---
name: intermediate-strength-training
description: |
  Designs a 4-day upper/lower or push-pull-legs strength training program for intermediate lifters with compound and accessory programming, periodized progression, wave loading, and planned deload cycles. Gathers the user's training history, equipment, and goals to produce a structured multi-week program.
  Use when the user asks about intermediate lifting programs, 4-day splits, upper/lower routines, or push-pull-legs programming.
  Do NOT use for complete beginners with under 6 months of lifting experience (use beginner-strength-training), advanced periodization theory (use training-program-periodization), or sport-specific conditioning (use sports-specific-conditioning).
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: foundry-skills
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "fitness workout-planning advanced"
  category: "health-wellness"
  subcategory: "fitness-exercise"
  depends: ""
  disclaimer: "not-medical-advice"
  difficulty: "advanced"
---
# Intermediate Strength Training

> **Disclaimer:** This skill provides general wellness and health information for educational purposes only. It does NOT constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical judgment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new fitness program, modifying an existing one, or if you experience pain, injury, or unusual symptoms during training. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.

---

## When to Use

**Use this skill when:**
- The user has 6--18 months of consistent, structured strength training experience and is stalling on or has exhausted simple linear progression (adding weight every session or every week)
- The user explicitly asks for a 4-day split, an upper/lower split, a push-pull-legs (PPL) routine, or an intermediate-level program
- The user has established a working baseline on the major compound lifts -- specifically, they can perform the squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press with acceptable technique under meaningful load
- The user wants to transition from a beginner full-body program (e.g., StrongLifts 5x5, Starting Strength, GZCLP) to a more structured split with dedicated volume and recovery windows
- The user wants to simultaneously develop strength AND hypertrophy with a periodized approach -- not just chase one or the other
- The user asks about wave loading, weekly undulating periodization (WUP), double-progression, or rep range manipulation as tools for continued progress
- The user wants guidance on deload timing, fatigue management, or how to structure a 4-week training block

**Do NOT use when:**
- The user has fewer than 6 months of consistent training OR cannot yet perform the major compounds with reasonable technique -- use `beginner-strength-training` instead, where linear progression is still productive
- The user wants to train only 2--3 days per week -- a 3-day full-body with compound emphasis is more appropriate than a split; use `beginner-strength-training` for the framework
- The user asks about annual macrocycle planning, block periodization (accumulation/intensification/realization phases), or peaking protocols -- use `training-program-periodization`
- The user is preparing for a powerlifting, weightlifting, or strongman competition where meet-specific peaking and competition strategy are required -- use a sport-specific skill
- The user asks primarily about nutrition, caloric programming, or macro ratios for muscle gain -- use `nutrition-for-muscle-gain` or the relevant nutrition skill
- The user reports an active injury, chronic joint pain, or is returning from a significant layoff of 8+ weeks -- these require individualized assessment beyond program design
- The user's goal is exclusively cardiovascular fitness, sport conditioning, or endurance -- use `sports-specific-conditioning`

---

## Process

### Step 1: Conduct a Thorough Training History Intake

Before designing anything, gather the following. Do NOT skip this step -- program design without these inputs produces a generic template, not a targeted program.

- **Training age and consistency:** How many months or years of structured lifting? How many missed weeks in the last 6 months? Consistency gaps of 2+ weeks reset adaptation faster than people expect.
- **Current program structure:** What split are they running now? How many sets per session? Are they tracking progressive overload?
- **Stall point identification:** Which lifts have stopped progressing? For how long? This reveals whether they need more volume, more recovery, or a periodization shift.
- **Estimated working weights on the four primary compounds:** Ask for a recent training max (a weight they could grind for 1--3 reps on a good day) or their current working sets. Use these to calibrate the program's starting loads and wave structure.
- **Primary goal orientation:** Place them on a spectrum -- pure strength (think 1-5 rep strength expression), pure hypertrophy (volume-driven muscle growth), or balanced (the most common intermediate goal). This determines rep range architecture.
- **Available training days and session duration:** 4 days is the sweet spot for intermediate lifters. Sessions typically run 60--90 minutes. More than 90 minutes usually signals too much volume or too much rest time.
- **Equipment inventory:** Full commercial gym, home gym with power rack and barbell, dumbbells only, resistance bands? Equipment constraints determine exercise selection for every accessory slot.
- **Injury history and movement limitations:** Any history of shoulder impingement, low back issues, or knee problems? These affect exercise selection directly (e.g., high-bar vs. low-bar squat, overhead press vs. landmine press, conventional vs. sumo deadlift).

---

### Step 2: Classify the Lifter and Select the Appropriate Split

Intermediate lifters are NOT a homogeneous group. Classify before prescribing.

**Classification by training age and load indicators:**
- **Early intermediate (6--12 months):** Still making semi-regular linear gains, possibly on a 3-day full-body. Working weights typically: Squat 135--185 lbs, Bench 95--135 lbs, Deadlift 185--245 lbs, OHP 65--95 lbs (rough ranges; highly individual). Needs structure and volume introduction.
- **Mid intermediate (12--24 months):** Linear progression definitively stalled. Can tolerate higher weekly volume. Understands RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion). Ready for weekly undulation and split training.

