Time to quit advanced novice?

[Dave Lamb]

I'm planning to start Texas method for squats next week. I just wanted to see if anybody would agree or if I should try to grind out more on advanced novice. Monday, my squats are fine, I do recovery day on Wednesday, then Friday, I feel so gassed I can only grind out a couple singles with +5lbs on Monday. The following Monday, I get 3x5 without problem.

Last Few weeks looked like this

Monday 3x5 at 340lbs
Wednesday 80% 2x5
Friday 3 singles at 345

Monday 3x5 at 345lbs
Wednesday 80% 2x5
Friday 2 singles at 350

Monday 3x5 at 350lbs
Wednesday 80% 2x5
Friday 2 singles at 355

Time to switch?

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

You are basically doing a version of TM right now, although with a much closer split between Mon & Fri than is recommended. It's working now, but it won't for much longer.


Go to TM and reduce your Monday weights a bit and continue on with singles and doubles on Friday.

[Dave Lamb]

Thanks Andy,

If I drop down to about 90% (315lbs) for volume day, should I do 5x5 instead of 3x5? I guess I was thinking about just switching to a traditional TM split with 1x5 on Friday starting at 350lbs and 5x5 at 315lbs for volume day.

I appreciate your response.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

No, keep the singles and doubles for now on ID.


Try keeping just 3x5 for now and dropping the weight to like 330--335. i.e. lets make a small change instead of a drastic change. Your programming isn't fucked, you just need a little tweaking. Save drastic changes for when things get fucked.