4 days · 60 min
Powerlifting program
Squat, bench, deadlift — trained heavy twice a week each, with the accessory work that keeps the three lifts moving. This is the real four-week block our engine writes for a strength-first lifter.
Get this plan built around meA powerlifting block is not a bodybuilding week with heavier weights. The competition lifts come first while you are fresh, the rep ranges live between three and six on the main work, and everything after exists to hold up the part of the lift that fails first.
The four days below are generated by the same engine that builds your plan after the Athlete Assessment. Swap in what your gym actually has and the structure — heavy main lift, heavy variation, targeted accessories — stays exactly the same.
Who it's for
- Lifters chasing a bigger squat, bench and deadlift total
- Anyone with four training days and access to a barbell and rack
- Returning athletes who want strength before size or conditioning
How the block progresses
The exercises barely change across the 4 weeks. What changes is the load, the rep target and the volume — one variable at a time, so you always know what moved.
Week 1: Set the baseline
Work the competition lifts up to a heavy set of five that you could stop two reps short on — roughly 75 to 80 percent of your best single. Log every number; this week exists to give weeks two and three a target.
Week 2: Add load, hold reps
Same set and rep scheme, about 5 lb heavier on bench and 10 lb on squat and deadlift. Accessories stay where week one left them.
Week 3: Peak week
Main lifts drop to triples near 87 to 90 percent so load can climb one more time. One rep in reserve on every top set; no singles unless you are inside four weeks of a meet.
Week 4: Deload, then repeat
Half the working sets come off and load drops to about 70 percent. Start the next block from week three's triples minus one jump, and the whole total climbs again.
The full 4-week block, week by week
Every session of every week, straight out of the live program engine for a 4-day, 60-minute setup — sets, reps, rest and the cue that matters.
Week 1 — Set the baseline
Work the competition lifts up to a heavy set of five that you could stop two reps short on — roughly 75 to 80 percent of your best single. Log every number; this week exists to give weeks two and three a target.
Day 1: Lower Strength
Squat, hinge, single leg · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
- Box Jump3 × 8-10
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 90s rest
Day 2: Upper Strength
Press, pull, torso · 60 min
- Bench Press4 × 5
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 150s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dumbbell Bench Press3 × 8-10
Elbows at roughly 45 degrees. Touch, pause, press. · 90s rest
- Lat Pulldown3 × 8-10
Pull the bar to the collarbone with the elbows, not the hands. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 3: Speed & Power
Jumps, sprints, elastic strength · 60 min
- Box Jump4 × 5
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 150s rest
- Acceleration Runs (20 yd)3 × 3 x 30s
Build to roughly 85 percent. Full recovery between reps — speed work is not conditioning. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 4: Full Body
Total body strength · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Bench Press3 × 8-10
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Week 2 — Add load, hold reps
Same set and rep scheme, about 5 lb heavier on bench and 10 lb on squat and deadlift. Accessories stay where week one left them.
Day 1: Lower Strength
Squat, hinge, single leg · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
- Box Jump3 × 8-10
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 90s rest
Day 2: Upper Strength
Press, pull, torso · 60 min
- Bench Press4 × 5
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 150s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dumbbell Bench Press3 × 8-10
Elbows at roughly 45 degrees. Touch, pause, press. · 90s rest
- Lat Pulldown3 × 8-10
Pull the bar to the collarbone with the elbows, not the hands. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 3: Speed & Power
Jumps, sprints, elastic strength · 60 min
- Box Jump4 × 5
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 150s rest
- Acceleration Runs (20 yd)3 × 3 x 30s
Build to roughly 85 percent. Full recovery between reps — speed work is not conditioning. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 4: Full Body
Total body strength · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Bench Press3 × 8-10
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Week 3 — Peak week
Main lifts drop to triples near 87 to 90 percent so load can climb one more time. One rep in reserve on every top set; no singles unless you are inside four weeks of a meet.
Day 1: Lower Strength
Squat, hinge, single leg · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 3-5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
- Box Jump3 × 8-10
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 90s rest
Day 2: Upper Strength
Press, pull, torso · 60 min
- Bench Press4 × 3-5
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 150s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dumbbell Bench Press3 × 8-10
Elbows at roughly 45 degrees. Touch, pause, press. · 90s rest
- Lat Pulldown3 × 8-10
Pull the bar to the collarbone with the elbows, not the hands. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 3: Speed & Power
Jumps, sprints, elastic strength · 60 min
- Box Jump4 × 3-5
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 150s rest
- Acceleration Runs (20 yd)3 × 3 x 30s
Build to roughly 85 percent. Full recovery between reps — speed work is not conditioning. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 4: Full Body
Total body strength · 60 min
- Back Squat4 × 3-5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Bench Press3 × 8-10
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Week 4 — Deload, then repeat
Half the working sets come off and load drops to about 70 percent. Start the next block from week three's triples minus one jump, and the whole total climbs again.
