Slicin' and Dicin'

[Rockslide]

I will add. I grossly underestimated how happy I would be with this. If I had done it over again I would have made my house smaller and done some sort of barnominium off to the side . I’m basically taking up 2.5 of 4 garage bays with equipment and don’t have much if any more room for additional unless I never want to be able to put cars in the garage . This basically means no more machines that aren’t rack mountable but honestly very little bang for your buck with those in a garage gym. If I ever found some bottom dollar HS stuff I would have to play some Tetris or just let my vehicle get hail damaged lol.

If I were to do it over again though I would move my office/ trophy room outside to barndo, and make a dedicated larger space for a gym, astroturf most of it unless I wanted to leave a small pickleball and 1/3 court BB court for the kids and make current garage smaller. Maybe axe the upstairs guest bedroom too and move it out there. I think it would have came out a wash on cost for a better gym and more dedicated hang out space when the kids get older. Wife might be passively more mad at me when she can’t just open the door to the garage and have me between sets take the trash out or help with the kids though

^look up barndobro on Instagram and check out that gym. If I had seen that before building my house I would have shot for something similar

 

[Dustin07]

^look up barndobro on Instagram and check out that gym

thats a $1.5m setup where I live, not including land or house lol

 

[Rockslide]

thats a $1.5m setup where I live, not including land or house lol

Pnw prices…. I feel like it could be done for 0.5 where I live !

That is an extreme version of course but you could do a basic 2 car garage on a slab with 1-2 big roll up glass doors. Spray foam the inside. Carpet turf over the slab with a couple of lifting platforms . Throw a couple of window units in it and some sort of heat and have your own lifting paradise !

 

[Dustin07]

Pnw prices…. I feel like it could be done for 0.5 where I live

its so hard to say. our deck was about 25+ years old and every year I was spending money to repair it, replace rotted planks etc and we finally decided to just man up and replace the whole thing cause joists etc were going. I think it was about $30k all said and done and we jumped on it cause everyone else was being quoted double. (he also did a tremendous job and finished in like 10 days, working from before sunrise to after nightfall in rain and snow in feb). people out here are paying easily $25-40 to have their houses painted now. I've seen fences quoted for $20-30k. My wife asked if I wanted to hire someone to fence in that one acre we cleared... thats 200' x 200'. i said babe, that's $30k. We somehow became San Francisco over the course of about the last 10 years. I pay $6/gallon for gas and see the rest of the nation complaining about $4 and "almost $5" lol.

we are fortunate for lower property taxes, but we make up the gap by inflating the sell price of the house. so a house in Texas that's $500k might be $1.5m here, but both will have the same monthly payment in the end.

 

[Dustin07]

Things were really different only 5-6 years ago. When my wife and I got married and bought a boat together in 2020 I was feeling good about it with gas being under $2/gallon and moorage being about $200/month for a nice covered slip. I think we sold the boat last summer?? or summer before. I can't even remember now lol, but gas was over $6, and they we raising the marina slip to like $450. I was like nope. I'm not paying $450/month + $6/gallon to spend 250 gallons on an annual trip. just fly to mexico for less than that and not have to stress over maintaining a sinkable depreciating asset lol.

things changed fast though. My buddy's boat has been for sale since last Nov and all the sudden instead of waiting lists to get into marinas I'm seeing empty slips again everywhere.

 

[Segansational]

I will add. I grossly underestimated how happy I would be with this. If I had done it over again I would have made my house smaller and done some sort of barnominium off to the side . I’m basically taking up 2.5 of 4 garage bays with equipment and don’t have much if any more room for additional unless I never want to be able to put cars in the garage . This basically means no more machines that aren’t rack mountable but honestly very little bang for your buck with those in a garage gym. If I ever found some bottom dollar HS stuff I would have to play some Tetris or just let my vehicle get hail damaged lol.

If I were to do it over again though I would move my office/ trophy room outside to barndo, and make a dedicated larger space for a gym, astroturf most of it unless I wanted to leave a small pickleball and 1/3 court BB court for the kids and make current garage smaller. Maybe axe the upstairs guest bedroom too and move it out there. I think it would have came out a wash on cost for a better gym and more dedicated hang out space when the kids get older. Wife might be passively more mad at me when she can’t just open the door to the garage and have me between sets take the trash out or help with the kids though

^look up barndobro on Instagram and check out that gym. If I had seen that before building my house I would have shot for something similar

That guy has a pretty sweet man cave set up! I don't personally get the astroturf in a gym, but maybe if I were an athlete (eg, football player, etc.)? But very cool to be able to also open up those barn doors on track hinges (like a garage) to be able to get the fresh air and view when it's nice out!

