Few powerlifting programs have generated as much interest as conjugate periodization (AKA Westside Barbell). While the program is certainly effective for a vast population of lifters, it’s not exactly the easiest to follow correctly for lifters with a limited training history.

The following is a variation that I’ve used successfully for some of my clients that limits some of the variables that can derail inexperienced lifters. Is it totally idiot-proof? Nope, but it’s a great introduction to one of the most popular strength programs in the world.

What’s in a Name?

Since conjugate periodization was popularized for powerlifting by Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell, my first instinct when writing this program was to do what everyone else seems to and call it “Westside for Novices”. Why not? We already have:

Westside for...

  • Raw lifters
  • Natural Lifters
  • Skinny Guys
  • Fat Guys
  • The list goes on…

I decided against using the Westside name in the title of the program for two reasons:

  1. Respect: It’s not my club, nor do I train there. I do not like the idea of misrepresenting my program as something Louie has somehow signed off on.
  2. Accuracy: While this template is based on Louie’s, they have not, to my knowledge ever used it as written here. In fact, I’m almost positive they haven’t. Only those who train at the club can really claim to know what they do day in and day out. And for that matter, the template itself is a small part of why the club is so successful.

In fact, having visited, and spoken to some of the members at length, I would say that the coaching and environment are probably more crucial to the club then the template.

Basically, unless you are actually training AT Westside, you are not “training Westside”.

Conjugate in a Nutshell

This article is written for those out there who want to start a conjugate program, but are unsure where to begin. If you are a regular reader of elitefts, you are probably at least casually familiar with the original conjugate template written by Louie. If not, there is a TON of information on the Conjugate System on elitefts.com, including this extremely thorough breakdown by Dave Tate, in The 8 Keys.

Additionally, any exercise named below can be looked up in the elitefts exercise index.

The classic conjugate template calls for 4 training days per week:

Monday – Max Effort Lower

On this day, you will perform an exercise similar to the squat or deadlift, up to a 1-3 rep max. Exercises can include various forms of the box squat, rack pull, deficit deadlift, and goodmorning, performed at a 1-3 rep max. This movement is usually rotated each week. The meet-style lifts are not performed until the meet.

Wednesday – Max Effort Upper

On this day, you will perform an exercise similar to the bench press, up to a 1-3 rep max. Exercises can include various forms of the board press, floor press, close grip bench press and rack press, performed at a 1-3 rep max. This movement is usually rotated each week. The meet-style bench press is usually not performed until the meet.

Friday – Speed Squat

Speed squats are performed as a wide stance box squat, in order to teach you to sit back in the squat and to fully recruit the hamstrings, glutes and lower back. Additionally, box squats build strength out of the hole and assure that you are squatting to depth.

The weight is kept at around 50 percent (often waved from 45 to 55 over 3 weeks), and use of bands and chains for accommodating resistance is common.

Sunday – Speed Bench

Speed benches are performed with a closer-then-competition grip, in a touch and go style (no bounce). Like the speed squats, the weight is kept at 50 percent and can be waved over the 3-week wave.

As any experienced lifter can tell you, there is a LOT more to the program, but the above is a basic breakdown.

Problems for Novices

Conjugate is a GREAT style of programming but presents some challenges to the beginner, all of which are addressed in my template.

Variety – Conjugate thrives on variety in exercises, especially with regard to max effort exercises. This is why tools like special bars, bands, and chains are used.

Most beginners do not have access to these toys, which limits their options. Hell, in today’s Planet Fitness-inspired fitness industry you are lucky if your gym has a quality barbell and rack.

On this template, the exercise selection is limited so that all you need are a barbell and rack.

Coaching – Most novices, unless they are lucky enough to train with an experienced group, do not have the benefit of coaching, making it tougher to learn technique in the competition lifts.

In this template, there is a skills day, where you will be practicing the meet lifts in place of a special exercise each month.

Exercise selection – Experienced lifters know how each special exercise carries over to their meet lifts, and what the general correlation should be between lifts. On this template, exercise selection is limited, with each special exercise repeating every month. With fewer exercises in the mix, it will be easier to note the carryover from the special exercises to the meet lifts.

