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The 10 Best Strength Training Programs

  1. 3 Day Maximal Strength by Sheiko
  2. GreySkull LP (novice)
  3. nSuns (novice/intermediate)
  4. Madcow 5x5  (intermediate/advanced)
  5. Building the Monolith (intermediate/advanced)
  6. GZCL (intermediate)
  7. Wendler 5/3/1  (intermediate)
  8. GZCLP (novice/intermediate)
  9. Ivysaur 4-4-8 (novice)
  10. Strong Lifts 5x5 (novice)

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

Strength training programs are designed to increase the maximal force of the athlete's musculature. While the routines emphasize growing the strength of the athlete, they generally will also induce hypertrophy and trigger muscle growth. This is part of what helps the athlete get stronger. If hypertrophy is the primary goal, a powerbuilding or bodybuilding program is a better fit.

Strength routines differ from powerlifting programs in that they are not specifically designed to maximize the single rep max of the competition power lifts. However, many strength programs can be reasonably used as off season work for powerlifters as long as the program is followed by a powerlifting peaking program before a meet.

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Heavy, Light, Medium (HLM) Program Spreadsheet

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Heavy, Light, Medium (HLM) is a simple way to organize your training week so each lift gets a heavy, a medium, and a light session across three days. The heavy day pushes intensity, the light day keeps you moving and sharpens technique, and the medium day sits in between. This free spreadsheet turns that idea into a 12-week template based on Andy Baker’s framework, so you enter your maxes on the Input tab and every heavy, medium, and light load fills in for you.

The HLM idea goes back to coaches like Bill Starr, Mark Rippetoe, and Andy Baker, who used it to keep intermediate lifters progressing without burning out. Rotating the intensity day to day is much like a flexible daily undulating (DUP) split, and by the final week the medium day gets pushed hard enough that the program starts to look like a Texas Method setup, with one heavy intensity day and one hard volume day.

HLM works best for intermediate lifters who want a flexible template they can shape around their own recovery, not a fully prescriptive plan that dictates every set. If you’re newer and you just want to be told exactly what to do, a linear beginner program like Starting Strength will take you further before you need this kind of structure.

[Read more…]

The “Dad Bod” Bridge Workout Program Spreadsheet

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The “Dad Bod” Bridge program is a workout routine submitted by a Lift Vault reader. It is designed for busy people (especially parents) that are looking for any easy to follow routine that will help them grow and maintain strength in a limited amount of time. As the name suggests, it was inspired by The Bridge, a late stage novice strength program created by Barbell Medicine. [Read more…]

The Best Ectomorph Workout Plans

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An ectomorph workout is a training program designed to build mass for skinny individuals. The ectomorph body type is often described as having a flat chest, small shoulders, and thin waist. These individuals are often described as thin or skinny and have trouble putting on weight, possibly due to a faster than average metabolism (i.e. they are a “hard gainer”).

Building muscle and gaining weight is primarily a function of three things:

[Read more…]

5/3/1 for Beginners Spreadsheet & Tips

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5/3/1 is one of the most popular strength training programs ever, influencing other programs like GZCL and nSuns along the way. Its popularity has stemmed from its simplicity, flexibility, and ability to be run over and over for long periods of time. It favors slow, steady, repeatable progression over the long term instead of programs that pile on the weight for a few weeks or months before progress grinds to a halt.

[Read more…]

Boring But Big: 5/3/1 BBB Spreadsheets

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Boring But Big (BBB) is a template built on top of Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1. You train 4 days per week, one main lift per day (squat, bench press, deadlift, overhead press) using the standard 5/3/1 loading scheme, then follow it up with 5 sets of 10 reps (at 50% of your training max) on the same or a paired lift. Each session also includes one accessory movement, typically lat work or abs.

The idea behind BBB is straightforward: use the 5/3/1 main work to build strength, then pile on the volume with 5×10 to force hypertrophy. You’re not switching programs or adding complexity. You’re just bolting on more work after the strength sets. Wendler originally detailed this template in his 5/3/1 Second Edition, and it’s also covered in 5/3/1 Forever.

