Texas Method Squats in Advance Novice Program

[dschenck]

Hey, Mark. I continue to make good progress since May's Boston cert.

I switched to the advanced novice program about 4 weeks ago. I am now at the point where I need more advanced programing for the back squat - I am willing out 1 kilo increases per session, can't do more - but my other lifts are still progressing well lineally.

I am thinking that one good solution would be to stick with the advanced novice program for the other lifts, and integrate the texas method for back squats only.

So, I would do a light back squat on Monday, Front Squat for the medium on Wed, and then a heavy back squat on Friday, and leave the other advanced novice lifts/programming as is.

What do you think? Any other approach you'd prefer?

I am lifting just to get and stay strong as the years accumulate...and because it is hard and fun.

My current stats:

46 male
181 pounds (up from about 168 when I started)
Back squat: 326 3x5
DL: 357 1x5
Bench: 181 3x5
Press: 122 3x5
Power Clean: 155 5x3

Thanks as always.

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's quite acceptable to use intermediate programming for the stuck lift and continue linear increases for the other movements that are still progressing that way. Anything else would be arbitrary and inefficient.

[Headshrinker]

Coach - I may have a similar situation but related to stalling/slow progress on smaller lifts. I have been doing SS for eight weeks - I love it. My big lifts (squat, DL) have slowed but continue to progress at a 2.5 to 5 lbs pace per workout, but on bench and press I am slowing to 1 to 2 lb increases - I use fractional plates. I am eating a lot (around 4500+ kcal/day) and drinking almost a GOMAD and have gained 5-6 lbs (195 to 201 at 5'9"). I am 41 and I know I would have advanced faster when I was 20 - but better late than never.

My question: you the point in SS that keeping up 2 lbs a week linear progress on a lift, if you can do it, would mean a 104 lb increase over a year. With that in mind - on smaller lifts like press and bench should I keep plugging away even 1 lb a workout for as long as I can? At what point would you suggest I switch to an intermediate program for press and/or bench while continuing linear progression on the bigger lifts?

BTW, my Do-Win Rogues KICK ASS!!! I wouldn't have bought them except for reading your repeated harassing of people on this forum and in your book to just buy some decent shoes. cCan't imagine lifting without them. Absolutely indispensable. Started using chalk for the first time too - better grip and, this may sound weird, it makes me feel stronger. Go figure.

Thank you for all your help. As a sign of my gratitude, when I get to a Crossfit Barbell Cert I will buy you all the beer you can drink (...in one evening that is).

[Mark Rippetoe]

When the rate of linear progress slows to a point that it would become a slower rate of increase than the projected progress from an intermediate program, it would be time to switch. If your bench can be made to take 5lb. jumps each week on an intermediate program, and a novice program would only generate 3 bench workouts in 2 weeks with a smaller net increase, the intermediate program would be more efficient.

Maybe everybody else will take YOUR advice on the shoes.

[Adam Wood]

Get big. Get 70's big.