8 Week To Lean Digital
8 Week To Lean Digital
TO GET LEAN
lose fat.
gain
confidence.
Intro-
duction
Getting into great shape should be a priority for any
experienced and aspiring bodybuilder. You
can have plenty of muscle, however, it isn’t until you
chisel away body fat that it can be truly appreciated.
For added information to assist over the next 8 to 10 weeks, see our
‘Complete Body’ training ebooks and ‘Nutrition - More Than Calories’.
Getting The Most
Out Of Your Program
In order to make drastic changes When broken down, foods Stage 3 (Weeks 5-6)
to your physique, you will need to consumed trigger gene expression 50%P: 25%C: 10%F: 15%D (mod’ carb days)
make the most of every training within our DNA. It is important to 50P: 20%C: 10%F: 20%D (low carb days)
and cardio session. Leave nothing in limit unnatural foods. 1.3g protein per pound of lean bodyweight
the gym. You have made it this far
hence you clearly have a distinct The following approach prioritises Stage 4 (Weeks 7-8)
goal in mind. Be sure to execute both macro and micronutrients. 50%P: 20%C: 10%F: 20%D (low carb days)
every day, every set, every rep to It is formulated the same way we 50%P: 35%C: 10%F: 5%D (high carb days)
your full potential. have always structured our meal 1.3g protein per pound of lean bodyweight
Unfortunately, you can’t out train a than the common ‘calorie counting’ *D = Deficit (Representing a reduction in
Before you begin your meal plan, we With each phase of this fat *Numbers indicate the percentage of total
must first accurately calculate the cutting program, it is important daily macronutrient intake.
To say losing or gaining weight is Stage 2 (Weeks 3-4) Once establishing the amount of protein
you’ll be eating, the remaining ratio of
simply ‘calories in, calories out’ is a 50%P: 30%C: 12.5%F 7.5%D carbohydrates and fats is a straightforward
gross oversimplification. 1.3g protein per pound of lean bodyweight equation.
Protein
Seeing as protein is our building block of muscle,
it makes far less sense for it to be manipulated
throughout the 8 week period, and is therefore far
more likely to stay consistent. Hence why calculating
how much protein you will need in a day will be
made our starting point.
Example Calculating
Your Protein Intake
Calculating the amount of protein needed based on your lean Having found your excess body fat as a percentage, we can
body mass. now calculate the excess body fat (lbs) as weight, relative to
your total body weight.
Total Body Weight =
For example, if Leroy’s excess body fat as a percentage is 7 and
196 Pounds has a total body weight of 196lbs, he would simply calculate
what 7% of 196 is (196 x 0.07 = 14lbs) to give him his excess
body fat (in lbs).
Current Body Fat =
Having now found the weight of your excess body fat (lbs) ,
17 % complete the table below to find your lean body weight (by
subtracting your excess body fat (lbs) from your total body
weight)
We want to calculate your protein intake based on your
weight exclusive of excess body fat (anything above 10%
Total Body Excess Body Lean Body
body fat). Minus =
Weight Fat (lbs) Weight
In order to calculate your lean body weight , exclusive of
196 - 14 = 182
excess body fat weight , we need to firstly calculate your
excess body fat as a percentage.
Your lean body weight (GREEN BOX) will be the minimum
Current Excess total grams of protein you need to consume per day.
Minus 10 =
Body Fat Body Fat (%)
Minimum Daily Protein Intake (in grams) = 182
17 - 10 = 7
* For ‘pre-cutting’ phase, multiply the number above
by 1.5 (273g).
*For stages 1 - 4, multiply the number above by 1.3 (237g)
Calculating Your
Protein Intake
Calculating the amount of protein needed based on your lean body mass.
Pounds
We want to calculate your protein intake based on your weight exclusive of excess body fat (anything above
10% body fat).
In order to calculate your lean body weight , exclusive of excess body fat weight , we need to firstly calculate
your excess body fat as a percentage.
- 10 =
Having found your excess body fat as a percentage , we can now calculate the excess body fat (lbs) as weight,
relative to your total body weight .