**Split selection framework based on goal and schedule:**

| Goal | Days Available | Best Split |
|------|---------------|------------|
| Balanced strength + hypertrophy | 4 | Upper/Lower (A/B variation) |
| Strength-dominant | 4 | Heavy-Light Upper/Lower |
| Hypertrophy-dominant | 4--5 | Upper/Lower or 4-day PPL hybrid |
| Hypertrophy-dominant | 5--6 | Push-Pull-Legs x2 |
| Constrained schedule | 3 | Full-body rotating emphasis |

**Upper/Lower split logic:** Each muscle group trained twice per week with 48--72 hours of recovery between sessions targeting the same pattern. Upper A emphasizes horizontal push/pull; Upper B emphasizes vertical push/pull. Lower A emphasizes knee-dominant (squat pattern); Lower B emphasizes hip-dominant (hinge pattern).

**Heavy-Light Upper/Lower logic:** Heavy Upper (4x4--6 on bench/row), Light Upper (3x10--12 on OHP/pull-up), Heavy Lower (4x4--6 squat), Light Lower (3x8--10 deadlift + accessories). This delivers both intensity and volume stimuli in the same week without crushing fatigue.

**PPL logic (5--6 days):** Push day: chest/shoulders/triceps. Pull day: back/biceps. Legs day. Run the sequence twice in a 6-day block with one rest day. Each session has lower volume per muscle (8--12 sets) since frequency is higher.

---

### Step 3: Program the Primary Compound Lifts

The primary compound is the most important decision on each training day. Everything else supports it.

**Compound assignment by day (Upper/Lower):**
- Upper A primary: Barbell Bench Press (horizontal push)
- Upper A secondary: Barbell Bent-Over Row or Pendlay Row (horizontal pull)
- Upper B primary: Barbell Overhead Press (vertical push)
- Upper B secondary: Weighted Pull-Up or Lat Pulldown (vertical pull)
- Lower A primary: Barbell Back Squat (knee-dominant)
- Lower A secondary: Romanian Deadlift (hip-dominant, same day -- lighter load, not a competition with the primary)
- Lower B primary: Conventional or Sumo Deadlift (hip-dominant)
- Lower B secondary: Front Squat or Goblet Squat (knee-dominant -- lighter, technique-focused)

**Set and rep architecture by goal:**

For **strength focus** (primary compounds):
- Use wave loading across a 4-week block: Week 1: 4x8 at ~70% estimated 1RM, Week 2: 4x6 at ~75--77%, Week 3: 4x4--5 at ~80--83%, Week 4: deload (3x8 at 60% of Week 3 working weight)
- Rest periods: 3--4 minutes between heavy sets of squat/deadlift; 2--3 minutes for upper body compounds

For **hypertrophy focus** (primary compounds):
- Use double-progression: Start at the bottom of the rep range (e.g., 4x8 with a given weight), progress reps session to session until hitting the top (e.g., 4x12), then add 5 lbs lower / 2.5 lbs upper and reset to bottom of range
- Rest periods: 2--3 minutes for compound sets; maintains enough recovery without excessive duration

For **balanced goal** (most common):
- Wave the primary compound (4x8 → 4x6 → 4x5) for strength stimulus
- Run accessories on double-progression for hypertrophy stimulus
- This is the most proven structure for intermediate lifters not yet specialized

**RPE as a loading guide:** Teach the user to use RPE 7--8 on Week 1, RPE 8--9 on Week 2, RPE 9 on Week 3. Do NOT go to RPE 10 (true max effort) on primary compounds within a program block -- this creates excessive fatigue and injury risk.

---

### Step 4: Program Secondary Compounds and Accessory Work

Secondary compounds are the second major movement of each session. They support the primary lift pattern.

**Secondary compound guidelines:**
- Load: 10--20% lighter relative intensity than primary
- Rep scheme: 3x8--10 on strength-oriented days; 3x10--12 on hypertrophy days
- Progression: Double-progression (add weight when all sets complete top of range for 2 consecutive sessions)
- Rest: 90 seconds to 2 minutes

**Accessory selection principles:**
- 2--4 accessories per session (not 6--8 -- accessory bloat is a common intermediate mistake)
- Address the primary compound's weakest link: e.g., if Bench is the primary, choose close-grip bench or tricep isolation; if Squat is primary, choose unilateral quad work and posterior chain
- Include at least ONE unilateral (single-limb) movement per session to address side-to-side strength imbalances
- On upper days: include at least one direct bicep and one direct tricep exercise; 2--3 sets each, 12--15 reps
- On lower days: include direct calf work and one core movement

**Accessory rep/set ranges:**
- 3 sets of 10--15 reps with 60--90 seconds rest for most accessories
- 2 sets of 12--15 reps for small muscle group isolation (biceps, triceps, calves, rear delts)
- Use drop sets or supersets only for isolation work, never for compound lifts within this program structure

**Exercise rotation:** Keep the same accessory movements for the full 4-week block to allow meaningful progressive overload. Rotating exercises too frequently prevents progression tracking.

