEADLIFTS
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
1 X 5 @ 80% OF YOUR ONE-REP MAX 3 TO 5 SETS
PERFORM 4 RAMP UP SETS PRIOR USING WEIGHT YOU CAN HANDLE FOR 8 REPS

EXERCISE 2 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

Pull Workouts

CHEST SUPPORTED ROW WEIGHTED PULLUP

(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 3 SETS OF 6-8 REPS

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 3 DUMBBELL PULLOVER DUMBBELL GORILLA ROW
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
2-3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH ARM

EXERCISE 4 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

DUMBBELL HIGH PULL STRAIGHT ARM PUSHDOWN
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 2-3 SETS OF 12-15 REPS

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 5 BARBELL CURLS
BICEP CHIN CURL
SUPERSET EXERCISE (WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
OVERHEAD TRICEPS EXTENSION TRICEPS PUSHDOWN
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
PERFORM 3 SETS TO FAILURE OF THE CURLS PERFORM 3 SETS 6-8 REPS FOR THE CURLS
IMMEDIATELY PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 THEN PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS FOR
REPS FOR THE OVERHEAD TRICEPS TRICEPS PUSHDOWN
EXTENSION

EXERCISE 6 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

ANGELS & DEVILS FACE PULLS
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS 3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS
 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2
EXERCISE 1 BARBELL BENCH PRESS OVERHEAD BARBELL PRESS
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)

4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS 4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS

LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK

EXERCISE 2 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

Push Workouts

HI-TO-LOW CROSSOVER BARBELL UNDERHAND

(WATCH HERE) BENCH PRESS (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 3 DUMBBELL SHOULDER PRESS ABDUCTION ROW
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
4 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS PER ARM

EXERCISE 4 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

1 1/2 SIDE LATERAL RAISE DUMBBELL FLOOR FLY
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 12-15 REPS 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 5 TRICEPS CLOSE GRIP BENCH
LYING TRICEP EXTENSION
SUPERSET EXERCISE (WATCH HERE) PRESS (WATCH HERE)
DUMBBELL WAITER'S CURL DUMBBELL CURL OF CHOICE
(WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 TO FAILURE PERFORM 3 SETS 6-8 REPS FOR THE BENCH
OF THE EXTENSIONS THEN PERFORM 3 SETS PRESS THEN PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS
OF 10-12 REPS OF THE CURLS OF THE DUMBBELL CURL OF YOUR CHOICE

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 6 ROTATOR CUFF MUSCLE EXTERNAL PUSHUP PLUS
ROTATION (WATCH HERE) (WATCH HERE)
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS 3 SETS TO FAILURE
 EXERCISE 1
BARBELL SQUAT - WATCH HERE
4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS
LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK

EXERCISE 2
BARBELL HIP THRUST - WATCH HERE
Leg Workouts

3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS

THIS SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITH AN OVERHAND GRIP

EXERCISE 3
DUMBBELL OR BARBELL REVERSE LUNGE - WATCH HERE
3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH LEG

EXERCISE 4 - ROTATE WITH EXERCISE

DUMBBELL SINGLE LEG RDL - WATCH HERE
2-3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH LEG
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT
SLICK FLOOR BRIDGE CURL - WATCH HERE
2-3 SETS TO FAILURE
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT

EXERCISE 5 - ROTATE WITH EXERCISE

STANDING DUMBBELL CALF RAISE - WATCH HERE
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT
SEATED DUMBBELL CALF RAISE - WATCH HERE
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT

Read The Complete Guide Here on the ATHLEAN-X Blog

LOOKING FOR A STEP-BY-STEP PROGRAM
TO PACK ON RIPPED MUSCLE USING THE
PRINCIPLES OF PPL?

Originally designed for professional athletes, AX-1

revolutionized athletic, science-based training to
allow regular people to get the same results as
the pros – in their local gym or their living room.