For example, if Leroy’s excess body fat as a percentage is 7 (calculated above), and has a total body weight of
196lbs, he would simply calculate what 7% of 196 is (196 x 0.07 = 14lbs) to give him his excess body fat (in lbs).
Having now found the weight of your excess body fat (lbs) , complete the table below to find your lean body
weight. This is done by subtracting your excess body fat (lbs) from your total body weight.
Total Body Weight Minus Excess Body Fat (lbs) = Lean Body Weight
- =
Your lean body weight (GREEN BOX) will be the total grams of protein you need to consume per day .
Kangaroo 31g
Quinoa 39.5g
Chickpeas 34g
Lentils 40g
Broccoli 6.5g
Green Beans 7g
Zucchini 3.5g
Beetroot 9.5g
Capsicum 6.5g
Asparagus 4g
Cabbage 5.5g
Brussels Sprouts 9g
Nuts 55g 5g
Note: The weight of the food mentioned in the table above and throughout this program’s example diets is
cooked weight. Knowing how much raw meat to use to acquire a certain amount of cooked weight will take
some getting used to, but generally, approximately 30% of the raw weight will be lost when cooking. Take the
cooked weight, as a number in grams, and inflate it by 30% to know how much raw meat you need to cook to
acquire the cooked weight.
Tracking your
progress
Keeping track of your physical progress can be Don’t ignore the signs that suggest your diet needs
frustrating at times. It is often hard to realise any changing. Note them, change them sooner rather
progress made because it doesn’t come overnight. than later and maintain consistency with food that
To be sure you are making continual progress, it isn’t upsetting you.
is strongly encouraged to take notes of both your
training and diet throughout, and record your Recording Measurements
measurements/ weight/ body fat percentage (or an The best method of tracking the progress of
estimation of) at the beginning of every stage, and the your muscle growth and body fat is by taking
very last day of the last stage of this guide. measurements.
During this period, the training plan you follow should be the same as what you are currently performing
(unless it is more rigorous than the next stage). Otherwise, follow the training plans in ‘stage 1’.
Meal Plan
A substantial amount of protein will put you in the best possible position to maintain muscle while cutting.
Both fats and carb’s will be helping you fuel your training and avoid any feelings of hunger.
Because the meal plan is composed solely of natural foods, your physique should be looking fuller and
stronger.
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Your training regime should be strenuous but manageable. Each workout should be purposeful and
challenging as although you will not be doing
Make the most of the energy you have in stage 1 before you begin to suffer. Going to absolute failure (without
sacrificing form) is necessary on your final 2 working sets.
Meal Plan
We begin with a reduction in protein and, as a result, a slight reduction in carbs and fats also. Our bodies
may start to notice a slight dip in food consumption however we are consciously keeping protein intake high
throughout. Your carb and fat intake will still allow you to have enough energy each day.
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BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
WEEK 2 DAILY TRAINING PROGRAM
Exercise. Reduce 1 working set for beginners. Sets Reps. Rest for 1:45 Beginners.
*(Adv’) = Advanced only. W12 = Warmup 12 Reps. Rest for 1:30 Advanced.
MONDAY - LEGS. ADD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS REST.
Hack Squat 5 W20, W15, 15, 10, 10
Leg Extension 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 10
Seated Hamstring Curls 5 W15, W15, 12, 12, 10
Standing Calf Raises 6 W20, 20, 15, 15, 15, 12
(Adv’) Seated Calf Raises 4 W20, 20, 15, 15
TUESDAY - CHEST AND DELTS (OPTIONAL: SPLIT INTO 2 SESSIONS SAME DAY)
Incline Smith Machine 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 10
Flat Dumbbell Press 3 W15, 10, 8
Dips 3 W15, 12, 8
Cable Flys 4 W15, 15, 12, 10
Upright Row 5 W15, W15, 12, 10, 8
(Adv’) Lateral Raises 4 W15, 15, 12, 8
Rear Pec Deck 4 W15, 15, 12, 10
Shrugs 4 W12, 12, 10, 8
WEDNESDAY - REST
THURSDAY - BACK
(Adv’) Deadlift 6 W6, W6, 4x Until Failure
Pull Ups 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
Narrow Grip Pulldown 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
Seated Cable Row 4 W15, 10, 10, 8
Underhand Grip Bent Over Row 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
T-Bar Row 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
FRIDAY - ARMS
Tricep Rope Extensions 5 W20, W15, 12, 10, 10
Overhead Rope Extensions 3 W15, 12, 8
Barbell Skull Crushers 3 W15, 12, 10
Incline Dumbbell Bicep Curls 5 W15, W12, 12, 10, 8
Preacher Machine Curls 3 W15, 10, 8
Reverse EZ Bar Curls 3 W15, 10, 8
SATURDAY - LEGS. ADD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS REST.