---

### Step 5: Build the Periodization and Progression Model

This is where intermediate programming diverges most sharply from beginner programming. Linear "add weight every session" is replaced by structured undulation.

**Wave loading specifics for primary compounds:**
- Identify a starting load: Use approximately 70--72% of their estimated 1RM for Week 1's 4x8. This should feel like RPE 7 -- challenging but not grinding.
- Estimated 1RM calculation from a recent working set: Use the Epley formula: 1RM = weight × (1 + reps/30). For example, 185 lbs × 8 reps → 1RM ≈ 185 × 1.267 = 234 lbs. Week 1 start: ~165 lbs.
- After completing a full 4-week cycle, add the planned increment to Week 1 of the next cycle: 5 lbs on lower body primary compounds, 2.5--5 lbs on upper body primary compounds.
- If the user fails to complete all prescribed reps in Week 3, do NOT add weight. Repeat the wave at the same loads before progressing.

**Double-progression for accessories:**
- Start with the lower end of the rep range (e.g., 3x10)
- Each session, attempt to add 1--2 reps per set
- When all sets hit the top of the range (e.g., 3x15) for two sessions in a row, add the minimum weight increment (2.5 lbs dumbbells, 5 lbs barbell) and reset to 3x10
- This typically cycles every 3--6 weeks per accessory lift

**RPE-based autoregulation (advanced option):** For lifters who know their RPE accurately, replace fixed percentages with RPE targets: Week 1 @RPE7, Week 2 @RPE8, Week 3 @RPE9, Week 4 deload @RPE5--6. This self-corrects for day-to-day variation in readiness.

**Stall protocol:** If a primary compound fails to progress after two full 4-week waves, apply one of these interventions:
1. **Volume addition:** Add one backoff set at 80% of top set weight after the primary compound sets
2. **Frequency increase:** If on Upper/Lower, add a third appearance of the stalled movement pattern at lower intensity (e.g., add Incline Press 3x10 to a day that currently doesn't have horizontal pressing)
3. **Technical audit:** Stalls are frequently caused by form breakdown under load, not lack of strength

---

### Step 6: Build the Deload Protocol

Deloads are not optional -- they are programmed recovery, not signs of weakness.

**Standard deload structure (every 4th week):**
- Reduce working weights by 40% from Week 3 loads
- Reduce total sets by one per exercise (4 sets → 3 sets; 3 sets → 2 sets)
- Maintain rep ranges -- do NOT do 1-rep maxes during a deload
- Focus on movement quality, bar path, tempo control (3-second eccentric)
- Session duration should be 45--60 minutes maximum

**Deload by feel (autoregulated deload):**
- If the user reports 3 or more of the following after Week 2 or 3: persistent joint aches not related to injury, sleep quality degradation, motivation loss, performance decline across multiple lifts, increased resting heart rate -- move the deload forward
- This is common in lifters who have high stress outside training (work, travel, poor sleep)
- A deload week can be converted to an "active recovery week": walking, mobility work, one light full-body session at 50% intensity

**Post-deload return:**
- In Week 1 of the new cycle, use Week 1 loads of the PREVIOUS cycle PLUS the planned progression increment
- Do NOT attempt to "make up" missed training -- the deload is the program

**Psychological management:** Many intermediate lifters skip deloads because they feel good in Week 3 and want to keep going. Explain that fatigue masks fitness -- the performance peak typically appears 3--5 days after the deload ends, not during the heavy week.

---

### Step 7: Specify Session Structure and Warm-Up Protocol

Session structure prevents common mistakes like skipping warm-up sets or misordering exercises.

**Warm-up protocol for primary compounds:**
- Do NOT count warm-up sets toward working sets
- Follow this sequence (example for a 225 lb working squat): Bar only × 8 reps, 95 lbs × 5 reps, 135 lbs × 3 reps, 185 lbs × 2 reps, 205 lbs × 1 rep, then 225 lbs × working sets
- General rule: 4--5 warm-up sets escalating to within 10--15% of working weight
- Never skip the bar-only set -- it establishes movement pattern and joint lubrication

**Exercise ordering rules:**
1. Primary compound first (when freshest)
2. Secondary compound second
3. Isolation accessories last
4. Core work at the end of the session
5. Never supersetting primary compounds -- rest fully between primary sets

**Session duration management:**
- 60--75 minutes is the target for most intermediate lifters on a 4-day split
- If sessions consistently exceed 90 minutes, remove one accessory (not the compounds)
- Rest timer apps are useful -- intermediate lifters frequently under-rest or over-rest without external cues

---

### Step 8: Deliver the Complete Program and Explain the Rationale

Present the full program in the output format below. Do not just hand over tables -- explain the WHY for:
- Why this split was chosen for their goal
- What wave loading accomplishes (progressively overloads the nervous system while managing fatigue)
- How to identify when the program is working vs. when to make adjustments
- What metrics to track: log working weights, sets, reps, and RPE for every primary compound every session

**Tracking recommendation:** A simple training log (paper or app) recording: date, exercise, sets × reps, weight used, and a brief RPE note. Without tracking, progression rules cannot be applied correctly.

