Sacrificing squat volume and frequency for 3x5 deadlifts

[Les Hahn]

Just to answer number 2, the way I did it was similar to the progression you see with the squat. When 3 sets of 5 doesn't work for the deadlift, I jumped to one top set with with 2 drop sets. I agree that 1 set of 5 may be enough for some people. I did it more for practice through repetitions. With this scenario you are only doing 1 set of deadlifts per week. That may not be enough practice for newbies.

[Cargotruck]

1. His proposed scenario where he thinks more DL & less squat will result in a faster than 10LB increase per DL session because of 3x5 DL.

I actually never claimed this and explicitly said that I have no doubts 1x5 deadlifts are optimal for the average novice and I was only doing 3x5 for liking the movement and for getting practice. Regardless, I'm now switching to what Les Hahn laid out, but likely doing 2 of the deadlift sets as 80-90% back offs.

[timelinex]

Just to answer number 2, the way I did it was similar to the progression you see with the squat. When 3 sets of 5 doesn't work for the deadlift, I jumped to one top set with with 2 drop sets. I agree that 1 set of 5 may be enough for some people. I did it more for practice through repetitions. With this scenario you are only doing 1 set of deadlifts per week. That may not be enough practice for newbies.

Makes sense. At the beginning I did wish I had more practise. Thanks for explaining it.

[Les Hahn]

Makes sense. At the beginning I did wish I had more practise. Thanks for explaining it.

Sure, not a problem. :-)

[timelinex]

I actually never claimed this and explicitly said that I have no doubts 1x5 deadlifts are optimal for the average novice and I was only doing 3x5 for liking the movement and for getting practice. Regardless, I'm now switching to what Les Hahn laid out, but likely doing 2 of the deadlift sets as 80-90% back offs.

I guess I thought you were doing it to try and maximize deadlift gains. I didn't realize it was simply because you liked doing the movement. In that case, as long as it fits your goals. His layout will definitely work.

[Les Hahn]

I actually never claimed this and explicitly said that I have no doubts 1x5 deadlifts are optimal for the average novice and I was only doing 3x5 for liking the movement and for getting practice. Regardless, I'm now switching to what Les Hahn laid out, but likely doing 2 of the deadlift sets as 80-90% back offs.

And cargo, depending on where you are at with your deadlifts, I would still start with 3 sets of 5. When you can no longer get 5 reps on all your sets, then go to the top set/drop set option.

[Cargotruck]

And cargo, depending on where you are at with your deadlifts, I would still start with 3 sets of 5. When you can no longer get 5 reps on all your sets, then go to the top set/drop set option.

I was thinking of drop sets so that the first set could be closer to 5RM, for instance 5x275lb, 5x245lb, 5x245lb instead of 3x265lb. Would you still recommend the 3 sets across option?

[Cargotruck]

*3x5x265lb is what I meant with the latter

[Les Hahn]

Yes, you can stick with 3 sets at first. So one top set that is more challenging, and then some easier drop sets. Eventually I have people add another drop set (so one top set and three drop sets), but you won't need that right now.

[Cargotruck]

Alright, thanks for the help.