Note, this program is written as a MEET CYCLE and is designed to be completed with a competition. I’ve always been of the belief that beginning powerlifters should compete early and often, in order to gain meet experience as quickly as possible.

Special Exercises

This template calls for only 3 special exercises per 16 weeks. You will be working up in each exercise once per cycle/month. In month one, you will go to a 3-rep max. In months two and three and four, you will go up to a 1-rep max (1RM). I like keeping the first week to a 3-rep max in order to reinforce technique.

For the squat/deadlift, pick a version of the goodmorning, deadlift, and low box squat.

For the bench, use a close grip full-range bench, rack press, and floor press. Board presses also work if you are able to get multiple training partners to help you. If you are just going at it alone in a commercial gym, you know how tough it can be to find a good spotter so stay away from exercises requiring more than one.

Speed Work

Speed work will be just about the same as on the traditional WSB template.

For squat/deadlift, perform 8 sets of 2 on the wide stance box squat. Wave the weight from 45 to 55% of your 1RM free squat over 3 weeks, then start over at 45.

Following the squat, hit 6 singles on the deadlift waving the weight from 65-75% of your 1RM.

Rest intervals between lifts should be kept to about a minute.

For the bench, use 9 sets of 3. Changing your grip every 3 sets, I tend to go from pointer-finger at the smooth, to between the line and the smooth, to pinky on the line. Wave the percentages from 45-55% of your 1RM.

Before you even ask, I do NOT recommend using bands and chains for your first conjugate cycle. Not only are they unnecessary for beginners, but they are one more variable that can muddy the waters while you are trying to learn a new training protocol.

Assistance

Following your max effort or speed work, you should be doing at least two assistance movements.

For your squat/DL days, you should be hitting at least one posterior chain (hamstrings glutes, lower back), and one abdominal exercise.

Posterior chain lower body assistance movements include:

Abdominal exercises include:

  • Sit-ups over the glute-ham/back extension machine
  • Cable pulldown abs
  • Band pulldown abs
  • Hanging leg raises
  • Planks
  • Spread eagle sit-ups
  • Incline bench sit-ups
  • Dumbbell side bends

For the bench days, at least one upper back movement and one triceps exercise.

Upper back exercises include:

  • Bentover barbell rows
  • T-bar rows
  • Dumbbell rows
  • Shrugs
  • Pulldowns
  • Pull-ups (not kipping… sorry crossfitters)
  • Rear dumbbell raises

Triceps exercises include:

  • Lying dumbbell extensions
  • Lying barbell extensions
  • JM presses
  • Cable triceps extensions
  • Bend triceps extensions
chalk hands in chalk bowl

The Template

As mentioned earlier, this template consists of 4 cycles, each lasting 4 weeks, for a total of 16 weeks (17 if you include the deload for the meet).

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!

The exercise selection is really up to you, based on what you think you need. You do not need to use the exercises as written. I actually encourage you to experiment so that you will find what works for yourself.

For the sake of the demonstration, the squat/DL max effort exercises I’ve selected are the low box squat, rack pull (lowest setting on your rack), and the low box squat (2 inches below parallel).

For the bench, we’re using the close grip bench (pointer finger on the smooth), floor press (your choice of grip, but stick with the same grip for the entire program), and rack press (close grip, same height thought the whole program)

Cycle 1

Week 1

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Low box squat – work up to a 3rm
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Close grip bench – work up to a 3rm
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 45% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 65% 6 x 1
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 45% 9 x 3
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Week 2

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Rack Pull – work up to a 3rm
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Floor Press – work up to a 3rm
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Week 3

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Goodmorning– work up to a 3rm
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Rack Press – work up to a 3rm
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 55% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 75% 6 x 1
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 55% 9 x 3
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Week 4

Monday – Squat/DL skill day

  • Free Squat - work up to 85% of 1RM
  • Deadlift - work up to 85% of 1RM
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Wednesday – Bench skill day

  • Bench Press – work up to 85% of 1RM
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 45% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 65% 6 x 1
  • Straight leg deadlifts 4 x 8
  • Incline bench sit-ups 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 45% 9 x 3
  • T-bar rows 4 x 8
  • Lying DB extensions 4 x 12

