DropSet/Programs/Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1

Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1

The most-run Reddit PPL with its main lift each day swapped to the 5/3/1 wave — squat, bench, deadlift, OHP and rows run a 4-week TM-based cycle while the hypertrophy accessories stay exactly as the original. A powerbuilding step up from base Metallicadpa PPL; Legs B keeps a separate 5×10 squat volume day.

Advanced 6 days/week 4-week cycle · repeats ~50–70 min/session
Browse all programs

Free during beta · auto progression, rest timers & PR tracking built in

Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1 program cover art

How progression works

% of Training Max, +2.5 kg TM per cycleDouble: reach rep ceiling on all sets → +2.5 kg% of Training Max, +5 kg TM per cycle

DropSet runs this progression for you — every session's weights are computed automatically from your training maxes and logged AMRAP sets.

Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1 — every set, every session

Percentages are of your training max (TM). AMRAP = as many reps as possible on the final set.

Week 16 sessions

Push A — Bench (5s week)

Monday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bench Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 65% 1×5 @ 75% 1×5+ @ 85% AMRAP2:30
Overhead Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull A — Deadlift (5s week)

Tuesday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Deadlift (Barbell)1×5 @ 65% 1×5 @ 75% 1×5+ @ 85% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs A — Squat (5s week)

Wednesday~45–60 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)1×5 @ 65% 1×5 @ 75% 1×5+ @ 85% AMRAP2:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30

Push B — OHP (5s week)

Thursday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Overhead Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 65% 1×5 @ 75% 1×5+ @ 85% AMRAP2:30
Bench Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull B — Rows (5s week)

Friday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bent Over Row (Barbell)1×5 @ 65% 1×5 @ 75% 1×5+ @ 85% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs B — Squat Volume

Saturday~45–65 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)5×10–122:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30
Week 26 sessions

Push A — Bench (3s week)

Monday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bench Press (Barbell)1×3 @ 70% 1×3 @ 80% 1×3+ @ 90% AMRAP2:30
Overhead Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull A — Deadlift (3s week)

Tuesday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Deadlift (Barbell)1×3 @ 70% 1×3 @ 80% 1×3+ @ 90% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs A — Squat (3s week)

Wednesday~45–60 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)1×3 @ 70% 1×3 @ 80% 1×3+ @ 90% AMRAP2:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30

Push B — OHP (3s week)

Thursday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Overhead Press (Barbell)1×3 @ 70% 1×3 @ 80% 1×3+ @ 90% AMRAP2:30
Bench Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull B — Rows (3s week)

Friday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bent Over Row (Barbell)1×3 @ 70% 1×3 @ 80% 1×3+ @ 90% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs B — Squat Volume

Saturday~45–65 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)5×10–122:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30
Week 36 sessions

Push A — Bench (5/3/1 week)

Monday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bench Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 75% 1×3 @ 85% 1×1+ @ 95% AMRAP2:30
Overhead Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull A — Deadlift (5/3/1 week)

Tuesday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Deadlift (Barbell)1×5 @ 75% 1×3 @ 85% 1×1+ @ 95% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs A — Squat (5/3/1 week)

Wednesday~45–60 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)1×5 @ 75% 1×3 @ 85% 1×1+ @ 95% AMRAP2:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30

Push B — OHP (5/3/1 week)

Thursday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Overhead Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 75% 1×3 @ 85% 1×1+ @ 95% AMRAP2:30
Bench Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull B — Rows (5/3/1 week)

Friday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bent Over Row (Barbell)1×5 @ 75% 1×3 @ 85% 1×1+ @ 95% AMRAP2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs B — Squat Volume

Saturday~45–65 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)5×10–122:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30
Week 46 sessions

Push A — Bench (Deload)

Monday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bench Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 40% 1×5 @ 50% 1×5 @ 60%2:30
Overhead Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull A — Deadlift (Deload)

Tuesday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Deadlift (Barbell)1×5 @ 40% 1×5 @ 50% 1×5 @ 60%2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs A — Squat (Deload)

Wednesday~45–60 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)1×5 @ 40% 1×5 @ 50% 1×5 @ 60%2:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30

Push B — OHP (Deload)

Thursday~50–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Overhead Press (Barbell)1×5 @ 40% 1×5 @ 50% 1×5 @ 60%2:30
Bench Press (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Incline Bench Press (Dumbbell)3×8–122:30
Triceps Pushdownsuperset A3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset A3×15–202:30
Triceps Extension (Dumbbell)superset B3×8–122:30
Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)superset B3×15–202:30

Pull B — Rows (Deload)

Friday~55–70 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Bent Over Row (Barbell)1×5 @ 40% 1×5 @ 50% 1×5 @ 60%2:30
Lat Pulldown (Cable)3×8–122:30
Seated Cable Row - V Grip (Cable)3×8–122:30
Face Pull5×15–202:30
Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30
Bicep Curl (Dumbbell)4×8–122:30

Legs B — Squat Volume

Saturday~45–65 min
ExerciseSets × RepsRest
Squat (Barbell)5×10–122:30
Romanian Deadlift (Barbell)3×8–122:30
Leg Press (Machine)3×8–122:30
Lying Leg Curl (Machine)3×8–122:30
Standing Calf Raise5×8–122:30

Source: Metallicadpa PPL × Jim Wendler 5/3/1

DropSet is not affiliated with or endorsed by the program's author. The program structure (sets, reps, exercise selection) is presented as published methodology.

Run Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1 in DropSet

Training-max calculation, AMRAP tracking, automatic progression, plate calculator and rest timers — the whole program, ready to log.

Join Discord
DS

Join the waitlist

We'll email you the moment DropSet opens to new users — run Metallicadpa PPL: 5/3/1 with automatic progression, rest timers and PR tracking.

No spam. One email when we launch. Unsubscribe anytime.