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Bench Press 1 Day per Week

Below you'll find powerlifting and strength programs that include bench pressing 1 day per training week.

Some of these are bench press specialty programs, while others program for all lifts.

Search the Lift Vault Program Library for more program ideas.

JV Askem Strongman Periodized Program

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This is a periodized program based on JV Askem’s article below. It aims for a 3% increase in strength over 8 weeks. Be sure to read the article below to help understand it better. [Read more…]

Strength Power and Fortitude 4 Week Powerbuilding Program Spreadsheet

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The Strength Power and Fortitude (SPF) 4 week powerbuilding program by Brogan Pratt is an off season program for powerlifters designed to help build base strength and work capacity. It can be run as a 3 day or 4 day program and resets every 4 weeks, using an AMRAP set on week 4 to gauge progress.

[Read more…]

Brian Alsruhe 9 Week Powerbuilding Program (5/3/1 Variant)

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Check out the spreadsheet for Brian Alsruhe’s 5/3/1 variant program, which is excellent for those looking for a powerbuilding training style.

Please watch Brian’s video to understand how the program works. [Read more…]

Brian Alsruhe Programs (Dark Horse + 4 Horsemen)

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Below you fill find two programs by Brian Alsruhe (check out his YouTube channel and website): Dark Horse and 4 Horsemen.

Dark Horse Program Overview

Notes directly from Brian:

  • Fill in your competition lifts and 1RMs in the spreadsheet
  • In each wave, for each of the first 4 days, set your conditioning workout
  • Pick a variation for each ME Wave
  • In each wave, for each of the first 4 days, set your antagonistic, core, and conditioning giant set exercise

[Read more…]

Building the Monolith Program Spreadsheet (kg + lb)

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Building the Monolith was created by Jim Wendler, who wrote the 5/3/1 programs and inspired other programs like GZCL and NSuns, Building the Monolith is designed for advanced athletes looking to break through plateaus, not novice or intermediate lifters. For a bench-focused variation of this program, check out Benching the Monolith.

[Read more…]

Weightrainer Peaking Programs #1 and #2 Spreadsheets

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Weightrainer.net published these two peaking programs: one designed especially for the bench press (#1) and another program (#2) for squat, bench, or deadlift.

The two programs are pretty similar, but here are some key differences: [Read more…]

Tom McCullough 14 Week Peaking Powerlifting Program

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Edit: Updated to support lb or kg rounding.

This 14 week peaking powerlifting program is similar to many other old school peaking programs on Lift Vault: 1x weekly session per lift, descending reps, increase intensity and a 5-10% 1 rep max increase at the end of the cycle. [Read more…]

Classic 9 and 12 Week Powerlifting Peaking Program Spreadsheets

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As old as time itself, these peaking programs can be run for squat, bench, and deadlift when preparing for a powerlifting meet. Both seek to improve your 1 rep max by 5% after the end of the cycle.

The differences between the 9 week and 12 week peaking cycles can be seen below: [Read more…]

Scott Warman 10 Week Bench Press Peaking Program

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Scott Warman’s 10 week bench press peaking program is a bit different than many bench peaking programs in that it focuses on improving the 2RM by 10 lbs. 1RM improvements are saved for meet day. [Read more…]

Ed Coan Program: 12 and 14 Week Peaking Program Spreadsheets

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Ed Coan, arguably the GOAT of powerlifting, has a few popular programs floating around, including the Coan Phillipi Deadlift Routine. Here are two popular powerlifting programs in 12 and 14 week versions. Rep schemes for each program are included below the spreadsheets. [Read more…]

12 Week Bench Press Peaking Program Spreadsheet

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This is another old school bench press peaking program spreadsheet. It attempts to add 20 pounds onto the lifter’s 1 rep max by the end of the cycle, which is pretty ambitious. [Read more…]

Greg Nuckols 28 Programs Spreadsheet

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Greg Nuckols released 28 free training programs through his site, Stronger by Science. The bundle covers squat, bench press, and deadlift individually, with templates for beginner, intermediate, and advanced lifters at 1, 2, or 3 training days per week for each lift. Every program runs on a 4-week cycle, and you test your 1RM at the end of each cycle. The math: 3 lifts x 3 skill levels x 3 frequencies = 27 programs, plus a 4th deadlift variation (low volume, medium volume, and high volume in addition to the standard beginner version) = 28 total.

The design comes from Nuckols’ data-driven approach to strength training. Instead of a single fixed program, the bundle gives you a modular system: pick your lift, your experience level, and how many days per week you can train that lift. You use the squat, bench, and deadlift programs together, each running at whatever frequency fits your schedule. Intermediate and advanced templates add lift variations (front squats alongside back squats, for example), while beginner programs focus on the competition lifts to build the movement pattern first.

These programs are a good fit for intermediate and advanced lifters who want a percentage-based, structured template they can customize by frequency. Beginners can run them too — the 1x per week beginner versions are the most approachable entry point. You’ll need a 1RM estimate for each lift to get started. If you’re brand new to powerlifting, you might get more mileage from a full-body novice program first. See also: Greg Nuckols High Frequency Program (free spreadsheet).

[Read more…]

Brandon Lilly’s Cube Method Program Spreadsheet

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Brandon Lilly, one of the greatest powerlifters (raw and geared) still competing, published the Cube Method “out of my absolute frustration with my training, myself, and the sport of powerlifting.”

