Originally Posted by
Schrodinger23
Thanks for the article and the YouTube video on the Compressed Texas Method for the Bench and Press. I have a couple of questions. Maybe I missed this, but after watching the video, reading this thread and reading the article all a couple times, I didn't see these things discussed.
It seems like we have three options for the template.
1. We stick with the template exactly each week
Mon - Bench 5x5, Wed - Press 5x5, Friday, Bench 1x5, then Press heavy singles (5 to 10 of them)
2. We alternate back and forth between what was just written and this:
Mon - Press 5x5, Wed - Bench 5x5, Friday, Press heavy singles (5 to 10 of them), then bench 1x5.
3. Maybe a couple of months we have the press be first on intensity day and then for a couple of months we allow for the bench to take the priority on intensity day. Or if one of the two pressing movements is behind then that is the one that always comes first on intensity day to get it caught up.
It seems like whatever is second on intensity day will be more difficult and more likely to stall. Part of this can be mitigated by having the first pressing movement on intensity day as the first lift, then squat and do a pull and then do the second pressing movement, to give as much rest as possible between the two pressing movements.
Second question. You said that we only need to rest about 2 minutes between sets on the press on 5x5 volume day. On intensity day 30 to 60 seconds to start, but after doing this for a while we might need to rest as much as 3 minutes or so. When pressing singles, since I am using a leather belt with a single prong rolling buckle, rather than a lever belt, would I just leave the belt on the entire time I am pressing the heavy singles. It doesn't make much sense to take the belt off, then 10 to 20 seconds later put the belt back on. On other hand if I am pressing 10 singles and I feel like I need more like 60 seconds rest between the singles, that means I am wearing the belt for around 10 minutes. What are your thoughts on this?