Sean's TM Log

[scarbo]

First post here, been lurking sparingly for some time (mostly to see how people run and do on TM), finally decided to post. I've been keeping a log on another site for some time, but I think my training style and methods are way more in tune with what you all do, and so, getting advice and help will be much easier and better here.

'Vital' stats
Sean
5'8"
217 lbs (I'm guessing in the 16-20% BF range)
23 years old

Best lifts
Squat: 365x5
Deadlift: 200kgx2
Bench: 265x3
Press: 167.2x5
Power cleans: 225x2 (though I have no intention of using these for some time)


Training history
I've been 'lifting' for almost 2 years now, training for a little over a year. My first serious program was Madcow 5x5, as a completely unjustified intermediate. I made progress, just slower than I would on SS, obviously. Got decently strong on that, improved my form along the way. Ran into a wall with it on all exercises, so decided to try Texas Method. I did one run of it, and got decent strength and mass gains, but there were definitely some flaws in my programming that caught up with me. I decided to do dynamic effort on Intensity Day, didn't gain a whole lot, but it was interesting to think about lifting in a different way. I bought Justin Lascek's book on TM, and I intend to study it and follow it as best as I can, and using my own judgement of course.

Program

Volume Day
Squats 5x5
Bench/press 5x5
RDLs 3x5
Chinups 3x5


Recovery Day
Squat 2x5 @75% of VD
Press medium/bench light for 3x5
Curls 3x10


Intensity Day
Squat
Bench/press
Deadlift
Dips 3x5


Just some "truths" I've found out from my experience with TM:
1) There is not a lot of productive stuff you can do after squatting 5x5, and bench/press 5x5. Deadlifting is typically put on volume day (at least what I've seen from Rip), but it simply does not work for me. It is best to put in some quality assistance work (RDLs and chinups)

2) I'm not strong enough to warrant dynamic effort yet. I need to handle 'heavy-ass weight', and not just on volume day, which isn't really all that heavy. I enjoy it though, and I intend to use it on deload weeks.

3) I'm young, I'm fully capable of handling a program like this. I beat myself up pretty bad in my first run, and I think it was partly from not systematically increasing the weight on intensity day (I would somewhat randomly switch between 5s, 3s and singles). My recovery kinda sucked (I didn't foam roll or stretch at all). My recovery DAY sucked, it got entirely too extensive. I was stubborn about deloading. I hope I've fixed these things.


Anyway, I'm really excited, I think a great period of training is coming. I've really gotten comfortable with my form on everything, feel confident. so it's time to get to work.