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5/3/1

Rocktown

Member
Ok guys I'm starting 5/3/1 again. It's been over a year since I've done this program. I've had really good luck with it in the past. I've always done it with a crew, our gym closed at the beginning of the year. I couldn't afford the gym everyone else started going to, so now I work out solo. We used to do a lot of accessory work with 5/3/1, but I'm not for sure if that was the way we were supposed to work the program. I don't want to over do it and take away from the effectiveness. So how much accessory work do you guys do with 5/3/1? And also do you think it would be counter productive to throw in an arm day on the 5th day, since the program is technically set up for 4 work days?
 
Arm days are ridiculous IMO

Day 1
5/3/1 DL
Romanian deadlift
Front squat

Day 2
5/3/1 Bench
Row variant
Bi/Tri

Day 3
5/3/1 Squat
Good mornings
Lunges

Day 4
5/3/1 OHP
Row variant
Bi/Tri

Vary your volume and intensity on assistance work. You could also add in a supplemental movement following your main lift (Deadlift sets then block pulls, Squats then pause squats, bench then close grip)
 
Ok, thanks. So basically two movemenst in addition to the main movement. Arm days may be rediculous, but i can't think of anything else to do on the fifth day. Also my bench is lagging and I figure the extra tri work might help. And besides, I've been doing curls since I was 14, why stop now.lol
 
Rocktown said:
Ok, thanks. So basically two movemenst in addition to the main movement. Arm days may be rediculous, but i can't think of anything else to do on the fifth day. Also my bench is lagging and I figure the extra tri work might help. And besides, I've been doing curls since I was 14, why stop now.lol
Click to expand...

More doesn't mean better and a fifth day isn't necessary. Your bench is most likely lagging due to technique, lack of progression, or you're not eating. A fifth day just for triceps just feels like a waste to me. If you feel a specific area of your bench is weak, then utilize a supplemental movement like I mentioned to address that weakness. Do your 5/3/1 sets and then do 2-3 sets of some heavy close grip bench press's. Obviously you want to do an arm day, and you should do what makes you happy, but just keep in mind that more doesn't always equal better. Varying the volume or intensity of your assistance work, and choosing the right work, may be more beneficial.

2-3 movements in addition to the main movement.
 
Thanks for the advice. My bench IS most likely lagging due to technique. Over the past 6 years every other lift has increases exponentially. My bench literally stalls for a year at a time. Any ways. "Arm day " was just an idea to occupy a fifth day without working any of the large muscle groups that had already been taxed from the four days of 5/3/1. Maybe I'll just give up on having a fifth day for a while. 'Cause I'm sure not going in for a cardio day. Thanks again.
 
Sean1332 said:
Arm days are ridiculous IMO

Day 1
5/3/1 DL
Romanian deadlift
Front squat

Day 2
5/3/1 Bench
Row variant
Bi/Tri

Day 3
5/3/1 Squat
Good mornings
Lunges

Day 4
5/3/1 OHP
Row variant
Bi/Tri

Vary your volume and intensity on assistance work. You could also add in a supplemental movement following your main lift (Deadlift sets then block pulls, Squats then pause squats, bench then close grip)
Click to expand...

Quoted for agreement.

OP, read up on boring but big.
 
Rocktown said:
That's what the website suggested too, but i figured they were just trying g to sell stuff.... I wonder if I can get it in "books on tape" format? Lol
Click to expand...

lol it's not a scam. it's a quick easy read. it's the best $20 you can spend because it answers all your questions. search online for a PDF or jimwendler.com
 
The great thing about the book, if have a question, just read the book.

Get the second edition. The beyond book is full of variations and advanced versions and accessory templates. Great if you can prove a reason to need something beyond the basic and can pinpoint exact weaknesses.
 
"beyond 5/3/1" can be found online in pdf format very, very easily for free. get it, read it, follow it. between fixing my form and following 5/3/1 bbb as best i could i got my bench back up to my all time 1rm of 275 (at a 198 body weight) and since cutting while still following the program, i hit 250 @167lbs last sunday which is stronger than i've ever been.

bottom line you dont need a 5th day, and especially an "all arms" day
 
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