---

## Output Format

```
## Intermediate Strength Program: [Goal Focus]

**Split:** [Upper/Lower | Heavy-Light Upper/Lower | Push-Pull-Legs]
**Training Days:** [e.g., Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday]
**Block Length:** 4 weeks (3 working weeks + 1 deload)
**Primary Compound Periodization:** Wave loading (4x8 → 4x6 → 4x5 → deload)
**Accessory Periodization:** Double-progression within rep range

---

### Day 1: Upper A -- Horizontal Push/Pull Focus

| Order | Exercise                  | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method               |
|-------|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Bench Press       | 4 × 8/6/5   | 2--3 min  | Wave: W1@RPE7, W2@RPE8, W3@RPE9  |
| 2     | Barbell Bent-Over Row     | 3 × 8--10   | 90s--2min | Double-progression               |
| 3     | Dumbbell Incline Press    | 3 × 10--12  | 90s       | Double-progression               |
| 4     | Single-Arm Dumbbell Row   | 3 × 10--12  | 60--90s   | Double-progression               |
| 5     | Tricep Rope Pushdown      | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |
| 6     | Dumbbell Bicep Curl       | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |

**Day 1 Notes:** [Coaching cues for primary lift, movement focus, common errors to avoid]

---

### Day 2: Lower A -- Knee-Dominant (Squat Focus)

| Order | Exercise                  | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method               |
|-------|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Back Squat        | 4 × 8/6/5   | 3--4 min  | Wave: W1@RPE7, W2@RPE8, W3@RPE9  |
| 2     | Romanian Deadlift         | 3 × 8--10   | 2 min     | Double-progression               |
| 3     | Bulgarian Split Squat     | 3 × 10--12  | 90s       | Double-progression               |
| 4     | Leg Curl (Seated/Lying)   | 3 × 10--12  | 60--90s   | Double-progression               |
| 5     | Standing Calf Raise       | 3 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |
| 6     | Hanging Leg Raise / Ab Work | 2 × 10--15 | 60s      | Volume progression (reps first)  |

**Day 2 Notes:** [Squat cue reminders, RDL hinge mechanics, split squat loading note]

---

### Day 3: Upper B -- Vertical Push/Pull Focus

| Order | Exercise                  | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method               |
|-------|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Overhead Press    | 4 × 8/6/5   | 2--3 min  | Wave: W1@RPE7, W2@RPE8, W3@RPE9  |
| 2     | Weighted Pull-Up / Lat Pulldown | 3 × 6--10 | 2 min  | Double-progression               |
| 3     | Dumbbell Lateral Raise    | 3 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |
| 4     | Face Pull (Cable or Band) | 3 × 15--20  | 60s       | Light -- technique and health    |
| 5     | Overhead Tricep Extension | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |
| 6     | Hammer Curl               | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |

**Day 3 Notes:** [OHP bracing cue, lat pulldown vs. pull-up decision, face pull importance for shoulder health]

---

### Day 4: Lower B -- Hip-Dominant (Deadlift Focus)

| Order | Exercise                  | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method               |
|-------|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------|
| 1     | Conventional Deadlift     | 4 × 8/6/5   | 3--4 min  | Wave: W1@RPE7, W2@RPE8, W3@RPE9  |
| 2     | Front Squat or Goblet Squat | 3 × 8--10 | 2 min    | Double-progression               |
| 3     | Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift | 3 × 10--12 | 90s    | Double-progression               |
| 4     | Leg Press or Hack Squat   | 3 × 10--12  | 90s       | Double-progression               |
| 5     | Seated Calf Raise         | 3 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression               |
| 6     | Ab Wheel Rollout / Pallof Press | 2 × 8--12 | 60s  | Volume progression (reps first)  |

**Day 4 Notes:** [Deadlift setup cues, front squat mobility requirements or goblet alternative, SL-RDL balance focus]

---

### Wave Loading Schedule -- Primary Compounds

| Week | Sets × Reps | RPE Target | Load Guideline           | Notes                        |
|------|-------------|------------|--------------------------|------------------------------|
| 1    | 4 × 8       | RPE 7      | ~70--72% estimated 1RM   | Should feel moderately hard  |
| 2    | 4 × 6       | RPE 8      | ~75--78% estimated 1RM   | Last 1--2 reps challenging   |
| 3    | 4 × 5       | RPE 9      | ~80--83% estimated 1RM   | Heaviest week -- grind reps  |
| 4    | 3 × 8       | RPE 5--6   | ~60% of Week 3 weight    | Deload -- technique focus    |

---

### Progression Rules

**Primary compounds (wave loading):**
- Add 5 lbs to lower body lifts (squat, deadlift) at the start of each new 4-week cycle
- Add 2.5--5 lbs to upper body lifts (bench, OHP) at the start of each new 4-week cycle
- If Week 3 sets are not completed as prescribed (missed reps), repeat the wave at the same load before adding weight

**Secondary compounds (double-progression):**
- Begin at the lower end of the rep range
- Add 1--2 reps per set each session where you have reps in reserve
- When all prescribed sets hit the top of the rep range for two consecutive sessions, add the minimum increment and reset to the bottom of the range
- Typical cycle: 3--6 weeks per secondary lift before adding weight

**Accessories (double-progression, same rules):**
- Advance reps before advancing weight
- For isolation movements (curls, pushdowns, laterals), use 2.5 lb microplates or dumbbell increments when available

---

### Deload Protocol (Week 4 of Every Block)

| Variable        | Working Weeks (1--3)     | Deload Week (4)              |
|-----------------|--------------------------|------------------------------|
| Working weight  | Per wave schedule        | 60% of Week 3 working weight |
| Sets per exercise | As prescribed          | Reduce by 1 (4→3, 3→2)       |
| Rep ranges      | Per program              | Maintain -- focus on form    |
| Session duration | 60--90 minutes          | 45--60 minutes               |
| RPE target      | 7--9 (per week)          | 5--6 across all exercises    |

**Post-deload:** Return to Week 1 of the new cycle with previous Week 1 weights + planned increment.

---

### Next Block Progression Checklist

Before starting each new 4-week block:
- [ ] Did all working sets in Week 3 complete as prescribed?
- [ ] Was the deload completed as planned?
- [ ] Add 5 lbs lower / 2.5--5 lbs upper to primary compound Week 1 load
- [ ] Review accessories -- any stuck on same weight for 3+ weeks? Consider technique audit
- [ ] Note any persistent soreness or pain -- address before loading increases
```

