Sergio Oliva Workout Training Routine

Sergio Oliva – Mr Olympia 1967, 1968, 1969 

Sergio Oliva Workout Training Routine.
Sergio Oliva stated that the following routine was his only true exercise program. His training routine involved some interesting combinations…high volume, 5×5 work, supersets, antagonistic training, a modest – but heavy – squat workout, 20 rep squat sets, and the philosophy of hitting each muscle group twice a week.

In the August/September 1973 issue of MTI, Sergio Oliva had this to say:

Since 1970 these are the only exercises I have been doing. Any other exercises printed in any other magazine are false.

Monday: On Monday, Sergio Oliva blasted his chest with bench press, dips and flyes, and also worked his back with chinups.

Bench Press supersetted with Chinning Bar.

Set 1. Bench Press 200 x 8, 15 reps on chinning bar

Set 2. Bench Press 220 x 8, 15 reps on chinning bar

Set 3. Bench Press 260 x 8, 10 reps on chinning bar

Set 4. Bench Press 300 x 8, 10 reps on chinning bar

Set 5. Bench Press 320 x 8, 8 reps on chinning bar

Set 6. Bench Press 350 x 8, 8 reps on chinning bar

Set 7. Bench Press 380 x 8, 5 reps on chinning bar

 

DB Flyes supersetted with Dips.

5 sets of 15 reps with 80 pound dumbbells, supersetted with dipping. The set, rep and weight scheme for dipping was not provided by Sergio Oliva.

*****

Tuesday: On Tuesdays, Sergio worked his shoulders, biceps and triceps. Most rep and set schemes followed a 5×5 pattern.

Press. 5 sets, 15 reps with 200 pounds

Extending Heavy Curls. 5 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

French Curls. 5 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

Scott (Curls) Bench. 5 sets, 10 reps, 150 pounds

Scott (Curls) Bench with Dumbbells. 5 sets, 5 reps, 60 pound dumbbell

Sitting Down Triceps. 5 sets, 5 reps with 60 pound dumbbell, supersetted with Tricep Press Downs

*****

Wednesday: On Wednesday, Sergio worked abs first, then heavy squats and calves. You will notice that there is no direct hamstring work.

Situps. 10 sets, 50 reps

Leg Raises. 5 sets, 20 reps

Side Bends with Bar Behind Neck. 5 sets, 200 reps

Squats. 300 x 5, 400 x 5, 440 x 5, 470 x 5, 500 x 4

Standing Heel Raises. 10 sets, 8 reps, 300 pounds

*****

Thursday: Sergio’s second chest and back workout of the week. You’ll also notice a fair amount of shoulder work as well.

Bench Press. 200 x 5, 220 x 5, 260 x 5, 300 x 5, 320 x 5, 350 x 5, 380 x 5

Press Behind Neck. 5 sets, 5 reps, 250 pounds, supersetted with Rowing Machine, 200 pounds

Sitting Press with Dumbbells. 80 pound dumbbells. No set and rep scheme provided

Dipping Bar. 5 sets, 8 reps with no weight

*****

Friday : Friday’s workout was another heavy arm day, but also features more back work. For the most part, Sergio used fewer sets for biceps on this day.

Press. 3 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

Extending Heavy Curls. 3 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

French Curls. 3 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

Scott Bench for Triceps. 3 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

Scott Bench for Triceps with Dumbbell. 3 sets, 5 reps, 50 pound dumbbell, supersetted with Tricep Press Downs.

Chinning Behind Neck. 5 sets, 5 reps

Chinning Bar with Closed Hands. 5 sets, 5 reps, supersetted with Tricep Machine Pull Downs

*****

Saturday : Another ab and leg day. Sergio used lighter squats, and also incorporated front squats into his routine. Again, no direct hamstring work. Also notice that Sergio performed three 20-rep squat sets.

Situps. 5 sets, 10 reps

Leg Raises. 5 sets, 10 reps

Side Bends with Bar Behind Neck. 5 sets, 50 reps

Squats. 3 sets, 3 reps with 300 pounds. 2 sets, 3 reps with 400 pounds. 3 sets, 20 reps with 250 pounds.

Front Squats. 5 sets, 10 reps, 200 pounds

Sitting Heel Raises. 5 sets, 5 reps, 200 pounds

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