Baker's SM40 modification question

[AndrewH69]

Hi Andy,
I've been running your Strength & Mass Over 40 for a couple of cycles now; started with numbers around 10% lower than my stalled weights on my LP, so I've hit PR's on each cycle. It's a great program, I'm really happy with my purchase.
Current single #s:
Squat: 310
Press: 122
Bench: 205
Deadlift: 285

I've run the program as prescribed, but my question is around the week of triples. Can I skip the triples week and do a 5/1 cycle template? Should I expect earlier stalling without the medium week? I have been doing a couple of back off sets during my triples and singles weeks for additional volume, and so far recovery has been fine. Just want faster progress on my fives...
I'm 48, 6'1", 203#, male.
Thanks Andy!

[Steve Hill]

I'm not sure if Andy will see your post. I'll say this: Patience is a virtue, incremental gains accumulate, be patient and don't mess with the program.

I think Andy would say the same thing.

Maybe right now the added volume does not interfere, but eventually it will. As the weights get harder, you should probably ditch it. My other concern is that your DL is out of line with your squat. Why?

[AndrewH69]

I'm not sure if Andy will see your post. I'll say this: Patience is a virtue, incremental gains accumulate, be patient and don't mess with the program.

I think Andy would say the same thing.

Maybe right now the added volume does not interfere, but eventually it will. As the weights get harder, you should probably ditch it. My other concern is that your DL is out of line with your squat. Why?

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the quick reply, and the words of wisdom. I know slow and steady wins the race, I'm just fixated on hitting PR's on my fives, instead of changing my mindset to hitting PR's every week for each rep range. Will have a talk with myself and sort myself out...

As for my deadlift trailing my squat. Don't know, other than having a weak posterior chain, having sustained a number of low back injuries in my life (mostly non-lifting related) and being super careful with my setup so I don't injure myself again, and possibly form issues. The good news is my squat is increasing by 5lbs per week, whereas my deadlift is (finally) catching up at 10lbs per week. I may post a form check in the Technique section for some feedback.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

One thing I've had people do in the past with programs similar to this is change up how the cycle rotates in order to get more work with the 5s. Since you are a bit underweight still, this might be a useful thing for you to do, coupled with increased protein and overall caloric intake.

So instead of week 1: 5s, week 2: 3s, week 3: 1s........you do something like: week 1: 5s, week 2: 3s, week 3: 5s, week 4: 1s, repeat. So every other week the heavy day is 5s across and on alternate weeks you go a bit heavier with either triples or singles across.

[AndrewH69]

One thing I've had people do in the past with programs similar to this is change up how the cycle rotates in order to get more work with the 5s. Since you are a bit underweight still, this might be a useful thing for you to do, coupled with increased protein and overall caloric intake.

So instead of week 1: 5s, week 2: 3s, week 3: 1s........you do something like: week 1: 5s, week 2: 3s, week 3: 5s, week 4: 1s, repeat. So every other week the heavy day is 5s across and on alternate weeks you go a bit heavier with either triples or singles across.

Hey Andy, thanks for getting back to me. And thanks for the rotating rep range suggestion; I'm going to implement it next week (I'm doing triples this week).
My wife won't be so happy that I'm still "underweight", but I feel pretty good walking around at 200+. You think another 10-15lbs of useful weight would serve me well?

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

6'1 and 215-225 is still not very big, so yes, I think another 10-15 lbs would be good. But your own body weight is your choice, not mine. Now, at 48, I don't think you need to be in a huge hurry to get there. You don't need to GOMAD or eat like a 22 year old. Honestly, I'd look into working with a nutrition guy like Santana if possible.

[AndrewH69]

Hey Andy,
Thanks; I would love to get a lot bigger, but my wife likes me on the lean side, so gotta keep her happy. I'll reach out to Santana.