More of a template than a strict program, many variations of 5/3/1 exist. You’ll find some of the best spreadsheets for these variations here. All of them will get you stronger by focusing on steady progression of the Big 3 lifts though!
Contents
5/3/1 (2nd Edition) by Jim Wendler
It is highly recommended that anyone planning on running 5/3/1 programming also reads 5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System for Raw Strength for maximum training benefit. 5/3/1 is more a template than a strict program, which is why there are so many “interpretations” of 5/3/1. To understand how 5/3/1 can work best for you, putting in a little reading work goes a long way.
If you’re looking for a powerlifting specific interpretation of the 5/3/1 program, try this on for size. An example of this progam is available in a spreadsheet below, though nothing beats reading the book.
5/3/1 Boring But Big Spreadsheet
Wendler’s 5/3/1 Boring But Big (BBB) program is renowned for both its brutal simplicity and serious results.
Basically, BBB follows the 5/3/1 template where one main lift is trained per session (squat, bench, deadlift, or overhead press) using the 5/3/1 rep scheme before dropping the weight and doing 5 sets of 10 reps for the same lift.
The result? Strength and size. No gimmicks, just hard work.
Because the training max increases monthly, this program is best geared for intermediate to advanced lifters that require more recovery and cannot progress as quickly as novice/intermediate lifters.
5/3/1 Boring But Big Spreadsheet (variation)
This is simply another variation of the program above. Check out both and see which layout you prefer more.
5/3/1 Boring But Big AND Powerlifting Specific Variant
The powerlifting variation of BBB switches weeks 1 and 2 and incorporates additional heavy single work – increasing the specificity needed for powerlifting and including additional recovery time by not scheduling consecutive heavy lifting weeks.
Jim Wendler 531 v2.1 (BBB + Powerlifting) Spreadsheet
5/3/1 N Suns Linear Progression Variation
This popular mutation of 5/3/1 was created by Redditor /u/n-suns.
It allows for faster progress week to week than the initial BBB program, making it ideal for novice and intermediate lifters that are able to recovery more quickly.
If you like this spreadsheet, check out the other n-Suns program spreadsheets.