What We're Focused On In the Gym Right Now

What We're Focused On In the Gym Right Now

If you're anything like me, you've probably bounced around a dozen different lifting programs trying to find that perfect balance, something that builds real strength without burning you out or making you dread leg day. Lately, I’ve been running Alexander Bromley’s Bull Mastiff, an intermediate-level program that’s become a real cornerstone in my training.

Quick heads-up: I’m not a coach, and I’m definitely not here to tell you what to do. I’m just a dude who loves lifting and geeking out about strength training so this is purely my experience, not gospel.

I’m currently on my second run through Bull Mastiff, deep into the peaking phase. What I love about it is how clear and dialed-in the structure is. It’s split into two main phases: volume and peak. The volume phase is more hypertrophy-focused you're laying a solid foundation by building size and work capacity. Then in the peak phase, you take all that new muscle and push it into heavier, more focused strength work. It’s smart, effective, and feels incredibly satisfying week over week.

Here’s what’s been standing out for me:

One of the coolest parts of running this program is that my wife (who’s brand new to lifting) has been following along with me. She’s been crushing it, making steady progress, and building confidence under the bar. It’s been awesome to see Bull Mastiff work not just for someone with experience, but for someone starting fresh too.

• Clear Progression: Every session builds on the last. You’ll hit AMRAP (as many reps as possible) sets regularly, and those numbers feed into how your weights adjust going forward. It keeps the momentum rolling without needing to micromanage every variable.
• Balanced Structure: It walks the line between pushing hard and not frying your nervous system. I’m consistently challenged, but I’m not dreading workouts or dragging myself to the barbell. That balance is rare and really appreciated.
• Real Gains: All my big lifts deadlift, squat, bench, and overhead press have moved up significantly. And this is while cutting, which is saying something.
• Apps and Automation: If you want to check the program out for free, the Boostcamp app is a great way to do it. Just be ready to do the AMRAP math yourself. Personally, I use Bromley’s Base Strength AI, which runs about $30/month and handles all that for you. It makes the whole thing plug-and-play.
• More Than Just Sets and Reps: Bromley’s books: Base Strength and Peak Strength dig deep into the theory behind the program. If you like to know the "why" behind your training, these are absolutely worth picking up.
• The Culture Around It: There’s a solid little community growing around this program. Seeing others run it, post progress, and talk through their experiences has helped keep me hyped. It’s good knowing you’re not grinding alone.

If you're curious to dive deeper, check out Bromley's website and his YouTube channel. Both are packed with solid advice, breakdowns, and a ton of real-world lifting wisdom.

That’s where I’m at right now. Bull Mastiff has been a great fit for me, and if you're looking for a program that challenges you without beating you up, it might just click for you too.

Lift with purpose, live with grit, and never skip your side quests. See you in the dungeon, champions.

– Brandon