Trapmonster's hopeful road to competition

Sorry for the lack of update guys. So I started the Texas method today, and I gotta say, it kicked my ass. I only missed 1 rep, and I could have had it but being the fact that it was my last bench set and rep and my fiance was spotting me, I didn't go for it. Excited for the program so far though. So I had dropped to 187, but now I'm back up to 193. Here are some starting pics to track my progress. The pics were as of this morning, I didn't have any from right before I started cycle last week.View attachment 43553 View attachment 43554 View attachment 43555 View attachment 43556 View attachment 43557

Looking good you damn hippie.
 
Sorry for the lack of update guys. So I started the Texas method today, and I gotta say, it kicked my ass. I only missed 1 rep, and I could have had it but being the fact that it was my last bench set and rep and my fiance was spotting me, I didn't go for it. Excited for the program so far though. So I had dropped to 187, but now I'm back up to 193. Here are some starting pics to track my progress. The pics were as of this morning, I didn't have any from right before I started cycle last week.View attachment 43553 View attachment 43554 View attachment 43555 View attachment 43556 View attachment 43557

Aka LatMonster
 
Haha I knew my long ass hair would throw people off! Also those pictures were cold no pump in the morning fresh out a cold shower so no cheating on my end. Thanks everyone for the compliments, I appreciate it. In my eyes I will forever be a fatass, since everyone use to pick on and make fun of when i was young.
 
So for all my powerlifting buddies (or at least I would like to think you are) what do you guys do on your off days? I'm following Texas method and I'm think about hitting the gym during that time but I'm unsure of what to work out as I do not want to go into my next session fatigued. Should I follow the first week just on its own until I adjust, or would you guys recommend working out on off days and if so, what body parts? @Perrin Aybara @RodgerThat @RThoads @ROB581211
 
The Texas Method is going to get brutally hard pretty fast, I'd just rest on the other days myself. When I was running it last year I hurt all over most of the time. It was before AAS, so maybe that made a difference. I think a month or two in and you won't want to do anything on your off days. If anything add an accessory or two at the end of each session like some chin ups or curls.

Which version are you running? There's a four day version that would allow for more volume of that's more what you're looking for.
 
I'd rest man, trust the program you'll need those rest days and especially at the beginning because you don't want to start of the program fatigued and fail reps right outa the gate
 
The Texas Method is going to get brutally hard pretty fast, I'd just rest on the other days myself. When I was running it last year I hurt all over most of the time. It was before AAS, so maybe that made a difference. I think a month or two in and you won't want to do anything on your off days. If anything add an accessory or two at the end of each session like some chin ups or curls.

Which version are you running? There's a four day version that would allow for more volume of that's more what you're looking for.
I'm working the mwf split. But I'm so used to being at the gym 5-6 days it's so foreign almost alien like to just go 3 days. I was thinking about incorporating back bis and tris maybe shoulders on off days. I guess it makes sense to do them at the end of the session to have a full days rest in between.
I'd rest man, trust the program you'll need those rest days and especially at the beginning because you don't want to start of the program fatigued and fail reps right outa the gate
I know what your saying. I wasn't even done withis the squatting portion before I started having doubts. Then I manned up, quit being a little bitch and went for it. I only failed 1 set for 1 rep for bench at 225 which I probably could have had. I felt pretty good about that fact. My fiance miscalculated her numbers and eventually had to drop her weight. I was concerned about being too fatigued hence why I asked if it would be wise to do light accessory weights on off days, but I'll just rest up for now.
 
I'm working the mwf split. But I'm so used to being at the gym 5-6 days it's so foreign almost alien like to just go 3 days. I was thinking about incorporating back bis and tris maybe shoulders on off days. I guess it makes sense to do them at the end of the session to have a full days rest in between.

I know what your saying. I wasn't even done withis the squatting portion before I started having doubts. Then I manned up, quit being a little bitch and went for it. I only failed 1 set for 1 rep for bench at 225 which I probably could have had. I felt pretty good about that fact. My fiance miscalculated her numbers and eventually had to drop her weight. I was concerned about being too fatigued hence why I asked if it would be wise to do light accessory weights on off days, but I'll just rest up for now.

If you've failed any reps this fast then you've chosen a weight that's far too heavy. You shouldn't fail any reps on intensity day for weeks or months and you shouldn't fail reps on volume day ever. It's important to get clean reps and never fail in volume day. Intensity day missing some down the road is inevitable, but steps can be taken to minimize this.

Here's a helpful chart about diagnosing problems on TM.

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I'm working the mwf split. But I'm so used to being at the gym 5-6 days

If you like the Texas method then stick with it, but if you want to be in the gym more then consider another program possibly. Westside programming might suit you more.
 
Yeah I realize it's all calculated and you shouldn't miss any. To be fair the most I ever did on flat bench was 225 for 3 prior to this. Don't really use the flat bench tho just incline decline and weighted dips. And also I could have gotten my last rep but I panicked that if in case I may not have my fiance wouldn't have been able to get me. I psyched myself out in other words.
 
Also, the best way to start on volume day is use about 80% of your true 5RM for your 5x5 sets. It's between 80-90% for most people, but best to start low.

If your best bench is 225x3 you should be using between 170-195 for your 5x5 based on what I said.
 
If you like the Texas method then stick with it, but if you want to be in the gym more then consider another program possibly. Westside programming might suit you more.
I'm really looking into strength building before I get back into hypertrophic work. Not that I miss the gym, I'm sure my worn out body will appreciate the rest when I'm that fatigued later in the next couple of weeks. I've been working out the way I do for 10+ years so now that I'm going to a 3 day split it's a bit of a cultureshock
 
Also, the best way to start on volume day is use about 80% of your true 5RM for your 5x5 sets. It's between 80-90% for most people, but best to start low.

If your best bench is 225x3 you should be using between 170-195 for your 5x5 based on what I said.
I did read about that, but I didn't want to start too low. I'm sure next week my bench shouldn't be a problem. I'll keep it in mind to keep it slightly lower. Would you recommend me stay the same since I was basically able to do the whole day or should I drop the weight? Everything else seemed to be fine as far as weight. I may have even done a lil less on deadlift than I could have. I attached my setup, critique is welcomedScreenshot_2016-06-07-14-04-02.png
 
I'm really looking into strength building before I get back into hypertrophic work.

Understood, Westside is really a mixture of both strength and hypertrophy days. Speed is really the focus moreso than hypertrophy but I've heard Louie Simmons describe it as such.

I looked into Texas method but it wasn't for me, I forget why I didn't like the look of it though. Probably not enough "stuff" :)
 
I would get the 5RM on Friday and use 80% of that on the next Monday. Increase weekly from there. Also the latest version of TM has deadlift on Friday rather than Monday.

You really don't want this starting out hard or it's going to get unmanageable way too fast.
 
Understood, Westside is really a mixture of both strength and hypertrophy days. Speed is really the focus moreso than hypertrophy but I've heard Louie Simmons describe it as such.

I looked into Texas method but it wasn't for me, I forget why I didn't like the look of it though. Probably not enough "stuff" :)
Same thought I had until the 5x5s put me to the test. I usually warm up and go up to one big lift set. Different ballgame with 5 heavy sets. It took me 1 hour 40 min to complete the first day. I was working in with my fiance tho so that could have been cut to maybe an hour 15? Still pretty long, or at least long enough
 
At most I would just take a long walk on TM rest days, but later on even a walk would seem to cut into recovery haha. Linear progress really piles up fast (and for everyone the iron will eventually win) so truly take rest and recovery as serious as training. Get good rest and you will be able to push PRs longer
 
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