 

[Dustin07]

Today it was sorta funny, I woke up feeling pretty good with no aches or pains, which is incredibly unusual. feet feel good, knees feel good. I think this mon/tues (rest weds) thurs/fri routine has been pretty good to me for hard work and that mid week recovery. Just pressing today so the real hard stuff is tomorrow.

That guy has a pretty sweet man cave set up! I don't personally get the astroturf in a gym, but maybe if I were an athlete (eg, football player, etc.)? But very cool to be able to also open up those barn doors on track hinges (like a garage) to be able to get the fresh air and view when it's nice out!

Yeah my wife and I have talked about something like that. even if it was an oversized shed big enough for one power rack + maybe a cardio item or two and a roll up door on each side would be cool. If I ever built a garage large enough I could see doing the whole thing in stall mats, with wood platforms, and a strip of astroturf for sleds etc. I wouldn't do the whole thing in turf, but occasionally its nice to have in a facility with sleds etc.

 

[Dustin07]

OHP
5 x 75, 95
3 x 110

5 x 140
3 x 160
4 x 175 (+1 cheater)

Joker
1 x 185, 195
1 x 200 (suicide/open grip)

Push press
3 x 205
1 x 215, 225, 235

BBB
5 x 10 x 115





Notes
Wanted to go for 205 today but was sorta dragging my butt so I was pretty happy to clear 200 again. No idea why an open grip felt like the right move on the top rep.

Took pushpress for singles (added a few lbs) cause I didn't feel like I had reps in me. Still, added weight I actually felt like I could have repped out that 235 for 3+ if energy level was a bit higher.

 

[Hyde]

Nice pressing! A good day of hoisting

 

[gphagan1]

OHP
5 x 75, 95
3 x 110

5 x 140
3 x 160
4 x 175 (+1 cheater)

Joker
1 x 185, 195
1 x 200 (suicide/open grip)

Push press
3 x 205
1 x 215, 225, 235

BBB
5 x 10 x 115





Notes
Wanted to go for 205 today but was sorta dragging my butt so I was pretty happy to clear 200 again. No idea why an open grip felt like the right move on the top rep.

Took pushpress for singles (added a few lbs) cause I didn't feel like I had reps in me. Still, added weight I actually felt like I could have repped out that 235 for 3+ if energy level was a bit higher.

Great press day….with the weight you are moving on those Jokers and Push Press, I think you could get 205 easily.

 

[akboom87]

Nice work !

 

[Dustin07]

Deads

5 x 175, 215
3 x 255

5 x 315
3 x 365
7 x 405 (lifetime PR)


Notes

I've had 405 x 6 in my head for 10+ years as a reps PR. Rep 1 was a f'ing 1RM kinda grind. Rep 2 was suddenly easy. All the sudden it was rep 4 and I thought you really gonna stop at 5??? As I'm standing, thinking, holding 405 in my hands almost comically. 6 was end of the road so I did 7 anyways. Not sure how.

Most weights were +5lbs over Rx today cause I hit the shitty gym after work and didn't take my micros. I'm ok with a ln abbreviated session today cause 400 x 1 was Rx for the programming and I was waaaaaaay too cocky on today's session despite being beat up.

This is the last lift of cycle 5 before deload. My body is feeling week 3 work now, all four lifts are flirting. Deadlifts are the furthest away from PRs, everything else is basically training through it.

Off to dinner with my boy.

 

[Dustin07]

I'm 99.9% sure that 405 x 6 was a 2015 PR. So that's an 11 year old accomplishment I just beat.

It doesn't mean my 1rm is bigger or that I'm stronger than the guy next to me, but breaking my own feat of strength from more than a decade ago as I approach my 44th birthday hits me hard. That's a good one.

 

[Hyde]

I'm 99.9% sure that 405 x 6 was a 2015 PR. So that's an 11 year old accomplishment I just beat.

