3×3 Powerlifting Routine

Powerlifting routines focus a lot on training a high volume phase and a competition or peaking phase. The 3×3 stands for 3 sets of 3 reps and you will be using some of the heaviest weight on these days.

This is an 8 week cycle that consists of two phases.

The first point of business is to get some numbers so the rest of this workout can be written on a piece of paper; no more trying to guess what to put on the bar on the fly.

Write down your 1 rep max for your squat, bench, and deadlift. Then,

  • Take your squat 1 rep max and add 25 pounds.
  • Take your bench 1 rep max and add 10 pounds.
  • Take your deadlift 1 rep max and add 15 pounds.

These new numbers are going to be your Projected Max.

When calculating for the weights to use each day, multiply the percent by your projected max. So 60% would be (.60 x projected max), 95% would be (.95 x projected max). Always round down your weights unless it is no more than 1 pound difference. Example: if 60% of your projected max is 223lbs, round to 220. If 85% of your projected max lands you at 314, round-up to 315.

For the assistance workouts, choose weights that are challenging but won’t bring you to failure.

Diet and Nutrition Tips

I would recommend going on a slow bulk for this routine to get the most out of it. It is easier to cut some fat afterwards than trying to make strength gains on a calorie deficit.

If you keep your weight consistent and need some tips to add calories into your diet, here are some of the best and healthiest ways to do so:

  • Butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Whole milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Cheese on everything
  • Protein shakes
  • Peanut butter
  • Olive oil
  • Extra dressing

These all add flavor and healthy fats to your diet. Personally, I prefer adding calories through this means instead of going to McDonalds and smashing a couple McDoubles.

You will feel better, have more energy, and your stomach will thank you.

Note: A little bit goes a long way, so be sure to know how many calories you are adding.

Recommended Supplements

Without a good diet, supplementation is mostly a waste of money. I will be the first to tell you to spend money on some good meats than a jug of protein.

For those who have their diets in check, here are the supplements I would use with this routine.

Pre-Workout

MTS Nutrition Clash

I personally like apple mango, but all flavors are good.

This is a great blend without too many stimulants.

Protein

MTS Machine Whey Protein: 5lbs

This is in my opinion the best tasting protein on the market. Period.

Great blend with no secrets, no amino spiking, and it is some of the best in the industry.

So far I’ve had Red Velvet, Cookies and Cream, and Key Lime. All are A+.

BCAA

MTS Nutrition Machine Fuel

Marc Lobliner has his sweetening on point with these supplements.

I’ve used mixed berry and grape and I love them both.

Creatine

Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine

I have a review of Optimum Nutrition’s Creatine and it’s a tried and true supplement. It will help with performance and recovery. I highly recommend this.

Phase 1

This phase is going to work on muscle endurance and conditioning, technique, and build muscle mass.

Week 1

Day 1:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 58%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 58%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 58%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 58%

Week 2

Day 1:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 60%

Week 3

Day 1:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 62%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 62%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 62%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 62%

Week 4

Day 1:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 64%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 64%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%
  • Bench: 6 sets of 6 reps at 64%
  • Deadlift: 8 sets of 5 reps at 64%

Phase 2

Trains the nervous system and puts some heavy weight on the bar. This is going to help you increase strength and work on technique flaws using maximal weights.

Week 1

Day 1:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 2 sets of 1 rep at 60%
  • Deadlift: 2 sets of 1 rep at 80%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 2 sets of 1 rep at 80%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 2 sets of 1 rep at 80%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Week 2

Day 1:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 2 sets of 1 rep at 85%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 2 sets of 1 rep at 85%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 2 sets of 1 rep at 85%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Week 3

Day 1:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 1 set of 1 rep at 90%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 1 set of 1 rep at 90%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 1 set of 1 rep at 90%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Week 4

Day 1:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 reps at 60%
  • Deadlift: 1 set of 1 rep at 95%

Day 2:

  • Squats: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%
  • Bench: 1 set of 1 rep at 95%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

Day 3:

  • Squats: 1 set of 1 rep at 95%
  • Bench: 5 sets of 4 at 60%
  • Deadlift: 3 sets of 3 reps at 60%

 

If you are running this program, you more than likely don’t need to kill your accessory work, no accessory work in phase 2.

Accessory work could be:

  • Triceps: 3 sets of 12 reps of close grip bench or floor presses.
  • Biceps: 3 sets of 12 reps curls.
  • Back: 3 sets of 10 lat pull downs.
  • Legs: 3 sets of 8 stiff leg deadlifts.
  • Abs: 3 sets of planks until failure

I do not recommend any more accessory work during phase 1 than this.

If you are prepping for a powerlifting meet, timing is everything. Be sure to time this routine to have 1 full week off before the meet to fully recover and be at the strongest you’ve ever been.