Day 1: Lower Strength (Deload)
Squat, hinge, single leg · 60 min
- Back Squat3 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift2 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat2 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug2 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley2 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow2 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
- Box Jump2 × 8-10
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 90s rest
Day 2: Upper Strength (Deload)
Press, pull, torso · 60 min
- Bench Press3 × 5
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 150s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up2 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dumbbell Bench Press2 × 8-10
Elbows at roughly 45 degrees. Touch, pause, press. · 90s rest
- Lat Pulldown2 × 8-10
Pull the bar to the collarbone with the elbows, not the hands. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug2 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley2 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow2 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 3: Speed & Power (Deload)
Jumps, sprints, elastic strength · 60 min
- Box Jump3 × 5
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing. · 150s rest
- Acceleration Runs (20 yd)2 × 2 x 30s
Build to roughly 85 percent. Full recovery between reps — speed work is not conditioning. · 90s rest
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat2 × 8-10
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift2 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug2 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up2 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow2 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Day 4: Full Body (Deload)
Total body strength · 60 min
- Back Squat3 × 5
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole. · 150s rest
- Bench Press2 × 8-10
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat. · 90s rest
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift2 × 8-10
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together. · 90s rest
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up2 × 8-10
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down. · 90s rest
- Dead Bug2 × 8-10
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend. · 90s rest
- Loaded Carry Medley2 × 8-10
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes. · 90s rest
- Hip Mobility Flow2 × 8-10
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position. · 90s rest
Key exercises in this plan
Every lift week one uses, with the coaching cue and the swaps we allow when equipment or a cranky joint gets in the way.
Back Squat
squat · barbell
Brace before you unrack. Knees track over mid-foot, chest stays tall out of the hole.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Goblet Squat, Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat, Leg Press
Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift
hinge · barbell
Pull the slack out of the bar before you pull the floor. Hips and chest rise together.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Romanian Deadlift, Kettlebell Swing, Hip Thrust
Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat
lunge · bodyweight, dumbbells, kettlebell
Front shin vertical, back knee straight down. This is the single-leg base everything else sits on.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power
Swap for: Reverse Lunge, Loaded Step-Up
Dead Bug
core · bodyweight
Low back stays flat on the floor the entire set. Exhale as you extend.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 2: Upper Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Front Plank, Pallof Press
Loaded Carry Medley
carry · dumbbells, kettlebell
Tall ribcage, quiet steps. Grip fails before posture does — stop when posture goes.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 2: Upper Strength, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Bike / Rower Intervals, Kettlebell Swing
Hip Mobility Flow
mobility · bodyweight
90/90 to half-kneeling to a deep lunge. Breathe at every position.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 2: Upper Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Dead Bug
Box Jump
power · bodyweight
Land quiet and absorbed. Step down every rep — the jump is the training, not the landing.
Appears in: Day 1: Lower Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power
Swap for: Broad Jump, Pogo Hops
Bench Press
push · barbell, dumbbells
Shoulder blades pinned to the bench. Bar path finishes over the shoulders, not the throat.
Appears in: Day 2: Upper Strength, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Dumbbell Bench Press, Push-Up
Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up
pull · bodyweight, bands, machines
Start from a dead hang, lead with the chest, control the way down.
Appears in: Day 2: Upper Strength, Day 3: Speed & Power, Day 4: Full Body
Swap for: Lat Pulldown, Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
Dumbbell Bench Press
push · dumbbells
Elbows at roughly 45 degrees. Touch, pause, press.
Appears in: Day 2: Upper Strength
Swap for: Bench Press, Push-Up
Lat Pulldown
pull · machines, bands
Pull the bar to the collarbone with the elbows, not the hands.
Appears in: Day 2: Upper Strength
Swap for: Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up, Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
Acceleration Runs (20 yd)
sprint · bodyweight
Build to roughly 85 percent. Full recovery between reps — speed work is not conditioning.
Appears in: Day 3: Speed & Power
Swap for: Hill Sprints, Bike / Rower Intervals
How to swap an exercise
Missing kit, a busy rack or a joint that argues with a lift are all fine reasons to substitute. These four rules keep the block intact when you do.
Never swap the competition lift
Squat, bench and deadlift stay. Variations and accessories are the flexible part of the block — the three lifts are the point of it.
Swap a variation for the same weak point
Pause squats and tempo squats both train the bottom position; board press and close-grip bench both train lockout. Replace like with like rather than by what is free in the gym.
Pain means change the range, not the plan
Sharp or joint-line pain gets a variation that avoids that range — block pulls for deadlifts, floor press for bench — for the remainder of the block.
Build your own version
Change the goal, schedule, session length or equipment and week one rebuilds instantly — this is the same engine that writes your full program.
Lower Strength
- Back Squat4 × 5
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
- Box Jump3 × 8-10
Upper Strength
- Bench Press4 × 5
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
- Dumbbell Bench Press3 × 8-10
- Lat Pulldown3 × 8-10
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
Speed & Power
- Box Jump4 × 5
- Acceleration Runs (20 yd)3 × 3 x 30s
- Rear-Foot Elevated Split Squat3 × 8-10
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
Full Body
- Back Squat4 × 5
- Bench Press3 × 8-10
- Trap Bar / Conventional Deadlift3 × 8-10
- Pull-Up / Assisted Pull-Up3 × 8-10
- Dead Bug3 × 8-10
- Loaded Carry Medley3 × 8-10
- Hip Mobility Flow3 × 8-10
Like what you see? Create a free account and we'll build all 12 weeks around you.
How to run it
The main lift is the session
If time runs out, the top sets of the competition lift still happened. Cut accessories from the bottom of the list up, never the other way around.
Bar speed is the real gauge
When the top set slows visibly, that is your last working weight for the week. Grinding a rep costs you the next two sessions and buys almost nothing.