---

## Rules

1. **Always present the disclaimer before any training guidance.** Health and injury risk are real; the disclaimer is not optional boilerplate.

2. **Never prescribe specific starting weights.** Provide percentage-based guidelines (e.g., "approximately 70% of estimated 1RM") or RPE targets, and direct the user to select loads based on their own recent performance. A weight that is correct for one intermediate lifter is dangerous for another.

3. **Never program the same primary compound on consecutive days.** Squat on Monday means no squat (even as a secondary) on Tuesday. The 48-hour minimum recovery window between sessions stressing the same primary movement pattern is non-negotiable at this volume and intensity level.

4. **Every primary compound must have an explicit periodization structure.** Generic "add weight when it gets easy" is a beginner instruction. Every primary lift in this skill gets either wave loading (strength/balanced goal) or a clearly defined double-progression scheme (hypertrophy focus) with specific rep range bounds.

5. **Every program block must include a programmed deload week.** Do not present a deload as optional or leave its timing to the user's discretion unless explicitly applying autoregulated deload criteria. Intermediate lifters accumulate fatigue faster than they perceive it -- built-in recovery is structurally required.

6. **Volume caps exist for a reason -- enforce them.** Intermediate lifters frequently want to add "just one more exercise." The maximum productive accessory volume for an intermediate lifter in a 4-day split is 10--20 working sets per muscle group per week across all sessions. Exceeding this consistently produces junk volume and impairs recovery.

7. **Rest intervals must be specified for every exercise category.** Primary compounds: 3--4 minutes (lower body), 2--3 minutes (upper body). Secondary compounds: 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Accessories: 60--90 seconds. Isolation work: 60 seconds. Insufficient rest between compound sets is one of the most common causes of stalled progress and form breakdown in intermediate lifters.

8. **Include at least one unilateral movement per training day.** Bilateral compound movements mask side-to-side strength imbalances. A lifter who squats 225 lbs bilaterally may have a 15--20% left-right strength deficit that only becomes visible -- and injury-producing -- under heavier loads. Bulgarian split squats, single-leg RDLs, single-arm rows, and alternating dumbbell presses address this systematically.

9. **Do not rotate accessory exercises within a 4-week block.** Muscle confusion is a myth; progressive overload requires tracking the same movement over time. Changing exercises every session or every week resets the learning curve and prevents meaningful load progression on accessories.

10. **If the user reports persistent joint pain, technical breakdown under load, or symptoms beyond normal training soreness (sharp pain, swelling, numbness, tingling), stop programming and advise them to consult a qualified healthcare professional or sports medicine practitioner.** Do not attempt to program around an undiagnosed injury.

11. **Never recommend supplements, ergogenic aids, or specific dietary products.** If the user asks about nutrition to support the program, redirect to nutrition-specific skills. This skill covers training structure only.

12. **The face pull (or equivalent rear delt/external rotator exercise) is mandatory on every upper day or at minimum twice per week.** OHP and bench press are anterior-dominant; the face pull counteracts accumulated internal rotation and protects the shoulder girdle. It is a structural health exercise, not optional accessory volume.

---

## Edge Cases

### Case 1: User Is Stalled on Multiple Lifts Simultaneously

A lifter stalling on one lift may have a technique or volume problem specific to that movement. A lifter stalling on all lifts simultaneously has a systemic problem: insufficient recovery, inadequate caloric intake, accumulated fatigue from excessive volume, or lifestyle stressors suppressing adaptation.

