PHA-Your way to a better body!

Peripheral heart action ( PHA ) training was first introduced by Bob Gajda who won the 1966 Mr.American bodybuilding title. This type of training was an early form of circuit training. You basically perform two to three circuits of 5 exercises per workout, with each circuit being performed 3-4 times. PHA training is great to not only maintain lean muscle mass but also for fat loss. When you alternate exercises for the lower body and upper body you create a full body lactate effect. What is this lactate talk? It has been shown that there is a direct correlation between lactate production to the output of growth hormone production. Again why do you care with this science talk? Increases in growth hormone has been shown to boost the body's ability to burn fat. This you care about! Then the addition of the core work gives you a total body circuit.

The following is a simple template you can follow to structure your workouts

CIRCUIT A (12-15 reps per set) ** I have found using rep ranges between 8-15 works as well

A1. Horizontal pushing exercise ( ex:incline bench, decline bench, flat bench press etc )

A2. Quads-dominant exercise ( ex: squats, goblet squat, leg press, front squat etc )

A3. Horizontal pulling exercise ( ex: seated row, t-bar row, bent over row etc )

A4. Hamstrings-dominant exercise (ex: deadlift, glute-ham raise, leg curls, pull through etc )

A5. Abdominal exercise ( any you like )

**No rest between exercises within the circuit (or as little as possible). Perform the circuit three-four times.

CIRCUIT B (12-15 reps per set) ** I have found using rep ranges between 8-15 works as well

B1. Vertical pushing exercise ( ex: overhead press, lateral raises, front raises etc )

B2. Quads-dominant exercise ( ex: squats, goblet squat, leg press, front squat etc )

B3. Vertical pulling exercise ( ex: pullup, chinup, lat pulldowns etc )

B4. Hamstrings-dominant exercise (ex: deadlift, glute-ham raise, leg curls, pull throughs etc )

B5. Abdominal exercise

**No rest between exercises within the circuit (or as little as possible). Perform the circuit three-four times.

This circuit is optional and most workouts you will be fine with just doing A/B

CIRCUIT C ( 12-15 reps ) ** I have found using rep ranges between 8-15 works as well

C1. Biceps exercise

C2. Lateral work for the legs ( ex: band walks, lateral step up etc )

C3. Triceps exercise

C4. Glute work specific ( bridge, donkey kicks etc )

C5. Abdominal exercise

**No rest between exercises within the circuit (or as little as possible). Perform the circuit three-four times.