Switching from 5/3/1 SST to TM

[JCavin]

Ive just recently got a new position at work that allows for much better recovery. Basically I don't have to work nearly as hard. My old job was especially hard on my legs. It was the equivalent to dragging a sled for 4+ hours a night. 5x a week.

I enjoy 5/3/1, but I don't feel like my progress is as fast as it could be.

I have practical programming, but I haven't read te TM section yet. Is everything I will need to make the switch covered? If not, is there anything I need to know or a resource that will answer any noob questions?

My 1rm maxes are:
Squats 335
DL 375
Press 185
Bench 265

My goal is to get my lower body as strong as it SHOULD be at my weight. 230.

I would like to include at least one day of prowler work, if possible.

[Haggit]

The hardest part will be finding you volume weight. I think anyway.

I'm sure 80 people will disagree with me but I would find a set of five where everything stayed together well form wise and use that for volume then add ten percent for your intensity weight.

[JCavin]

Ok, thanks Haggit.

After that weight is settled I just add 5lbs to my ID per week, right? This in turn will drive my VD weight up if I'm using 90% of my new 5rm.

I think i'll use the basic t-nation template until i can get Justin's book. The TM seems to be one of those programs where there is too much variability to adequately describe. It gets confusing as shit if you start to over think it. Btw, I'm assuming there are no deloads and you kind of just keep pushing as long as possible?

[Haggit]

Yeah just do 5 pound jumps and micro load the presses. That's adding to both days. It'll eventually put your VD weight above 90% though. Just keep going til you stall.

I've been deloading my version of Tm. I want to base it on my schedule but it didn't work that way this time because my transition was so screwy.

[JCavin]

Oh ok. I didn't know you added 5lbs to volume day too. I just assumed you based it off 90% of your new 5rm every week. Which would occasionally keep it the same weight for 2 weeks in a row.

[Haggit]

That would probably work but it's not how it's written.

[JCavin]

Someone should really make a sticky on the basics of starting your first TM. I know the info is out there, but it's spread out and usually not very clear. I know it's the point where individuality really starts to come into play, but a descriptive basic template to get you started would be very helpful.

[Haggit]

I found the example in the back of PP helpful.

[JCavin]

Okay so it should look like:

Monday - VD
Squats 5x5 @ 90%
Press/bench 5x5 @ 90%
Deadlifts 1x5 @ 90%
Curls 3x10
LTE 3x10

Wednesday - recovery day
Squats 2x5 @80% of VD
Press 3x5 @ 95%/bench 3x5 at 90%
Chin ups 3xbw
Back extensions 5x10

Friday - ID
squats - doubles and singles up to new 5rm
Bench - same
Power cleans 5x3

Add 5lbs on VD and ID for lower body. Upper body is 2.5 I assume? Once recovery becomes an issue start setting 3rm, 2rm, and 1rm on ID.

Is that about right?

[Haggit]

The 90% dead is something I haven't seen.

That's what PP says but most people do the triples and singles for sets across. 3x3 and 5x1.