Originally Posted by
Jason Donaldson
Fair question. First, because he did it years ago. Second, he's aware that he tends toward doing too much. This approach helps rein that in.
Third, because that's the starting point for figuring out what one's intermediate programming should be. What's the approach for someone who's been out for a significant layoff? Do an LP, knowing it'll be short, then adjust from there. The LP includes adjusting down the jumps from 5 - what is that but incremental iterative change in response to results? Same with introducing the light squat day. Same with introducing the light pull.
If I'm not mistaken - and I welcome correction from SSCs and Rip on this - the process of adjusting the LP into intermediate programming is what eventually produces good intermediate programs. A trainee who jumps straight to a big program change (out of PPST or elsewhere) is generally missing the point. Programming change is its own stress, so the SRA cycle applies here, too. You don't jump from a 135 bench to a 315 in one big leap, so why would you make a similarly drastic jump in your programming?
Even if Griff could jump straight to a particular intermediate program to good effect if he happened upon the right one for him, changing a bit at a time from LP will have two benefits: 1) It's far more likely to hit than to miss - change one variable at a time and all that. 2) He'll learn a lot more this way about what works for him right now.
I'm curious: Do the self-sufficient lifter camps touch on how to develop post-novice programming?
Agreed - though note all the different options here. Developing from LP one tweak at a time will help identify the effective options.
Absolutely. And a good coach will explain the why for each change, so Griff can strengthen his understanding as well as his body.