**How to handle:**
- Before redesigning the program, ask about sleep (target 7--9 hours), caloric intake (are they eating near maintenance or above?), and training consistency over the last 6--8 weeks
- If fatigue is the likely cause, prescribe a full deload week (or even two back-to-back reduced-volume weeks) before introducing new programming
- If the stall persists after a deload, reduce overall weekly volume by 20% (remove one accessory per session) before adding any volume -- many intermediate lifters are running too much volume, not too little
- If the stall is isolated to upper body while lower body progresses, check for shoulder mobility restrictions, elbow positioning issues, or grip width problems that limit bench/OHP mechanics

### Case 2: Home Gym with Barbell, Power Rack, and Dumbbells Only (No Cables or Machines)

Cables and machines are useful but not essential. Every cable or machine accessory has a free-weight equivalent.

**Substitution table:**
- Cable row → Single-arm or bilateral dumbbell row, barbell bent-over row
- Lat pulldown → Pull-up or chin-up (bodyweight modified with resistance band assist if needed)
- Leg curl → Nordic hamstring curl (bodyweight, brutally effective), dumbbell leg curl lying prone
- Leg extension → Spanish squat with band, sissy squat
- Cable lateral raise → Dumbbell lateral raise (no loss of effectiveness)
- Tricep pushdown → Tricep overhead extension, close-grip push-up, skull crushers
- Face pull → Band pull-apart, prone Y-T-W on a flat bench

**Additional adaptation:** Use tempo manipulation to increase difficulty without load: 3-second eccentric (lowering phase), 1-second pause at stretch, 1-second concentric. This significantly increases time under tension and muscle damage stimulus with the same weight.

### Case 3: User Has 5--6 Days Available and Wants Maximum Hypertrophy

Upper/Lower on 4 days is the standard. For lifters with more time, a PPL structure run twice per week is optimal for hypertrophy frequency.

**PPL structure for 6 days:**
- Day 1 Push: Bench Press primary (wave), OHP secondary, lateral raises, incline dumbbell, tricep work
- Day 2 Pull: Weighted Pull-Up primary (wave), Barbell Row secondary, face pulls, rear delt flies, curl variations
- Day 3 Legs: Squat primary (wave), RDL secondary, Bulgarian split squat, leg curl, calf raises, core
- Day 4--6: Repeat the sequence
- Day 7: Rest
- Deload every 4th week: reduce to one PPL circuit (3 sessions that week) at 60% intensity

**Volume note:** Because frequency doubles, per-session volume should be lower. Target 10--14 working sets per session maximum. The higher weekly frequency provides the volume stimulus; individual session volume should feel manageable.

### Case 4: User Has Only 3 Days Available

A 3-day split for an intermediate lifter should NOT be a traditional body-part split (chest/back/legs). It should be full-body with rotating emphasis to maintain compound frequency.

**3-day rotating full-body structure:**
- Day 1 (Squat emphasis): Squat (wave), Bench Press (3x8--10), RDL (3x8), row, accessories x2
- Day 2 (Bench emphasis): Bench Press (wave), Squat or leg press (3x8--10), row (wave), OHP (3x8), accessories x2
- Day 3 (Deadlift emphasis): Deadlift (wave), OHP (3x8--10), Squat variation (3x8), pull variation, accessories x2
- Reduce accessories to 2 per session to maintain session duration under 75 minutes

### Case 5: User Wants to Emphasize One Lift (e.g., Bring Up a Lagging Bench Press)

Specialized emphasis programming is appropriate when one compound significantly lags the others.

**Approach:**
- Give the lagging lift a primary slot on BOTH upper days (Upper A and Upper B)
- Upper A: Flat Barbell Bench (wave loaded, main focus)
- Upper B: Incline Barbell Bench or Close-Grip Bench (3x8--10, secondary slot -- same pattern, different angle/emphasis)
- Add one additional tricep exercise on each upper day (triceps are frequently the limiting factor in bench press)
- Maintain OHP but move it to a secondary slot on Upper B -- do not eliminate it entirely

### Case 6: User Has Shoulder or Knee Discomfort (Not Acute Injury)

Mild discomfort from training is common. Structural program modifications can often reduce aggravation without halting progress entirely.

**Shoulder discomfort during overhead pressing:**
- Substitute barbell OHP with landmine press (more shoulder-friendly arc of motion, reduced impingement risk)
- Widen grip slightly on bench press (stays within wrist-width of maximum -- overwide grip increases shoulder stress)
- Eliminate upright rows if present -- they are high-risk for shoulder impingement
- Increase face pull frequency to 3x per week minimum

**Knee discomfort during squatting:**
- Elevate heels slightly (weight plates or heel wedge) to reduce forward knee travel demand -- often resolves discomfort caused by ankle mobility restriction
- Substitute high-bar back squat with safety bar squat or box squat (reduced forward lean)
- Reduce squat depth temporarily to above-parallel while addressing mobility
- Add terminal knee extension (TKE with band) as a warm-up to improve VMO activation

**Persistent or worsening discomfort:** Do not attempt to program around worsening symptoms. Advise the user to consult a sports medicine physician, orthopedic specialist, or physical therapist.

### Case 7: User Is Transitioning FROM a Competition-Oriented Program Back to General Intermediate Training

Lifters returning from a powerlifting or Olympic lifting training cycle often have well-developed strength but atrophied hypertrophy-oriented training capacity. They may be deconditioned for higher rep ranges and accessory volume.

