Starting Weights in Texas Method

[John Watson]

I've been running the advanced novice program for a bit, and dropped reps to 300x3x3 in squats, 170x3x3 in bench, 110x3x3 in the press, to squeeze out the last vestiges of linear progress.

The examples in PP say to use 90% of 3x5 for the first 5x5 volume day, but nothing about where to go from 3x3.
Are there any formulas, or should I just experiment, start low, and adjust?
I don't want to regress, or drop out of PR territory.

Stats:
52 y.o.
205 lbs
6'1"

Thanks.

Current log: In Squat We Trust

[Eric Larousse]

2 options

1. start with 3s for 2 sets of where you left off of LP...volume day would still start at 90% of the weight but will have to be monitored and maybe adjusted from week to week as per PPST3
2. Go back to your last completed set of 5 and go up one increment and start at that weight for the 5s

[Simon Rest]

had a quick look at your log - seems like 280 was around where you stopped 5s and dropped to 3x3.

A few coaches suggest taking a slight reset before starting TM to get accustomed to the pattern. I'd probably start at 265 for 5 as your first ID, and set VD at 90% of that. this gives you 3 weeks until you are back at 280 x 5. TM gets hard quickly

[Chebass88]

had a quick look at your log - seems like 280 was around where you stopped 5s and dropped to 3x3.

A few coaches suggest taking a slight reset before starting TM to get accustomed to the pattern. I'd probably start at 265 for 5 as your first ID, and set VD at 90% of that. this gives you 3 weeks until you are back at 280 x 5. TM gets hard quickly

This is a good approach. It means you won't be able to hit PRs until four weeks in, but by then you'll be somewhat used to TM.

[luke.conrad]

The original Texas method template is probably going to be too much for a 52 year old. It will require some adjusting and will turn into more "MLH" instead of "HLH".

Good luck!

[John Watson]

The original Texas method template is probably going to be too much for a 52 year old. It will require some adjusting and will turn into more "MLH" instead of "HLH".

Good luck!

Possibly too much volume, but I'm considering adding frequency reduction as needed, and maybe take an extra day, as needed after volume day, turning it into an 8 day week. Or, alternately, doing 4 sets, instead of 5 on volume day, which as you say, might be MLH.

[Lawrie Abbott]

I started TM at 51, now approaching 53.

Same advice, don't start too high. You'll run out of room quickly.

Also found that progress continued on ID lifts while running VD at about 80-85% on squats. I was evenutally unable to complete VD at 90%. Other lifts were at 90% ish.

Ended up moving DL to the middle workout as they were stalling after ID Squats. Just too much effort in one day.

It did catch up on me eventually (about a year) as the ID's were getting to the point where injuries were starting to accumulate.

ID lifts also suffered if the previous days hadn't been almost perfect in terms of sleeping and eating.

Now do a lot more volume and only occasionally testing my limits rather than very week. This also allows some "real life" to be accommodated, without killing progress.

Start with the basic template for TM and see how you progress before making changes. Just remember you aren't 25 anymore and keep focusing on making progress, and don't kick yourself if you miss ID lifts occasionally.

[John Watson]

I started TM at 51, now approaching 53.

Same advice, don't start too high. You'll run out of room quickly.

Also found that progress continued on ID lifts while running VD at about 80-85% on squats. I was evenutally unable to complete VD at 90%. Other lifts were at 90% ish.

Ended up moving DL to the middle workout as they were stalling after ID Squats. Just too much effort in one day.

It did catch up on me eventually (about a year) as the ID's were getting to the point where injuries were starting to accumulate.

ID lifts also suffered if the previous days hadn't been almost perfect in terms of sleeping and eating.

Now do a lot more volume and only occasionally testing my limits rather than very week. This also allows some "real life" to be accommodated, without killing progress.

Start with the basic template for TM and see how you progress before making changes. Just remember you aren't 25 anymore and keep focusing on making progress, and don't kick yourself if you miss ID lifts occasionally.

Thanks for the advice, very interesting.

Were you doing the alternating cleans and snatches too?
I'm considering substituting a light deadlift for one or both of those days, to accumulate volume for the deadlift. This is not because I can't do the PC and PS, but my present facilities (living room) are not really optimal, until I can make room in the garage.

[Lawrie Abbott]

Power anything is out for me as I have a dodgy knee, so dropped those. Have added more volume DL's instead.

[BarryF]

I would dl once a week unless you get stuck. Adding in SGDL as my light pull resulted in great progress after i hit a sticking point. I also added two back off sets on DL day around 80-85%