Free Programs and Spreadsheets
Block periodization is a programming method that breaks each macrocycle into distinct mesocycles. These mesocycles, or blocks, are oriented to specific goals, such as hypertrophy, strength, and power.
Below you'll find powerlifting and strength training programs that utilize block periodization.
If you don't find what you're looking for, check out the Lift Vault Program Library, which lets you search based on periodization type, experience level, and much more.
Related: powerlifting programs, powerbuilding programs, bodybuilding programs, strength training programs
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Advanced, Beginner, Intermediate
Weeks: 36, 4
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
Uses RPE: Yes
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a collection of nine 4 week training blocks published by Your Strongest Year. They amount to 36 weeks of powerlifting programming that include volume blocks, intensity blocks, accumulation blocks, realization blocks, and strength training blocks, though you do not need to necessarily run all of them.
I think this is one of the coolest powerlifting programs offered on Lift Vault and I’m really excited to highlight it for you all. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate
Weeks: 12
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, SuperTotal
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a 12 week Supertotal program by Next Step Strength (Instagram). It has 4 training days per week and uses block periodization to expose the athlete to hypertrophy, strength, and peaking phases. It could be used when preparing for a Supertotal competition. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 17
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, SuperTotal
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a 17 week program for SuperTotal training designed by Brian Simmons. As a quick reminder, SuperTotal training combines the power lifts (squat, bench press, and deadlift) with Olympic lifts (snatch and clean & jerk). So it really requires well-rounded athleticism from the lifter. There’s a video at the bottom of this post that discusses SuperTotal training in more depth if you’re interested. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Advanced
Weeks: 14
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a 14 week strength and peaking block for advanced powerlifters. It contains four training blocks and can be used to peak for a powerlifting meet. It was written by the highly accomplished folks at Squats & Science. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Beginner
Weeks: 12
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, Mass
Uses RPE: No
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
Shortcut to Size is a 4 day body part split program by Jim Stoppani (who also created Shortcut to Shred). It is best suited for athletes with aesthetic or hypertrophy goals. It is a 12 week bodybuilding program broken down into three 4 week phases. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Beginner
Weeks: Indefinite
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Fat loss, Hypertrophy
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
Thinner Leaner Stronger is a workout program focused on developing aesthetics for women. In other words: lose weight, build muscle, look better naked, etc. It was written by Michael Matthews, a trainer who has written extensively on nutrition and aesthetics for both men and women. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 8
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, Strength
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is an 8 week powerbuilding program designed by Seba Kot, Polish lifter (YouTube channel). This is a lightly translated version. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 16
Periodization: Block Periodization, Wave Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Powerlifting, Strength
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
The Inverted Juggernaut Method (aka Inverse Juggernaut Method) is a popular variation of the well known Juggernaut Method.
As a refresher, here is the basic breakdown of the 4 weekly phases of the Juggernaut Method: [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: 16
Periodization: Block Periodization, Wave Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Powerlifting, Strength
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
Wave loading is a loading progression where the volume and intensity of a lift changes rapidly from set to set, rising and falling and rising and falling. This is designed to help stimulate strength adaptation more rapidly, increase an athlete’s explosiveness, and grow work capacity. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 7
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Hypertrophy, Powerlifting
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a spreadsheet derived from Brendan Tietz’s YouTube video on intermediate powerlifting and bodybuilding programming. If you’re a beginner lifter, please see Brendan Tietz Beginner Powerlifting Program. As this blends a significant amount of hypertrophy work with strength development, this could also be considered a powerbuilding program. This program utilizes a blend of percentage programming and RPE. If you’re unfamiliar with RPE, you can learn more about it here: RPE Calculator. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate
Weeks: 13
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Powerlifting, Strength
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a 13 week program created by Barbell Medicine for Alan Thrall of Untamed Strength. Below you will find a video overview of the program, which is very important for understanding how the program works. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Beginner
Weeks: 4
Periodization: Block Periodization, Linear Periodization
Program goal: Powerlifting, Strength
Uses RPE: Yes
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): No
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
August 6, 2019 Update: The spreadsheet is now available for copying and sharing. Apologies for the mix up.
A beginner powerlifting program released by Brendan Tietz. A video overview and full program details are below. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 12
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Off Season, Powerlifting, Strength
Uses RPE: Yes
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
A daily undulating periodization program from Brendan Tietz for powerlifters. As this is a submaximal powerlifting program, this is best suited for off season work, not peaking for a meet. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 10, 12
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Hypertrophy, Peaking, Powerlifting, Strength
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
The Brogains powerbuilding program is a strength and hypertrophy program written by Brogan Pratt. It has the option to be run as a peaking program for a meet. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 6
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, Strength
Uses RPE: Yes
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This is a variation of Tactical Barbell programming combined with the GZCL program framework. It only programs the bench press and squat movements. Deadlifts are not included. This is ideal for athletes that are either unable to deadlift or looking to focus primarily on improving their bench press and squat. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 12
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This program, billed “the best fucking 12 weeks of powerlifting you’ll have all year” is a powerlifting peaking program best suited for meet preparation. This is not designed for running back to back, as it accumulates a significant amount of fatigue throughout the duration of the program. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: 6
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting, Strength
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
This spreadsheet uses the popular Candito 6 Week Intermediate Program as a base and replaces the regular bench press work with Candito’s Advanced Bench Press Program. The result is a solid program for intermediate level strength athletes seeking considerable bench press volume.
[Read more…] By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: 10, 14
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
Released in February 2018, this deadlift specific program is the latest in a long line of excellent powerlifting programs from Jonnie Candito.
This is an advanced deadlift program and should not be used by novice lifters. For the novice and intermediate lifter, check out Candito’s 6 Week Program or Linear Strength Programs.
The advanced deadlift program is structured as follows: [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 10
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
10/1/19 Edit: Fixed the rounding and added support for lbs and kgs! 🙂
Dan Alexander’s 10 week Powerlifting Peaking Program is designed to improve the 1RM of the squat, bench, and deadlift by 5%. Spread across the three lifts, this can result in a sizeable boost to a lifter’s total on the competition platform.
This program is a hybrid of Korte’s 3×3 program and Verhoshansky’s Soviet peaking routine. [Read more…]
By Kyle Risley
Last updated
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 14
Periodization: Block Periodization
Meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peaking, Powerlifting
Uses RPE: No
Uses 1RM Percentage(%): Yes
As an affiliate of various sites, including Amazon Associates, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases via links in this post at no extra cost to you. See Full Disclosure
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…]