If only there were simple alterations to either program that could increase or decrease weekly volume.

Since like... we obviously all respond the same to the same amount of volume.

I essentially ran my own versions of 531 before 531 existed.

Never saw any progression issues.

LJL if your main goal is to look better at doing texas method. TM is so flawed because you literally only do one rep range on the main lifts and it's difficult to set up enough time and energy all the stuff that's actually important for looking better since you were focused so hard on increasing your big barbell lift 5rms.

That stuff has rapidly diminishing returns for looking better. Past a very low threshold, you're better off focusing on pullups, various rows, incline bench, seated db/bb press, pulldowns, and various shoulder, bicep, and tricep isolation exercises and for higher rep ranges. This means you should de-emphasize spending so much time in the squat rack and doing purely sets of 5, and should instead commit that time to the above exercises. You still need to maintain some kind of progression on the main barbell lifts, but it really shouldn't be solely in one rep range and you don't need to do more than one of the main lifts per session.


For the strength dawgs I can't comment. It personally just didn't work for me because the volume day was way to easy and I could breeze through 80%x5x5. I was still a facking n00bie and was misinformed about programming and individual variation at that point. AFAIK that volume squat was written to be done AFTER oly lifting, so maybe that's why. Felt like I could have handled 85%for 5x5 and amrapped the last set for ~8 or so np. my 5rm was usually around 91-93% which I reckon is a bit higher than average though. Also 1 working set of DLs per week isn't enough if you're only doing a set of 5, at least for me.

You should advise 90% of the people in the beginner thread. They're all doing 3x5 now wondering why they still don't look swole.

3X5 okay for the first 3-9 months of training honestly just to learn how to do the basic lifts correctly and get some baseline strength. After that, gotta do all those exercises ripp talks **** about to actually look like you even lift.

I'd place heavy emphasis on the 3 more than the 9. It seems like people run these programs for far too long, don't you think?

They just have to run them till linear progression stops, right?

I knew you'd come around after years of anti-Rip strawmanning!

As long as "linear progression stopping" isnt "the first time a set feels hard".

Do we still have active mods? I pm'd anklebreaker to change my log title a couple of days ago but no luck.

Here is the long version of what they said: http://startingstrength.com/article/...thod-and-5-3-1

I think given the point and audience of this article, the general stance makes sense. If we were to only consider the program as written with no adjustments, it may not be ideal for most folks. But that's why we train for long enough to become intermediate athletes and hopefully have some idea of adjustments that can be made to a program to tailor it to our needs, as you point out. And after reading the article I see the author made that nuanced point in the conclusion of the article right before he pitches coaching...

This is something that I don't recall on the podcast but is also a good point. I'm sure a lot of people looking for this article are probably fresh off the SS train and don't actually have any idea of where they suck.

He also links to a generic programming template from his site which seems decent: http://www.barbellmedicine.com/scivationstrong/. About to read through it.

Yes, but the ripplebro says to reset multiple times, and GSLP uses those resets in an open-ended way that is presumably meant to be run until you stall cycle-to-cycle.

This, basically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxrqKCvQM0

Seems like a totally common and reasonable variant of 531 to anal-ize.

But really,

Some of the comments about raising RPE are naive if not just outright wrong. I've seen many people (including myself) grind RPE 9.5/10 sets across. It seems out of touch with reality. Or maybe Olytards just have magical WIM that PLers don't. (Prob more accurate)

Programming is fine, but hinging on someone with 3-5 months of training experience being able to accurately gauge RPE is just as absurd as expecting someone over the internet to give you great programming advice.

Then why are people in N1H log recommending Texas Method unironically? A guy who says he lifts for the "aesthetic lifestyle".

3 months as Rav said is fine enough to learn the exercises. Then it's on to split routine city or gslp. I mean for the general health/strength/asthetics brahs, obv if you just know kinda early you're more into strength it's a different story and ofc you might benefit from obsessing over made up novice/intermediate designations.

Prob the same reason you say Smolov Jr doesn't work or recommend Greyskull.

Most guys end up realizing they want to be a PowerBuilder.

Someone not fat, not weak but not standing out in either as well. It sometimes takes those guys years to figure that out.

Is there any real "PowerBuilder" programming out there?

Standing out in strength or aesthetics as a 'PowerBuilder' most often if not always requires "assistance" IMO.

Why doesn't anklebreaker give up his mod powers around here? It was a good run but it's time to let it go.

He and Smiley are partially responsible for allowing the rippetoe dark ages that ensued for 5 years. It's a brave new health and fitness world after YTF put us on the map.

Don't think he really advises an rpe follow on with that little training base.

One valid criticism of Feigenbaum's 531 criticism is that it's an analysis of why it ought not to work, but doesn't really prove it doesn't work, since plenty of people have used it successfully.

He has countered the point by saying the failure rate of 531 is quite high (though not sure how he has any real imperical #s on that), but 531's sample size is also littered with bros who read one t-nation article and "ran 531". So not really a fair criticism imo.

After running SS and TM for a long time, I still think they are good programs. Might not be ideal (I don't study this stuff) but it did work for me and can work for others. I did not follow the program (modified deadlift days, didn't do powercleans, probably some other tweaks) but think the baseline is good. Biggest thing is to not follow his nutritional advice IMO.

And to keep this post LC, Brodie had fun at the dog park this morning:



He comes to work with me everyday and this park is across the street. He gets to visit there for a bit each morning and sometimes around lunch.

I argue that GSLP is closer to a variant of SS than it is a new program.

--

Taubes is on the new Sam Harris podcast. Haven't listened yet. The ep with Tristan Harris was good too.

Makes Sam Harris look dumb.

lol programs

I wish I could bring a dog to work

You can, just move to Alaska and wrassle bears for a living!

I hope you get a boss who is allergic to dogs.