Powerlifting Workout Routines

Best Powerlifting Programs:

A powerlifting program is designed to improve an athlete's one rep max in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. The mark of a successful routine is an improvement in the athlete's powerlifting total.

Whether you're looking for a beginner program, intermediate program, or a peaking program, you'll find a great powerlifting workout routine to get stronger. All spreadsheets are mobile friendly and powered by Google Sheets (better than PDF) - and no website has more free programs than Lift Vault!

Questions? Ask the Forum

Head over to the Lift Vault forum to ask the community and connect with other lifters.

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 programs are also available below.

Full Year of Powerlifting Programming

Last updated March 22, 2021
Recommended by Lift Vault: Yes
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: 6
Periodization: Block Periodization
Powerlifting meet prep program: No
Program goal: Powerlifting
Uses RPE:Yes
Uses 1RM Percentage(%):Yes

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David Woolson, strong and smart dude over at Brazos Valley Strength, has boldly declared that he intends to release free powerlifting programming over the next year.

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15 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program (2021 Update)

Last updated March 6, 2021
Recommended by Lift Vault: Yes
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 15
Periodization: Block Periodization
Powerlifting meet prep program: No, Yes
Program goal: 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

This is a 15 week intermediate powerlifting program from PRs on the Platform. It utilizes block periodization and can be run repeatedly or used to peak for a powerlifting competition.

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10 Week Powerlifting Program [Brazos Valley Barbell]

Last updated March 21, 2021
Recommended by Lift Vault: Yes
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: 10
Periodization: Block Periodization
Powerlifting 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

Strength 2.0 is a 10 week powerlifting program created by David Woolson at Brazos Valley Barbell. The program utilizes 5 training days per week, calculates load based on RPE and percentage of one rep max, and ends with attempting to set a new one rep max.

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Best Full Body Workout Plans

Last updated March 28, 2021
Periodization: Linear Periodization

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A full body workout routine is any program that works all of the major muscle groups in each training session. They are effective for building strength, gaining muscle, and losing fat. As such, they are commonly recommended for many beginner lifters, though they are also well suited for intermediate and advanced lifters.

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10 Week Beginner Powerlifting Program (PRs on the Platform)

Last updated November 1, 2020
Experience level: Beginner
Weeks: 10
Periodization: Linear Periodization
Powerlifting meet prep program: No
Program goal: 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 10 week powerlifting program for beginners. It was designed to help increase strength in the squat, bench press, and deadlift. It was created by PRs on the Platform.

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15 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program (PRs on the Platform)

Last updated October 19, 2020
Experience level: Intermediate
Weeks: 15
Periodization: Block Periodization
Powerlifting meet prep program: Yes
Program goal: Peakin, 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 15 week, 4 day intermediate powerlifting program by PRs On The Platform, a powerlifting coaching service.

Thanks to PRs on the Platform for sharing this program with Lift Vault through the program submission form.

Program Overview

This powerlifting program is comprised of three training blocks: a volume/hypertrophy block (weeks 1-5), a strength block (weeks 6-10), and a competition peaking block (weeks 11-15). As such, it can be used for meet preparation.

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Simple Jack’d Strength Training Program Spreadsheet

Last updated September 14, 2020
Experience level: Advanced, Intermediate
Weeks: Indefinite
Periodization: Linear Periodization, Undulating Periodization
Powerlifting meet prep program: No
Program goal: High Volume, 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

Simple Jack’d is a modified blend of the Bulgarian Method and the Smolov base cycle. It’s essentially a flexible one week volume accumulation block that can be run indefinitely for powerlifting and general strength goals.

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What is a powerlifting program?

A powerlifting program is any program designed to improve the performance of an athlete in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.

How long do powerlifting programs last?

Powerlifting programs typically last between 4 weeks and 16 weeks. Lift Vault has programs grouped by week count for your convenience.

Popular options are 12 week powerlifting programs, 10 week powerlifting programs, 8 week powerlifting programs, and 6 week powerlifting programs, but we have everything from 3 weeks to 20 weeks.

Can beginners do powerlifting?

Absolutely. Anyone that can safely perform the squat, bench press, and deadlift can use a powerlifting program. There are no special qualifications. Plus, running a beginner powerlifting program can actually help you improve coordination and motor recruitment.

What are the different kinds of powerlifting programs?

The primary variables manipulated in a powerlifting program are frequency, intensity, and volume.

“Volume programs” tend to have higher volume & frequency paired with lower intensity and are best for off season training or as the beginning of a meet preparation.

A “peaking program” is any program that ends with tapering down volume and significantly increasing intensity in preparation for a powerlifting meet.

What is a beginner powerlifting program?

A beginner powerlifting program is any powerlifting program that takes advantage of the novice lifter’s ability to recover rapidly. As such, it tends to have shorter mesocycles than other programs. These usually range from 1 training session in length to 2 weeks.