BBB is best for intermediate lifters who’ve already run base 5/3/1 and want to add size without abandoning their strength base. If you’re still in beginner territory, start with 5/3/1 for Beginners first. The volume in BBB is real, and jumping straight into 5×10 when you’re still adapting to the main work is going to beat you up. Even experienced lifters should start the supplemental sets at 50% and resist going heavier for the first few cycles.

[Read more…]

Omnidroid 12 Week Strength Program (5 Day)

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Omnidroid is a 5 day strength program Reddit user /u/benchpauper that runs for 12 weeks. It is structured a bit different than other programs and is definitely worth checking out if you’re a strength training enthusiast. It has a fair amount of heavy singles followed by back off volume and accessories. It looks like a lot of fun to run. [Read more…]

IRON GIANT – 5 Day, 12 Week Powerlifting Program

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Make way, here comes another hybrid program from /u/benchpauper, the mad scientist that brought you MegaZord, Starscream, and other programs. [Read more…]

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…]

The 5 Best Upper/Lower Split Programs

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Are you just looking for great upper/lower split workout programs to run?

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

  1. nSuns 4 Day LP
  2. SPF Powerbuilding
  3. Brogains Powerbuilding
  4. 5/3/1 365
  5. PHUL

What’s the best workout split for building muscle and gaining strength?

This question is a commonly asked question by many lifters. While several splits are effective, such as the bro split, push/pull split, full body workout split, and push/pull/legs, the upper/lower split is arguably the most popular.

An upper/lower workout split can be used whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced trainee. If you have at least 3-4 days per week to train, you can effectively hit each major muscle group twice per week, which is often considered to be the optimal training frequency for muscle growth.

The increased training frequency also improves your skill and technique in the big three (squat, bench press, and deadlift). An upper/lower split can also be utilized if you prefer training 5 or even 6 days per week.

Better yet, an upper/lower split benefits anyone wanting to lose fat, build muscle, and gain strength without living in the gym. Since this split is so popular, numerous upper/lower split workout programs are available!

Below you will find the five best upper/lower split workout programs and a link to their respective spreadsheets so you can download a copy for free!

[Read more…]

“Next Level” Linear Progression Strength Program (Brian Alsruhe)

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This is a linear progression strength program from Brian Alsruhe. It is the “next level” continuation of the linear progression programming video that he originally published in 2016 (video below). [Read more…]

Tactical Barbell Program Templates (Operator, Zulu, Mass, and More)

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This is a collection of templates for the Tactical Barbell program. Included are the operator, zulu, fighter, gladiator, mass, and grey man programs – all in the same spreadsheet.

[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…]

8 Week Intermediate Strength Block – Squats & Science

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This program is an 8 week intermediate level strength block from the smart folks at Squats & Science. It’s a 4 day per week training program that calls for squatting, benching, and deadlifting twice per week (counting near variations). [Read more…]

Best 3 Day Workout Splits

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Many gym goers believe you need to train five or six times a week to see strength gains and build muscle mass. 

But if you’re too busy to make it to the gym more than three times a week, don’t fret.

Three high-quality workout sessions are better than dragging yourself to the gym every day to do subpar workouts with no energy or focus.

We’ll explore how to achieve your fitness and aesthetic goals with just three weekly gym sessions. 

You’ll learn how to plan a 3-day workout split to strengthen your upper body and lower body muscle groups and promote muscle growth.

We’ve also provided links to the six best 3-day training split programs, where you’ll find free, downloadable spreadsheets to help you reach your goals. 

[Read more…]

Best 5 Day Workout Splits

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Finding the optimal training split for your schedule, training style, goals, and experience level takes some trial and error. 

Since everyone responds differently to varying amounts of training volume, frequency, and intensities, what is ideal for one lifter may be unfeasible for another

For many lifters, a 5-day workout split strikes the perfect balance between giving each muscle group sufficient volume and enough rest and recovery to grow and build strength.

