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Thread: Why not just singles

  1. #1
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    Dec 2017
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    Default Why not just singles

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    Obviously triples are are using in intermediate and advanced programming, but why are all programs not just ran on singles since that is the most stress one could apply to the body? For example why does one not program like this?
    Bench 8x1
    Squat 5x1
    Deadlift 3x1
    They would do it 3 times a week except the deadlift; of course the stronger you got you would have to run a HLM style. So my question is why are 5s better, such as this example.
    Bench 3x5
    Squat 3x5
    Deadlift 1x5
    Of course as one gets stronger they pivot to Texas method then other intermediate programing.

  2. #2
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    Nov 2020
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    Jesus Christ 😵‍💫

  3. #3
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    Nov 2018
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    Not enough stress with singles.

  4. #4
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    Dec 2021
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    Quote Originally Posted by Griffin727 View Post
    Obviously triples are are using in intermediate and advanced programming, but why are all programs not just ran on singles since that is the most stress one could apply to the body?
    Singles impose the most stress PER REP. That doesn't mean the most productive stress overall, in the total context of a workout. Experience has shown that sets of five are more effective overall.

    WHY that happens is open for debate, speculation, and investigation, but the phenomena bear out THAT it happens - fives just work better.

    Relevant factors include:

    Fives are heavy enough to be hard enough to stimulate growth, without taking forever resting between to recover.

    Fives do this without undue risk, and without being as sensitive to technique errors.

    That skill aspect means that novices are not equipped to do a true single reliably, especially with enough stress to drive growth. Fives have more room for error, when it comes to technique.

    Different genetics provide different weight differences between singles and fives, (which is one of the reasons estimated 1RM is pretty useless). Similarly, massively strong advanced lifters can drive growth with eights, tens, twelves, etc...but the fives are a sort of point of convergence. They work across the board.

    I'm sure there are more factors, that more experienced folks can speak to, but the phenomenological aspect is really what it comes down to in the end.

  5. #5
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    Feb 2020
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    Quote Originally Posted by Griffin727 View Post
    Bench 8x1
    .
    Take an unrealistic spread of 315 to 225 for the singles and fives. Multiply by the number of total reps and see the difference in tonnage. Realistically, it will be 250 to 225.

  6. #6
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    Jun 2015
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    Garage of GainzZz
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    Mark Chaillet, but he squatted and deadlifted over 800. Everyone else is not Mark Chaillet.

  7. #7
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    Dec 2017
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    starting strength coach development program
    Makes sense good point.

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