What is a bodybuilding program?

A bodybuilding program is a workout routine that emphasizes muscle growth (i.e. muscular hypertrophy ) in the athlete. In contrast, a powerlifting program is designed with the goal of increasing an athlete’s one rep max in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

What is a good bodybuilding program for beginners?

Two good bodybuilding programs for beginners include the All Pro Simple Beginners Routine and the Fierce 5 Program .

Will I get stronger running a bodybuilding program?

If you are currently untrained, yes, running a bodybuilding program will increase your overall strength. If you measure strength based on one rep max or weight lifted in the 3 to 5 rep range, then no, a bodybuilding program will not likely increase your strength. They can, however, improve your work capacity, which can later lead to strength improvements.

Will I lose weight running a bodybuilding program?

Weight loss is predicated upon burning more calories than the amount consumed over time. Any exercise program can assist with burning calories, but the other critical component of this equation is diet. If you eat enough, you can gain weight while running a lifting program. Use a TDEE calculator and calorie tracker to help meet your weight loss goals.

The 10 Best Bodybuilding Programs

Get free downloadable spreadsheets for the most popular bodybuilding programs.

About Bodybuilding Workout Programs

A bodybuilding program is designed to induce hypertrophy in the athlete's muscle, stimulating muscular growth. This is often done by exercising each body part approximately twice per week in "splits" that target certain groups of muscle per training session.

Except in the case of the big 3 compound movements, bodybuilding routines rarely focus on working off of a percentage of a lifter's one rep max because they include so many accessory movements where a 1RM isn't always helpful. Instead, the number of sets, amount of rest in between sets, and rep ranges are often manipulated to induce hypertrophy. Of course, the weight lifted helps achieve this goal too.

Related: Also check out Lift Vault's powerbuilding programs, which also focus on inducing hypertrophy in the lifter. They also combine some strength training and powerlifting elements.

Want more? Search the Lift Vault Program Library

Search the Lift Vault Program Library to find the exact program you're looking for based on many criteria (e.g. experience level, days per week, and much more).

The latest bodybuilding & hypertrophy programs are available below.

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PHATburn Powerbuilding Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated April 18, 2020

Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 4
Periodization: Linear Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, 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

Established by Doug Hepburn as a powerbuilding routine that blends the heavy weight work of powerlifting training with the hypertrophy-inducing volume of bodybuilding training, PHATburn is a challenging program for advanced athletes. If you’re looking to introduce more volume into your off-season training, this may be what you’re looking for. [Read more…]

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…]

Kizen 16 Week Powerbuilding Program (4 Week Preview + PDF)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated September 6, 2021

Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 4
Periodization: Undulating 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

Hot on the heels of the immensely popular Kizen 6 Week Bench Peaking Program spreadsheet, Silent Mikke, Bart Kwan, and Omar Isuf have teamed up yet again to release the first 4 weeks of their 16 week Powerbuilding Program for free, including a PDF that explains the theory behind the program!

[Read more…]

PHAT Workout Routine + Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated May 4, 2023

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 4
Periodization: Linear 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

The PHAT (Power Hypertrophy Adaptive Training) workout routine is a 5 day powerbuilding program for athletes seeking strength and hypertrophy development.

Developed by Dr. Layne Norton, the PHAT workout routine blends power and hypertrophy work, making it ideal for bodybuilders looking to gain size and lifters that want to look aesthetic without being weak.

[Read more…]

PHUL Workout Routine Tips + Program Spreadsheet (Updated 2023)

By Kyle Risley
Last updated February 11, 2024

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 13, 6
Periodization: Linear Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, 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

Short for Power Hypertrophy Upper Lower, PHUL blends power and size building principles for the athlete looking to get stronger and bigger. The PHUL program follows many of the principles of powerbuilding programming, but could also be considered a bodybuilding program.

[Read more…]

Jonnie Candito Linear Program Spreadsheet

By Kyle Risley
Last updated June 27, 2020

Recommended by Lift Vault: Recommended
Experience level: Beginner
Weeks: Indefinite
Periodization: Linear Periodization
Meet prep program: No
Program goal: Hypertrophy, 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 Candito Linear Program is a great strength program with 3 different variations that will rapidly add pounds on the bar for beginner and intermediate lifters alike. Now, enjoy in an easy to edit, mobile-friendly spreadsheet!

[Read more…]