It doesn't mean my 1rm is bigger or that I'm stronger than the guy next to me, but breaking my own fear of strength from more than a decade ago as I approach my 44th birthday hits me hard. That's a good one.

Yes it really is! Definitely an awesome day for you; be proud.

 

[Dustin07]

Yes it really is! Definitely an awesome day for you; be proud.

That one has my heart all twisted up in knots still. What a weird thing to be so hung up on, "reps" but I walked in feeling like garbage. Ended up going 5lbs heavier than programmed, and when I got into the heat of the moment I know without a shadow of doubt I put everything I had on the platform. 0 RIR.

And really just for the love of the game. Just to beat the weaker version of me.

Week 3 of cycle 5 might be my best lifting week ever. Zero 1RM accomplished but a hell of a lot of effort and output.

 

[Segansational]

I'm 99.9% sure that 405 x 6 was a 2015 PR. So that's an 11 year old accomplishment I just beat.

It doesn't mean my 1rm is bigger or that I'm stronger than the guy next to me, but breaking my own feat of strength from more than a decade ago as I approach my 44th birthday hits me hard. That's a good one.

Congrats man, this is awesome!

 

[Hyde]

That one has my heart all twisted up in knots still. What a weird thing to be so hung up on, "reps" but I walked in feeling like garbage. Ended up going 5lbs heavier than programmed, and when I got into the heat of the moment I know without a shadow of doubt I put everything I had on the platform. 0 RIR.

And really just for the love of the game. Just to beat the weaker version of me.

Week 3 of cycle 5 might be my best lifting week ever. Zero 1RM accomplished but a hell of a lot of effort and output.

I put a lot of stock in rep PRs. They give you something powerful to drive your training, something that gets you fired up to reach for more. If you are doing things you have never done, you are getting better.

When my dad died 3 days before his birthday last November, I took a 5lb PR on my 10-rep powerbar PR for deadlift in his honor on his birthday. Someone may say, why would you care about that? Well I can tell you that specific PR has stood for 9 years, so being strong enough now to break it was huge for me. It was VERY difficult to achieve; sheer will alone allowed me to go the distance.

Strongman Jon Anderson liked to call his training style Deep Water, as in the guiding principle was to venture into territory that forces you to adapt or die. Dan Green squat 600+ for reps on the SSB in the cage this year. He said about it that you should set goals in your training that scare you a bit.

 

[Rockslide]

That one has my heart all twisted up in knots still. What a weird thing to be so hung up on, "reps" but I walked in feeling like garbage. Ended up going 5lbs heavier than programmed, and when I got into the heat of the moment I know without a shadow of doubt I put everything I had on the platform. 0 RIR.

And really just for the love of the game. Just to beat the weaker version of me.

Week 3 of cycle 5 might be my best lifting week ever. Zero 1RM accomplished but a hell of a lot of effort and output.

Something about getting into your late 30s or 40s that makes you feel incredibly good when you can hit PRs. Something about defying aging while most of the humans in the country are sitting around waiting to get sick and die is very satisfying

 

[akboom87]

That one has my heart all twisted up in knots still. What a weird thing to be so hung up on, "reps" but I walked in feeling like garbage. Ended up going 5lbs heavier than programmed, and when I got into the heat of the moment I know without a shadow of doubt I put everything I had on the platform. 0 RIR.

And really just for the love of the game. Just to beat the weaker version of me.

Week 3 of cycle 5 might be my best lifting week ever. Zero 1RM accomplished but a hell of a lot of effort and output.

Dude way to break that 11 year PR ! It’s so crazy to me how in the days that can seem like the worst can crank out the best training days, just freaking wild.

Have a great dinner with your boy and enjoy the after glow

 

[gphagan1]

Deads

5 x 175, 215
3 x 255

5 x 315
3 x 365
7 x 405 (lifetime PR)


Notes

I've had 405 x 6 in my head for 10+ years as a reps PR. Rep 1 was a f'ing 1RM kinda grind. Rep 2 was suddenly easy. All the sudden it was rep 4 and I thought you really gonna stop at 5??? As I'm standing, thinking, holding 405 in my hands almost comically. 6 was end of the road so I did 7 anyways. Not sure how.

Most weights were +5lbs over Rx today cause I hit the shitty gym after work and didn't take my micros. I'm ok with a ln abbreviated session today cause 400 x 1 was Rx for the programming and I was waaaaaaay too cocky on today's session despite being beat up.