A 5-day workout split targets your muscle groups more often, providing enough training volume to stimulate significant muscle growth and strength gains. 

Here, we’ll cover some of the best five-day workout splits for the optimal amount of total weekly training volume for each muscle group to yield the best strength and hypertrophy gains.

You’ll also find free, downloadable links to the five best 5-day workout split programs, complete with a customizable spreadsheet to track your progress over time.

[Read more…]

The Famous Reddit PPL Program Spreadsheet (Improved)

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The Reddit PPL is a 6 day push/pull/legs program built on linear progression. You train a push day, a pull day, and a leg day, then run all three again, with one rest day to finish the week. The barbell lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press, and rows) drive your progress and add weight every session you hit your reps, while the rest of each day is hypertrophy work to build size.

It came from Reddit user u/Metallicadpa and became the recommended PPL routine in the r/Fitness wiki. The idea is simple. You progress the main lifts the way a beginner program like GZCLP does, then wrap that in enough accessory volume to actually grow. If you’ve finished a basic linear progression and want more bodybuilding work without giving up strength gains, this is the natural next step.

It’s best for late beginners and early intermediate lifters who can train six days a week. If you can’t get to the gym that often, or you’re brand new to lifting, you’ll get more out of a 3 day full body program first. Run this when you have the time and a year or so of consistent training behind you.

[Read more…]

Starscream: 12 Week Hypertrophy Program (5 Day)

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Starscream is the brainchild of /u/benchpauper, who concocted such popular spreadsheets as the MEGAZORD hybrid strength program. [Read more…]

Deep Water Program Spreadsheet (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

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Deep Water is a high-volume strength program from strongman and pro wrestler Jon Andersen. It’s actually three separate 6-week programs run back to back – Beginner, then Intermediate, then Advanced – and each one is a complete 6-week, 5-day block (4 lifting days plus a recommended active recovery day). The whole thing is built around its infamous “100 reps in as few sets as possible” work for squat, deadlift, and push press, with the base level running 10×10 on the main lifts.

The idea behind Deep Water is to build strength and conditioning at the same time by burying you in volume. Andersen calls it training in “deep water” – you keep your head above the surface by getting fitter and stronger, week after week, as the program shortens your rest and tightens the sets. It’s closer to a brutal work-capacity builder than a peaking plan, which is why it shows up in the squat program and deadlift program collections, and why I’d file it under general strength training more than powerlifting.

Despite the name, the “Beginner” level is not a true-novice program. It assumes you already have roughly a year or more of barbell training and know your squat, deadlift, and press maxes. If you’re brand new to lifting, you’ll get more out of a real novice program first – the 10×10 volume here will flatten you otherwise. If you’ve got a base of training under you and you want your work capacity tested, Deep Water delivers.

[Read more…]

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…]

Thinner Leaner Stronger Workout Program Spreadsheets

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Thinner Leaner Stronger is Michael Matthews’ strength and physique program for women, and the female counterpart to Bigger Leaner Stronger. It runs on 3-day or 4-day splits built around heavy compound work in the 4-6 rep range, with accessories in the 8-12 rep range. The training is organized into 8-week phases followed by a deload week, and the cycle repeats indefinitely as you progress.

The program’s core idea is that women build strength and shape the same way men do: progressive overload on the big lifts. Matthews pushes back on the “light weights for toning” myth. Each session starts with a primary compound lift (squat, deadlift, bench, overhead press, or hip thrust depending on the day), then moves into 3-4 accessory exercises. The 3-day version runs a push/pull/legs structure; the 4-day version splits into chest and triceps, back and biceps and glutes, shoulders, and legs.

TLS is a good fit for beginner to early intermediate women who want to get stronger and change their body composition. You do need access to a barbell and a rack. If you’re looking for a program that doesn’t require a full gym setup, Strong Curves is worth a look since it works well with dumbbells and a hip thrust setup. The full TLS book and bonus materials (including official Excel and Google Sheets versions) are available at legionathletics.com via Michael Matthews and Legion Athletics.

[Read more…]