Age & Height: 28‑year‑old male, standing 5’11" (180 cm).
Body Composition Goals: Increase lean muscle mass while maintaining a low body fat percentage.
Training Regimen: A combination of heavy compound lifts (squat, deadlift, bench press) and accessory work (rows, pull‑ups, curls), performed 4–5 times per week with progressive overload.
Nutrition Plan: Approximately 3 000 kcal/day, split into 30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% fat; emphasis on high‑quality proteins (chicken breast, fish, whey isolate) and complex carbohydrates (oats, sweet potatoes).
Week‑by‑Week Progression
Day Phase Activities
Day 1 Heavy Bench 5×5 at 80% 1RM; warm‑up sets.
Day 2 Pull & Core Deadlift (3×5), rows, lat pull‑downs, planks.
Day 3 Recovery Light cardio, mobility drills, foam rolling.
Day 4 Heavy Squat 5×5 at 80% 1RM; accessory leg work (leg press).
Day 5 Speed & Plyometrics Box jumps, medicine ball throws.
Day 6 Upper‑Body Power Bench press (3×3), overhead press, dips.
Day 7 Active Rest Swimming or yoga session; focus on breathing techniques.
This weekly cycle can be repeated for 4–6 weeks with progressive overload: increase weight by ~2–5% each week while maintaining form.
---
3. Sample Weekly Meal Plan (≈3000 kcal)
Time Food Portion Size Calories Protein
Breakfast Oatmeal with milk, banana, honey, walnuts 1 cup cooked oats + 1 cup milk + 1 banana + 2 Tbsp honey + 30 g walnuts ~650 ~20 g
Mid‑morning Snack Greek yogurt (200 g) + mixed berries (100 g) 200 g yogurt + 100 g berries ~250 ~15 g
Lunch Grilled chicken breast (150 g), quinoa (1 cup cooked), steamed broccoli (1 cup) 150 g chicken + 185 g quinoa + 156 g broccoli ~600 ~35 g
Afternoon Snack Handful almonds (25 g) + an apple 25 g almonds + 182 g apple ~200 ~5 g
Dinner Baked salmon fillet (150 g), sweet potato mash (1 cup), asparagus (1 cup) 150 g salmon + 210 g sweet potato + 134 g asparagus ~700 ~40 g
Evening Snack Greek yogurt (170 g) with honey and berries 170 g yogurt + 10 ml honey + 50 g berries ~150 ~12 g
Total Estimated Daily Intake
Calories: ≈ 3,600 kcal
Protein: ≈ 260 g (≈1.0–1.2 g/kg body weight for a 70‑kg individual)
These figures provide a baseline; actual needs may differ based on training load, body composition goals, and individual metabolic responses.
4. Practical Tips for Optimizing Recovery
Goal Practical Action
Protein Consume ~20–30 g protein within 30 min after exercise; spread intake every 3–4 h.
Carbohydrate Replenish glycogen with ~1.5–2 g per kg body weight in the first hour post‑exercise.
Timing Aim for a post‑workout meal/shake within 30–60 min to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
Hydration Replace fluid losses; use electrolytes if sweat loss >1 L or workouts >90 min.
Recovery Include anti‑inflammatory foods (berries, omega‑3 fish) and sleep ≥7–9 h per night.
---
5. Summary
Factor Effect on Recovery Practical Guidance
Nutrition Adequate protein & carbs speed repair; micronutrients support enzymatic functions. Aim for 1.6‑2.2 g/kg protein, 3–7 g/kg carbs after workouts, consume fruits/veg daily.
Sleep Deep sleep phases (SWS) release growth hormone; REM consolidates memory of skill learning. 7–9 h nightly, keep consistent schedule, avoid screens before bed.
Hydration & Electrolytes Maintains plasma volume, nerve conduction, enzyme activity. Drink ~2–3 L water/day, replace electrolytes after heavy sweat.
Schedule: Pick one or two new habits and add them gradually. For example, start with foam rolling before bed, then add an ice bath once a week.
Track: Keep a simple log of workouts + recovery activities. Note how you feel the next day (energy, soreness).
Adjust: If a particular method doesn’t work for you (e.g., cold therapy feels too uncomfortable), skip it and try something else.
4️⃣ Final Take‑away
Your current routine is solid—especially with the heavy compound lifts. To push past your plateau:
Add more volume to compound lifts (3–5 sets per movement).
Introduce a structured accessory program (strength + hypertrophy) that targets weak points.
Prioritize recovery—more rest, nutrition, sleep, and maybe light mobility work.
Track everything: weights, reps, how you feel each day.
With these tweaks, you'll keep moving forward without compromising your progress or risking injury. Stay consistent, stay patient, and enjoy the grind! ?