This is the last lift of cycle 5 before deload. My body is feeling week 3 work now, all four lifts are flirting. Deadlifts are the furthest away from PRs, everything else is basically training through it.

Off to dinner with my boy.


View attachment 263051View attachment 263052View attachment 263053View attachment 263054

Man that is so awesome, and such a huge accomplishment. Some PRs are just bigger and more important, and that was one of them….age is just a number bro. And I love your narration of that set. I could feel the intensity just reading that…that’s one you need background music to match the moment.

 

[dapack]

Congrats on deads PR!! Ohp is strong

 

[Dustin07]

I really appreciate the support, compliments encouragement! I think only other gym rats can understand it when you've really put it all out there.

This morning I woke up feeling like I PRd deadlifts, that's for sure. It was supposed to rain today and I was gonna live it up with movies and couch with the wife but the rain hasn't come yet so I'm playing with the old chainsaw.

We aren't sure if this was my wife's grandpas or dad's but we know they stopped making this model around 1995-1997. AI tells me it's a "legendary" one man chainsaw. I had the mechanic do a full tune up and blade sharpening this week and I have to say this is the first saw I have ever liked

I'm taking down a few more trees within my skill zone, removing all limbs, cutting them to matching 10ft logs that I might use later either for fencing or a rustic barn idea I have.


But I think this is enough for today. I'm dropping sweat and my body feels like it's been hit by a train

 

[Dustin07]

After breakfast, two coffees and a Gatorade I was 204 this morning @GreenMachineX so we are gonna intersect real fast

 

[Dustin07]

This big tree had fallen naturally years ago but since then a couple other big dogs, bout 50ft+ tall and 9-12+" diameter had fallen across it.

 

[Dustin07]

So I spent today cleaning up that mess and got another pile of 10ft logs stacked and delimbed. I'd love to put a small barn with three stalls right where that tree is, but it has a view of the water so my wife is tempted to set up some sort of vrbo glamping site there. I'm not keen on entertaining strangers every weekend for $100 but it would be a place where kids could stay if they visit a week at a time too.


Either way we finally got rain. I cant tell what is sweat and what is rain but my back is tired so I'm gonna be lazy now!!

 

[akboom87]

This big tree had fallen naturally years ago but since then a couple other big dogs, bout 50ft+ tall and 9-12+" diameter had fallen across it. View attachment 263072View attachment 263073

Did that place is going to look awesome! Putting in some hard work but it’s looking great. Those older sthils are literally the best! Got one myself!

 

[Dustin07]

Did that place is going to look awesome! Putting in some hard work but it’s looking great. Those older sthils are literally the best! Got one myself!

thanks dude, and yeah its sorta wild to think this old machine is 30+ years old and runs like a champ!

 

[Dustin07]

@Hyde I thought you had suggestions on taking a heavy single during deload rather than just going through the standard Wendler RX but I can't figure out who's thread we had that discussion in. Its been on my mind a lot lately and with this being deload week I wanted to clear that up.

I keep grabbing different parts of the book you sent me until I can read it through so I'm not fully read up on the 7th week protocol yet, still learning. but I don't think thats what you meant cause that implies 100% of TM right?

I think my TM's have crept too high maybe in some areas, like now the calculator thinks I have a 322bench (nope), and a 305.5 TM. IIRC I started out with a max of like 290 so TM was alike 265 so that has crept up a lot in 5 cycles.

I might be getting close to needing to adjust my TM's back down a bit on all 4 lifts. not sure...

 

[Dustin07]

long story short I was thinking a nice clean 275lb bench comp style for a single made a lot more sense than going for a TM single since that would technically be a PR and seems like way overreaching and in that scenario, it implies to me that my TM is now too high...

 

[Dustin07]

My Cycle 1 1RM numbers were
Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

those were legit numbers not guess or calculators. As I get into week 6 it projects:
Dead 480
Bench 350 (LOL)
Squat 394 (not yet)
OHP 212 (close, but probably 206)

I am thinking I should adjust my numbers down some. I popped my stuff into AI and it recommends

Dead 385
Bench 265
Squat 305
OHP 155

all of which are smaller than my original first cycle so that seems a bit light as well. I'm ok with 2 steps forward 1 step back to keep the momentum but it seems I'm stuck between over reaching and going backwards too far with these two options.

