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Thread: Switch squat to TM "early?"

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Switch squat to TM "early?"

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    I've reached the point in advanced novice LP where each jump is taking two tries so I'm effectively only progressing once per week. Is it okay to switch to TM so I could progress at the same rate with less missed reps.

    Details: 5'10", 189 lbs, 27 yo, gaining weight at .5lb./week.

    315x5x3 took two attemps (first attempt 5,5,4)
    After that I had a session with David Abdemoulaie and deloaded to fix some form issues. A couple of weeks later got 315x5x3 and 320x5x3 on first tries.

    First attempt at 325 got 5,5,4 last monday. I threw in an "medium day" on Friday because I had gotten shitty sleep all week. Got 325x5x3 on Monday. Today attempted 330 and got 5,5,3.

    So other than 320 which was coming off a deload, each weight from 315 up has taken two attempts. Would switching my squat to TM make sense? I think missing reps today may have negatively affected my cleans.

    Thanks for your help.

  2. #2
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    I'd start doing one top set plus 2 back offs and keep on your LP. The third set seems to be the one you are missing, but the first set is still cruising for fives

  3. #3
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    Thanks! For some reason, I forgot about that option. I see in PP that you recommend 5-10% reduction in weight which is 15-35 lbs in my case. When trying to "feel out" how much of an offset works for me, is it a good rule of thumb to say that the third set, done well tired, should feel similar to the first one? Or is there a better way to do this?

  4. #4
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    back offs should be hard, but form should hold and you shouldnt miss reps

  5. #5
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    Related question (sorry I was a few days late to this):

    In practical programming, it recommends either (1) one set of five plus two back-off sets or (2) 3x3. Any reason why you recommended the former in this case? And generally speaking what are the circumstances that would make 3x3 a better option?

    I have not failed any squat reps yet, but I was very close to failing my last rep during my last workout. Last workout was 3x5 @ 455, so no surprises it was hard, but what I mean is that bar speed has slowed in the last two sessions, and I have been more sore/tired than normal. Currently taking about 6 minutes between sets. Any thoughts on which direction I should go next?

    (Note: As of two weeks ago I am doing a light (80%) squat day on my middle day, so I've already implemented that part of the recommended advanced novice programming. Can provide more info if it is helpful.)

    Thanks in advance!

  6. #6
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    The back off method is most useful when the lifter has fallen into a pattern of always getting the first set of 5, but then having a sharp drop off on sets 2 and 3. However, if the lifter starts missing on the first set too, then we just drop all sets to 3x3.

    As a rule, lifters will get longer runs on the back off method. Not because the method is necessarily better, but the lifter who needs it, tends to be in a state of less overall fatigue then the lifter who needs the latter.

  7. #7
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    Apr 2015
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    starting strength coach development program
    Thanks, Andy. That's helpful.

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