Strength + Size...BC's Tactical Barbell log

Balaclava

New member
My goals will be two-fold for the next 6 months or so....strength and then size. For the size I'm looking for a gain of about 10-15lbs in quality muscle. This will be my second go around with tactical barbell. Here's the situation. I ran Operator template back in spring:

Bench 200/225
Squats 285/ 330
Deadlift 300/365
(before/after)

Switched back to 531 for several weeks and lost a bit on my maximums, but nothing I can't recover from. Current maximum's post-531:

Bench 210
Squats 305
Deadlift 340

I think it was a volume issue. I respond to hitting my lifts frequently through the week. Regular 531 hitting each lift only once/week is not working as well for me anymore.

Now my two pronged approach - first I want to get my strength back up to my old max's or reasonably close. Then I want to start up with some serious hypertrophy work and pack on the 10-15lbs. This is what my programming will look like:

Phase 1 - STRENGTH
TB Operator - 6 Weeks
Just enough to bring strength back up to previous maximums or close(caloric surplus in full gear and will also start cutting down progressively on cardio)

Phase 2 - HYPERTROPHY
12-16 Weeks
Undecided on programming yet - either 531 BBB, Tactical Barbell MASS template, or something else. People seem to report decent results with BBB, and it's definitely higher volume than regular 531. I used it a few years ago and remember getting results. I'll figure it out as I near the end of my strength phase. I'm open to programming suggestions. I want something compound based...not really into the bro-splits. Plus food will be key here.

My cardio load right now is pretty high, which I'll be cutting down to about 20 minutes of HIIT style work 2-3 times a week. I'll be lifting as per the program 3 x week.

Supps - LOTS of FOOD. Steak, chicken, eggs, whole grains, all the good stuff. I'm also going to add a 20-30gram protein shake with 3 of my meals to make sure. My problem in the past has been not eating enough + frequent cardio.
Creatine mono, BA, and I'm looking for a good pre-workout - open to suggestions.

Stats: 5ft10 / 200lbs give-or-take

I'll be using my current maximums as posted above and the same lifts (squat/deads/bench + extra pull-ups occasionally). Tomorrow will be Day 1.
 
Yesterday....: did some cardio - skipping 2 mins + 5 burpees for 10 rounds

Today....: weights (week 1 - light week - 70%)

Bench 150
Squats 215
Deadlift 235

Second strength workout of the week. Went well, finished up the prescribed sets and reps with plenty left in the tank.

Food's going really well - going hard with the red meat and eggs. I also started up a little daily tongkat ali (LJ100). I'm not sure about this stuff - I remember it having good results years ago but I think recently it's been putting me in a ****ty mood. Increased estrogen? Progesterone? Driving DHT levels down? Anyone figure out how to get consistent results with the LJ?
 
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