Workout Strategies That Actually Work: Full Body Splits, Fitness Phases, and the Myth of “Best”

April 10, 2024

In this episode of Nacho Fitness Coach, Caleigh and Sarah welcome back fan-favorite guest Nick Hogertz—a West Point grad, military veteran, judo champ, and all-around fitness brainiac. If you’re looking to go beyond trendy workouts and actually understand how to structure your fitness journey, this one's for you.

Nick breaks down how to build a fitness program that actually works over 12–24 months. Spoiler: it’s not just about looking good, it’s about moving well, staying injury-free, and building strength that lasts.


💬 “What’s the best workout?”

Short answer: It depends.


Long answer: The best approach is based on your goals and where you are in life. Whether you're a beginner, athlete, or just someone wanting to not throw their back out tiling the bathroom, fitness should fit your lifestyle. And for most people, full-body training makes a lot of sense—it's time-efficient, effective, and great for overall function.


🔑 6 Phases of a Functional Fitness Program

Nick outlines a six-phase training cycle designed for sustainability, transformation, and performance. Here's the breakdown:


1. Base Build Phase

  • Focus: Habit creation and consistency
  • Don’t overthink it—just show up.
  • “Something is better than nothing.”

2. Health & Habits

  • Clean up your nutrition and recovery routines.
  • Build a foundation you can maintain for life.
  • Think: long-term soldier readiness, not quick fixes.

3. Muscle Growth (aka Jim Bro Phase)

  • Sarcoplasmic hypertrophy: build visible muscle mass.
  • 10–15 rep range, short rest periods.
  • Chest day, leg day—you know the drill.
  • Important: don’t skip this, but don’t start here either.

4. Strength Phase

  • Myofibrillar hypertrophy: gain raw power, not just size.
  • Low reps (≤5), longer rest (2+ min).
  • Think "Greek statue" not "puffy gym bro."

5. Plyometric Phase

  • Build explosiveness and reactivity.
  • Jumping, bounding, fast-twitch movements.
  • Tough but essential for athleticism and injury resilience.
  • Be cautious—many beginners get injured here without proper prep.

6. Maintenance Phase

  • Sustain gains and avoid burnout.
  • Adjust intensity, focus on lifestyle integration.


🧠 Functional Fitness = Fitness That Works for You

Nick's definition? "It matches what your life needs." Whether that’s playing volleyball on Tuesdays or hauling tile five days a week, training should support—not sabotage—your real-world activity.


And yes, jumping may be awkward or feel unnecessary, but training those explosive patterns has a purpose: it helps your body unlock strength it doesn’t even realize it has (hello, mom-lifting-car strength).


Ready to work with Nacho Fitness Coach?

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