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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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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.

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

Brandon Lilly’s Cube Method Program Spreadsheet

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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…]

Cowboy Method Spreadsheets – Original and Modified

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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…]

Daily Undulating Periodization (DUP) Training Program Spreadsheets

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Daily Undulating Periodization or DUP is a scientifically proven method to get stronger, making it ideal for athletes, powerlifters, and anyone looking to gain strength.

[Read more…]

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

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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…]

nSuns 5/3/1 Complete Program Collection (4 Day, 5 Day, Cap3, and More)

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nSuns 5/3/1 is a linear progression powerlifting program that was inspired by Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 strength program. It progresses on a weekly basis, making it well suited for late stage novice and early intermediate lifters. It is known for its challenging amount of volume. Those who stick with it tend to find great results from the additional work capacity.

Redditor /u/nsuns assembled a 5/3/1/ LP spreadsheet complete with 4, 5, and 6 day variants in addition to deadlift and squat specific workloads to help everyone get stronger.

Use the table of contents to jump to your desired spreadsheet or read on below to learn about which nSuns program you should run.

[Read more…]

Sheiko Program Spreadsheets & Templates

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To best understand Sheiko’s training methodology, Lift Vault highly recommends you read or listen to his interview with Omar Isuf.

Sheiko programs are powerlifting programs attributed to Boris Sheiko, renowned Russian powerlifting coach. His programs are known for their high volume and great results for those who can complete them.

More of a loose working template than a strict program, many different variations of Sheiko powerlifting programs have been circulating Internet forums for years.

[Read more…]

KIZEN 6 Week Bench Peaking Program Spreadsheet

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Hot off the presses (ha!), this is the free 6 Week Bench Press Peaking Program spreadsheet by KIZEN Training. I highly recommend signing up for the free course at KIZEN that accompanies this program and guides you every step of the way.

[Read more…]

GZCL Method Spreadsheets: General Gainz, UHF, Jacked and Tan 2.0, The Rippler & More [Complete]

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Updates:

  • May 18, 2020
  • I removed the spreadsheet previews for most of the spreadsheets because of negative impact to page load speed, especially for mobile users. All of the spreadsheets are still there, you will just need to click on the Google Sheets link with the green icon.
  • In depth post on GZCLP programs added to new post

Bred from the popular Reddit user /u/gzcl (also check out his blog and personal subreddit), these easy to use spreadsheets and calculators are based on the general “GZCL Method” for powerlifting.

[Read more…]

3 Day, 7 Week Raw Powerlifting Program

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Originally hosted by Mass-Lift, the 3 Day Raw Powerlifting Program is a no frills powerlifting program that has the athlete squatting 3 days per week, benching 3 days per week, and deadlifting 2 days per week (counting Romanian deadlifts).

After the competition lifts, a rotating set of assistance exercises are prescribed to develop strength in key movements and introduce hypertrophy. [Read more…]

Korte 3×3 Spreadsheet

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Developed by Stephan Korte, the 3×3 program is a two-phased powerlifting program: one high volume, one heavy weight. While only calling for three workouts per week, each session includes the squat, bench, and deadlift.

The program can be run as a 4 week or 8 week program, depending upon whether one or two phases are run.

[Read more…]

Bulgarian Method Program Spreadsheet

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Renowned for its specificity, frequency, and intensity, the Bulgarian Method has long been a curiosity in the weightlifting and powerlifting world.

It is an advanced form of training and is not recommended for beginners or early intermediates. It requires a solid understanding of knowing your capabilities and autoregulating your lift intensity.

Traditionally structured as 2 to 3 workouts per day, this particular spreadsheet is based on Greg Nuckols’ Bulgarian Manual, which thankfully only calls for no more than one workout per day.

[Read more…]

Russian Squat Program + Routine Spreadsheet (Original and Masters Versions)

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Whether it is run for the squat, deadlift, bench, or all three (known as the Extended Russian Power Routine), the Russian Squat Program (aka Russian Squat Routine or RSR) is a brutal peaking program that will help boost maximum strength when prepping for a meet.

[Read more…]

Mag Ort Deadlift Program Spreadsheet

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The Magnusson Ortmayer (Mag/Ort) deadlift program is a brutal deadlift-only program that has helped tons of lifters add serious weight to their deadlift. If you’re looking to build out your work capacity for deadlifts, this is a great option. This is either an 11 or 12 week deadlift program depending upon if you desire to test your maxes on week 12.

[Read more…]

Mdisbrow Deathbench 10 Week Bench Press Program Spreadsheets (Original + Taper)

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Written and popularized by Redditor Matt Disbrow (aka /u/mdisbrow) – the Deathbench program is a disciple of the “if you want a bigger bench press, bench more” church.

[Read more…]

Smolov Program and Smolov Jr Bench and Squat Program Spreadsheets

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Smolov and Smolov Jr Bench and Squat Programs

Ah, yes. The infamous Smolov program for squats and Smolov Jr for squat and/or bench press. If you’re willing to build these lifts at any cost (e.g. a record attempt) then this might be the ticket!

[Read more…]

Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 Workout Program Spreadsheets

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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. Jim Wendler’s popular 5/3/1 template was highly influential on the popular GZCL and nSuns programs.

The program is comprised of 3 and 4 week cycles, designed to run indefinitely.

[Read more…]

Ed Coan Deadlift Program Spreadsheet

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The powerlifting GOAT, Ed Coan, designed this deadlift program for Mark Phillipi. If you’re looking to make serious deadlift gains, give this 10 week program a try. It programs the athlete to deadlift 1 time per week. Each session includes a heavy triple followed by a high number of speed deadlift triples, then barbell shrugs.

[Read more…]

Jonnie Candito 6 Week Powerlifting Program Spreadsheet

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Jonnie Candito’s 6 week program is a powerlifting peaking program. It consists of several short training blocks dedicated to muscular conditioning, hypertrophy, strength, linear weight increases, acclimation to heavy weights, intensity, and testing. It is held in especially high regard for improving the one rep max of the squat, though it programs all three lifts.

Note: Novice lifters will progress more quickly using the Candito Linear Progression Program. For a deadlift specific program, see newly the released Candito Deadlift Program.

[Read more…]