Programmes

Training programmes

Guides to 30 common training programmes, from first barbell programmes to powerlifting peaks. Each guide covers who the programme is for, its weekly structure and how progression works. 29 of them are in VALDA's programme library, ready to start; VALDA recognises the other 1 when you import your own copy (Smart Import, part of VALDA Pro).

GZCLP 4-Day running in VALDA: last session, the next one up, and Start next session

In the programme library

Start one of these and VALDA sets up the sessions and starting weights, then applies the progression rules of its version as you train. Where VALDA's version differs from the original, the guide says so.

Intermediate · Muscle size

20-Rep Squat Programme

One brutal set of 20 breathing squats per session — a pre-war squat-specialisation tradition for size and strength.

3 days a week6 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

5/3/1

Four-week wave of percentages of training max with AMRAP top sets, then a deload.

4 days a week4 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

5/3/1 FSL

Percentage-wave main work plus a back-off block at the first working set weight.

4 days a week4 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

5/3/1 SSL

Percentage-wave main work plus a back-off block at the middle working set weight.

4 days a week4 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

Bro Split

One muscle per day — classic bodybuilding structure.

5 days a week4 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Powerlifting

Calgary Barbell 16-Week

16-week block: 8 weeks hypertrophy base, 8 weeks peak.

4 days a week16 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Powerlifting

Calgary Barbell 8-Week

8-week powerlifting meet peak — accumulation, intensification, taper.

4 days a week9 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Powerlifting

Korte 3×3

Squat, bench and deadlift every session, three sessions a week — four weeks of volume, then four weeks of peaking.

3 days a week8 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

Madcow 5×5

Intermediate 5×5 with a weekly volume / light / intensity split.

3 days a week12 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

nSuns 5/3/1 4-Day

The original nSuns — nine working sets per primary lift, with the 95% AMRAP driving a weekly training-max bump.

4 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

nSuns 5/3/1 5-Day

The four-day template plus a dedicated overhead press 5/3/1 day.

5 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

PHAT

Two power days (low reps, heavy) followed by three hypertrophy days (moderate reps, body-part focus).

5 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

PHUL

Four-day upper/lower split — strength-focused days paired with hypertrophy-focused days.

4 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

PHUL 5-Day

Five-day expansion of the power + hypertrophy upper/lower split with an added arm day.

5 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

Reddit PPL — CoolCicada

Six-day push/pull/legs from three repeated sessions — three barbell presses on push day, straight sets throughout.

6 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

Reddit PPL — Metallicadpa

The r/Fitness six-day push/pull/legs routine — heavy compound openers with AMRAP top sets, then hypertrophy accessories.

6 days a weekFree to start

Intermediate · Powerlifting

Smolov Jr

Three-week single-lift specialisation — the same four sessions every week, 6×6 through 10×3.

4 days a week3 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Strength

Texas Method

Three-day weekly intermediate split — volume day, light day, intensity day.

3 days a week12 weeksFree to start

Intermediate · Muscle size

Upper/Lower 4-Day Split

4 sessions per week — each half of the body hit twice.

4 days a week4 weeksFree to start

These guides describe common programmes for information; they aren't personal prescriptions. VALDA is not affiliated with or endorsed by any programme's author.