GZCL Weak Link Protocol (5 week deload)

by Daven L.
1 athletes joined

Program Description

Focusing on weak point variations while maintaining the GZCL framework. if the target weight is acheived : add 10 lbs for squat/deadlift every week & 5 lbs bench/ohp. If you fail 5x3: Switch to 6x2 & then 10x1. Deload every 5 weeks T2 Progression Plan (No Overload): Week 1: 65% (Base Weight) Week 2: 67.5% (Small Increase If Needed) Week 3: 70% (Max, Only If Bar Speed Stays Good) Week 4: Deload @ 60% (Speed & Recovery Focus) Every cycle: Increase Week 1 by ~2.5% for continued progress. T2 percentages are based on your main lift & bands tension included (T1) Variation Plan for Each T2 Lift: OHP (Weak Point: Starting Position) Paused OHP (1-2 sec at Bottom) → 7x3 @ 65% Band-Resisted OHP (Light Tension, No Overload) → 7x3 @ 65% Seated OHP (No Back Support, Strict Form) → 7x3 @ 65% Speed OHP (Deload Week) → 7x3 @ 60% Deadlift (Weak Point: Lockout - Soft Knees) Deficit Deadlifts (1-2” Deficit) → 7x3 @ 65% Trap Bar Deadlifts (Normal Stance, No Overload) → 7x3 @ 65% Banded Deadlifts (Light Band Tension for Technique) → 7x3 @ 65% Speed Deadlifts (Deload Week) → 7x3 @ 60% Bench Press (Weak Point: Mid-Range Strength) Spoto Press (Paused 1-2” Off Chest) → 7x3 @ 70% Band-Resisted Bench (Light Band, No Overload) → 7x3 @ 70% Chain Bench Press (Minimal Chain Weight, Focus on Speed) → 7x3 @ 70% + Chains Speed Bench (Deload Week) → 7x3 @ 65% Squat (Weak Point: Maintaining Tightness) Tempo Squats (3-0-1 Count) → 7x3 @ 65% Paused Squats (2-3 sec in Hole) → 7x3 @ 65% SSB Squats (Core & Upper Back Tightness, No Extra Load) → 7x3 @ 65% Speed Squats (Deload Week) → 7x3 @ 60%

Program Overview

  • Level
    Novice
  • Goal
    Powerbuilding
  • Equipment
    Garage Gym
  • Program Length
    5 weeks
  • Time Per Workout
    60 minutes
  • Created
    Mar 31, 2025 02:50
  • Last Edited
    Jun 18, 2025 12:53

Summary

The GZCL Weak Link Protocol is a focused 5-week deload program designed to enhance your strength while allowing your body to recover. With three training days each week, you'll engage in a mix of compound lifts like squats and deadlifts, alongside accessory work targeting key muscle groups. This program emphasizes moderate to high intensity, ensuring you maintain your strength without overtraining. Perfect for those looking to reset and rebuild, this plan is tailored for lifters ready to tackle their weak points with confidence.
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WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
WEEK 5
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Spoto Press
7
3 reps
70%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Belt Squat
4
8 reps
RPE 8
5
Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Deadlift (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Overhead Press (Paused)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Leg Curl
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Squat (Paused)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Pec Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Belt Squat
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Overhead Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Deadlift (Banded)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Barbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 1
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
5
3 reps
50%
2
Speed Bench
7
3 reps
50%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Belt Squat
4
8 reps
RPE 8
5
Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Overhead Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Deadlift (Deficit)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Barbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Bench Press (Banded)
7
3 reps
70%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Belt Squat
4
8 reps
RPE 8
5
Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Deadlift (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Overhead Press (Banded)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Leg Curl
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Safety Bar Squat
7
3 reps
65%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Pec Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Belt Squat
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 2
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Overhead Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
50%
2
Speed Deadlift
7
3 reps
50%
3
Bent Over Row (Barbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Tempo Squat (Barbell)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Pec Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Belt Squat
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Overhead Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Trap Bar Deadlift
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Barbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Squat (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Bench Press (Chains)
7
3 reps
70%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Belt Squat
4
8 reps
RPE 8
5
Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Deadlift (Barbell)
5
3 reps
85%
2
Seated Overhead Press (Barbell)
7
3 reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Dumbbell)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Leg Curl
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Tricep Pushdown (Cable)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Day 3
#
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Intensity
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
5
3 reps
50%
2
Safety Bar Squat
7
3 reps
50%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4
8 reps
RPE 8
4
Pec Fly (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
5
Belt Squat
3
10 reps
RPE 8
6
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
3
10 reps
RPE 8
Week 1
1 / 5 Weeks
Day 1
1
Squat (Barbell)
5 Sets
3 Reps
85%
2
Spoto Press
7 Sets
3 Reps
70%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4 Sets
8 Reps
@8
4
Belt Squat
4 Sets
8 Reps
@8
5
Chest Fly (Dumbbell)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
6
Preacher Curl (Dumbbell)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
Day 2
1
Overhead Press (Barbell)
5 Sets
3 Reps
85%
2
Deadlift (Deficit)
7 Sets
3 Reps
65%
3
Bent Over Row (Barbell)
4 Sets
8 Reps
@8
4
Lateral Raise (Cable)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
5
Overhead Tricep Extension (Cable)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
Day 3
1
Bench Press (Barbell)
5 Sets
3 Reps
85%
2
Tempo Squat (Barbell)
7 Sets
3 Reps
65%
3
Pull-Up (Weighted)
4 Sets
8 Reps
@8
4
Pec Fly (Dumbbell)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
5
Belt Squat
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8
6
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
3 Sets
10 Reps
@8