Beginner PowerBuilder Program Guide

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This document provides information on a beginner powerlifting program, including recommendations for warmups, top sets using Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales, backdown sets, and deloa…

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Tung Le
  • Warmups
  • Top Sets (RPE)
  • Deloading
  • Backdown Sets
  • Additional Information

Beginner PowerBuilder Program

By
Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my brother. Without him, I would most definitely not be where I

am at today. Hit him up with a follow as he will be teaching the fundamentals of powerlifting

and bodybuilding. (@IG: @[Link]).

Big thank you to everyone that continues to support me on the daily! I receive a ton of

supportive messages on Instagram. Unfortunately, my typical response is time is slow as a lot of

my time is spent between training, coaching, 3 different social media platforms, and my studies

(I am a 3rd year Undergrad Student in Computer Science). Once I free from my academic duties,

on the 15th of December, I will allocate a lot more time back into the responsiveness of my

social media.

Do not be afraid to DM me for any questions concerning the program (I will respond

eventually). Tag me in your post and you might just get featured. On top of that, I will

consider doing another program giveaway near the 20k IG Follower mark. The upcoming

program will build upon this training regimen (for intermediate lifting).
Warmups

When warming up, the goal is to raise your body temperature. The warmup weights are

not listed in this program. The basic idea is to use as little energy as possible to achieve a

comfortable level of warmth. Being warm is important for avoiding injuries, and for providing

the optimal firing of motor units that surrounds the skeletal muscle fibers. Here is my

recommended warmup for compound movements:

• 0% to 50%, < 12 Repetitions

• 50% to 75%, 3 to 5 Repetitions

• > 75%, 1 Repetitions

Top Sets (RPE)

Rate perceived exertion, RPE, is a subjective self-rating scale 1 to 10 that rates the

amount of exertion during an exercise (you can think of this as Effort). In this program, an RPE

of 6 to 9.5 is used for determining the compound training weights. The RPE scale is very

responsive to how you are feeling the day of training.

So how can we use the RPE scale to make to make this style of training a little more

objective? RPE equals the remaining reps in your gas tank upon reaching failure.

For example:

• [Max Effort (RPE 10) – Goal Training Effort (X RPE of the set)].

• RPE 9 a set of 5 reps.

• The remaining reps in your gas tank should be 10 – 9 = 1 rep left. A total of 6 reps can

be executed and an attempt of the 7th rep would result in failure.


The advantage of the RPE scale allows you to modify the Top Sets/RPE on the day of

training. If you feel weaker (or stronger) than usual, bump the weights down (or up) for that of

the RPE set.

Backdown Sets

The Backdown Sets are listed right below the Top Sets/RPE. These sets are percentage

based. They are implemented to increase linearly throughout the program. These sets are not

meant to be rigorous. The purpose of these Backdown Sets is to build upon itself with room to

spare for training momentum. Backdown Sets are also an opportunity to fix lagging muscle

groups, improve form, and develop efficient motor patterns (aka. technique).

Deloading

There are two forms of Deloading: Active and Passive. Active Deloading is when

volume and intensity are reduced to around 50% to 75%. This exact number is determined by

that of the athlete. As for passive Deloading, there is no compounds, accessories, and training.

To maximize recovery, prioritize nutrition and sleep.

• Use an Active Deload for weeks 9,

• Use a Passive Deload for week 14.


Additional information

I recommend video recording at least one set from your Top Sets/RPE and Working Sets

for the squat, bench and deadlift. Recording your Top/Backdown Sets will allow for form

critiquing and self reflection.

Common questions

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The RPE scale, which stands for Rate Perceived Exertion, is used in a training program to provide a subjective self-rating scale from 1 to 10 that measures exertion during an exercise . By using the RPE scale, athletes can adjust their training loads based on how they feel on the day of training. This system allows the training session to become more objective by modifying the weight loads according to the perceived difficulty of the exercise. For example, if the athlete feels stronger or weaker than usual, they can adjust the weight by referring to the RPE value, thus ensuring that the workout intensity is sustainable and effective .

Video recording is recommended during Top Sets/RPE and Working Sets for exercises like the squat, bench, and deadlift . This practice allows athletes to critique their form and reflect on their technique. By reviewing these recordings, athletes can identify areas for improvement, make adjustments to their exercise execution, and track progress over time . Such feedback is critical for refining technique and ensuring consistent performance gains.

The author plans to conduct another program giveaway as they approach the 20k Instagram follower milestone . This strategic move is intended to enhance participant engagement and community involvement, leveraging social media growth to promote increased interaction and interest in the program.

The author is a 3rd-year undergraduate student in Computer Science and is also involved in training, coaching, and managing various social media platforms . These commitments impact their response time and engagement with program participants, as their availability is limited by these responsibilities. The author intends to allocate more time to responsiveness on social media after completing their academic duties in December . This highlights the balance they must maintain between personal responsibilities and their commitment to supporting their community.

Backdown Sets are designed to be percentage-based exercises that scale linearly throughout the program. They are not meant to be as rigorous as top sets, which allows athletes room to maintain training momentum without overexertion . These sets also provide an opportunity to address lagging muscle groups, improve form, and develop efficient motor patterns, catering to the specific needs of the athlete . This approach ensures that the training program remains adaptable and continuous while also promoting technical improvement and muscle balance.

The training program emphasizes the importance of warm-ups in raising body temperature to prevent injuries and optimize the firing of motor units surrounding skeletal muscle fibers . It suggests a tiered approach where athletes perform exercises incrementally from 0% to over 75% of their capacity, focusing on achieving warmth with minimal energy expenditure . This structured approach ensures that athletes are adequately prepared for the demands of their workout, thereby enhancing performance and reducing injury risk.

Active Deloading involves reducing both volume and intensity to about 50% to 75%, allowing athletes to recover while still engaging in some level of training activity . In contrast, Passive Deloading entails refraining from all compound, accessory, and training exercises, focusing instead on maximizing recovery through nutrition and sleep . According to the program guidelines, an Active Deload should be used in week 9, while a Passive Deload is recommended for week 14 to ensure sufficient rest and recovery at these stages of the training cycle .

 
 
Beginner PowerBuilder Program 
By
Acknowledgements 
 
 I would like to thank my brother. Without him, I would most definitely not be where I 
am at today. Hit
Warmups 
When warming up, the goal is to raise your body temperature. The warmup weights are 
not listed in this program. The
The advantage of the RPE scale allows you to modify the Top Sets/RPE on the day of 
training. If you feel weaker (or stronge
Additional information 
I recommend video recording at least one set from your Top Sets/RPE and Working Sets 
for the squat,

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