**Transition approach:**
- Run a 2-week "primer block" at reduced weights: take Week 1 loads at 80% of what they'd calculate as appropriate, focus on re-learning controlled tempo under load
- Start with 3 working sets per compound (not 4) in Week 1, add the 4th set in Week 2
- Expect delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) to be significantly elevated in the first 2--3 weeks -- this is normal and does not indicate injury
- Do not rush back to pre-competition working weights; let the 4-week wave structure build back to them naturally

---

## Example

**User Input:** "I've been lifting for about 14 months, started on GZCLP and ran it for 10 months before stalling out on most of my main lifts. I switched to a random 4-day bro split for the last month but I don't think it's structured well. I train Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at a commercial gym. My current bests are roughly: squat 195 lbs for 3 sets of 5, bench 145 lbs for 3x5, deadlift 255 lbs for 1x5, OHP 95 lbs for 3x5. My goal is to get bigger and stronger -- I don't want to sacrifice either. I have access to everything at a commercial gym."

---

**Output:**

## Intermediate Strength Program: Balanced Strength-Hypertrophy

**Split:** Upper/Lower (A/B variation)
**Training Days:** Monday (Upper A) / Tuesday (Lower A) / Thursday (Upper B) / Friday (Lower B)
**Block Length:** 4 weeks per cycle -- 3 working weeks + 1 deload week
**Primary Compound Periodization:** Wave loading (4×8 → 4×6 → 4×5 → deload)
**Accessory Periodization:** Double-progression within stated rep range

**Program Rationale:** Your GZCLP background means you have a solid strength base and understand progressive overload. The stall on multiple lifts simultaneously is classic late-linear territory -- your nervous system and musculature have adapted enough that session-to-session loading no longer drives progress. The solution is not more volume; it is organized intensity variation across weeks. This Upper/Lower split gives every primary lift twice-weekly frequency, structured wave loading for continued strength development, and enough accessory volume to drive meaningful hypertrophy alongside strength. At your current numbers (195 squat, 255 deadlift, 145 bench, 95 OHP), you're solidly mid-intermediate -- this structure is appropriate and should drive progress for 12--18 months before requiring more advanced periodization.

---

### Estimated 1RM Reference (Epley Formula Approximations)

These are estimates only -- use them to calibrate Week 1 starting loads. Always begin conservatively.

| Lift              | Recent Working Set     | Estimated 1RM | Week 1 Target (70--72%) |
|-------------------|------------------------|---------------|--------------------------|
| Back Squat        | 195 lbs × 5 reps       | ~228 lbs      | ~160 lbs for 4×8         |
| Bench Press       | 145 lbs × 5 reps       | ~170 lbs      | ~120 lbs for 4×8         |
| Conventional DL   | 255 lbs × 5 reps       | ~298 lbs      | ~210 lbs for 4×8         |
| Overhead Press    | 95 lbs × 5 reps        | ~111 lbs      | ~78--80 lbs for 4×8      |

These starting loads will feel lighter than your recent training. That is intentional. Week 1 is RPE 7 by design -- the wave builds intensity over 3 weeks. Resist the urge to go heavier from day one.

---

### Day 1: Upper A -- Horizontal Push/Pull Focus (Monday)

| Order | Exercise                  | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method                           |
|-------|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Bench Press       | 4 × 8/6/5   | 2--3 min  | Wave: W1 ~120 lbs @RPE7, W2 ~130 lbs @RPE8, W3 ~135--140 lbs @RPE9 |
| 2     | Barbell Bent-Over Row     | 3 × 8--10   | 2 min     | Double-progression; start ~95--105 lbs       |
| 3     | Dumbbell Incline Press    | 3 × 10--12  | 90s       | Double-progression; start with 55s or 60s    |
| 4     | Single-Arm Dumbbell Row   | 3 × 10--12  | 60--90s   | Double-progression; start with 65--70 lbs    |
| 5     | Face Pull (cable)         | 3 × 15--20  | 60s       | Technique priority -- light load, full ROM   |
| 6     | Tricep Rope Pushdown      | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression                           |
| 7     | EZ-Bar or Dumbbell Curl   | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression                           |

**Day 1 Notes:**
- Bench press: think "proud chest, shoulder blades pinched and depressed, leg drive into the floor." Do not allow shoulder blades to wing up off the bench during the set.
- Bent-over row: maintain a 45-degree torso angle minimum -- if you can't hold it, the weight is too heavy.
- Face pull: use a split stance for stability, pull toward the bridge of the nose, end position should have external rotation visible (elbows flared back). This exercise is for shoulder health -- never load it heavily.
- Total session target: 60--75 minutes.

