
intermediate strength peaking
v1by FitnessGrid
Evidence-based progression and peaking for intermediate lifters targeting 1RM milestones in compound lifts.
strengthpeakingperiodizationpowerlifting
Get an AI coach that uses this skill
FitnessGrid is an AI coach that plans your week and adapts as you go. Install intermediate strength peaking and your coach will follow this protocol every week, learn from what you actually do, and adjust on the fly.
- Your coach builds the week from this skill
- Adapts to your actual progress, not a static template
- Free to start — no credit card, ~60 seconds to set up
Procedure
-
Assess Intermediate Readiness
- Review training history using
get_user_historyto confirm the user has moved past simple linear progression (no longer making session-to-session gains). - Use
compute_one_rep_maxon recent heavy sets to establish current 1RM baselines for target compound lifts.
- Review training history using
-
Phase 1: Accumulation (Weeks 1–6)
- Implement a Daily Undulating Periodization (DUP) model using
create_workout. - Structure weeks with 3 distinct day types for target lifts:
- Hypertrophy Day: 70–75% 1RM for sets of 8–12.
- Power Day: 60–70% 1RM moved with maximum velocity.
- Strength Day: 80–85% 1RM for sets of 5.
- Focus on building the "fitness" base and muscle cross-sectional area.
- Implement a Daily Undulating Periodization (DUP) model using
-
Phase 2: Intensification (Weeks 7–10)
- Transition to Block Periodization. Update existing workouts using
update_workout. - Increase intensity to 80–90% of 1RM.
- Reduce set volume and shift rep ranges to 3–5 per set.
- Prioritize specific compound lifts (Squat, Bench, Deadlift) over accessory movements.
- Transition to Block Periodization. Update existing workouts using
-
Phase 3: The Peaking Taper (Weeks 11–12)
- Taper Week 1: Reduce total volume (sets x reps) by 50% using
update_workout. Maintain intensity at 85–90% to keep the nervous system primed. - Peak Week 2:
- Early Week: Perform 1–2 heavy singles at 90%+.
- Mid-to-Late Week: Schedule 3–7 days of complete rest or very light active recovery to dissipate accumulated fatigue.
- Explain the "Fitness-Fatigue" paradigm: lowering fatigue to unmask actual performance capacity.
- Taper Week 1: Reduce total volume (sets x reps) by 50% using
-
Milestone Attempt
- Guide the user through a 1RM attempt at the end of the taper.
- Upon completion, use
complete_exerciseandupdate_training_maxto log the new milestone. - Reset the macrocycle or transition to a maintenance/deload phase.