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Best Powerlifting Peaking Programs for 2023

Peaking powerlifting programs are designed to help "peak" an athlete's one rep max (1RM) in preparation for a powerlifting meet. Peaking programs can also be known as tapering programs because the amount of volume is tapered down as the programs progresses.

Below you will find peaking routines for individual lifts as well as for all three powerlifting competition lifts.

Popular peaking powerlifting programs:

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15 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program (2021 Update)

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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.

[Read more…]

10 Week Powerlifting Program [Brazos Valley Barbell]

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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.

[Read more…]

15 Week Intermediate Powerlifting Program (PRs on the Platform)

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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.

[Read more…]

Dietmar Wolf Norwegian Powerlifting Program Spreadsheets

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Dietmar Wolf is the head coach of the Norwegian powerlifting team. Below you’ll find some programs that are either attributed to him or have been released directly from the Norwegian Powerlifting Association. One program is from a Norwegian powerlifter named Frode Haugen; this program is labeled accordingly to reduce confusion. [Read more…]

Prep10 10 Week Peaking Program Spreadsheet

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Prep10 is a 10 week powerlifting peaking program designed for beginners and intermediates. It uses block periodization to take the lifter through a 5 week hypertrophy mesocycle, followed by a 1 week transition mesocycle, a 3 week intensity mesocycle, and a 1 week deload. This program could be used to peak for a meet taking place on week 11 (assuming week 10 is the deload week). [Read more…]

14 Week Block Periodization Powerlifting Program (Empire Barbell)

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This is a powerlifting program designed by Empire Barbell that utilizes block periodization. Training is broken into three distinct blocks: intensification #1, volume, and intensification #2. These blocks can be run in order straight through, or can be repeated with some limitations (explained more below). Running each block once would represent 14 weeks of training in total. [Read more…]

12 Week Mass Building Hypertrophy Workout for Powerlifters (Mathias Method)

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This mass building workout focuses on stimulating muscular hypertrophy and developing raw strength. It is a 12 week powerlifting program built on 4 high volume training sessions per week and was developed by Ryan Mathias at Mathias Method. It is a peaking program that is designed to build your one rep max in the squat, bench press, and deadlift for meet day. [Read more…]

Ancient God 10 Week Deadlift Peaking Program Spreadsheet

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The Ancient God Deadlift Routine was developed with beginners and low intermediates in mind. It is low-medium in volume, which leaves plenty of recovery room for accessories.

The goal is to add kilos to your max deadlift while making you comfortable with working with weights closer to your max for doubles and triples, all without leaving you drained for the other sessions of the week. [Read more…]

12 Week RPE Powerlifting Peaking Program by Mignone Strength

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Program Overview

This is a 12 week powerlifting peaking program based on rate of perceived exertion (RPE). It uses 4 training days per week and divides the 12 week program into four different training blocks ending with a taper. It was created by Matt Mignone at Mignone Strength [Read more…]

17 Week Block Periodization Powerlifting Peaking Program by Brad Arbic

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Program Summary

This is a 17 week powerlifting peaking program broken up into 3 different training blocks: hypertrophy, strength, and peaking. It uses 4 training days per week: squat, bench press, deadlift, and another bench press training session. [Read more…]

Empire Barbell High Frequency Bench Press Program Spreadsheet

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This is a high frequency, up to 5 training days per week, daily undulating bench press program shared by Empire Barbell. It is a peaking program for the bench press that aims for the athlete to achieve a new one rep max in 5 weeks.

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Sling Shot Bench Press Program Spreadsheet – 5 Week

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This is Mark Bell’s 5 week Sling Shot bench press program, also known as the “Stronger in 30 Days” program. It’s a relatively straightforward bench-only program that gradually decreases volume while increasing intensity before attempting a new PR on week 5. Pretty classic linear periodization leading into a peak. [Read more…]

14 Week Advanced Strength & Peaking Program – Squats & Science

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This is a 14 week strength and peaking block for advanced powerlifters. It contains four training blocks and can be used to peak for a powerlifting meet. It was written by the highly accomplished folks at Squats & Science. [Read more…]

6 Week Beginner Powerlifting Peaking Block – Squats & Science

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This is a 6 week beginner powerlifting peaking block from Squats & Science.

This is a pretty unique program because there aren’t many peaking program designed strictly for the beginner powerlifter. I believe [Read more…]

6 Week Russian Bench Press Peaking Program (3 Day)

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Hey TikTok! Welcome to Lift Vault.

Any questions, please drop it in the Russian Bench Press Program discussion thread or email me. Good luck increasing your bench press!

To your continued gains,

Kyle

Overview

This is a no nonsense 6 week bench press peaking program styled after the infamous Russian Squat Routine. It is a 3 day bench press program that accumulates volume around 80% to 85% of a lifter’s 1 rep max before tapering down volume and increasing intensity. It ends with completing two singles at 105% of the lifter’s beginning 1 rep max.

[Read more…]

10 Week Powerlifting Program (RPE, Meet Prep)

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Created and shared by /u/Kroamatik as a “generic 10 week program” structured around 4 days per week. It is designed to be started 10 weeks out from a competition or a max testing week (so the competition occurs during week 10). [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…]

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…]

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…]

Brogains 10 Week Powerbuilding Program Spreadsheet (4 Day)

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The Brogains powerbuilding program is a strength and hypertrophy program written by Brogan Pratt. It has the option to be run as a peaking program for a meet. [Read more…]