Squats 5 W20, W15, 15, 10, 10
Leg Press 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 10
Hamstring Curls 5 W15, W15, 12, 12, 10
Standing Calf Raises 6 W20, 20, 15, 15, 15, 12
(Adv’) Seated Calf Raises 4 W20, 20, 15, 15
SUNDAY - CHEST AND DELTS (OPTIONAL: SPLIT INTO 2 SESSIONS SAME DAY)
(REPEAT CHEST AND DELTS SESSION FROM WEEK 1) 5 W20, W15, 12, 10, 10
DAILY MEAL PLAN
WEEK 2
PROTEIN (GRAMS) CARBS (GRAMS) FATS (GRAMS)
BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
stage 2
Here you begin to increase the workload by increasing volume in the gym and often completing cardio
first thing in the morning. Your reps should increase slightly and your rest will shorten, together helping to
increase the intensity. Cardio on an empty stomach will tend to help your metabolism operate effectively from
the start of your day.
Meal Plan
A deficit is introduced for the first time this fortnight. Your total macro’s consumed will drop by around 7.5%.
This reduction will likely be noticeable over the day.
Protein of course remains unaffected as we want to burn body fat without sacrificing hard earned muscle
mass.
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BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
WEEK 4 DAILY TRAINING PROGRAM
Exercise. Reduce 1 working set for beginners. Sets Reps. Rest for 1:30 Beginners.
*(Adv’) = Advanced only. W12 = Warmup 12 Reps. Rest for 1:15 Advanced.
MONDAY - ARMS + 20 MINUTES FASTED CARDIO
Barbbell Skull Crushers 5 W20, W15, 12, 10, 10
Single Arm Overhead Dumbbell Extensions 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Cable Tricep Pushdowns 4 W20, 15, 15, 12
Barbbell Curls 5 W15, W12, 12, 10, 10
Concentration Curls 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Cable Rope Hammer Curls 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
TUESDAY - LEGS. ADD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS REST. + 20 MINUTES FASTED CARDIO
Squats 5 W20, W15, 15, 12, 12
Leg Press 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlifts 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 12
Hamstring Curls 5 W15, W15, 12, 12, 12
Standing Calf Raises 6 W20, 20, 15, 15, 15, 12
(Adv’) Seated Calf Raises 4 W20, 20, 15, 15
WEDNESDAY - CHEST AND DELTS (OPTIONAL: SPLIT INTO 2 SESSIONS SAME DAY) + 20 MINUTES FASTED CARDIO
Dumbbell Flys 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 10
Incline Press 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Incline Dumbbell Press 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Cable Flys 4 W15, 15, 12, 10
Dumbbell Front Raises 5 W15, W15, 12, 10, 8
Machine Lateral Raises 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Rear Dumbbell Flys 4 W15, 15, 12, 12
Shrugs 4 W12, 12, 10, 8
SUNDAY - BACK + 20 MINUTES FASTED CARDIO
Pull Ups 6 W6, W6, 4x Until Failure
Lat Pulldowns 5 W15, 15, 12, 12, 10
Machine Pullovers 6 W15, W15, 12, 12, 12, 10
Machine Row 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
T-Bar Row 4 W15, 12, 10, 10
Shrugs 4 W12, 12, 10, 8
FRIDAY - 1 HOUR FASTED CARDIO
SATURDAY - REST
SUNDAY - REST
DAILY MEAL PLAN
WEEK 4
PROTEIN (GRAMS) CARBS (GRAMS) FATS (GRAMS)
BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
stage 3
We are shortening the split from 5 days to 3.5 days. You will be pushing your body close to its potential.
