Intermediate Programming for 35+

[Twodogs]

Thanks in advance Andy.

Can you point me to intermediate programming that is more conservative than TM, but more aggressive than 5/3/1?

I've switched to intermediate programming 2 times over the last 12 mo.

First to TM, where I started light but quickly became overtrained within about 5 weeks. The symptoms were harsh, and it took me a couple weeks to get my bearings again and then roughly 4 weeks to LP back up.

Next I tried 5/3/1 (full body), where I started light and, after 3 cycles, regressed on my primary lifts. Suppose I could have kept going, but after each training session I felt capable of doing more and simply lost patience.

I am now on a bastardized advanced novice that looks like this, with bench and press alternating every workout:

Monday:

Squat 3x5
Bench/Press 3x5
PC

Wednesday:
Squat 2X5 (~80%)
Bench/Press 3x5
Barbell Bench/Chins Superset (4x10)

Friday:
Squat - 5 Heavy Singles
Bench/Press 3x5
Deadlift 1x5
Weighted Dips/Curls Superset (4x10)

I am breaking through my previous PRs, but want to do a better job of transitioning to intermediate next time.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Basically what you are doing here is a TM model for your squats and an LP for your pressing. That is fine. Not everything is going to need to be changed up at the same time.

Why do you want to change if this is working??

[Twodogs]

Basically what you are doing here is a TM model for your squats and an LP for your pressing. That is fine. Not everything is going to need to be changed up at the same time.

Why do you want to change if this is working??

I am going to keep charging, but my real fear is that I am going to fumble my intermediate transition again. I did it twice, wasting time, effort and momentum in the process.

But like you pointed out, my squat is already on a TM model and keeps progressing, so why f with it. Will try not to overthink it this time around.