 

[Dustin07]

Or maybe I just give Cycle 6 the ol' college try and wait to see if I make it or not. then adjust if I hit a brickwall.

 

[akboom87]

My Cycle 1 1RM numbers were
Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

those were legit numbers not guess or calculators. As I get into week 6 it projects:
Dead 480
Bench 350 (LOL)
Squat 394 (not yet)
OHP 212 (close, but probably 206)

I am thinking I should adjust my numbers down some. I popped my stuff into AI and it recommends

Dead 385
Bench 265
Squat 305
OHP 155

all of which are smaller than my original first cycle so that seems a bit light as well. I'm ok with 2 steps forward 1 step back to keep the momentum but it seems I'm stuck between over reaching and going backwards too far with these two options.

Yeah that seems way too big of jumps for week 6. AI projects seem to low. What is the recommendation on 5/3/1 when you are close to absolute max?

 

[Dustin07]

Yeah that seems way too big of jumps for week 6. AI projects seem to low. What is the recommendation on 5/3/1 when you are close to absolute max?

so this would be more like week 20-24 (I just finished week 3 of cycle 5, each cycle is 4 weeks... 3 training + 1 deload).

if I go on into cycle 6 (month 6) and am unable to hit my prescribed/programmed numbers I'd have to immediately recalculate to go backwards at least 10% on TM, 2-3 months.

if I go back to cycle 4, the week 3 amraps would be:

deadlift 390
bench 280
squat 320
OHP 170

Cycle 3, the week 3 amraps were:
deadlift 380
bench 270
squat 285
OHP 170.

so I can see some benefit to this level of taking a step back. although at the moment inclined to give cycle 6 a try.

deadlift 410
bench 300
squat 335
OHP 180

actually, technically I know i can hit all of those for a single next month. thats definitely not an issue. they should be amraps of 2-3+ though.

Here's what I think I will be able to do if I keep things as they are:

deadlift 410 x 5 or 6
bench 300 x 1 or 2
squat 335 x 4 or 6
OHP 180 x 3, maybe 4 or 5

So I am thinking I'm getting close to where TM for bench needs to be recalibarted down, OHP too probably.

 

[akboom87]

so this would be more like week 20-24 (I just finished week 3 of cycle 5, each cycle is 4 weeks... 3 training + 1 deload).

if I go on into cycle 6 (month 6) and am unable to hit my prescribed/programmed numbers I'd have to immediately recalculate to go backwards at least 10% on TM, 2-3 months.

if I go back to cycle 4, the week 3 amraps would be:

deadlift 390
bench 280
squat 320
OHP 170

Cycle 3, the week 3 amraps were:
deadlift 380
bench 270
squat 285
OHP 170.

so I can see some benefit to this level of taking a step back. although at the moment inclined to give cycle 6 a try.

deadlift 410
bench 300
squat 335
OHP 180

actually, technically I know i can hit all of those for a single next month. thats definitely not an issue. they should be amraps of 2-3+ though.

Here's what I think I will be able to do if I keep things as they are:

deadlift 410 x 5 or 6
bench 300 x 1 or 2
squat 335 x 4 or 6
OHP 180 x 3, maybe 4 or 5

So I am thinking I'm getting close to where TM for bench needs to be recalibarted down, OHP too probably.

That makes more sense now.

Agree on the last block
410
300
335
180

Then from there if you have to cut back bench and OHP then ramp back up.

Definitely making huge progress man!

 

[Dustin07]

Incline LISS
20 min

Bench
15 x bar
5 x 135
3 x 185, 215
1 x 245
1 x 275 paused 2 count


Notes
Upside to this approach is everything was taken with extreme confidence and I was really looking forward to today's super lazy session.

 

[Hyde]

My Cycle 1 1RM numbers were
Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

those were legit numbers not guess or calculators. As I get into week 6 it projects:
Dead 480
Bench 350 (LOL)
Squat 394 (not yet)
OHP 212 (close, but probably 206)

I am thinking I should adjust my numbers down some. I popped my stuff into AI and it recommends

Dead 385
Bench 265
Squat 305
OHP 155

all of which are smaller than my original first cycle so that seems a bit light as well. I'm ok with 2 steps forward 1 step back to keep the momentum but it seems I'm stuck between over reaching and going backwards too far with these two options.

