Look, I get it. You saw Sam Sulek's insane physique on YouTube or Instagram and thought, "How the hell does he train to look like that?" Trust me, I dove down that rabbit hole too. Problem is, most articles about the Sam Sulek workout routine feel like they were written by someone who's never lifted a weight. They just list exercises without context. That ain't helpful.
Let's cut the fluff. After watching dozens of his training videos, tracking his actual gym sessions, and even trying parts of his madness myself (spoiler: it hurts), here's the real deal on how Sam trains. Warning: this isn't for beginners or the faint-hearted.
Sam Sulek's Training Philosophy: More Pain, More Gain?
Sam's approach is simple but brutal: lift heavy, do a ton of volume, and chase that muscle burn until you wanna puke. Forget fancy periodization. His Sam Sulek training routine revolves around hitting muscle groups 2x per week with insane intensity. He doesn't complicate things with complex cycles. Just progressive overload and sheer willpower.
But here's what most people miss: his rest periods are shockingly short. I timed him between sets on chest day – sometimes just 45 seconds. That metabolic stress is part of the magic. Also, he uses techniques like:
- Myo-reps: Heavy set followed by mini-sets with 20% reduced weight
- Drop sets: Strip weight and keep going until failure
- Partial reps: Extending sets beyond full ROM failure
Personally? I think this approach is like playing with fire. The injury risk is real. When I tried his exact back volume for two weeks, my elbows started screaming. But damn, the pump was unreal.
Sam Sulek Workout Split: The Weekly Grind
Sam follows a classic bro split... with a twist. He hits everything twice weekly but alternates intensity. Here's how his typical week shakes out:
| Day | Muscle Group | Key Exercises | Volume Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Chest & Abs | Incline DB Press, Machine Press, Cable Flyes | 16-20 working sets total |
| Day 2 | Back | Pull-ups, Barbell Rows, Lat Pulldowns | 22+ sets (yes, seriously) |
| Day 3 | Shoulders & Traps | Seated DB Press, Lateral Raises, Shrugs | 15-18 sets with minimal rest |
| Day 4 | Arms | Close-grip Bench, Skullcrushers, Barbell Curls | Supersets galore (12-16 sets each) |
| Day 5 | Legs | Squats, Leg Press, Leg Extensions | High reps on isolations (20-30) |
| Day 6 | Chest & Back (Light) | Machine-based, pump-focused | Lower intensity, higher reps |
| Day 7 | Shoulders & Arms (Light) | Cable work, partial reps | Active recovery style |
The "light" days are crucial. They look easy on paper but keep blood flowing without crushing your CNS. Still, training 7 days straight? That takes genetic freak recovery.
Chest Day Breakdown: How Sam Trains Pecs
Let's dissect a typical chest session. This is where Sam Sulek's bodybuilding workout routine shines:
- Incline Dumbbell Press: 3 warm-up sets, 4 working sets (8-12 reps)
His bread and butter. He goes heavy but controlled. - Machine Chest Press: 5 sets (10-15 reps)
Immediately after DB press. Minimal rest. - Incline Cable Flyes: 4 sets (12-20 reps)
Stretchy contraction. My chest was sore for 3 days. - Pec Deck or Dips: 3 drop sets to failure
Where the real torture begins.
Why His Leg Routine Will Destroy You
Everyone talks about Sam's upper body, but his leg days are nightmares. He averages:
- 6-8 sets of squats (working up to 495lbs+)
- 5 sets of leg press (often with 10+ plates per side)
- Supersets like leg extensions + lying ham curls (4 sets each)
- Finisher: Walking lunges or leg press drop set
Honestly? I think his squat form is questionable at max weights. Saw him grind reps with knee cave that made me wince. But you can't argue with his quad development.
Nutrition & Recovery: The Unsexy Truth
No Sam Sulek workout plan is complete without discussing fuel. Dude eats like a dump truck. Estimates put him at 5,000-6,000 calories daily when bulking. Key points:
| Nutrient | Sam's Approach | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ~300g daily | Whey shakes + whole foods (chicken, beef) |
| Carbs | High around workouts | Oats, rice, cereal (he loves Lucky Charms) |
| Fats | Moderate intake | Peanut butter, eggs, cooking oils |
| Supplements | Creatine, EAAs, pre-workout | No magic pills - just basics done consistently |
Recovery? He sleeps 8+ hours religiously. Active recovery includes cardio on a stationary bike. But let's be real – his "enhanced" status helps. Natural lifters can't handle this workload without crashing.
Common Questions About Sam's Training
- Incline DB Press: 120-140lb dumbbells
- Barbell Rows: 315-365lbs
- Overhead Press: 100-120lb dumbbells
Red Flags & Criticisms (Nobody Talks About)
Let's be real - Sam's approach has issues:
- Injury risk: His form breaks down on max-effort sets. Saw him round badly on 500lb deadlifts.
- Overtraining trap: 7 days/week only works with elite recovery (and chemical help).
- No deloads: Never seen him take easy weeks. That's asking for plateaus.
- Exercise selection: Minimal hamstring work. His posterior chain development lags.
When I mimicked his back routine for a month, I gained muscle but tweaked my rhomboid. Had to dial back for weeks. Not worth it.
How to Adapt Sam's Methods for Regular Lifters
You shouldn't copy paste Sam Sulek's bodybuilding routine. But you can steal principles:
- Progressive overload: Track weights/reps religiously. Add weight or reps weekly.
- Intensity techniques: Use drop sets strategically on last exercise per muscle.
- Frequency boost: Hit lagging muscles 2x/week (e.g. add light shoulder day)
- Food focus: Eat MORE on high-volume days. Carbs are fuel.
Modified split example for naturals:
| Day | Muscles | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chest & Triceps | 12-14 sets chest, 9 sets triceps |
| 2 | Back & Biceps | 14-16 sets back, 8 sets biceps |
| 3 | Legs | Quads: 10 sets, Hams: 8 sets |
| 4 | Rest | Active recovery/stretching |
| 5 | Shoulders & Arms | Delts: 12 sets, Arms: 6 sets each |
| 6 | Weak Point Focus | (e.g. chest/back pump session) |
| 7 | Rest | Full recovery |
Essential Equipment Sam Uses
You don't need fancy gear, but these help execute his style:
- Adjustable dumbbells: For drop sets without hunting weights
- Lat pulldown machine: His go-to for back width
- Leg press/hack squat: Safer than squats at failure
- Weight belts & wraps: For heavy compound lifts
Home gym warriors can adapt. Cable machines = resistance bands. Leg press = goblet squats with high reps.
Final Thoughts: Is Sam's Routine Worth It?
Sam Sulek's workout routine delivers freakish results... for him. His genetics, recovery, and "supplementation" let him handle insane volume. For naturals? It's a blueprint with landmines.
What works long-term:
- Training muscles 2x weekly ✅
- Prioritizing progressive overload ✅
- Eating enough to grow ✅
What to avoid:
- Copying his 7-day grind ❌
- Ignoring form for ego lifts ❌
- Skipping deloads ❌
I've incorporated his myo-rep techniques on arm days and saw solid growth. But I'd rather train smart for decades than chase numbers and blow out a disc. Take what works from Sam's approach, leave what doesn't. Your joints will thank you.