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Power Matrix

Intermediate 12 weeks 4 days/week Powerlifting

Power Matrix is an intermediate powerlifting program that runs 12 weeks at 4 sessions per week. It is built into Ægir Iron and free to load for individual lifters and for athletes on a coach's roster.

What this program is

The StrongLifts-style Power Matrix runs one main lift per day across seven sets of 8, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1, and 5 reps, climbing in weight to a near-maximal top single and then backing off with a set of five. Every set is a percentage of your max for that lift, rounded to the nearest five pounds so the bar loads cleanly. The eight and the five at the ends do the muscle-building work, the descending sets in the middle prime you, and the three singles are where you express strength. The overhead press, bench press, squat, and deadlift each get a matrix day.

One lift, ascending load: 8, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1, then a back-off set of 5

At a glance

DisciplinePowerlifting
Experience levelIntermediate
Length12 weeks
Training days4 per week
EquipmentBarbell and rack
LoadingPercentage of your 1RM or a training max, resolved live from your maxes and rounded to the plate.
PriceFree for individual lifters and rostered athletes

Free for individual lifters and for athletes on a coach's roster. Coaches pay only for roster tools.

How it works in Ægir Iron

Ægir Iron ships the Power Matrix as a template you load and then make your own. You choose whether the percentages come off your one-rep max or a training max, whether the grid holds steady or climbs each block, and which lifts get a matrix day. The app prices all seven sets from your max, rounds each to the nearest five pounds so you get the clean grid without the arithmetic, and shows the plate math on the bar. You do not even need a tested max to start: add a quick estimate as you load the program, or just begin logging and the app suggests a starting weight. Set your real max later and the whole matrix reprices itself, and as your top singles climb your PRs are awarded automatically.

Load the Power Matrix as is, or use it as a starting point and adjust the lifts, basis, or progression to fit you. Save any version as a reusable template that a coach can assign in a couple of taps.

Start the Power Matrix

Open Ægir Iron, go to Program, choose New Program, then Browse Programs, and load the Power Matrix. It is free on iOS, Android, and the web, with your data synced across all three.

Load the Power Matrix free →