Rest between sets is also shortened. 1 minute can go by rapidly, particularly when exerting yourself.
Cardio is increased every day. It would ideally be done fasted although post training or throughout the day is
completely acceptable. This may depend on your current work & life balance.
Over the next two weeks, cycle 3 moderate carb days with 1 low carb day. Repeat.
Meal Plan
The meal plan in stage 3 begins to manipulate carbs to stimulate the desired response from your body. A low
carb day will be a significant reduction in total food consumed.
Training sessions are longer. Do not let your effort diminish towards the end of the session. Every exercise is as
important as the next.
EXAMPLE MEAL PLAN
Referring back to the numbers calculated for our example ‘Leroy’, note that he requires 1.3g of protein per
pound of lean bodyweight during this period.
237 95 47
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BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
WEEK 6 DAILY TRAINING PROGRAM
Exercise. Reduce 1 working set for beginners. Sets Reps. Rest for 1:15 Beginners.
*(Adv’) = Advanced only. *”W12” = Warmup 12 Reps. Rest for 1:00 Advanced.
MONDAY - LEGS. ADD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS REST. + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
Leg Extension 5 W20, W15, 15, 10, 10
Lunges 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 5 W20, W15, 12, 12, 12
Seated Hamstring Curls 5 W15, W15, 12, 12, 12
Standing Calf Raises 6 W20, 20, 15, 15, 15, 12
(Adv’) Seated Calf Raises 4 W20, 20, 15, 15
TUESDAY - DELTS AND ARMS + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
Dumbbell Lateral Raises 5 W15, W12, 12, 10, 10
Rear Pec Dec 5 W15, W12, 12, 12, 10
Overhead Single Dumbbell Extensions 4 W15, 12, 12, 12
Reverse Grip Tricep Extensions 4 W15, 12, 12, 12
Tricep Kickbacks 4 W15, 12, 10, 8
Preacher Curls 5 W15, W12, 12, 12, 10
Reverse Grip Cable Curls 4 W15, W12, 12, 12
Dumbbell Curls 4 W15, 12, 10, 10
WEDNESDAY - BACK AND CHEST + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
Pullups 5 W15, W12, 12, 12, 10
Machine Pulldowns 4 W15, 12, 12, 12
T-Bar Row 5 W15, W12, 12, 10, 10
Single Arm Dumbbell Rows 4 W12, 12, 12, 10
Seated Row 4 W15, 12, 12, 12
Incline Dumbbell Press 5 W15, W12, 12, 10, 10
Flat Bench Press 4 W12, 12, 12, 10
Bodyweight Dips 4 W8, 3 x To Failure
Machine Flys 4 W15, 12, 12, 12
THURSDAY - REPEAT MONDAY LEGS + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
FRIDAY - REPEAT TUESDAY DELTS AND ARMS + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
SATURDAY - REPEAT WEDNESDAY BACK AND CHEST + 45 MINUTES CARDIO
SUNDAY - REST
DAILY MEAL PLAN - LOW Carb
WEEK 5 AND 6
PROTEIN (GRAMS) CARBS (GRAMS) FATS (GRAMS)
BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
stage 4
This is undoubtedly the most gruelling stage in the challenge. While food consumption drops, energy expelled
increases. Cycle 3 low carb days with 1 high carb day. Repeat.
Meal Plan
Carb cycling has been used by many top classic bodybuilders to burn as much body fat as possible on low carb
days before replenishing on a single high carb day. Your body will tell you it wants more glycogen. Fight it.
Be careful. Know your limits and do not put your body in harm’s way.
Keep up positive self talk and journaling if you need to. Days may drag on, your mouth may be watering from
sun up to sun down but you will thank yourself later!
