The Complete Power Look Program

[T_Nation]

by Christian Thibaudeau

The look of power cannot be faked. Here's how to build a body that has the "go" to back up the "show."

Here’s What You Need To Know…

1. Physiques that exude power are made of massive lats, traps, and delts. And they don’t just look powerful, they are powerful.
2. To achieve the power look, you’ll need to get strong overall and improve your 3RM.
3. Focus on four main lifts with added accessory lifts. The purpose of the accessory lifts is to increase your 3RM on the main lifts.
4. There are three phases of this 10-week program. It’s periodized so that your main lifts increase in load while your assistance work decreases in volume.

Defining The Power Look

Few people have a physique that looks powerful and intimidating. And I want what few people have. Don’t you?

Picture this: Strong traps that slope down to rounded shoulders, a thick upper back, a lower back you can lose your forearm in, and tree-trunk legs. Now couple that look with strength - being able to move the equivalent of a small car on the big basics.

This is the physique most lifters want. I designed this program for them.

When you’re striving to achieve the power look, strength has to be the foundation of your training. Not necessarily 1RM strong, but overall strong.

Train toward achieving a new 3RM. The ultimate goal is to get 3 solid sets of 3 reps with your pre-cycle 1RM. That alone will guarantee a 10-15% gain in strength.

This program is built for a “big athlete” look. Think fullback or linebacker bodies. It will build muscle in all the right places and build the strength to back up the look.

Making The Program Work

The purpose of this program is to turn you into one powerful-looking human being. This is not the time to start a fat-loss diet!

We don’t want to get fat in our quest for looking like a tank, but it would be a huge mistake not to consume enough nutrients to fuel the workouts, recover, and then grow from them.

You want at least a 10% caloric surplus when doing this program. For supplements, I had my greatest improvements when I was consuming a high amount of Surge Workout Fuel (Buy at Amazon) pre and during training as well as Mag-10 post-training.

The Workouts

I’ll provide a week-by-week breakdown of the program below, but let’s start with an overview of each section.

Focus on four main lifts. These exercises are selected for their capacity to give you the power look. By themselves they’ll give you the body you want. Getting significantly stronger at these movements will earn you the power look.

But you’ll also use assistance exercises, which will increase the rate of progress in the main movements. Everything you do is designed to push the big four as high as possible, because getting the big-four higher is what will get you looking like a beast.

The Power 4

1. Front squat
2. Deadlift
3. Bench press
4. Push press

• Each workout contains three total exercises: One main movement (from the Power 4) and two assistance exercises to improve the main lift.
• The program has three distinct phases: The main movements stay the same for the duration of the cycle (10 weeks) but the assistance exercises will change depending on the purpose they serve.
• The main movements are periodized: The load is planned in advance for the whole cycle and based on testing your 1RM just prior to starting the training cycle.

The Periodization Scheme for the Main Movements:

• Week 1: 80%, 5 x 3
• Week 2: 80%, 5 x 4
• Week 3: 80%, 5 x 5
• Week 4: 80%, 5 x 6
• Week 5: 85%, 3 x 3
• Week 6: 85%, 5 x 3
• Week 7: 90%, 3 x 3
• Week 8: 95%, 3 x 2
• Week 9: 100%, 3 x 2
• Week 10: 100%, 3 x 3

After week 10, take three easy days and then test your new 1RM.

The Assistance Work

The program below has two assistance movements for each main lift during each training phase.

At the beginning of the program, the purpose of the assistance exercises will be to strengthen weak links in the main lifts. As the program progresses you’ll shift your focus more on getting ready to handle bigger weights.

This means emphasizing the stronger links in the main lifts so that you’re able to reach peak performance at the end of the cycle.

Note: For the assistance work you won’t use pre-planned loads like you will for the main lifts. Shoot for the heaviest load you can handle with proper form for all the work sets. Don’t hit failure on purpose, but if it happens once in a while don’t worry about it.

Phase 1 – Assistance Exercises

The two assistance exercises are selected to fix generally weak areas in the main lifts and build the key muscles involved.

