Cowboy's Switch the Darkside

I wouldn't alternate like that. Just pick one and do it. How do you feel about front squat and SSB? You pretty much have to stay upright.
I agree bad idea, no thought put into and an accident waiting to happen and it did.I liked SSB better, but videod SSB and think I was still leaning over. I will edit the video and post
 
Lets look at deads first.
Next week 5x5 was working up to 75% last set changed each set higher by 5% so last set is 80% now.
Week after is 5/3/1 or Amrap at 90% of 1rm.
Pulled 1RM is 455, estimated and used to calculate is 500, and still find it light as triples.
This week max was 405 but I did 425.
Next week 5x5 is only 360 and my amrap or single the week after is 450 but plan to pull 505.

I have bench ERM higher than actually pressed by 10lbs, and squat I have intentionally kept low as I am not lifting right or hitting depth.
It seems li,e the deadlift progress isn’t enough for you and the bench is a bit much. That’s the issue with these programs. They are general and don’t always work the same for everyone. Maybe you can up the Training Max on dead’s and lower it a bit on bench?
 
It seems li,e the deadlift progress isn’t enough for you and the bench is a bit much. That’s the issue with these programs. They are general and don’t always work the same for everyone. Maybe you can up the Training Max on dead’s and lower it a bit on bench?
That's what I was thinking too. I was also thinking do specialized blocks. X number of weeks bench priority, so bench Mon and Fri squat and DL Wed. Then squat priority , squat Mon and Fri Bench and DL Wed. DL priority same as above.
 
Light weight just testing SSB as never done before and want to see if i am more upright

I tend to squat mid-high bar as well, and I found that after doing a 3 week block of front squats, my body automatically wanted to stay more upright. It may work for u with SSB, as they’re basically the same concept.

speaking of which, I gotta do another block here soon.
 
I tend to squat mid-high bar as well, and I found that after doing a 3 week block of front squats, my body automatically wanted to stay more upright. It may work for u with SSB, as they’re basically the same concept.

speaking of which, I gotta do another block here soon.
Well I am deloading a bit next week so front or SSB it will be and light weight if front squats. I found my fingers are sore from flexing backwards, not to mention the bar slipped out at 225. SSB felt really comfortable. I may continue 3 weeks this way as well
 
That's what I was thinking too. I was also thinking do specialized blocks. X number of weeks bench priority, so bench Mon and Fri squat and DL Wed. Then squat priority , squat Mon and Fri Bench and DL Wed. DL priority same as above.
Thinking about my comment... It is amazing hoe once you get rolling on these programs you start to see the flaws in them as far as how you respond to them differently. I guess you could call it maturing in the sport/training and learning what works and doesn't work for you
 
Programming and Plan or path forward

Continue to cut until I hit 200lbs should only be a couple months if I don't stray. Bemch and squat seem to be the only 2 having issue with the cut, deadlift so far hasnt suffered.

I am going to deload a bit next week. Its my 5x5 week so not a big issue as intensity is down. Squats will be front or SSB for the next few weeks so weight will be lighter. The following week I intend to go for a 1RM on deadlift, gonna break 500 and see where I can get it up to. Will start drol then var on the 24th after blood donation this week. Once I PR deadlift I will probably switch to 3 week block of bench priority then alternate between them 3 weeks at a time see how that works for me.
 
Weight today is unchanged still at 215.4.
A little less cardio this week due to extra sleep. Didnt get much due to fire hall duties. Food wasnt too bad I thought. Had refeed Sunday night, some lasagna. Had 1 small bag of chips at the fire hall, and 2 chocolate chip granola bars preworkout.

This week will keep diet in check, cycle off ephedrine, keep cardio up, donate blood and start anadrol. I really want to get off this cut, even more so if I am not dropping weight lol.

Supposed to be my last week at my current job. Also supposed to start a better job on the following Tuesday.
 
Opinions?

So as mentioned I was thinking of doing some kind of lift focus blocks. I am in the process of making the program up. Right now, as I want the first focus to be bench, it is kind of a hybrid of Smolov and 531.

