Burning out HARD on Texas Method

[DV]

Nice derail I started there! There is potential for asymmetrical development from mixed grip. I think it is even in SS, pretty much as vxm wrote it out - i.e. straps are fine if you arent going to compete, or need grip strength that bad.

I personally like pulling them "myself" but Starr in his latest article talks alot about straps, so there is no right/wrong answer it seems.

My Q to Steve was based on my own experience. I had problems with mixed grip due to fucked wrist, and I really let grip strength hold me back. Once I switched to mixed grip, my DL shot up.

[Chargerforlife]

I didn't see this until Unochamp1 had already set me straight via PM.

So, you guys are essentially right. I took my 3x5 max of 275, that had already been enough to burn me out on SS, and carried it across into TM for 5x5. Which resulted in my kicking my own ass, essentially.

Also, apparently, I wasn't actually doing the program as Ripp intended. That'll teach me to try and google up my workouts.

Here's what I was doing:

Monday:

5x5 Squat @275lbs
5x5 Standing Press @ 105 lbs
3x8 BB Row @ 185 lbs

Wednesday:
3x3 Front Squat @185lbs
3 Sets of chin ups.
3 sets of Back Extensions

Friday:
Go for a new 1RM on Squat, Bench, and DL, and perhaps some assistance work.

And after reading Ripp's article on TNation, I've come up with this instead.

Monday:
5x5 Squats @ 245lbs.
5x5 Bench @ 155lbs.
1x5 DL @ 295lbs

Wednesday:
2x5 Squats @ 195lbs
3x5 OHP @ 95lbs
Chins,
Back Extensions

Friday:
1x5 Squat New pr.
1x5 Bench New PR
5x3 Power Cleans

I think the biggest thing i've learned out of this is:

I need to get my hands on Practical Programming. Starting Strength worked so well because I bought the damned book, and it pulled me through the whole process by the ear. Then i thought I could google around for Practical Programming type advice, and I kicked my own ass thoroughly in 2 weeks.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to correct a wayward soul. The community here is awesome. If you still have a bit of patience with me, if you could critique the workout I've suggested above, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
--Steve

P.S. I'm 26. 6'2". I was 200 lbs, and fatter than I am now when I started SS. Now I'm 230, with a 1RM DL of 365. I know that's not that much for a lot of people on here, but it sure looks badass from where I'm standing. :P

Many do deads on Friday. Glenn Pendlay recommends PCs on Monday and deads on Friday.

[william jackson]

I did not read past the second page.

Anyone who thinks that they are supposed to do their 3x5 weight as 5x5 and cannot figure out why they are getting thrashed is not ready for Texas Method.

[stevey_frac]

So... because I had bad information, i'm still physically a novice lifter?

Sorry. There's no correlation between the two. I've seen people with terrible form bench press more than I can. That doesn't mean that I'm a more advanced lifter...

[vxmorpheusxv]

"So... because I had bad information, i'm still physically a novice lifter?

Sorry. There's no correlation between the two. I've seen people with terrible form bench press more than I can. That doesn't mean that I'm a more advanced lifter..."

It does mean you need the books though .

[stevey_frac]

I own SS,and I'm going to order Practical Programming. I've already said as much..

[stevey_frac]

I'm not sure if anyone is still following this thread. I backed off on my volume a pile, and I managed to pull out a 5RM of 305 today(Friday). So, that's fairly awesome. My previous max was 275. So I think i had a bit of overtraining to break dig out of.

[vxmorpheusxv]

Good to hear man, hope the progress continues.

[Rob Israel]

You shouldn't Deadlift on Monday-- it's too much on addition to the Squat Volume. Dead on Intensity day.

Buy Justin Lascek's "The Texas Method Part 1" from 70's big website. That book thoroughly explains the TM and a ton of variations: http://www.70sbig.com/store/

I just bought the book and now know more about the TM than I'll be able to use for the next year.

[newguy32]

Hey Rob,

What format is "The Texas Method Part 1" in? Basically I'm asking if it can be read on a Kindle or other kind of e-reader, or is it stuck on my comp?