---

### Day 2: Lower A -- Knee-Dominant (Squat Focus) (Tuesday)

| Order | Exercise                    | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method                           |
|-------|-----------------------------|-------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Back Squat          | 4 × 8/6/5   | 3--4 min  | Wave: W1 ~160 lbs @RPE7, W2 ~175 lbs @RPE8, W3 ~185 lbs @RPE9 |
| 2     | Romanian Deadlift           | 3 × 8--10   | 2 min     | Double-progression; start ~135--145 lbs      |
| 3     | Bulgarian Split Squat (DB)  | 3 × 10--12/leg | 90s    | Double-progression; start with 30--35 lb DBs |
| 4     | Lying Leg Curl              | 3 × 10--12  | 60--90s   | Double-progression                           |
| 5     | Standing Calf Raise (Smith or machine) | 4 × 12--15 | 60s | Double-progression                    |
| 6     | Ab Wheel Rollout            | 3 × 6--10   | 60s       | Volume progression -- add reps before adding load |

**Day 2 Notes:**
- Squat warm-up: bar × 8, 95 × 5, 135 × 3, then jump to ~90% of working weight × 1--2, then working sets. Do not skip warm-up sets -- the squat demands nervous system priming.
- Romanian deadlift: hinge from the hip, soft knee bend, feel a stretch in the hamstring at the bottom. The bar should skim the legs throughout. This is a hip hinge, not a squat variation.
- Bulgarian split squat: rear foot elevation 6--8 inches is sufficient; higher is not better. Most of your weight should be on the front foot. Expect soreness -- if you've never done these, the first week will be humbling.
- 48-hour minimum before Lower B (Friday) -- this is why Tuesday training works well.

---

### Day 3: Upper B -- Vertical Push/Pull Focus (Thursday)

| Order | Exercise                        | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method                            |
|-------|---------------------------------|-------------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 1     | Barbell Overhead Press          | 4 × 8/6/5   | 2--3 min  | Wave: W1 ~78--80 lbs @RPE7, W2 ~87 lbs @RPE8, W3 ~90 lbs @RPE9 |
| 2     | Weighted Pull-Up                | 3 × 6--8    | 2 min     | Double-progression; begin with bodyweight if 8 reps unweighted is RPE 8+ |
| 3     | Dumbbell Lateral Raise          | 3 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression; start with 15--20 lbs     |
| 4     | Face Pull (cable)               | 3 × 15--20  | 60s       | Technique priority -- same as Day 1           |
| 5     | Overhead Tricep Extension (DB or cable) | 2 × 12--15 | 60s | Double-progression                          |
| 6     | Hammer Curl                     | 2 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression                            |

**Day 3 Notes:**
- OHP is the hardest compound to progress -- your 95 lbs 3x5 translates to a ~111 lb estimated 1RM, so 78--80 lbs for 4x8 will feel conservative in Week 1. That is by design. The OHP responds poorly to grinding -- technique breakdown appears faster here than on any other compound.
- OHP cues: glutes squeezed, ribs down (don't flare them), press the bar in a slight arc back over the head at the top, bar should end over the mid-foot when viewed from the side.
- Weighted pull-up: use a dipping belt for loading. If you cannot complete 6 pull-ups with bodyweight cleanly, substitute Lat Pulldown (3 × 8--10) and add bodyweight pull-up attempts at the end of each session as a separate goal.
- Lateral raise: the controlled eccentric (3 seconds lowering) matters more than the weight used. Most lifters use too much weight on laterals and generate no stimulus in the target muscle.

---

### Day 4: Lower B -- Hip-Dominant (Deadlift Focus) (Friday)

| Order | Exercise                       | Sets × Reps | Rest      | Progression Method                            |
|-------|--------------------------------|-------------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 1     | Conventional Deadlift          | 4 × 8/6/5   | 3--4 min  | Wave: W1 ~210 lbs @RPE7, W2 ~230 lbs @RPE8, W3 ~245 lbs @RPE9 |
| 2     | Front Squat                    | 3 × 6--8    | 2 min     | Double-progression; start ~85--95 lbs; use cross-arm grip if wrist mobility is limited |
| 3     | Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift   | 3 × 10--12/leg | 90s   | Double-progression; start with 25--30 lb DBs  |
| 4     | Leg Press                      | 3 × 10--12  | 90s       | Double-progression                            |
| 5     | Seated Calf Raise              | 4 × 12--15  | 60s       | Double-progression                            |
| 6     | Pallof Press (cable)           | 3 × 10--12/side | 60s  | Volume progression; anti-rotation core strength |

**Day 4 Notes:**
- Deadlift: your current working set is 255 × 5. Week 1 target of 210 lbs for 4×8 will feel very light -- the volume (4 sets of 8) replaces intensity as the stimulus this week. By Week 3 at 245 × 4×5, you'll be working harder than your previous GZCLP sets but with better fatigue management.
- Deadlift setup: bar over mid-foot, hip hinge to grip (don't squat down to the bar), slack out of the bar before pulling (create tension before the weight leaves the floor), push the floor away rather than thinking "pull up."
- Front squat substitution: if front squat wrist mobility is a barrier even with cross-arm grip, substitute a safety bar squat or a heel-elevated goblet squat at 3×10--12 instead. Do not force the front rack position through pain.
- Single-leg RDL: use a light dumbbell in the opposite hand (contralateral loading) for better balance and hip control. Start lighter than you think -- balance will be the limiting factor, not strength.

---

### Wave Loading Schedule -- All Primary Compounds

| Week | Sets × Reps | RPE Target | Load Guideline (% est. 1RM) | Session Feel                    |
|------|
