Powerlifting Guides
Evidence-based guides covering technique, programming, nutrition, and recovery for strength athletes.
beginner-powerlifting
Bench Press Form for Powerlifting: Setup, Arch, and Execution
Complete guide to powerlifting bench press technique — proper setup, leg drive, bar path, and competition pause.
10 Common Powerlifting Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them)
The most frequent beginner powerlifting mistakes — from program hopping to ego lifting — and practical fixes for each.
How to Deadlift: Conventional and Sumo Technique for Beginners
Learn the deadlift from the ground up — hip hinge, grip, bracing, and how to choose between conventional and sumo.
Your First 12 Weeks of Powerlifting: What to Expect
A week-by-week overview of what happens when you start powerlifting — from first barbell session to real strength gains.
How Strong Do You Need to Be Before Starting Powerlifting?
You don't need to be strong to start powerlifting. Here's why the empty bar is the perfect starting point.
How to Start Powerlifting: A Practical First-Steps Guide
Step-by-step guide to starting powerlifting, from finding a gym to your very first barbell session.
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Powerlifting
Everything you need to start powerlifting: the three lifts, programming basics, equipment, and your first training plan.
How to Pick Your Starting Weights for Powerlifting
A practical guide to choosing your first working weights for squat, bench press, and deadlift without ego or guesswork.
Powerlifting for Women: What You Actually Need to Know
A straight-talk guide for women starting powerlifting — debunking myths, addressing real concerns, and covering programming.
Powerlifting vs Bodybuilding: Which One Is Right for You?
Key differences between powerlifting and bodybuilding — training, goals, mindset, and results compared.
Squat Form for Powerlifting: Technique Guide for Beginners
Learn proper powerlifting squat technique — stance, depth, bracing, and common errors explained simply.
Powerlifting Terminology: Every Term You Need to Know
A plain-language glossary of powerlifting terms — from RPE and 1RM to peaking and commands.
How to Warm Up for Powerlifting: A No-Nonsense Protocol
The right way to warm up before squats, bench press, and deadlifts — general prep and specific warm-up sets explained.
When Should a Beginner Start Using a Lifting Belt?
Honest advice on when a belt helps, when it doesn't, and how to use one properly for powerlifting.
equipment
Barbell Buying Guide: What Makes a Good Powerlifting Bar
What to look for in a powerlifting barbell. Shaft diameter, knurling, whip, tensile strength, and which bars are worth buying.
Best Powerlifting Belts in {/* YEAR_AUTO */}2026{/* /YEAR_AUTO */}
Honest recommendations for the best powerlifting belts in 2026. Lever vs prong, 10mm vs 13mm, and which belt actually fits your needs.
Best Powerlifting Shoes in {/* YEAR_AUTO */}2026{/* /YEAR_AUTO */}
Best shoes for squat, bench, and deadlift in 2026. Flat vs heeled, when each matters, and specific models worth buying.
Best Budget Home Gym Under $1,000 in {/* YEAR_AUTO */}2026{/* /YEAR_AUTO */}
Build a complete powerlifting home gym for under $1,000 in 2026. Exact items, prices, and where to find deals.
Chalk vs Straps vs Hook Grip: Deadlift Grip Solutions
Compare chalk, straps, hook grip, and mixed grip for deadlifts. Which grip method works best for powerlifting training and competition.
Home Gym Setup for Powerlifting: Minimum Viable Equipment
Exactly what you need for a powerlifting home gym. Minimum viable setup, recommended upgrades, and what to skip entirely.
Equipment Guide for Powerlifting: What You Actually Need
Complete guide to powerlifting equipment. What to buy first, what to skip, and what matters for squat, bench, and deadlift performance.
Knee Sleeves for Squats: When to Start Using Them
When to start wearing knee sleeves for squats, which ones to buy, and how to size them correctly for powerlifting.
Power Rack Buyer Guide
How to choose a power rack for your home gym. Steel gauge, hole spacing, attachments, and which racks are worth the money.
Wrist Wraps for Bench Press: Do You Need Them?
When wrist wraps help your bench press, when they don't, and how to use them properly for powerlifting.
lifestyle
Powerlifting on 3 Days Per Week
Three days per week is enough to build serious strength. Here's how to structure your training week for maximum results with minimum time.
Caffeine and Powerlifting
Caffeine is a proven performance enhancer for strength athletes. Dosing, timing, tolerance management, and when to skip it.
How Many Calories for Powerlifting?
A straightforward guide to calculating calorie needs for powerlifting. Maintenance, surplus, and deficit targets based on your goals and body weight.
Creatine: The Only Supplement That Matters
Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and effective supplement for strength. Dosing, timing, safety, and why everything else is secondary.
Training While Cutting Weight
How to structure powerlifting training during a caloric deficit. Preserve strength, manage fatigue, and avoid the common mistakes that cost lifters their gains.
Lifestyle and Nutrition for Strength: The Complete Guide
Practical lifestyle and nutrition advice for powerlifters. Sleep, calories, protein, stress management, and training structure that actually works.
Mental Health and Lifting
Strength training is one of the most effective interventions for anxiety and depression. Here's what the research shows and how to use the barbell as a tool for mental health.
Powerlifting and Weight Loss: Can You Get Lean and Strong?
Yes, you can lose fat and build strength. Here's how to structure training, nutrition, and expectations for powerlifters who want to get leaner.
Protein for Powerlifting: How Much and When
Evidence-based protein recommendations for powerlifters. Daily targets, meal timing, best sources, and what the research actually says about the anabolic window.
Sleep and Strength: Why 7 Hours Is a Performance Enhancer
Sleep is the cheapest, most effective recovery tool for powerlifters. Here's what the research says and how to actually get enough of it.
Training Around Injuries: When to Push, When to Back Off
Injuries don't mean you stop training. Learn to identify injury severity, modify exercises, and keep progressing while you heal.
How to Train for Powerlifting With a Full-Time Job
You don't need to live in the gym to get strong. Practical strategies for fitting serious powerlifting training around a 40+ hour work week.
plateaus
programming
What Is Auto-Regulated Powerlifting Training?
Your program should adjust to you, not the other way around. Here is how auto-regulated training works and why it keeps you getting stronger without burning out.
Programming Guides
Learn how smart programming keeps you getting stronger. Auto-regulation, linear progression, and the science behind Strena.
Linear Progression for Powerlifting — When It Works and When It Stalls
Linear progression is the strongest way to get strong — until it stops working. Strena tells you when to push and when to hold, so you keep adding weight to the bar.
programs
Powerlifting Program Comparison Chart
Side-by-side comparison chart of popular powerlifting programs — frequency, volume, progression, and difficulty at a glance.
Best Powerlifting Programs Compared: Find Your Perfect Fit
In-depth comparison of every major beginner and intermediate powerlifting program — GZCLP, 5/3/1, Starting Strength, nSuns, and more.