You don’t NEED to run Powerbuilding Phase 1 or Powerbuilding Phase 2 first, but I do recommend it. Phase 3 is designed to build on the adaptations and progressions developed in Phase 1 and 2, so you may find it to be too challenging if you jump into Phase 3 right away.

If you found Phase 2 to be very challenging the last time you ran it, and have been inconsistent with your training since completing it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to run back through at least the first 6 weeks of Phase 2 again before starting Phase 3. On the other hand, if you found you were recovering properly on Phase 2 and have been reasonably diligent with your training in the meantime, you have the green light to jump in with Phase 3 right away. Phase 3 starts with a relatively light intro week anyway, so you will be easing into the program regardless.

No. If you are still in your first year or two of training, I'd recommend running my Fundamentals Program first. After that, I'd suggest running at least one of my Push Pull Legs or Upper/Lower program before moving onto my Powerbuilding routines. This program is designed for intermediate-advanced trainees who have seen a stall past the newbie phase in either strength or size

If you’re able to do two of the three lifts, it is possible for you to tweak the program to fit your needs. For example, if you can squat and deadlift but can’t bench press, you could replace the bench work in this program with dips, dumbbell press, smith-machine press or machine chest press and run the rest of the program as is. If you can squat and bench press but can’t deadlift, you could replace the deadlift work with hip thrusts and/or lower back extensions. If you can bench press and deadlift but can’t squat, you could replace the squat work with front squats, hack squats or leg press.

However, because one of the main objectives of this program is to increase strength on the Big Three lifts, if you’re unable to perform any of those lifts, this is not the best program for you at this time. I suggest you consider running one of my other programs instead.

Feel free to try my free program selector to find which program is best for you.

There are two different versions of the program. A four times per week option and a five times per week option. Simply choose the version that best suits your schedule and let the gains take care of themselves.

You only need a power rack, barbell, bench and (ideally) some dumbbells to run this program. Because there are exercise substitutions included for every exercise, you can run this program with basic lifting equipment and can tailor it to fit your situation. To run the program exactly as written (without any substitutions) however, you would need gym access as there are a few cable and machine exercises included as well.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to my coaching support team at any time.