531- prescribed weight for more reps? More weight for planned reps?

[JM3]

I've been adding weights to what my calculated weights. On my last set I'm getting just the req reps ( today I got one extra) wondering if I should just cruise along or readjust my efforts to reflect what I think I can get- with the goal being not to ever ever stall,

Is it more productive to push the weights or push the reps?

Wendler seems to say that higher reps on working weights get you stronger overall.

[DRice311]

Good question. The way Wendler has written the program, you essentially go for rep PR's each week. Tom Narvaez has come up with a very interesting variation, where the program self regulates the weight each week, based on your performance the previous week. I think he is currently running it with his crew. He did a pretty detailed write up of in burried in the C&P thread.

[JM3]

Yeah, in the 4th month- I'm making progress but feel like its too pleasant and easy to recover from generally, As tough as recovery was, Texas method just got me used to more volume.

[DRice311]

What are you doing for assistance?

[JM3]

winging it a good bit. But basically Bbb.

Sometimes ill do 5 sets of 8 instead of 10

Trying to work in chins and dips any time I can. When I do 5x10 I try hit it on the minute -since I'm not trying get sole I've enjoyed the conditioning effect.

Im not having a problem with recovery and continue to progress just curious about how it all works. Interesting to see physique changes as a result of all the assistance, but I'm interested in strength über alles...

Generally,I'm curious to know how people utilize rep schemes in their goals.

I have a feeling my first stall will provide some insight !

[Sopirate55]

can't speak from personal experience, but I've had a few guys in my gym do 531. They all said that it was smooth sailing up til about month 8 give or take a month or 2. (one said 6, another said 9) But they all saw improvements in their competition lifts. Remember, even upping the number of reps or just improving by 5 lbs a month is progress.

[JC]

I think it's supposed to be easier to recover from; either so you can work in other fitness goals (cardio etc), or because it's only monthly progression instead of weekly (the TM you're comparing it to) so it isn't as demanding. Take your pick. It has been working for me though, and i've gotten stronger while concurrently working on some bodyweight stuff too.

[JM3]

So, Jon- do you feel like you are ever/often in a position where your programmed weights are lighter than you feel you can do?

Im definitely looking better on this program than TM- but Im trying to get to 405 on dead and Id really like to get a 200lb overhead by the end of the year.
Im at 365 dead for 2 and 165 overhead for, I think 2. I find it hard not to cheat on overheads though, so Im staying in the 150s until all my reps have zero hip involvement- hard.

[Mike C]

Good question. The way Wendler has written the program, you essentially go for rep PR's each week. Tom Narvaez has come up with a very interesting variation, where the program self regulates the weight each week, based on your performance the previous week. I think he is currently running it with his crew. He did a pretty detailed write up of in burried in the C&P thread.

Please elaborate and what the hell is C&P

[JC]

So, Jon- do you feel like you are ever/often in a position where your programmed weights are lighter than you feel you can do?

Im definitely looking better on this program than TM- but Im trying to get to 405 on dead and Id really like to get a 200lb overhead by the end of the year.
Im at 365 dead for 2 and 165 overhead for, I think 2. I find it hard not to cheat on overheads though, so Im staying in the 150s until all my reps have zero hip involvement- hard.

So far, no weight hasn't been 'light'. I have gone with it anyway, using it as a pseudo-slighty-leaning-towards-mass setup (or maybe i just am too much poof to go against the writings of Wendler). Even going purposely light on my 1RM predictions (before the 90% thing too), and so far not hitting less than 5 reps (a 1+ day), i've still added to my actual 1RM's (which i tested before my contest - by the way i'm now technically the strongest 17 stone fellow in the navy, despite not being in the navy per se). But then again I wasn't really looking to up my strength particularly, more maintain it while working some other bits/play around with some programming options/be a bit of a vagina.