A Complete Guide To Reverse Pyramid Training

This article tells you how to train when the time comes to split your strength training into a three-day split. The primary focus is reverse pyramid training (RPT), but I have also included advice for other set-rep patterns (5×5 for example) to be used with a three-day split, as this is what I find myself using more and more often with clients rather than RPT nowadays.

Reverse pyramid training is a style of training where the trainee puts their heaviest set first, then ‘pyramids down’ to a lighter weight, usually with more reps for the latter sets. It is best suited to big compound training movements that work a lot of the body’s musculature, like a squat, deadlift, bench press, and chin-up.

Before choosing this routine, consider reading my companion guide: How to Choose The Right Training Program For You.

What is Reverse Pyramid Training?

Routines are usually abbreviated (meaning a low relative training volume) but they require a very high intensity.

A few months of reverse pyramid training can be a solid cure for trainees who have been stagnant at the gym because they have not been pushing themselves hard enough. This is because when many people try RPT training for the first time, they find out that they are capable of far more than they thought. This is because it is the first time they have to consistently push close to failure.

However, this makes RPT unsuitable for rank novices who are new to the lifts and at greater risk of their form breaking down when pushing close to failure. If this is you I’d recommend a straight-set routine like The Big 3 Routine, or our Novice Bodybuilding Program or Novice Powerlifting Program instead.

It also makes it less suitable for more experienced trainees, who may find themselves stagnating because of the low overall training volume. That said, I think RPT is great and I encourage you to give it a try at least once.

A Guide To Performing RPT

1. Do warm-up sets, gradually working up to around 80% of your ‘top set’ load.
2. Put the heaviest working set (aka. the top set) first.
3. Drop the weight, rest, and do the second working set.
4. Drop the weight, rest, and do the third working set.
5. Rest and move onto the next exercise.
6. Push HARD. Do as many reps as you can without reaching failure.

‘Failure’ is defined as the point at which a rep can no longer be completed with good form. You never want to go to form failure with the compound movements because that is where injuries happen, though occasionally it may happen without your planning. That is what the safety pins (or a spotter if you have one) are for when squatting and benching.

FORM

It should go without saying that the key to lifting a ton of weight is learning how to do so in a way that suits the mechanics of your body.

Working with world-class experts, my team and I spent 3 years developing a 46-lesson curriculum to teach you how to master the Squat, Bench Press, and Deadlift. We call it The Big 3 Basics. Here are our three free mega-guides created from that video series:

• 🏋🏻‍♂️ How To Low Bar Squat: The Definitive Form Guide
• 🏋🏽‍♂️ How To Bench Press: The Definitive Form Guide
• 🏋🏿‍♂️ How To Deadlift Properly: The Definitive Form Guide

A Reverse Pyramid Training Sample Routine

Reverse pyramid training is a set-rep pattern, not any specific workout. However, RPT does have popular routine incarnations. One such incarnation is this full-body three-day workout split.

How To Progress With Reverse Pyramid Training

Reverse pyramid training uses a double progression system. So that means the target is to increase either the weight or reps, if you can, at each session. There are rules for doing so.

• For the first workout, you likely need to guess at how heavy you should load the bar so that your maximum effort is within the target rep range.
• Let’s say that this week you get 7 reps with 100kg and your target rep range was 6-8 reps. The next week you’re going to stay with 100kg and try to hit 8 reps. If you do that then increase the weight slightly (102.5kg) and try to get 6 reps or more the following workout.
• If you fail to get the minimum required number or reps at any point in time, reduce the weight.
• For your second and third sets, your target rep range will be a couple of reps higher. Because of this, and the cumulative fatigue of the previous set(s) you will need to reduce the weight on the bar. 10-15% is a ballpark figure for this.

Tips

Adjust all sets independently of each other. The ~10-15% reduction that I’ve suggested is just a guide for your first workout. (If you need to reduce it more or less that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong!) From that point onward you want to adjust your subsequent sets independently as you would for that top set.

Keep the other training circumstances the same, particularly time, and keep rest intervals strict.

For the chin-ups, always keep a full range, keep it slow and smooth. Chin-ups may be very tough at first, that’s fine. Band-assisted chin-ups are a good option until you have built up the strength to do full reps, as is jumping up and holding yourself in the top position and fighting gravity until it takes you down for as long as you can. – This way you will train both ends of the rep range. Eventually, you’ll want to add weight. See my Full Guide To Progressing Your Chin-ups.

The Pros and Cons of RPT Training

What I Like About RPT

• Quick & effective.
• Satisfies the need for intensity without allowing certain personality types from hammering themselves too hard.
• Cuts through the crap & focuses on the exercises that will give the trainee the most bang for their buck.

The Drawbacks of RPT

• It is not sustainable and will eventually cease to provide enough training stress to drive progression. Training close to failure at very high intensity is bad for recovery. This means that the workouts can only be performed with a low frequency. Volume is also low, as it’s not possible to train to failure for a high amount of volume. As volume is one of the key drivers of progress, eventually RPT will cease being effective.
• Not suited to the beginner. Training too close to failure is bad for proper motor learning. Form needs to be very good to avoid injury when pushing close to technical failure for rep maxes.
• Your ‘maximum‘ is highly influenced your gym atmosphere/surroundings. One of my best squat workouts ever was with six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates sitting on the leg press machine six feet behind me, staring at me, waiting for his rack to become available. ‘Maximum’ is relative and variable, and it’s too easy for people to pussy out before they truly can’t do any more reps. Think about it this way – if I put a gun to your loved one’s head, you could probably do a couple more, right?
• Mentally the workouts are very tough, and knowing you need to push to a max for every set, especially on squat day for example, can lead to people dreading their workouts. This extra mental drain can lead to unnecessary stress and sub-optimal performance. Fixed set-rep patterns (5 sets of 5 for example) without the requirement for failure can work better. And I find myself recommending these more and more, regardless of the level of trainee.

A Better Way To Do A 3-Day Split?

Due to the drawbacks mentioned above, I most often find myself using a fixed set-rep pattern without the use of failure instead of RPT with clients. As the cumulative fatigue will be lower, additional exercises can be added to each day and have been in the example below.

See here for a progression example for 5×5.

Reverse Pyramid Training FAQ

Thanks for reading. Questions welcomed in the comments as always. – Andy.