Texas Method

[jkolt]

Hi Andy,

I'm running a slightly modified TM. Due to my own priorities, I'm happy with my squat and BP strength. I thus have dropped their volume down to 3x5 on both and continue to hit my a cycling 1,3, or 5 RM on ID for both. The maintenance plan seems to be working fine.

I am still trying to move my DL and Press up. The 5x5 volume day seems to be working with plain vanilla TM programming. However, the DL isn't coming up much.

Question: what course correction do you make to DL programming first after a failure?

Seems like running out sets of 3 is a good first step, but there are often assistances exercises added. Any suggestions? My failure is fairly well distribute but mostly below the knee.

Squat Max: 350x5
DL Max: 350x5 (faileded at rep 4)

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Try to keep pushing your squat up. Start cycling in some heavier deadlifts into your training. Some doubles, triples, singles and fives.

If you wanna lift 405 for 5 then the first step is lifting it for one.

[jkolt]

Thanks coach. I will cycle in some different rep schemes.

From prior experiences with 531, high volume deadlift back off sets (5x10) seemed to help out quite a bit. I seem to remember you have recommended SL DLs as back off work. Is that right? Any thoughts on good starting places for back off DL sets?

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

If you are gonna do 5x10 SLDL after your main deadlift sets you'll just have to trial and error the offset. If I were gonna use that amount of volume, i wouldn't use sets across. You'll have to use a weight that is pretty damn low. I'd use descending sets to get a higher aggregate intensity. So something like this:

Deadlift 455 x 5
Stiff Leg Deadlift 315 x 10, 275 x 10, 225 x 10 x 3 sets

[jkolt]

Nice thought. Thanks!