Just Get A Coach

Programming for yourself is 9 times out of 10 a really terrible idea. It is truly difficult to keep yourself accountable and have an objective approach to training when your ego is influencing your programming. A great example of this is that many 'self taught' weightlifters start their programs at 75% of 1rm for snatch, which is really high for week 1 of a weightlifting program. 

The easiest solution is: just get a coach. If you cannot get a coach, buy a program. If you cannot buy a program, then use a free program made by a reputable coach. 

Every elite lifter ever started with a coach. Especially for weightlifting, a sport that literally has the most complicated technique AND programming out of any other, it is crucial to have someone who knows what they are doing to take an objective approach to your training. I have a coach, and I know the ins and outs of weightlifting programming. I've seen top lifters who know almost everything about technique, still get called out by their own coaches. 

Paid programs also work. I've said it in the past, but if a program is free, it is usually shit (unless it is from me 🤑 ). Apart from getting one of my programs, you can also get them from Sika Strength, Gabriel Sincraian etc. 

Do not be discouraged if you can only run a free program. I've run free programs in the past. As a beginner-to-intermediate lifter, you can still make progress from a sub-optimal free program. Just don't run it forever.

A final note: NEVER, EVER, DEVIATE FROM THE PROGRAM. You MUST follow the program word-for-word. Every program is written based on the assumption that you are following it word-for-word. If you deviate from it (ie. skip a day or perform worse on a lift), please make sure you or your coach is adjusting for this in the future.