RPE-Based Powerlifting: 9-Week Build
Auto-regulate every session and add to your total.
Goal
Add 10–20 kg to your total
Duration
9 Weeks
Frequency
4 days/wk
Level
Intermediate
Full program
Premium$9.99 · one-time
Lifetime access inside the Onyx app.
- 9 Weeks of programming
- 4× sessions per week
- Every exercise wired to a video walkthrough
- Nutrition, supplementation & recovery guide
- Lifetime updates inside the Onyx app
Want everything? Get All Access for $79
Workout Summary
RPE-Based Powerlifting: 9-Week Build
Top sets called by RPE so you never grind a bad day. Volume backoffs drive the hypertrophy that keeps the strength coming.
Who it's for
- Lifters who want a clear plan with zero guesswork
- Athletes returning from a layoff or chasing a new PR
- Anyone tired of stitching together random YouTube workouts
What you get
- Full week-by-week progression
- Every session with sets, reps and rest
- Substitutions from the Onyx exercise library
- Nutrition, supplementation and recovery guidance
Pre-session protocol
Warm-up · do this before every workout
Nutrition
Nutrition · Powerlifting
Hit a daily protein target of 0.8–1 g per pound of bodyweight, anchor meals around whole-food carbs, and stay within ±300 kcal of the goal (surplus, maintenance or deficit) for the duration of the block.
Supplementation
Supplementation
Creatine monohydrate (5 g/day), a quality whey or plant protein to backfill daily protein, electrolytes around training, and vitamin D3 + magnesium for recovery.
Sleep & Recovery
Sleep & Recovery
Sleep 7–9 hours, walk 8–10k steps/day, protect one true rest day, and reduce intensity any week sleep or stress fall off a cliff.
Training Overview
Training Overview
Sessions pair the highest-return compound from the Onyx library with focused accessory work. Volume rises in waves and deloads on schedule so nothing breaks down.
9 Weeks · Progression
Progression
Weeks 1–2 build technique and baseline loads. Mid-block (weeks 3–5) progressively overload top sets. Final weeks intensify, then deload + retest in the closing week.
Weekly Schedule
Weekly Schedule
Workouts
RPE-Based Powerlifting: 9-Week Build
Week 1 free preview · Weeks 2–9 unlock after purchase
Week 1 · Day 1
Squat + Accessories
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Squat | 4 | 5 (ramp: light → RPE 7 → RPE 8 on top set, then 3 backoffs matching load) | 3 min |
| Pause Squat | 3 | 5 | 2 min |
| Bulgarian Split Squat | 3 | 8 / leg | 90 sec |
| Leg Press | 3 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Standing Calf Raise | 3 | 15 | 45 sec |
Week 1 · Day 2
Bench (Heavy)
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbell Bench Press | 4 | 5 (ramp to RPE 8 top set, then 3 backoffs) | 3 min |
| Close-Grip Bench Press | 3 | 6 | 2 min |
| Incline Dumbbell Press | 3 | 8 | 90 sec |
| Chest-Supported Row | 3 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Overhead Rope Triceps | 3 | 12 | 60 sec |
Week 1 · Day 3
Optional · Active recoveryZone-2 Walk
Easy 30–40 min walk — outdoor or treadmill. Conversational pace, builds aerobic base and speeds recovery.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treadmill Walking | 1 | 30–40 min | — |
| Treadmill Incline Walking | Optional finisher | 2 × 5 min @ 6% incline | 2 min |
Week 1 · Day 4
Deadlift + Back
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadlift | 3 | 3 (ramp to RPE 8 top set) | 3 min |
| Romanian Deadlift | 3 | 6 | 2 min |
| Barbell Row | 4 | 6 | 2 min |
| Lat Pull Down | 3 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Face Pulls | 3 | 15 | 45 sec |
Week 1 · Day 5
Bench (Volume)
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbell Bench Press | 5 | 8 @ RPE 7 | 2 min |
| Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press | 4 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Dumbbell Lateral Raise | 4 | 12 | 60 sec |
| Cable Chest Fly | 3 | 12 | 60 sec |
| Triceps Pushdown | 3 | 12 | 45 sec |
Week 1 · Day 6
Optional · Active recoveryBike + Mobility
Light spin to flush the legs, then core and mobility to protect the joints for tomorrow's lift.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary Cycle | 1 | 25–30 min easy | — |
| Plank | 3 | 30 sec | 45 sec |
| Hanging Leg Raise | 3 | 10 | 60 sec |
Week 1 · Day 7
Optional · Active recoveryFull Rest or Light Walk
Take the day off, or just walk 20–30 min and stretch. Recovery is when the gains happen.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treadmill Walking | Optional | 20–30 min easy | — |
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FAQ
FAQ
Can I move sessions around to fit my schedule?
Yes - keep the order of training days but swap which calendar day they land on. Avoid stacking the two hardest sessions back-to-back.
What if I miss a workout?
Slide the week back by one day rather than doubling up. Recovery is the variable that creates progress.
Run this in the Onyx app
Track every set. Auto-progress every week.
This program is built right into Onyx - videos, logging, deload triggers and PR alerts.