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The 10 Best Powerlifting Programs for 2023

  1. Kizen 12 Week Powerlifting Peaking Program
  2. nSuns Programs
  3. Jim Wendler 5/3/1 Programs
  4. Calgary Barbell 16 and 8 Week Programs
  5. Sheiko Programs
  6. Candito 6 Week Program
  7. Juggernaut Method Base Template
  8. Greg Nuckols 28 Programs
  9. Beginner Powerlifting Programs
  10. Intermediate Powerlifting Programs
  11. Madcow 5x5 Program

 

Recommended Reading: Practical Programming for Strength Training by Mark Rippetoe (Amazon)

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!

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Related: Powerbuilding Programs, Bodybuilding Programs, Strength Training Programs, Hypertrophy Programs

The 6 Best 4 Day Workout Splits for 2023

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Are you just looking for great 4 day workout split to run?

If so, check out these links for spreadsheets and additional info.

  1. GZCLP (4-day version)
  2. The Strength Athlete (4-day version)
  3. GZCL Jacked and Tan 2.0
  4. nSuns LP
  5. PHUL
  6. SPF Powerbuilding (4 day version)

The 4-day workout program is one of the best training splits for anyone with a busy schedule wanting to build muscle, burn fat, or gain strength. Many 4-day workout splits are organized so that you train each major muscle group twice per week, which is arguably the most optimal training frequency.

One of the best features of a 4-day workout split is three rest days, so you can still do all the other activities you enjoy outside of the gym. Not to mention, rest is extremely important for muscle growth, strength gains, and even losing fat.

When it comes to changing your body composition and improving your exercise performance, less is more. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced trainee, a 4-day workout routine is a great option for those looking to maximize their results without practically living in the gym.

Below you will find the six best 4-day workout programs and a link to their respective spreadsheets so you can download a copy for free!

[Read more…]

3 Day 20 Week Powerlifting Program by Powerlifting Academy

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This is a 20 week powerlifting program with 3 training days per week. It was originally published by Powerlifting Academy, a German coaching group. There is also a 16 week version available. [Read more…]

Sheikburn Program Spreadsheet (Sheiko x Hepburn Method)

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Sheikburn combines Hepburn Method style sets and rep structure (progressively adding more reps to the same weight OR adding more sets to the same rep range) Sheiko style periodization (alternating heavy days and light days).

Fans of “frankenprograms” like Megazord or GZCL / MagOrt / Deathbench will probably find this program interesting. [Read more…]

Drop Bear Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Program Spreadsheets

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Here are three different versions of the Drop Bear program: junior (beginner), intermediate, and senior (advanced). The beginner version is a 12 week powerlifting program, the intermediate version is a 13 week powerlifting program, and the advanced version is a 19 week powerlifting program. The intermediate program could be used to peak for a powerlifting competition. [Read more…]

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

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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…]

16 Week Wave Loading Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet

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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…]

Vince Anello 14 Week Deadlift Program Spreadsheet

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Updates:

  • February 23, 2020 – Fixed mix up between pin squats and partial deadlifts. Thanks to a reader for pointing out the misinterpretation via the contact form.
  • July 29, 2019 – Fixed permissions for the spreadsheet. You should be able to make a copy of it now. Apologies for any inconvenience.

This is a spreadsheet for Vince Anello’s 14 week deadlift program. [Read more…]

Fred Hatfield (Dr. Squat) 12 Week Peaking Program Spreadsheet

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This is a 12 week powerlifting peaking program designed by Fred Hatfield. It allows the athlete to input their current 1RM for the squat, bench press, and deadlift and programs every workout until meet day. It also includes a powerlifting meet attempt calculator. [Read more…]

Brendan Tietz 7 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program

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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…]

Alan Thrall Program Spreadsheet – Untamed Method

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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…]

Extended Russian Power Routine Spreadsheet

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The 9 week Extended Russian Power Routine is an extended version of the Russian Squat Routine that is designed to peak all three competition lifts. It is extended from the 6 week Russian Squat Routine to allow for more recovery since the lifter will be lifting at high intensity for squat, bench press, and deadlift. [Read more…]

Robert Frederick 4 Day Hypertrophy Program Spreadsheet (Modified Sheiko)

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This is a modified version of the 4 day advanced medium load Sheiko program with more reps in the 70-80% 1RM range and a greater focus on hypertrophy. There is a little more volume overall as well. [Read more…]

Brendan Tietz Beginner Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet

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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…]

Brendan Tietz Submax DUP 12 Week Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet

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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…]

Greg Nuckols High Frequency Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet (2 Versions)

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In October 2015, Greg Nuckols published a very popular article titled “Your Drug Free Muscle and Strength Potential: Part 2.” In it he laid out the foundations for a high frequency training method.

It’s a pretty cool article because it includes a strength potential calculator that tries to estimate what percentage of a person’s maximum potential they’ve currently achieved per lift. If an individual is below 80% of their potential, they generally respond well to high frequency training. [Read more…]

Brian Alsruhe Conjugate Program

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Brian Alsruhe’s conjugate program is a 16 week, 4 day per week strength program that utilizes conjugate methods (dynamic effort, max effort) to stimulate strength gains. It makes heavy use of resistance bands and chains so it is recommended that these are used when following the program.

Max effort days [Read more…]

8 Week Deadlift Program Spreadsheet – GC Performance Training

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An 8 week deadlift specialty program that utilizes high block pulls, low block pulls, and competition style deadlifts to help build maximal deadlift strength. [Read more…]

Brian Alsruhe Mass Building Powerlifting Program

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Another free strength program from Brian Alsruhe, this time focusing on mass building. A video overview is below.

[Read more…]

Brazos Valley Barbell 8 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program

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Brazos Valley Barbell Intermediate Powerlifting Program Overview

  • Written by David Woolson with Brazos Valley Barbell
  • 8 week powerlifting program
  • 1 deload week
  • 5 days per week
  • 3x weekly squat
  • 3-4x weekly bench press (if counting bench variations like CGBP)
  • 2x weekly deadlift

Long program description and video overview are available below. [Read more…]

TSA 9 Week Beginner Powerlifting Program

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The Strength Athlete (TSA) released their 9 week beginner powerlifting program (aka general beginner approach) as a follow up to their successful 9 week intermediate powerlifting program. Like the intermediate program before it, the beginner program is structured as a 4 day, 9 week program, but also includes a 4 week peak if preparing for a meet.  [Read more…]