MASSIVThe Massiv Blog
Real programs, explained properly.
Straight-talking guides to the programs lifters actually run — the rules, the progression, and the mistakes to avoid. Written by the team building Massiv.
The Best Workout Tracker App in 2026
Hevy, Strong, Fitbod, Jefit and more — an honest comparison, sorted by whether you want a logger, a generator, or an app that runs your program.
Program guideThe Antagonist Split: Chest With Back, Shoulders With Arms
Pairing opposing muscles in one session, the six-day structure, its Golden Era origins, and who it actually suits.
Program guidePush/Pull/Legs (PPL) Split: A Complete Guide
The full PPL guide — 6-day and 3-day schedules, sample sessions, and exactly how to progress it.
Program guideStarting Strength: The Complete Beginner Guide
The two alternating sessions, how fast to add weight, the 10% reset when you stall, and how long the linear run lasts.
Program guideGreyskull LP: Linear Progression With AMRAP Sets
How the AMRAP last set drives progression and autoregulates, and how it compares to Starting Strength and StrongLifts.
Program guideThe Texas Method: What to Run When Linear Progression Ends
Volume, Recovery and Intensity days, how the three relate, when you are ready for it, and the mistakes that break it.
Program guideStrongLifts 5×5: The Complete Guide
The two workouts, the exact progression and deload rules, and why 5×5 stalls — plus what to run next.
FundamentalsProgressive Overload Explained
The one principle behind every program — what it means, the five ways to apply it, and how fast to push.
ToolsJefit Alternative: Named Programs Without the Ads
Why people move on from Jefit, what to check in an alternative, and how to bring your export across without retyping it.
ToolsFitNotes Alternative: Keeping the Simplicity, Adding a Program
Same no-ads, no-account simplicity — on iPhone too — plus real programs, a watch app, and a CSV import that asks about units.
ToolsHevy Alternative: When to Switch and What to Pick
Hevy is a great free logger — but if you want the app to run your program's progression, here's where to go.
ToolsStrong App Alternative: For Lifters Who Follow a Plan
Strong logs cleanly but won't run a program. The best alternatives — and how to bring your CSV history along.
Program guide5/3/1 Explained: A Complete Guide for Intermediate Lifters
Wendler's 4-week wave, AMRAP sets, and how to set your training max — the whole system, plainly.
ComparisonPHUL vs PPL: Which Should You Run?
Upper/lower power-hypertrophy or push/pull/legs? How to pick based on your schedule and goals.
Program guideGZCLP Progression Rules, Step by Step
T1/T2/T3 tiers, the exact failure rules, and how the linear progression actually advances.
Program guideThe Best Dumbbell-Only Workout Program (4 Days)
A full 4-day split you can run with nothing but a pair of adjustable dumbbells.
ToolsThe Best App for 5/3/1 in 2026
An honest comparison of what actually runs the wave math for you — and what just stores numbers.
ToolsFree StrongLifts Alternative (That Doesn't Suck)
What to use instead of decade-old shovelware for 5×5 and everything after it.
Program guideGlute Hypertrophy Program: 4 Days, Full Gym
A 4-day glute-focused hypertrophy block with progression targets and weak-point work.
ToolsThe Best Bodyweight Workout App for Structured Training
Skill trainers, AI generators, workout libraries — and the fourth kind almost nobody builds: an app that runs a bodyweight program.
ToolsThe Best Wear OS Workout App for Lifting in 2026
Logging sets from the wrist, rest timers with haptics, and what actually happens when the phone connection drops.
ToolsThe Best Apple Watch Lifting App in 2026
Standalone set logging, wrist rest timers, and rotary-crown input — what to look for and what to skip.
ToolsFitbod Alternative: Structured Programs With a Useful Free Tier
Compare adaptive daily recommendations with named programs, visible progression rules, a useful free tier, and optional Pro.
Program guidePHUL Program: Full 4-Week Schedule + Progression Rules
Every session, every exercise, and exactly how to progress both the power and hypertrophy days of the PHUL split.