# GPP Hypertrophy & 12 week Strength questions

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/gpp-hypertrophy-12-week-strength-questions/4149>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [November 26, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/gpp-hypertrophy-12-week-strength-questions/4149 "2018-11-26T20:38:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Impious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ea5d25/32.png) [@Impious](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Impious)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/gpp-hypertrophy-12-week-strength-questions/4149/1 "2018-11-26T20:38:46Z")

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I’m a 36yr old intermediate lifter. Currently finishing a 4-5 month cut down to 190lbs running a PPL. Here in the next 2 weeks I’ll reach my goal weight and be looking to move back into a growth phase.

I’m considering the GPP 7 week hypertrophy (I’ve never really focused on hypertrophy before) or the 12 week strength program after my cut is done. If I go with the hypertrophy program I’d probably follow that up with something strength focused (12 week, HLM or just go back to Texas Method).

My 2 real questions at this time are:

1. I’m going to slowly step my calories back up to gaining ~.5lbs/week. So my first 3-4 weeks post-cut will be at or near maintenance calories. Should I start the Hypertrophy program right after the cut, or run the PPL until I’m up to my .5lbs/week calorie level before I switch programs?

2. If I go for the 12 week program instead, are the strength improvements lasting/repeatable gains or is it really just for peaking for a meet or new 1RM attempt? I’m not so much interesting in peaking as I am with repeatable, lasting performance gains like I experienced when running Texas Method.

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**Author:** ![LeahBBM](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/leahbbm/32/17_2.png) [@LeahBBM](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/LeahBBM)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/gpp-hypertrophy-12-week-strength-questions/4149/2 "2018-11-27T01:48:11Z")

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Welcome!

1. You can most certainly start the hypertrophy template at this time. Many people even use it on a cut since the high volume is helpful there too.
2. We most certainly expect the strength improvements to be lasting! It is fitting for a meet prep, but as a strength template, it’s goal is most decidedly to increase your strength, meet prep or not.

Leah