• Front squat assistance exercises
• Paused front squat
• Split squat
• Deadlift assistance exercises
• Deficit deadlift
• Bent over barbell row (torso parallel to the floor)
• Bench press assistance exercises
• Full range dumbbell press(flat, lowering the dumbbells so that the handles are lower than a bench press bar would be)
• Floor press, close-grip
• Push press assistance exercises
• Military press
• High incline (60 degrees) dumbbell press
• Sets and reps for the phase 1 assistance exercises
• Week 1: 4 x 8
• Week 2: 2 x 8, 2 x 6 (heavier)
• Week 3: 4 x 6
• Week 4: 2 x 6

Phase 2 – Assistance Exercises

One exercise will continue working on a weak link for the main lift, but the second exercise will be an overload movement for the pattern to get used to handling heavier weights.

• Front squat assistance exercises
• 1 and 1/4th front squat (Go all the way down, then up halfway, back down, stand up. This is one rep.)
• 1/2 front squat (Going down only until the knee is at 100 degrees.)
• Deadlift assistance exercises
• Deficit sumo deadlift
• Deadlift from pins just below knees
• Bench press assistance exercises
• Wide-grip bench press
• 1/2 bench press (Normal bench press, lowering until elbows are 90 degrees.)
• Push press assistance exercises
• Top-half press from pins (Shoulder press from pins just above forehead.)
• 1/2 push press (From rack position to just above forehead.)
• Sets and reps for the phase 2 assistance exercises
• Week 5: 4 x 6
• Week 6: 2 x 6, 2 x 4 (heavier)
• Week 7: 4 x 4

Phase 3 – Assistance Exercises

The goal of the assistance movements is no longer about correcting weak links. Use them instead to emphasize strong links.

Use only assistance movements where you can use more weight than on the main lifts themselves. The volume of assistance work will be dropped to allow maximum recovery to peak for the main lifts.

• Front squat assistance exercise
• Back squat, narrow stance (hip width), high bar position
• Deadlift assistance exercise
• Deadlift from pins just above knees
• Bench press assistance exercise
• Decline bench press
• Push press assistance exercise
• Power jerk
• Sets and reps for the phase 3 assistance exercises
• Week 8: 4 x 2
• Week 9: 2 x 2
• Week 10: None

The Complete Power Look Program

Week 1 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (80%)	5	3
B.	Paused Front Squat (2 second pause in the bottom position)	4	8
C.	Split Squat (bar held like in a front squat)	4	8
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	8-10

Week 1 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (80%)	5	3
B.	Full Range Dumbbell Press	4	8
C.	Close-Grip Floor Press (1 second stop on floor)	4	8
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-Bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	8-10

Week 1 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (80%)	5	3
B.	Deficit Deadlift (standing on 2" plate)	4	8
C.	Bent Over Barbell Row (torso parallel to floor)	4	8
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	8-10

Week 1 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (80%)	5	3
B.	Military Press	4	8
C.	High Incline (60°) Dumbbell Press	4	8
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	8-10

Week 2 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (80%)	5	4
B.	Paused Front Squat	2,2	8,6
C.	Split Squat	2,2	8,6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	8-10

Week 2 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (80%)	5	4
B.	Full Range Dumbbell Press	2,2	8,6
C.	Close-Grip Floor Press	2,2	8,6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	8-10

Week 2 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (80%)	5	4
B.	Deficit Deadlift	2,2	8,6
C.	Bent Over Barbell Row	2,2	8,6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	8-10

Week 2 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (80%)	5	4
B.	Military Press	2,2	8,6
C.	High Incline (60°) Dumbbell Press	2,2	8,6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	8-10

Week 3 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (80%)	5	5
B.	Paused Front Squat	4	6
C.	Split Squat	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	8-10

Week 3 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (80%)	5	5
B.	Full Range Dumbbell Press	4	6
C.	Close-Grip Floor Press	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	8-10

Week 3 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (80%)	5	5
B.	Deficit Deadlift	4	6
C.	Bent Over Barbell Row	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	8-10

Week 3 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (80%)	5	5
B.	Military Press	4	6
C.	High Incline (60°) Dumbbell Press	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	8-10

Week 4 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (80%)	5	6
B.	Paused Front Squat	2	6
C.	Split Squat	2	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	8-10

Week 4 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (80%)	5	6
B.	Full Range Dumbbell Press	2	6
C.	Close-Grip Floor Press	2	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	8-10

Week 4 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (80%)	5	6
B.	Deficit Deadlift	2	6
C.	Bent Over Barbell Row	2	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	8-10

Week 4 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (80%)	5	6
B.	Military Press	2	6
C.	High Incline (60°) Dumbbell Press	2	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	8-10

