8x8 HYBRID, DUMBBELL

$69.00

On the Don Saladino App

The 8x8 Hybrid is a modern evolution of the classic Vince Gironda 8x8 protocol, blending high-density hypertrophy work with structured strength and movement quality. While traditional 8x8 programming emphasized short rest and constant muscle fatigue, this hybrid approach expands the system into a 6-week, 3-phase progression that balances intensity and volume. Heavy compound lifts anchor each session, while select blocks utilize classic 8x8 loading with progressively reduced rest to drive hypertrophy and work capacity. The remaining training blocks follow more traditional strength and accessory rep schemes, allowing the program to build muscle and performance without the recovery cost of running 8x8 across every exercise.
Program Integrates:
+ Foundational strength work (5–7 rep ranges)
+ Gironda-style 8x8 hypertrophy blocks
+ Unilateral training and loaded carries
+ Progressive overload via reps, rest reduction, and volume manipulation

GOAL: Build Muscle
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate to Advanced
DURATION: 6 Weeks, 5 Days a Week
AVG LENGTH: 35-45 Minutes
EQUIPMENT: Dumbbells, Optional Adjustable Bench

On the Don Saladino App

The 8x8 Hybrid is a modern evolution of the classic Vince Gironda 8x8 protocol, blending high-density hypertrophy work with structured strength and movement quality. While traditional 8x8 programming emphasized short rest and constant muscle fatigue, this hybrid approach expands the system into a 6-week, 3-phase progression that balances intensity and volume. Heavy compound lifts anchor each session, while select blocks utilize classic 8x8 loading with progressively reduced rest to drive hypertrophy and work capacity. The remaining training blocks follow more traditional strength and accessory rep schemes, allowing the program to build muscle and performance without the recovery cost of running 8x8 across every exercise.
Program Integrates:
+ Foundational strength work (5–7 rep ranges)
+ Gironda-style 8x8 hypertrophy blocks
+ Unilateral training and loaded carries
+ Progressive overload via reps, rest reduction, and volume manipulation

GOAL: Build Muscle
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate to Advanced
DURATION: 6 Weeks, 5 Days a Week
AVG LENGTH: 35-45 Minutes
EQUIPMENT: Dumbbells, Optional Adjustable Bench

 
 
$69 BUY NOW
 

Training Split:

  • Day 1. Lower Body

  • Day 2. Upper Push

  • Day 3. Upper Pull

  • Day 4. Lower Body

  • Day 5. Upper Body

What’s Included:

  • App Access, Desktop Dashboard, & eBook

  • 8x8 Hybrid, Dumbbell Program

  • Exercise Demonstration Videos

  • Weight Logging & Tracking

  • Nutrition, Supplement, & Macro Guides

  • Private Group Access

BUY NOW
The DON SALADINO App. 8x8 Hybrid Program with Lower Body Day.

There is no subscription for the Don Saladino app. The app is FREE. Your purchased programs will be stored & accessed within your app account.


ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Build Strength. Enhance Performance. Transform Your Physique.
Welcome to the 8x8 Hybrid Program - a modern evolution of the classic Vince Gironda 8x8 protocol, blending high-density hypertrophy work with structured strength and movement quality. While traditional 8x8 programming emphasized short rest and constant muscle fatigue, this hybrid approach expands the system into a 6-week, 3-phase progression that balances intensity and volume.

🛠️ PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Day 1: Lower Body
A squat-dominant lower-body day built for size and strength. Heavy compound work (goblet squats) sets the foundation, followed by classic 8x8 hypertrophy blocks to drive work capacity. Unilateral movements, posterior-chain assistance, core training, and calf work round out the session for complete a lower-body workout.
Day 2: Upper Push
Pressing power meets high-volume hypertrophy. Incline dumbbell pressing anchors the day before transitioning into 8x8 chest and triceps work that floods the upper body with volume. Half kneeling pressing and push-up variations ensure balanced strength and muscle growth.
Day 3: Upper Pull
A back-focused day emphasizing pulling strength. Heavy gorilla rows lead the session, followed by 8x8 rowing and curls to build the upper back and arms. Rows, lat isolation, and trap work complete the pull session.
Day 4: Lower Body
Posterior-chain strength and athletic stability take priority. Dumbbell RDLs drive hip hinge strength, while unilateral leg work challenges balance and frontal-plane control. Core anti-rotation, adductor training, and loaded carries finish the session.
Day 5: Upper Body
A mixed upper-body day designed to finish the week strong. Alternating dumbbell check pressing and chest-support rows provide heavy stimulus without excessive joint stress. High-volume 8x8 work for the upper back, delts, and arms delivers a final hypertrophy push of the week.


PHASE STRUCTURE
Phase 1: Accumulation & Technical Base (Weeks 1–2)
Goal:
 Establish movement efficiency, positional strength, and tolerance to structured volume.
Structure:
+ 6-movement positional warm-up remains identical across all phases to improve quality.
+ Primary compound lifts use moderate strength emphasis (5×5) to reinforce technique.
+ 8×8 blocks dominate accessory work to build hypertrophy and motor pattern consistency.

Phase 2: Density & Work Capacity (Weeks 3–4)
Goal:
 Increase total work output by compressing rest and raising rep demands without sacrificing movement quality.
Structure:
+ Main lifts stay consistent, but reps increase slightly (5×6).
+ 8×8 blocks remain intact, but rest periods shorten (45 seconds).
+ Accessory reps and unilateral demands increase to drive fatigue resistance.
+ Carries, core, and isolation work become more metabolically demanding.

Phase 3: Output & Volume Peak (Weeks 5–6)
Goal:
 Maximize total workload, metabolic stress increase with shorten rest periods on 8x8 blocks.
Structure:
+ Main compound lifts reduce total sets (4×7) to preserve output quality.
+ 8×8 blocks stay constant but with shortest rest intervals (30 seconds).
+ Higher rep accessories, longer carries, and extended core work dominate sessions.
+ Overall session density and fatigue are at their highest.

Buy the 8x8 Hybrid, Dumbbell Program today!


 

To get familiar with the app, check out the How to Use the App video in the sidebar and the How to Use the App guide in the Resources section, located in the footer.

While logging your workout, tap the History Button ↺ (second icon in the footer), a pop-up screen will appear with your logging history for the exercise, tap Close in the upper left corner to return to logging.

You can change from pounds to kilograms by tapping Settings in the lower right of the footer, toggling the slider on for Metric, and tapping Save in the upper right corner.