I’m confused. In 5/3/1 you add 5lbs to your TMs for upper every successful cycle and 10 to lower. It has absolutely nothing to do with calculated 1RMs or rep maxes. Just 5/10lb progressions per block/meso.

If you started with TMs of:

Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

Then you would now use:

Dead 475
Bench 320
Squat 365
OHP 210

as you’ve completed 5 successive cycles.

I would not lower your TMs from THESE unless you fail out or have some obvious reason that makes sense otherwise. You have been eating at a surplus, gaining weight & making progress; there’s nothing to indicate recovery or progress has stalled.

 

[gphagan1]

so this would be more like week 20-24 (I just finished week 3 of cycle 5, each cycle is 4 weeks... 3 training + 1 deload).

if I go on into cycle 6 (month 6) and am unable to hit my prescribed/programmed numbers I'd have to immediately recalculate to go backwards at least 10% on TM, 2-3 months.

if I go back to cycle 4, the week 3 amraps would be:

deadlift 390
bench 280
squat 320
OHP 170

Cycle 3, the week 3 amraps were:
deadlift 380
bench 270
squat 285
OHP 170.

so I can see some benefit to this level of taking a step back. although at the moment inclined to give cycle 6 a try.

deadlift 410
bench 300
squat 335
OHP 180

actually, technically I know i can hit all of those for a single next month. thats definitely not an issue. they should be amraps of 2-3+ though.

Here's what I think I will be able to do if I keep things as they are:

deadlift 410 x 5 or 6
bench 300 x 1 or 2
squat 335 x 4 or 6
OHP 180 x 3, maybe 4 or 5

So I am thinking I'm getting close to where TM for bench needs to be recalibarted down, OHP too probably.

I’m confused. In 5/3/1 you add 5lbs to your TMs for upper every successful cycle and 10 to lower. It has absolutely nothing to do with calculated 1RMs or rep maxes. Just 5/10lb progressions per block/meso.

If you started with TMs of:

Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

Then you would now use:

Dead 475
Bench 320
Squat 365
OHP 210

as you’ve completed 5 successive cycles.

I would not lower your TMs from THESE unless you fail out or have some obvious reason that makes sense otherwise. You have been eating at a surplus, gaining weight & making progress; there’s nothing to indicate recovery or progress has stalled.

This was my thinking as well, what Hyde said. I would just start cycle 6 as prescribed, because you haven’t hit any road blocks. I understand what you were saying when you were trying to adjust before hitting a snag, but I think that’s where the app kind of brings confusion in, because it sounds like it tries to tell you what you’re 1RM and AMRAP should be now as well as future workouts, but your body will tell you where you’re at with your 1RM and AMRAPs, and when to adjust. That way you’re truly squeezing all the juice out of your cycles. You showed in your earlier post that the app was off on projected 1RMs when some of the numbers were unrealistic compared to where you’re at. I think you’re progressing great, and you’re steadily increasing, so the program is working very well for you, so I would just keep riding this train, and don’t let an app discourage are make you think you need to adjust back some when you are still steadily hitting more reps than prescribed. Now I know I adjusted back on my TM for OHP by 10 lbs, but only because I had that slight little injury set back, but man I didn’t want to. But honestly bro I didn’t think you would go backwards right now anyway, because you’re still hitting your numbers, and you’re like me….balls to the wall, and going backwards, except for injury and recovery, don’t sit too well with our mindsets.

 

[Dustin07]

I’m confused. In 5/3/1 you add 5lbs to your TMs for upper every successful cycle and 10 to lower. It has absolutely nothing to do with calculated 1RMs or rep maxes. Just 5/10lb progressions per block/meso.

If you started with TMs of:

Dead 425
Bench 295
Squat 315
OHP 185

Then you would now use:

Dead 475
Bench 320
Squat 365
OHP 210

as you’ve completed 5 successive cycles.

I would not lower your TMs from THESE unless you fail out or have some obvious reason that makes sense otherwise. You have been eating at a surplus, gaining weight & making progress; there’s nothing to indicate recovery or progress has stalled.