The Cube Method utilizes a “back to basics” architecture that programs periods of heavy, explosive, rep-based, and body work on the big three lifts to form each cycle.

Here is an excerpt from the book that outlines the basic philosophy of the program (NOTE: these should say “Wave 1,” “Wave 2,” etc.): [Read more…]

Juggernaut Training Method Base Program Spreadsheet

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The Juggernaut Method is a 16-week strength program created by Chad Wesley Smith of Juggernaut Training Systems. It trains the squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press four days per week, with each session built around one primary lift followed by supplemental and accessory work. The program runs four waves (10s, 8s, 5s, and 3s), each lasting four weeks. Every wave runs through the same four-phase sequence: Accumulation, Intensification, Realization (an AMAP set), and Deload.

The core idea behind Juggernaut is submaximal volume that builds toward a test. You work from a Training Max set at 90% of your 1RM, run progressively heavier sets each week, then hit an AMAP (as many reps as possible) in week three of every wave. That rep count drives the progression into the next wave. It’s closer in spirit to 5/3/1 than to a linear progression. Both use a training max and a monthly AMRAP test, but Juggernaut uses more total volume across each wave and a longer 16-week structure before cycling back.

I’d recommend Juggernaut for intermediate lifters who’ve stalled on simple linear progression and want a program with more structure and volume. You need to handle four days per week and enough recovery to run meaningful AMAP sets each month. It’s not a good starting point if you’re still making week-to-week gains on a beginner program. You’ll get more out of something like GZCLP first. The Inverted Juggernaut Method is a variation worth looking at once you’ve run the base version.

[Read more…]

Ice Cream Fitness 2.0 (ICF) Spreadsheet

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Popularized by Jason Blaha, Ice Cream Fitness is a solid novice strength program that incorporates more accessory work than similar programs (e.g. Starting Strength, Strong Lifts) helping the user get stronger and add size.

In 2019, Blaha released Ice Cream Fitness 2.0. It reduces working sets to 3 sets of 5 instead of 5 sets of 5 and reduces some of the exercise variety. The core goal of the program, helping novices rapidly gain strength and size, remains the same.

[Read more…]

Starting Strength Routine Program Spreadsheet

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One of the most popular novice lifting programs, Starting Strength is a textbook (literally) strength program for beginner lifters to rapidly develop proficiency with basic compound movements and get stronger.

If you’re looking to start lifting and want something that works, this Google spreadsheet is a solid option. It is very similar to GreySkull LP and StrongLifts.

Graduates of the Starting Strength routine may be interested in Madcow or Texas Method.

[Read more…]

Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 Workout Program Spreadsheets

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5/3/1 is a strength template more than a fixed program. You set a Training Max at 90% of your true 1RM, then run 4 week cycles: three weeks of work with an AMRAP top set, then a deload, adding a little to the Training Max each time. Everything is built around steady progress on the big barbell lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, and press).

The point is slow, sustainable progress. You leave reps in the tank most of the time and only chase a rep PR on the last set, so you keep moving forward for months instead of stalling out in a few weeks. It’s also easy to bolt extra volume or specificity onto, which is why so many variations exist (Boring But Big for size, First Set Last, the 3/5/1 powerlifting version). It was influential enough that programs like GZCL and nSuns grew out of its ideas.

It’s best for intermediate lifters who have stalled on simpler linear progression. If you’re a true beginner still adding weight every session, you’ll progress faster on a basic linear program like GZCLP first, since 5/3/1’s monthly jumps are slower than you need. Come to it when straight linear progression stops working.

[Read more…]

Texas Method Program Tips and Spreadsheet Template

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Texas Method Routine Overview

The Texas Method is a strength program that focuses on training 3 days a week and hitting a new PR each week, making it ideal for intermediate lifters that can still progress on a weekly basis. Each training week represents one cycle: Monday is volume day, Wednesday is an active recovery day, and Friday is an intensity day where a new PR is set.

[Read more…]

GreySkull LP Program Spreadsheet

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Created by John Sheaffer (aka Johnny Pain), Greyskull LP is a 3-day-per-week full body routine for novice lifters. You train Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, hitting squats and a press or bench variation every session, with deadlifts mixed in. Each session follows the same basic structure: two work sets of 5, then a final “5+” AMRAP set on the main lifts.

The AMRAP set is what separates Greyskull LP from programs like Starting Strength and StrongLifts 5×5. Those programs have you stop at 5 reps on every set. Greyskull LP keeps the linear progression (adding weight every session), but lets you go all out on the last set. That extra volume helps you build more muscle alongside the strength gains, and it gives you a longer productive run before you stall.

This is a beginner program. If you haven’t stalled on linear progression yet, you’re exactly who it’s designed for. If you’ve already burned through a novice LP and stalled multiple times, you’ll get more out of something like GZCLP, which is built for people who’ve outgrown the basic add-weight-every-session model.

[Read more…]

Bill Star 5×5 Workout Routine Spreadsheet

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This is a variation of Bill Starr’s famous 5×5 program that spawned the now popular Strong Lifts 5×5. Based on weekly linear weight increases, this is a great program for beginner lifters to rapidly add strength.

[Read more…]