Best Powerbuilding Programs 2025: Honest Review of Gavin Adin, Jeff Nippard & Kizen Training

About Our Team

Spider Chalk is performance chalk used in college weight-rooms, powerlifting gyms, and weightlifting facilities around the world. Used by over 500,000 athletes in 21 countries, we make better chalk for serious athletes. Our team committed to testing Jeff Nippard's program and Gavin Adin's to compare and offer an honest opinion.

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What Is a Powerbuilding Program?

Powerbuilding combines powerlifting strength training with bodybuilding hypertrophy work. These hybrid programs help athletes build both impressive strength numbers and aesthetic muscle mass simultaneously.

Top 3 Powerbuilding Programs Reviewed

1. Gavin Adin's Raw Strength Program: Best for Time-Efficient Training

Program Overview:

• Creator: Gavin Adin (5'6" powerlifter from NJ with 500K+ followers)

• Platform: Gavin Adin Training app

• Structure: 3 Phases with 3 Blocks each

• Session Duration: 30-45 minutes

Our Testing Results: We completed Phase 1 (Blocks 1 & 2) with 6 athletes (4 males, 2 females). Every participant experienced significant bench press and squat improvements within 6 weeks.

Pros:

• Optimal volume for recovery

• Well-balanced exercise selection

• Time-efficient (under 45 minutes)

• Allows additional conditioning work

• Based on proven SBD principles

Cons:

• Limited overhead pressing movements

• Minimal isolation work (no direct arm training)

• May require customization for specific goals

Best For: Intermediate lifters seeking strength and size gains with limited gym time. Perfect for those combining powerbuilding with CrossFit, Hyrox, or cardio training.

2. Jeff Nippard's Powerbuilding System: Best for Dedicated Athletes

Program Overview:

• Creator: Jeff Nippard (5'5" Canadian powerlifter/bodybuilder)

• Structure: 4-day training split

• Session Duration: 90+ minutes

• Volume: Extremely high

Our Testing Results: After a 4-week cycle, athletes achieved serious strength gains with moderate hypertrophy. However, Week 3 saw 100% failure rate on prescribed weights due to accumulated fatigue.

Pros:

• Comprehensive exercise variety

• Significant strength gains potential

• Science-based programming approach

Cons:

• Excessive volume causing recovery issues

• Time-demanding (90+ minutes per session)

• Includes unnecessary isolation exercises

• Difficult to maintain with work/life commitments

Best For: Full-time athletes or those who can prioritize training, recovery, and nutrition above all else.

3. Kizen 12-Week Powerbuilding Program: Best for Aesthetics

Program Overview:

• Creators: Omar Isuf, Bart Kwan, Silent Mike Farr

• Structure: 6-day program

• Focus: Physique-oriented with strength maintenance

Our Testing Results: The program heavily emphasizes bodybuilding movements with an unusual triceps focus. While volume is high, supersets help manage gym time.

Pros:

• Effective superset programming

• Good for aesthetic goals

• Opposing muscle group balance

Cons:

• Lacks compound movement emphasis

• Overly triceps-focused

• Appears commercially motivated

• Creators have abandoned the platform

Best For: Bodybuilders wanting to maintain strength while prioritizing physique development.

How to Choose the Right Powerbuilding Program

Consider Your Available Time

• Under 60 minutes: Gavin Adin's Raw Strength

• 90+ minutes: Jeff Nippard's Powerbuilding System

• Flexible schedule: Kizen (with supersets)

Match Your Primary Goal

• Strength with size: Gavin Adin or modified Nippard

• Size with strength maintenance: Kizen

• Maximum strength gains: Nippard (with recovery focus)

Experience Level Recommendations

• Beginners: Start with free programs like nSuns or Greyskull

• Intermediate: Gavin Adin's Raw Strength

• Advanced: Jeff Nippard's system (with modifications)

Program Modification Tips

For Gavin Adin's Program:

• Add pull-ups/chin-ups for back development

• Replace goblet squats with front squats for advanced lifters

• Include arm isolation work if desired

For Jeff Nippard's Program:

• Reduce volume by 20-30% initially

• Remove 1-2 exercises per session

• Lower prescribed weights to ensure recovery

For Kizen Program:

• Add more compound movements

• Reduce triceps volume

• Focus on progressive overload basics

Free Powerbuilding Alternatives

Before investing in paid programs, consider these free options:

• nSuns 5/3/1: Excellent for strength progression

• Greyskull LP: Perfect for beginners

• GZCLP: Balanced approach to strength and size

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which program builds the most muscle? A: Jeff Nippard's program has the highest volume for hypertrophy, but Kizen focuses more on aesthetic muscle development.

Q: Can beginners use these programs? A: We recommend beginners start with free programs like nSuns or Greyskull before investing in advanced powerbuilding programs.

Q: How long should I run each program? A: Gavin Adin's program includes multiple phases (12+ weeks), Nippard's is typically 8-12 weeks, and Kizen is a 12-week program.

Q: Do I need to follow the programs exactly? A: No. Our testing showed benefits from modifications based on individual goals and recovery capacity.

Final Recommendations

Best Overall: Gavin Adin's Raw Strength Program offers the ideal balance of effectiveness, time efficiency, and sustainability for most lifters.

Best for Strength: Jeff Nippard's Powerbuilding System delivers serious strength gains if you can handle the volume.

Best for Aesthetics: Kizen Training focuses heavily on physique development but lacks compound movement emphasis.

Remember: The best powerbuilding program is one you can consistently follow while recovering adequately. Start conservatively and adjust based on your progress and lifestyle demands.