LEARN MORE
 Printer Friendly Version

COMPLETE PPL
PULL WORKOUTS
EXERCISE 1 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2
DEADLIFTS SNATCH GRIP DEADLIFTS

3 TO 5 SETS
1 X 5 @ 80% OF YOUR ONE-REP MAX
USING WEIGHT YOU CAN HANDLE FOR 8 REPS
PERFORM 4 RAMP UP SETS PRIOR

EXERCISE 2 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

CHEST SUPPORTED ROW WEIGHTED PULLUP
3 SETS OF 6-8 REPS
3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS

EXERCISE 3 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

DUMBBELL PULLOVER DUMBBELL GORILLA ROW

2-3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH ARM

EXERCISE 4 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

DUMBBELL HIGH PULL STRAIGHT ARM PUSHDOWN

3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 2-3 SETS OF 12-15 REPS

EXERCISE 5 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

BICEP CHIN CURL BARBELL CURLS
SUPERSET EXERCISE
OVERHEAD TRICEPS EXTENSION TRICEPS PUSHDOWN

PERFORM 3 SETS TO FAILURE OF THE CURLS PERFORM 3 SETS 6-8 REPS FOR THE CURLS
IMMEDIATELY PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 THEN PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS FOR
REPS FOR THE OVERHEAD TRICEPS TRICEPS PUSHDOWN
EXTENSION

EXERCISE 6 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

ANGELS & DEVILS FACE PULLS
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS 3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS

For more science-backed, complete workouts, visit athleanx.com

 Printer Friendly Version

COMPLETE PPL
PUSH WORKOUTS
EXERCISE 1 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2
BARBELL BENCH PRESS OVERHEAD BARBELL PRESS

4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS 4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS

LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK

EXERCISE 2 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

HI-TO-LOW CROSSOVER BARBELL UNDERHAND BENCH PRESS
3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS

EXERCISE 3 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

DUMBBELL SHOULDER PRESS ABDUCTION ROW

4 SETS OF 8-10 REPS 3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS PER ARM

EXERCISE 4 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

1 1/2 SIDE LATERAL RAISE DUMBBELL FLOOR FLY
3 SETS OF 12-15 REPS 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS

Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

EXERCISE 5 LYING TRICEP EXTENSION TRICEPS CLOSE GRIP BENCH PRESS
SUPERSET EXERCISE DUMBBELL WAITER'S CURL DUMBBELL CURL OF CHOICE

PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 TO FAILURE PERFORM 3 SETS 6-8 REPS FOR THE BENCH
OF THE EXTENSIONS THEN PERFORM 3 SETS PRESS THEN PERFORM 3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS
OF 10-12 REPS OF THE CURLS OF THE DUMBBELL CURL OF YOUR CHOICE

EXERCISE 6 Workout Variant 1 Workout Variant 2

ROTATOR CUFF MUSCLE PUSHUP PLUS
EXTERNAL ROTATION 3 SETS TO FAILURE
3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS

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 Printer Friendly Version

COMPLETE PPL
LEG WORKOUT
EXERCISE 1 BARBELL SQUAT
4 SETS OF 4-6 REPS
LEAVE 1-2 REPS IN THE TANK

EXERCISE 2 BARBELL HIP THRUST

3 SETS OF 8-10 REPS
THIS SHOULD BE PERFORMED WITH AN OVERHAND GRIP

EXERCISE 3 DUMBBELL OR BARBELL REVERSE LUNGE

3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH LEG

EXERCISE 4 - ROTATE WITH EXERCISE

DUMBBELL SINGLE LEG RDL - 2-3 SETS OF 10-12 REPS ON EACH LEG
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT
SLICK FLOOR BRIDGE CURL - 2-3 SETS TO FAILURE
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT

EXERCISE 5 - ROTATE WITH EXERCISE

STANDING DUMBBELL CALF RAISE - 3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS
THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT

SEATED DUMBBELL CALF RAISE - 3 SETS OF 15-20 REPS

THIS SHOULD BE DONE EVERY OTHER TIME YOU DO THIS LEG WORKOUT

For more science-backed, complete workouts, visit athleanx.com