Week 5 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (85%)	3	3
B.	1 and 1/4 Front Squat	4	6
C.	1/2 Front Squat	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	6-8

Week 5 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (85%)	3	3
B.	Wide Grip Bench Press	4	6
C.	1/2 Bench Press	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	6-8

Week 5 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (85%)	3	3
B.	Deficit Sumo Deadlift (standing on 2" plates)	4	6
C.	Deadlift from pins (just below knees)	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	6-8

Week 5 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (85%)	3	3
B.	Top Half Press from pins (bar starting on pins just above forehead)	4	6
C.	1/2 Push Press (from rack position to just above forehead)	4	6
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	6-8

Week 6 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (85%)	5	3
B.	1 and 1/4 Front Squat	4	6
C.	1/2 Front Squat	2,2	6,4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	6-8

Week 6 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (85%)	5	3
B.	Wide Grip Bench Press	2,2	6,4
C.	1/2 Bench Press	2,2	6,4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	6-8

Week 6 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (85%)	5	3
B.	Deficit Sumo Deadlift	2,2	6,4
C.	Deadlift from pins	2,2	6,4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	6-8

Week 6 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (85%)	5	3
B.	Top Half Press from pins	2,2	6,4
C.	1/2 Push Press	2,2	6,4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	6-8

Week 7 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (90%)	3	3
B.	1 and 1/4 Front Squat	4	6
C.	1/2 Front Squat	4	4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	6-8

Week 7 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (90%)	3	3
B.	Wide Grip Bench Press	4	4
C.	1/2 Bench Press	4	4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	6-8

Week 7 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (90%)	3	3
B.	Deficit Sumo Deadlift	4	4
C.	Deadlift from pins	4	4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	6-8

Week 7 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (90%)	3	3
B.	Top Half Press from pins	4	4
C.	1/2 Push Press	4	4
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
D.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	6-8

Week 8 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (95%)	3	2
B.	Back Squat, narrow stance, high bar placement	4	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	6-8

Week 8 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (95%)	3	2
B.	Decline Bench Press	4	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-Bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension.	3	6-8

Week 8 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (95%)	3	2
B.	Deadlift from pins	4	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	6-8

Week 8 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (95%)	3	2
B.	Power Jerk	4	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	6-8

Week 9 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (100%)	3	2
B.	Back Squat, narrow stance, high bar placement	2	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Leg Press, Leg Extension, Hack Squat	3	6-8

Week 9 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (100%)	3	2
B.	Decline Bench Press	2	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Dumbbell Triceps Extension, EZ-Bar Triceps Extension, Rope Triceps Extension	3	6-8

Week 9 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (100%)	3	2
B.	Deadlift from pins	2	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Barbell or Dumbbell Shrugs, Chin-ups/Pull-ups, Leg Curl	3	6-8

Week 9 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (100%)	3	2
B.	Power Jerk	2	2
	Optional Bonus Work (pick one or two)
C.	Dumbbell Lateral Raise, Dumbbell Front Raise, Barbell Curl	3	6-8

Week 10 – Day 1

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Front Squat (100%)	3	3

Week 10 – Day 2

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Bench Press (100%)	3	3

Week 10 – Day 3

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Deadlift (100%)	3	3

Week 10 – Day 4

	Exercise	Sets	Reps
A.	Push Press (100%)	3	3

[SM27]

What exercises do we choose from in the “Optional Work” part after set C?

[Thomsonator]

Just completed this program on Friday. Enjoyed it a lot, got decent results in strength, hypertrophy and tonus. Definitely looking a bit more powerful. I’m an advanced trainee 58 yo so gains come hard. This helped a lot with my front squat. I am back to previous 1RM levels from several years ago and will likely break that next week with a new 1RM test. Only weak spot for me was chest/bench. Those workouts felt super tough when approaching/doing the 95% and 100% sets. I attribute that to dropping my dead stop from pins flat bench work I was doing to fix my sticking point. I also dropped static dip holds (at top) which likely had some impact on triceps. I am going to do this program again after a break doing some other things. Will modify the chest assistance workouts to include some bench press from pins variations and bring back the static dip holds. The rest of the program was very solid for me and will just go to next progression based on new 1RM tests next week. I was doing this 4 days per week but did a 5th workout (6 out of 10 weeks) using 60-65% 1RM, low rep capacity circuits ala manual labor day in the Russian Strength program.