S
12-Week Cut · Built for Sean

Lean &
Strong
Training

4-day Upper / Lower split. Heavy compounds build the frame; hypertrophy work fills the shoulders, back, chest and arms that make a physique look powerful. Each session 60–90 min.

Lifts / week
60–90
Min / session
U / L
Split style
5–6 wk
Deload cycle

The Split.

Four days, rotating through two upper and two lower sessions. Every pattern that matters for an aesthetic physique gets hit twice a week.

Only 3 days this week? Run the days in rolling order — Day 1 → 2 → 3 this week, Day 4 → 1 → 2 next week, and so on. Everything rotates evenly. Basketball counts as conditioning — never as a replacement for a lifting day.
1
Upper — StrengthChest · Back · Shoulders, heavy
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Barbell Bench Press form ►4 × 5–62–3 min
Weighted / Assisted Pull-up4 × 6–82 min
Standing Overhead Press form ►3 × 6–82 min
Chest-Supported Row form ►3 × 8–1090 sec
Incline DB Press3 × 8–1090 sec
Cable Lateral Raise form ►3 × 12–1560 sec
Face Pull posture · rear delts3 × 15–2045 sec
2
Lower — Quad FocusSquat-led, knees over toes
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Barbell Back Squat form ►4 × 5–62–3 min
Romanian Deadlift hinge ►3 × 8–102 min
Bulgarian Split Squat3 × 8–10 / leg90 sec
Leg Press or Hack Squat3 × 10–1290 sec
Leg Extension3 × 12–1560 sec
Standing Calf Raise4 × 12–1545 sec
Hanging Leg Raise core3 × 12–1545 sec
3
Upper — AestheticsDelts · back width · arms · pump work
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Incline Barbell / DB Press4 × 8–102 min
Lat Pulldown (vary grip) form ►4 × 10–1290 sec
Seated DB Shoulder Press3 × 8–1090 sec
Cable Row3 × 10–1290 sec
Cable Lateral Raise form ►4 × 12–2045 sec
Cable Fly / Pec Deck3 × 12–1560 sec
Biceps + Triceps superset3 × 10–1260 sec
4
Lower — Posterior ChainHinge · glutes · hams — the “naked” muscles
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Deadlift or Trap-Bar DL form ►4 × 5–62–3 min
Barbell Hip Thrust4 × 8–102 min
Walking Lunges3 × 10–12 / leg90 sec
Seated / Lying Leg Curl3 × 12–1560 sec
Hip Abduction3 × 1545 sec
Seated Calf Raise4 × 1545 sec
Cable Crunch / Ab Wheel core3 × 12–1545 sec

Progression.

This is what actually decides whether the plan works. Log every set, every week.

1–2
Reps in reserve

Leave 1–2 reps in the tank on most sets. Push the last set close to failure.

+wt
Add weight when ready

Hit the top of a rep range on all sets? Add weight next session. Reps then weight.

=
Match your numbers

On a cut, maintaining or slightly beating your lifts means you’re keeping every pound of muscle.

5–6wk
Deload

Cut volume ~50% for one week. Non-negotiable when you feel beat up or numbers stall.

Cardio. Let the diet drive fat loss. Add 8–10k steps/day and optionally 15–20 min Zone 2 (bike, elliptical, Stairmaster) after 2–3 lifts/week. Basketball replaces a Zone 2 session — not a lifting day.

Form Library.

All from Jeff Nippard’s official YouTube channel — science-based, no fluff. Squat, bench and deadlift were personally confirmed live; the rest sourced from his official channel and announcements.

If any link ever 404s (creators occasionally re-upload), search the title + “Jeff Nippard” on YouTube and you’ll land on it immediately.