TSA 9 Week Intermediate Approach

by The Strength Athlete

4,787 athletes joined

Designed for intermediate lifters to peak into competition or be re-run multiple times in offseason.

4.30

(170 ratings)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The TSA 9-Week Approach is a popular intermediatel-level powerlifting program designed by Bryce Lewis and the coaching team at The Strength Athlete (TSA). It's a periodized plan focusing on strength gains in three core lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift.

The program comprises 4 training days per week, each targeting specific muscle groups and lifts. The intensity and volume gradually increase over 9 weeks, preparing the athlete for a peak in performance. The final week, Week 9, is designed as a deload week to prepare for a competition or 1RM testing.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Level
Intermediate
Goal
Powerlifting
Equipment
Garage Gym
Program Length
9 weeks
Days Per Week
4 days
Recommended Days
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Time Per Workout
90 minutes

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WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

WEEK 9

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

8 reps

80%

69%

Bench Press (Barbell)

8 reps

69%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

6 reps

RPE 7

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

8 reps

82%

71%

Bench Press (Barbell)

8 reps

71%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

6 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

7 reps

84%

73%

Bench Press (Barbell)

7 reps

73%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

6 reps

RPE 8

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

7 reps

86%

75%

Bench Press (Barbell)

7 reps

75%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

6 reps

RPE 8.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

5 reps

73%

Bench Press (Barbell)

6 reps

73%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

5 reps

RPE 7

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

1 reps

3 reps

RPE 6.5

85%

Bench Press (Barbell)

6 reps

75%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

5 reps

RPE 7

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

1 reps

3 reps

RPE 7.5

87%

Bench Press (Barbell)

6 reps

77%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

5 reps

RPE 7

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

1 reps

2 reps

RPE 8.5

89%

Bench Press (Barbell)

5 reps

79%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

5 reps

RPE 7

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 1

Squat (Barbell)

2 reps

80%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

81%

Bench Press (Close Grip)

5 reps

RPE 7

Deadlift (Barbell)

1 reps

75%

Band Pull-Aparts

30 reps

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

5 reps

74%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

72%

Pendlay Row

5-7 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

10-12 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

30 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

5 reps

77%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

74%

Pendlay Row

5-7 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

10-12 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

30 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

4 reps

79%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

76%

Pendlay Row

5-7 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

10-12 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

35 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

4 reps

81%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

78%

Pendlay Row

5-7 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

10-12 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

35 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

3 reps

79%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

78%

Pendlay Row

4-6 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

6-9 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

30 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

2 reps

3 reps

RPE 7

82%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

80%

Pendlay Row

4-6 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

6-9 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

35 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

1 reps

2 reps

RPE 8

84%

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

82%

Pendlay Row

4-6 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

6-9 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

35 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Deadlift (Barbell)

1 reps

2 reps

RPE 8.5

86%

Bench Press (Barbell)

3 reps

84%

Pendlay Row

4-6 reps

RPE 7.5

Back Extension

6-9 reps

RPE 7.5

Pull-Up (Weighted)

35 reps

RPE 8.5

Day 2

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

3 reps

86%

78%

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

73%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

8-10 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

75%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

8-10 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

77%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Leg Press

8-10 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

79%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Leg Press

8-10 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

10-12 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

75%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

6-8 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

4 reps

76%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

6-8 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

78%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

6-8 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Squat (Barbell)

3 reps

80%

Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 7

Leg Press

6-8 reps

RPE 7.5

Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)

8-10 reps

RPE 8

Day 3

Rest

1 mins

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

5 reps

RPE 7

77%

Feet-up Bench Press

6 reps

RPE 7

Deadlift (Paused)

4 reps

67%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

10-12 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

5 reps

RPE 7.5

79%

Feet-up Bench Press

6 reps

RPE 7.5

Deadlift (Paused)

4 reps

69%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

10-12 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

5 reps

RPE 8

81%

Feet-up Bench Press

6 reps

RPE 8

Deadlift (Paused)

4 reps

71%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

10-12 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

5 reps

RPE 8.5

84%

83%

Feet-up Bench Press

6 reps

RPE 8.5

Deadlift (Paused)

4 reps

73%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

6-8 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

10-12 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

4 reps

78%

Feet-up Bench Press

5 reps

RPE 8.5

Deadlift (Paused)

3 reps

72%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

8-10 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

4 reps

RPE 7

81%

Feet-up Bench Press

5 reps

RPE 7

Deadlift (Paused)

3 reps

74%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

8-10 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

4 reps

RPE 8

84%

Feet-up Bench Press

5 reps

RPE 7.5

Deadlift (Paused)

3 reps

76%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

8-10 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

3 reps

RPE 9

86%

Feet-up Bench Press

5 reps

RPE 8

Deadlift (Paused)

2 reps

78%*

Bent Over Row (Barbell)

4-6 reps

RPE 8

Lat Pulldown

8-10 reps

RPE 8.5

* 1RM of Deadlift (Barbell)

Day 4

Squat (Barbell)

1 reps

RPE 9.5

Bench Press (Barbell)

1 reps

RPE 9.5

Deadlift (Barbell)

1 reps

RPE 9.5

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING(170 ratings)

Only ratings with written feedback are displayed here.

4.30 / 5

Matthew L.Age 29, Man

19 days ago

9 weeks complete

3 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Before program ------------------ BW: 172lb Squat: 360lb Bench: 260lb Deadlift: 405lb After Program ------------------ BW: 173.2lb(may be water weight?, started taking creatine) Squat: 370lb Bench: 275lb(maybe I could've done more?) Deadlift: 425lb Most important thing: This program did help me become more conscious of fatigue buildup and how it can impact performance. Still trying to learn/manage this. Things I changed were pullups twice a week(x1 weighted, x1 BW). Added calf raises at the end of day 1 and day 4, not needed but feels weird not to train them. I wish there would be some more accessories for legs. I personally feel like I need to hit legs a lot more to see any HUGE growth. If you're looking to maximize this program to its fullest it may be best to eat at a caloric surplus. I think the PDF states this. I recommend others to check this program out. 👍

Lawson S.Age 19, Man

a month ago

3 weeks complete

3 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

Less than expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

It take you to a good intensity but I always seem to have enough strength and energy to push past the suggested sets/reps

Show All Reviews

Created by Bryce Lewis and the team at The Strength Athlete (TSA), this is a popular 9-week training approach designed for intermediate lifters to peak effectively into a mock meet or actual competition. If used for the off-season, this program can be chained together and re-run multiple times.

The first four weeks represent higher overall work and lower overall loading, designed to build training adaptions and muscle hypertrophy. We’ll deload on Week 5, shedding some fatigue and preparing for the next phase. Finally, we’ll peak with exposure to heavier loads, bringing out your best.

This program is designed for athletes with around 2 years of experience in powerlifting. If you have less than 6 month's experience, we suggest the TSA Beginner Approach. If you have 1-2 years' experience, we suggest the TSA Intermediate Approach.

Ideally, you are eating in a small to moderate caloric surplus, sleeping 7-10 hours per night, and stressing as little (or as predictably) as possible on this program.

This program is a generalized approach, meaning we aren't targeting any individual athlete strength or weaknesses or problem solving strategies. If you like the program, consider working with a TSA coach to make sure training is continually tailored to you and your goals.

Check out thestrengthathlete.com for more free programs, store, and coaching services.