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Home » Wave Periodization

Wave Periodization Powerlifting & Strength Training Programs

Below you'll find powerlifting and strength training programs that utilize wave periodization.

If you don't find the wave periodization program you're looking for, check out the Lift Vault Program Library, which lets you search based on periodization type, weekly frequency for specific lifting movements, and much more.

Related: powerlifting programs, powerbuilding programs, bodybuilding programs, strength training programs

Bullmastiff Strength Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 3, 2024

Recommended by Lift Vault: Yes

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 18

Periodization: Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Peaking, 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

Bullmastiff is a base-building strength program created by Alex Bromley at Empire Barbell. It originally appeared in Alex’s book Peak Strength. The main goal of the program is develop your base strength in the four big lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press) and then use that wider base to achieve higher peak strength.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Programs, Strength Training Program

Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 2
Overhead press frequency: 2

Lee Hayward 12 Week Bodybuilding Workout Routine Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 12

Periodization: Linear Periodization, Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: Bodybuilding, Hypertrophy

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

Lee Hayward’s 12 week bodybuilding program is broken up into four 3 week cycles, each cycle focusing on adding volume to the same set of lifts before switching to new movement variations and rep ranges for the next 3 week cycle. Each week has four training days, with the recommended set up being Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 12 Week Programs, Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 12 Week Workout Plan, 4 Day Bodybuilding Program, 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

Inverted Juggernaut Method Spreadsheet (3 Versions, + 5/3/1)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

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

Background on the Juggernaut Method

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…]

Filed Under: 16 Week Programs, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Strength Training Program
Tagged With: 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

16 Week Wave Loading Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

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…]

Filed Under: 16 Week Programs, Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 2
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 2

16 Week Strongman Wave Program Spreadsheet

1 Comment By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 16

Periodization: Linear Periodization, Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: Strength, Strongman

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

Known simply as “wave program” via Strongman Ontario. It is a 16 week program, run 4 days per week.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: 16 Week Programs, Strongman Programs
Tagged With: 4 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1

Brandon Lilly’s Cube Method Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Weeks: 10

Periodization: Wave 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

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…]

Filed Under: Powerlifting Program, Programs
Tagged With: 3 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 1
Bench press frequency: 1
Deadlift frequency: 1

8 Week Hypertrophy Specific Training Program Spreadsheet (HST)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated August 3, 2020

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended

Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate

Weeks: 8

Periodization: Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: No

Program goal: High Volume, Hypertrophy

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

Popularized by Bryan Haycock, hypertrophy specific training (HST) is a training routine based upon the principles of mechanical load, chronic stimuli, progressive load, and strategic deconditioning.

This training style is best utilized by bodybuilders, though it can be used by powerlifters and other athletes to spark muscle growth and work capacity in the off-season. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 8 Week Programs, Bodybuilding Program, Programs
Tagged With: 3 Day Bodybuilding Program, 3 Day Workout Plan, 8 Week Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 3
Bench press frequency: 3
Deadlift frequency: 3
Overhead press frequency: 3

Cowboy Method Spreadsheets – Original and Modified

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate

Weeks: 14

Periodization: Wave Periodization

Meet prep program: Yes

Program goal: 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

While the Texas Method has long been a popular intermediate program for graduates of Rippetoe’s Starting Strength or other novice programs like Strong Lifts, a popular Texas Method variation to emerge has been the Cowboy Method.

Included here are the Original Cowboy Method and a Modified Cowboy Method. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 13 Week Programs, 14 Week Programs, Lift Specific Program, Powerlifting Program, Programs, Strength Training Program
Tagged With: 3 Day Workout Plan
Squat frequency: 3
Bench press frequency: 2
Deadlift frequency: 1
Overhead press frequency: 1

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