This was my thinking as well, what Hyde said. I would just start cycle 6 as prescribed, because you haven’t hit any road blocks. I understand what you were saying when you were trying to adjust before hitting a snag, but I think that’s where the app kind of brings confusion in, because it sounds like it tries to tell you what you’re 1RM and AMRAP should be now as well as future workouts, but your body will tell you where you’re at with your 1RM and AMRAPs, and when to adjust. That way you’re truly squeezing all the juice out of your cycles. You showed in your earlier post that the app was off on projected 1RMs when some of the numbers were unrealistic compared to where you’re at. I think you’re progressing great, and you’re steadily increasing, so the program is working very well for you, so I would just keep riding this train, and don’t let an app discourage are make you think you need to adjust back some when you are still steadily hitting more reps than prescribed. Now I know I adjusted back on my TM for OHP by 10 lbs, but only because I had that slight little injury set back, but man I didn’t want to. But honestly bro I didn’t think you would go backwards right now anyway, because you’re still hitting your numbers, and you’re like me….balls to the wall, and going backwards, except for injury and recovery, don’t sit too well with our mindsets.

Yeah I agree with all that. Between Jim's first book and the 531 Forever book Hyde sent me, I go back and forth with understanding some of Jim's thoughts. For instance as he gets into the "7th week"

so for me, if I was running this test the expectations would be at minimum:

345 Squat x 3 (possible on the right day)
422 Deadlift x 3 (possible)
305.5lb Bench x 3 (my all time PR is 305 x 1, so I don't think I'm near this yet)
187lb OHP x 3 (maybe)


Cycle 6 top sets, week 3, are programmed as:
Deadlift 410 x 1
Bench 300 x 1
Squat 335 x 1
OHP 180 x 1

So yes I definitely know I can hit my week 1 minimum requirements in cycle 6, no problem there at all. But being as that they are technically amraps, thats where I was starting to wonder at what point do I reconsider. for now I'm more than happy to keep pushing through. Actually all of cycle 6 looks pretty doable. week 1 with a 270 x 5 bench will be the hardest probably.

 

[Dustin07]

but more importantly, wife made ratatouille from the garden last night and steak

 

[Dustin07]

You have been eating at a surplus, gaining weight & making progress; there’s nothing to indicate recovery or progress has stalled.

205lbs this morning lol.

 

[gphagan1]

Mannnn, now that looks delicious.

 

[Hyde]

“It is a peasant dish!”

My kids love the Ratatouille movie lol

You do not have to work up to or test your TM at all if you are making general progress with them as they are. Remember all the methods and ideas are tools & options that exist to help construct effective training for your own goals.

Jim says all this stuff about pushing a prowler and hill sprints. He was a football player, is now a youth S&C coach for football, and he wants to stay what he considers to be reasonably conditioned. None of that is essential for absolute powerlifting strength, and there are a thousand bloated powerlifting champions who can barely tie their shoes to prove it. Jim wants to be able to tie his shoes (and not die as early after using grams of test at Westside), and you probably should to, but the bottom line is you don’t have to do ANY sled work to get stronger on the big 4. It’s an optional tool, like many things in those books. Ideas that can be answers for the right scenario.

Remember, taking full agency over your training is how you get where you’re trying to go the most directly. Jim ultimately espouses this, as evidenced by the bajillion templates he’s created, advised pivots after different lengths of time, etc.

 

[Dustin07]

Remember, taking full agency over your training is how you get where you’re trying to go the most directly. Jim ultimately espouses this, as evidenced by the bajillion templates he’s created, advised pivots after different lengths of time, etc.

As of right now I have really liked taking PRs in training vs attempting to peak. I don't want to change whats working, yet, but I see the pros to his 3/5/1 approach allowing jokers on weeks 1 and 3.

I also really really enjoy 5/3/1 for the mental aspect because even though the weight is going up, its mentally easier to wrap your head around less reps, and week 3 is always a joy to look forward to because I feel like I can really let loose with overloading if I want to, going directly into a deload.

I'll keep things going the way they are and we'll see how it unfolds! Technically if I can maintain the current momentum, even if I am only able to get 1 rep on my week 3 work, then bench press will be a PR in cycle 7 in training, squats will be cycle 10 in training. OHP in cycle 11, and technically pulls are not scheduled to be a PR in the first 12 cycles but if I'm pulling a clean 470 in training, surely I could find a 500lb pull in there somewhere. and who knows what could happen in the occasional joker scenario.