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BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
WEEK 8 DAILY TRAINING PROGRAM
Exercise. Reduce 1 working set for beginners. Sets Reps. Rest for 1:00 Beginners.
*(Adv’) = Advanced only. W12 = Warmup 12 Reps. Rest for max’ 00:30 Advanced.
Rest is done after the superset, not
between exercises.
MONDAY - LEGS. ADD AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS REST + 1 HOUR CARDIO
Leg Extensions
Superset with 5 W20, W15, 15, 12, 12
Hamstring Curls
Hack Squat
Superset with 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Stiff Leg Deadlifts
Sumo Squats 3 W10, 15. 12 (Per Leg)
Seated Calf Raises 6 W20, 20, 15, 15, 15, 12
TUESDAY - DELTS AND ARMS + 1 HOUR CARDIO
Cable Rope Hammer Curls
Superset with 5 W15, W15, 12, 12, 10
Overhead Dumbbell Extensions
Barbell Curls
Superset with 3 W15, 12, 10
Chair/ Bench Dips
Reverse Grip Preacher Curls
Superset with 3 W15, 12, 10
Close Grip Bench Press
Rear Dumbbell Flys 4 W15, 12, 10, 10
Seated Front Raises 4 W12, 12, 10, 10
WEDNESDAY - BACK AND CHEST + 1 HOUR CARDIO
Close Grip Pullups 5 W6, 4 x To Failure
Machine Pulldowns
Superset with 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Smith Machine Press
Wide Grip Seated Rows
Superset with 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Dumbbell Press
Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
Superset with 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Machine Flys
Behind The Neck Pulldowns
Superset with 4 W15, 12, 12, 10
Flat Machine Press
THURSDAY - REPEAT MONDAY LEGS + 1 HOUR CARDIO
FRIDAY - REPEAT TUESDAY DELTS AND ARMS + 1 HOUR CARDIO
SATURDAY - REPEAT WEDNESDAY BACK AND CHEST + 1 HOUR CARDIO
SUNDAY - REST
DAILY MEAL PLAN - HIGH Carb
WEEK 7 AND 8
PROTEIN (GRAMS) CARBS (GRAMS) FATS (GRAMS)
BREAKFAST
MEAL 1
SHAKE
MEAL 2
MEAL 3
MEAL 4
TOTAL
*Aim to get as close as possible to your desired ratio, however, feel free to allow for some slight discrepancies.
Within a few grams of the target is adequate.
FAQs
How often should I repeat this program, if at Is the weight of food mentioned in the
all? example diets throughout this program raw
This can be stressful on the body and mind or cooked weight?
and should not be sustained for excessive Cooked (excluding shakes).
amounts of time.
Your body will become accustomed to the Should I train abs?
macro deficit, achieve homeostasis and Yes. Feel free to include abs as much as you
struggle to lose more body fat. like during the 8 weeks.
Once completing this program, it is highly
recommended that you rest, increase Supplements
your food intake and aim to reset your Whilst we do not see the need for a number
metabolism to encourage the growth of of supplements, you are welcome to. These
muscle mass. may include creatine, glutamine, fat burners,
Ideally you will gradually manipulate your protein powder, ZMA’s, BCAA’s.
meal plan to a ‘pre-cutting phase’ and again
to a ‘foundation phase’ as mentioned in ‘12 Resting and sleep
Weeks To More Muscle’. Rest is vital for recovery. Aim to get 8 hours
of sleep per night.
Does the process and result change from
person to person? Can I add more cardio?
Individuals will react differently to the If the amount of cardio is a comfortable
training, cardio and meal plans depending amount for you, you are welcome to
on their prior experience and commitment. increase the intensity or time to suit.
The macronutrient calculators will allow
the process to be tailored to the individual as What type of cardio should I be doing?
much as possible. This depends on what you would normally
Results will vary, namely due to the level of do in a week/ what you’re comfortable
body fat someone begins with. Lengthening doing. If you have had a relatively sedentary
particular stages can help some achieve lifestyle prior to commencing, walking
similar results as others may in a shorter is fine. If you currently do a lot of cardio;
period. running, hill sprints or HIIT is great.