John Mercuri
🟩 HINGING AND PRESSING
Week 1 + 3
Block 1 – Mobility Prep
Foam Roller T-Rotation w/ Windmill x10/10
Cat + Cow x10
Half-Kneeling Quad + Hip Flexor Stretch 30s/30s
1 Set
Block 2 – Core + Glute Activation
Swiss Ball Deadbugs x10/10
Banded Clamshells x10/10
Dowel RDL Warm-Up x10
1 Set
Block 3 – Primary Strength (Hinge Focus)
DB RDL x10
DB Incline Chest Press x10
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 4 – Secondary Strength (Press + Glute)
DB Flat Chest Press x10
DB Glute Bridge x10
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 5 –
DB Chest Flys x10
SL DB RDL x10/10
1:00 rest – 2 Sets
Anaerobic Push Finisher
🟥 SQUATTING AND PULLING
Week 1 + 3
Block 1 – Mobility Prep
Band Flossing x25s
Hip CARS + Hip Swings x5/5
Deep Squat Hold (Rack Assisted) 40 s – 1 min
1 Set
Block 2 – Core + Glute Activation
Band Paloff Press x10/10
Glute Bridge ISO Hold 40 s – 1 min
2 Sets
Block 3 – Primary Strength (Squat + Pull)
DB Goblet Squat (3 s ISO each rep) x10 (HE Option)
Cable Pulldown (Supinated) x10
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 4 – Secondary Strength (Split + Pull)
Cable Pronated Row x10/10
DB Front Squat x10
Chest Supported DB Reverse Flys x10
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 5 – Finisher
Gunshow
🟦 THRUSTING AND OVERHEAD PRESSING
Week 1 + 3
Block 1 – Mobility Prep
Seated Figure-4 Hip Stretch 30 s / 30 s
Banded Clams x10/10
Hip Thrust Warm-Up x10
1 Set
Block 2 – Primary Strength (Thrust Focus)
DB Hip Thrust x10/10
Seated Arnold Press
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 3 – Secondary Strength (Press + Lunge)
DB Glute Bridge x10
Seated Shoulder Press x10
1:00 rest – 3 Sets
Block 4 – Accessory / Posterior Chain + Core
DB Front Raises x10
DB Lateral Raises x10
1:00 rest – 2 Sets
PROGRESS TRACKING
SQUAT (Primary Lower Body)
Week Exercise Variation Weight (lbs/kg) Sets × Reps RPE / Intensity Notes
Week 1 Goblet Squat 25,30,35 1x12,1x10
Week 2 DB Front Squat 12,15 1x12,2x10
Week 3 DB Front Squat 15,20
Week 4 DB Goblet Squat 30,35,35 3x10
PUSH (Horizontal / Vertical Pressing)
Week Exercise Variation Weight (lbs/kg) Sets × Reps RPE / Intensity Notes
Seated DB Arnold Press 15,20 1x12,2x10
Seated DB Shoulder Press 20,25 1x10,2x10
DB front Raises 10, 2x10
DB lateral Raises 10, 2x10
DB Arnold Press 20,25,25 3x10
Seated DB Shoulder Press 20 3x10
DB Front Raises 10 3x10
DB Lateral Raise 10 3x10
Flat Chest Press 20,25,25 3x10
PULL (Row / Pull-Down / Pull-Up)
Week Exercise Variation Weight (lbs/kg) Sets × Reps RPE / Intensity Notes
Cable Pulldown 5.5,6.5 1x10,2x10
Cable Pronated Row 5,5.5 1x10,2x10
Cable Pulldown 5.5,6.5,7
Cable Pronated Row 5.5,6
DB Chest Reverse Fly 15
Cable Sup Pulldown 5, 5.5
DB Chest Fly 15,20,20
10
HINGE (Deadlift Pattern)
Week Exercise Variation Weight (lbs/kg) Sets × Reps RPE / Intensity Notes
DB RDL 20 3x10
DB RDL 20,20,25 3x10
SL RDL 20 3x10/10
THRUST (Glute Bridge / Hip Thrust Pattern)
Week Exercise Variation Weight (lbs/kg) Sets × Reps RPE / Intensity Notes
DB Hip Thrust 20 3x10
DB Hip Thrust 25 3x10
DB Glute Bridge 30 3x10 With BAND
DB Glute Bridge 30,30,35 3x10