Cycle 2

Week 1

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Low box squat – work up to a 1RM
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Close grip bench – work up to a 1RM
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Week 2

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Rack Pull – work up to a 1RM
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Floor Press – work up to a 3RM
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 55% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 75% 6 x 1
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 55% 9 x 3
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Week 3

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Goodmorning– work up to a 1RM
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Rack Press – work up to a 1RM
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 45% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 65% 6 x 1
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 45% 9 x 3
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Week 4

Monday – Squat/DL skill day

  • Free Squat - work up to 90% of 1RM
  • Deadlift - work up to 90% of 1RM
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Wednesday – Bench skill day

  • Bench Press – work up to 90% of 1RM
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Back Extension 4 x 8
  • Cable pulldown abs 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • Bentover barbell rows 4 x 8
  • Lying BB extensions 4 x 12

Cycle 3

Week 1

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Low box squat – work up to a 1RM – Try to beat previous cycle's PR
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Close grip bench – work up to a 1rm– Try to beat previous cycle's PR
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Week 2

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Rack Pull – work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Floor Press – work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 55% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 75% 6 x 1
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 55% 9 x 3
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Week 3

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Goodmorning– work up to a 1RM - Try to beat previous cycle's PR
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Rack Press – work up to a 1RM - Try to beat previous cycle's PR
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 45% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 45% 9 x 3
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 12

Week 4

Monday – Squat/DL skill day

  • Free Squat - work up to 95% of 1RM
  • Deadlift - work up to 95% of 1RM
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Wednesday – Bench skill day

  • Bench Press – work up to 95% of 1rm
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 1

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Cable pullthroughs 10 x 8
  • Spread eagle situps 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • Dumbbell Rows 4 x 8
  • Cable Pushdowns 4 x 1

Cycle 4

Week 1

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Low box squat – 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Close grip bench – 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 55% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 75% 6 x 1
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 55% 9 x 3
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Week 2

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Rack Pull – work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Floor Press – work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 45% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 45% 9 x 3
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Week 3

Monday – Max Effort Squat/DL

  • Goodmorning– work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Wednesday – Max Effort Bench

  • Rack Press – work up to a 1rm - Try to beat previous cycle's pr
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 50% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 70% 6 x 1
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 50% 9 x 3
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Week 4

Monday – Squat/DL skill day

  • Free Squat - work up to 85% of 1rm
  • Deadlift - work up to 85% of 1rm
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Wednesday – Bench skill day

  • Bench Press – work up to 85% of 1rm
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Friday – Speed Squat

  • Box squats 55% 8 x 2
  • Speed deadlift 75% 6 x 1
  • Glute ham raises 4 x 8
  • Hanging leg raises 4 x 15

Sunday – Speed Bench

  • Speed bench 55% 9 x 3
  • Machine rows 4 x 8
  • JM presses 4 x 12

Week of the Meet

Light assistance work only Monday – Wednesday

Rest from Thursday until meet.

Notes

On days where you break a PR, don't get too aggressive and keep going until a miss. If you break a PR, it's an indication you are on track, so don't beat yourself up more than you need to.

On a day where you miss a PR consider doing some extra assistance work for the muscle group you believe is your weakness.

Extra workouts are fine, even encouraged. Keep the weights light and the movements small. This is a great time to add in some extra ab, upper back, and hamstring work.

The speed work weights might feel too light. DO NOT RAISE THEM. The point of speed work is to produce lots of force on a sub-maximal load.

Feel free to make exercise substitutions if needed, but make sure the new exercise is similar enough to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, a board press is a great substitute for a floor press. A lying triceps extension is not.

Take great notes. Conjugate requires you to listen to your body and to look for indicators. Learn which exercise carry over to the meet lifts and which do not. Adjust accordingly next time you run the program. Different lifters will notice different lifts work better for them than others.

Originally published in March of 2015

This is a real program and not an article about a program or how to make a program better. To print, on the left of this text you will see a "share" button. Click this and in the search engine, type "PrintFriendly". This is the best file and format to save and print a copy. Learn more about David Kirschen.

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