70s Powerlifter
18 week old school powerlifting protocol to will leave you in a different solar system
Overview
The 70s Powerlifter Program, by Alex Bromley, is designed with a heavy influence of the prototypical 70’s powerlifter here (hence the name). Many of the accounts of some of the monsters that populated meets at that time, such as Doug Young and Bill Kazmaier, cited high volume approaches with many compound variations and plenty of bodybuilding movements to top it off.
Read more about the program below for an overview and progression guidance.
70s Powerlifter Program
4 Days per week
Upper/Lower/Upper/Lower (1 lift each day)
3 - 3 Week Volumizing Waves
3 - 3 Week Intensifying Waves
Leans on both Variations of Main Lift and Bodybuilding Work
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
There’s a heavy influence of the prototypical 70’s lifter here. Many of the accounts of some of the monsters that populated meets at that time, such as Doug Young and Bill Kazmaier, cited high volume approaches with many compound variations and plenty of bodybuilding movements to top it off.
There was also an apparent lack of creativity in the progressions, something I see as a positive. If the main lift was done for 5 sets of 10, often times, so were the second and third. Turns out they all progressed just as well as if they had been done for 8s, 6s, 12s, or anything in between. Each lift doesn’t, in fact, need it’s own unique progression scheme. Just set a baseline of work for each lift and progress forward.
PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS
Main movement %'s
The range in percentages (ex. 60-65-75%) is to give you flexibility depending on how you recover each week. If the weight moves well, do most of your sets at the top range. If you feel under-recovered, do all of them at the low end. Increases in weight is second priority; the important thing is that weight doesn't go down as you add a set each week.
Deload weeks
Deload weeks are not included in the written program. However, take a deload week as needed.
Be warned
This is an abnormal amount of work. The point of programming is to adapt to amounts of work that you are not used to. If you commit to this, understand that success hinges on reasonable weight selection. You will be more and more fatigued for each successive compound movement, so be prepared to adjust the weights way down. If any set in the Base phase was within 3 reps of failure, it was too heavy.
Who it's for
Reviews
Still on early stages so not qualified to comment anything of note but I've been training since I was 11, now 58 so I'm pretty sure I'm a good judge of programs, this is a thing of beauty, Bromley fukin rocks, that's it.
Best
This isn't how any powerlifters form the 70s trained. None of the greats hit one main lift a week and overhead pressing is useless for powerlifting and not a main lift. This is a wannabe 5/3/1 with high volume type program. All of the best lifters from the 70s hit the main lifts 2-3 times a week. Doing his program isn't a good way to build strength or muscle. It looks fun on paper but the frequency is too low. The guy who made it doesn't look like Bill Kazmaier or Doug Young for a reason.
I could see this program being pretty decent but it just was ok for me.
Muscle engagement
| # | Exercise | Sets | Reps | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bench Press (Barbell) | 3 | 10 reps | 60% |
| 2 | Bench Press (Wide Grip) | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 3 | Incline Bench Press (Barbell) | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 4 | Lat Pulldown | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 5 | T-Bar Row | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 6 | Bicep Curl (Barbell) | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| # | Exercise | Sets | Reps | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squat (Barbell) | 3 | 10 reps | 60% |
| 2 | Wide Squat | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 3 | Front Squat (Barbell) | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 4 | Leg Extension | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 5 | Lunge (Barbell) | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 6 | Sit Up | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| # | Exercise | Sets | Reps | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overhead Press (Barbell) | 3 | 10 reps | 60% |
| 2 | Bench Press (Wide Grip) | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 3 | Behind-the-Neck Push Press | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 4 | Lateral Raise (Dumbbell) | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 5 | Skull Crusher | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 6 | Tricep Rope Push Down (Cable) | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| # | Exercise | Sets | Reps | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deadlift (Barbell) | 3 | 10 reps | 60% |
| 2 | Romanian Deadlift (Barbell) | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 3 | Good Morning | 2 | 10 reps | @6–7 |
| 4 | Bent Over Row (Barbell) | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 5 | Hamstring Curl | 3 | 15 reps | — |
| 6 | Leg Raise | 3 | 15 reps | — |
Weeks 2–18 are in the app
Download Boostcamp to follow the full program with auto-progression and built-in coaching notes.
The coach
Common questions
Yes, 70s Powerlifter is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. There's no subscription or payment required. Download the app on iOS or Android, search for the program, and you can start your first workout immediately. All 18 weeks are fully unlocked.
This program is built around a full gym. Make sure you have consistent access before starting, since the progression model assumes you can perform the same movements week over week. If you're missing something, the Boostcamp app includes substitution suggestions inside each workout.
Each session typically takes around 90 minutes to complete. That estimate covers your working sets but doesn't account for warm-up or rest between sets, so budget a little extra time when you're first learning the movements. As you get familiar with the program, sessions tend to move faster.
70s Powerlifter is structured around 4 training days per week, with rest days built in to allow for recovery. Consistent rest is as important as the training itself. Skipping rest days can stall your progress. The app lets you reschedule sessions if your week doesn't go to plan.
The program runs for 18 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go. Many athletes choose to repeat the program after finishing, either at a higher starting weight or with a different variation.
70s Powerlifter is available inside the Boostcamp app, free on iOS and Android. Once you download the app, you can search for the program by name or find it on the coach's profile. The app tracks all your sets and weights automatically, so you always know exactly what to do next session.
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