Does the tonnage drive the intensity day in TM?

[Rory M]

I’m about to change to the 4 day Texas Method but there is something that I still do not grasp.

What “drives” the intensity day is the volume day, but is this due to the tonnage? What I mean is, if I do the same tonnage on the volume day, but instead of 5x5 I do it with triples, would I get the same results?

I don’t want to change the programme and do volume day with triples, I want to understand if the volume day is just doing a certain tonnage.

[AndrewLewis]

It's not separable. The stress all works together throughout the cycle. You're thinking about this as two separate days when, in reality, it's a week of stress. So to answer your question, the volume day and the intensity day drive the intensity day.

You also need to be able to actually lift heavy weights. It's not enough to just do high volume, light weight, even if the tonnage and resulting stress is super high.

So, it's not just about tonnage.

Does that answer your question?

[CommanderFun]

Both the intensity and volume workouts are important to keep things going. Miss one of either and you will encounter problems.

[Rory M]

You also need to be able to actually lift heavy weights. It's not enough to just do high volume, light weight, even if the tonnage and resulting stress is super high.

Exactly, that's why I asked if it would be the same to do it with triples instead of fives, or even not using sets across: it would be the same tonnage and it would be even heavier weights. Why do we prefer fives for volume?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Practical Programming for Strength Training, 3rd edition – The Aasgaard Company

[AndrewLewis]

Exactly, that's why I asked if it would be the same to do it with triples instead of fives, or even not using sets across: it would be the same tonnage and it would be even heavier weights. Why do we prefer fives for volume?

All of that is detailed in Practical Programming. It's explained in great detail better than I can explain it here. You'll like having it.