 

If you have any comments or questions, leave them below and be sure to sign up to receive an e-mail when a new article is released!

44 thoughts on “3×3 Powerlifting Routine”

    1. I didn’t state anywhere in the article that this was designed for a novice. I’m sorry if you saw this workout with those beliefs.

      Cutty

    1. I highly advise that you add cardio on your rest days. Increasing your aerobic and anaerobic capacity is going to help you get stronger.

      Cutty

  1. How many cycles would you recommend before taking a week off if you are not prepping for a meet? I understand you go off of feel but if you planned correctly one would be using max numbers that they could keep progeessing.

    1. There’s a lot to factor in for that but generally the 5th week of training could be used as a deload. So train 4 weeks and have 1 off. Some like to train 8 weeks and take one off. Try different timing schemes to see what works best for you. I like to do every 5th week because that helps me just stay fresh.

  2. Hello

    Great plan you have put together loving every minute of it..

    Please can you advise me on what supplements you recommend taking during and after this workout.

    And what diet should I be following to get the best results.

    Many thanks Andy

    1. Andy,

      Thank you for the kind words. I’ve added a supplement and diet advice section in the article. Generally eating more calories than you burn will help with strength – eating nutrient dense foods that you prepare yourself will yield a better result than eating fast food all of the time.

      Check out some of my nutrition articles to get a better grasp on what you should or shouldn’t do.

      Let me know how you progress man!

  3. Thanks for this. I’m looking into new programs and I really like this one, however I like to keep my training frequency high (5-6 days/week). Would this program not be a good fit in that case? Or can it be restructured to have a higher frequency?

    Great article!

    1. This 5 day workout is the highest training frequency workout I have right now. I don’t know how well restructuring this particular workout for 5-6 days would work out.

      Let me know if you try out the 5 day workout!

    1. Restart from phase one, calculating your new rep maxes. This allows you to progress even if you can’t linearly progress.

  4. I’ve seen in other programs where they say 5-8 sets at the first phase can i do this on this program or should i stick to 8 sets ?

    1. I design these workouts so that people can change up and modify what they want. The majority of readers will do that anyways, most asking (similar to how you just did). I always tell people to run it how it is (you’ll make gains that way) and then tailor it to your training style and preference.

      I hope this helps

  5. I want to use this program in conjunction with calisthenics so bodyweight (push ups, pull ups…etc. only exercises. Can I do one workout less and do maybe 2 calisthenics workouts a week and 2 powerlift workouts?

    Or just respect the phases i.e. no accessory work in phase 2?

    1. You can play around with intensity and how much weight you lift. If your goal is to hit more calisthenics then try both ways and see which you like best. Unless you’re doing a rather large amount of calisthenics training, I don’t see it affecting you that much (especially if you are already normally active).. but if you are new to the gym and wanting to mix in that much work, I’d advise against it. Just test the waters and see what works best for you.

  6. Crystal Ouellette

    This seems like a brutal workout and I love it. Can say I’ve done low reps of squats and deadlifts in the same day. Wondering if it’s too advanced for me? Your opinion? I’m 5’6 180lbs bf 21% I’ve been soild in the gym for almost 3 years competing in my first bodybuilding competition 4/1/17. I really live lifting heavy and I want to compete power lifting. Currently my 1rm are 180bench, 325deadlift 315 squat. Thank you for your feedback back

    1. The difference between bodybuilding and powerlifting is what you’re training. Bodybuilding you’re pounding muscles and rebuilding them. Powerlifting you’re making your nervous system more efficient and produce more power.

      You can squat and DL on the same day but it’s a bit much on the nervous system. In fact when I train 3 day setup I will usually train squats Monday, bench Wed, and Deadlift on Friday.

    2. Hi! My first meet is in two months and I’d like to try out this program as well. I’m a bit confused after looking at the program but then reading this comment. Is it best to split up the movements each day (squat Mon, bench Wed, DL Fri) like you mentioned in this comment, or to do all three of them on the same day like it’s listed in the program? Would love to know more about the pluses and minuses of each. Thanks!

    3. Angela,

      Welcome to powerlifting! I wish you the best. Check out my 12 weeks to the platform article to get some extra tips to make the most out of your first meet.

      I would advise not changing anything that you’ve been doing until after the meet. This way you can “start fresh.”

      The advantage to doing them every time you go in versus once per week is you get more volume and more reps to practice your form. This will allow you to address weak points.

      I personally like either way, once you start getting into years of training, you’ll not be able to keep up with the heavy weights unless you have very good conditioning. Many of these workouts are designed so that you can modify them to help address issues in your training. If you would like more volume and practice with your reps, doing them each time you go will definitely benefit you.

      Good luck and let me know how it goes!

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