Stephan Korte put out a training scheme called "3x3" about 12 years
ago. It was popularized by its foundations in Olympic lifting among
Europeans. The training is based on an 8 week cycle with 2 phases.
Phase 1 is the high volume phase while phase 2 is the competition
phase were higher intensity levels are utilized.
I'll get to the point. His system is actually plain Jane boring and
quite ineffective overall. Training 3 times a week and only training
the squat, bench and deadlift is fine for a beginner but weaknesses
will never be addressed without assistance work. Korte likes to state
that his system is similar to the popular Westside schemes but there
is not much similarity at all. I believe he used this reference to
ride the popularity of Westside as it was becoming even more popular
in the powerlifting genre.
Korte's high volume phase ranges in %'s of 58-64 percent during this 4
week span. I think this is too modest for percentages unless
"dynamic" style work is being done for technique etc. Certainly using
a 2 month training cycle would require high %'s during the success to
condition the bottom. The real kick in the pants is once phase 2 is
started the lifter is suddenly using 80-95% for the final 4 weeks. I
think based on that alone a lifter might want to add another 4 weeks
to the training cycle to bridge this jump in percentages.
Each training session that Korte has established is to squat, bench
and deadlift. Although this might be great for establishing technique
for a lifting its still leaves a person lacking.
It's nice ideally
to use this scheme but weaknesses of the individual lifter are not
addressed. I propose something like:
Day 1-
Squat
Narrow Grip Bench
Romanian Deads
Day 2-
Front Squats
Bench Press
Good mornings
Day 3-
Olympic Squats
Illegal Grip Bench Press
Deadlifts
Phase 1: 55-64% (Weeks 1-4)
Squatting Movements 5-8x5
Benching Movements 6-8x6
Deadlift Movements 5-8x5
Phase 2: 65-79% (Weeks5-8)
Squatting Movements 5x5
Competition Squat 3x3
Benching Movements 5x5
Competition Bench 3x3
Deadlift Movements 5x5
Competition Deadlift 3x3
Phase 3: 80-95% (Weeks 9-12)
Squatting Movements 3x3
Competition Squat 2x1
Benching Movements 5x4
Competition Bench 2x1
Deadlift Movements 3x3
Competition Deadlift 2x1
This scheme would make more sense while addressing some weaknesses. I
think adding an assistance exercise per session for that main lift
during phase 2 would also help. Something like 3x8 would be simple
enough while not pushing the assistance lift to failure.
I do like the concept of using the lifts in more of a purist setting
but still weaknesses and boredom would set in pretty fast. I could
accept his scheme from very raw lifters that were just starting out.
Hopefully this has some information that you can use. If anything
consider always a well rounded scheme that addresses your goals and
needs as a lifter. Good luck!
Future
3x3: A Revised Approach 
Linear Mode