NOTE: A work in progress and not starting until after I set my DL PR in a week or so.

Week 1
Monday
Bench 6x6@70%
Tricep acc
Wednesday
Squat 5x3 up to 85%
Deadlift 5x3 up to 85%
Friday
Bench 7x5@75%
Shoulder acc

Week 2
Monday
Bench 8x4@80%
Tricep acc
Wednesday
Squat 5x5 up to 80%
Deadlift 5x5 up to 80%
Friday
Bench 10x3 @85%
Shoulder acc

Week 3
Monday
Bench 6x6@75%
Tricep acc
Wednesday
Squat 5x3 up to 85%
Deadlift 5x3 up to 85%
Friday
Bench 7x5@80%
Shoulder acc

Week 4
Monday
Bench 8x4@85%
Tricep acc
Wednesday
Squat 5x5 up to 80%
Deadlift 5x5 up to 80%
Friday
Bench 10x3@90%
Shoulder acc

Then switch to next block swapping bench and squat around, then squat and deadlift.
 
I don't see the need for it. It's the calorie deficit that's keeping progression from happening. You're probably gonna have to just be happy with maintaining your bench and squat and maybe progressing on deadlift until a time when you're eating at maintenance or better. Deadlift is less calorie dependent in my experience.
 
I don't see the need for it. It's the calorie deficit that's keeping progression from happening. You're probably gonna have to just be happy with maintaining your bench and squat and maybe progressing on deadlift until a time when you're eating at maintenance or better. Deadlift is less calorie dependent in my experience.
Copy that, maybe look at it in a few months when I am done cutting. Thanks for keeping my head on straight lol
 
Copy that, maybe look at it in a few months when I am done cutting. Thanks for keeping my head on straight lol

All good. Don't ever think I'm trying to be a dick. I just see a lot of mistakes I made early on. Got in my head too much, switched programs a lot or tried to alter them right away. Just find something and run it as is, no thinking. It's what I'm doing with Shekio currently and it's a huge relief from all the overthinking and second guessing. I'm just trusting the program. No stress.
 
All good. Don't ever think I'm trying to be a dick. I just see a lot of mistakes I made early on. Got in my head too much, switched programs a lot or tried to alter them right away. Just find something and run it as is, no thinking. It's what I'm doing with Shekio currently and it's a huge relief from all the overthinking and second guessing. I'm just trusting the program. No stress.
I agree and don't take your comments as being a dick. In fact your then reason i am powerlifting now and welcome all your advice whether I like what I hear or not lol.

Cutting on a BB program I know what I am doing and what to expect, not so much on powerlifting. This is first cut running a PL program
 
All good. Don't ever think I'm trying to be a dick. I just see a lot of mistakes I made early on. Got in my head too much, switched programs a lot or tried to alter them right away. Just find something and run it as is, no thinking. It's what I'm doing with Shekio currently and it's a huge relief from all the overthinking and second guessing. I'm just trusting the program. No stress.

Sheiko seems tough in the body
Dont know if I could keep up with that regiment while off cycle.
 
I agree and don't take your comments as being a dick. In fact your then reason i am powerlifting now and welcome all your advice whether I like what I hear or not lol.

Cutting on a BB program I know what I am doing and what to expect, not so much on powerlifting. This is first cut running a PL program

You can expect pain and suffering, second guessing all the reasons you got into powerlifting, considering giving it up a few times, feeling weak and/or small. Then eventually getting through it and looking leaner and your lifts start going up again and it's all worth it. Kinda being funny, but really also dead serious.

Sheiko seems tough in the body
Dont know if I could keep up with that regiment while off cycle.

Some people don't handle the volume well. I respond better to higher volume and lower intensity. I'm having problems at the moment because I accumulated some injuries late last year and my job is extremely physically demanding. The workouts seem fairly easy, but my body isn't cooperating.

We had a contract to move an entire courthouse over the weekend. They agreed to pay seven guys four eight hour days. We did it in two days with six guys. So much heavy shit. That combined with squat and deadlift over the weekend really aggravated my back. Now I'm laid up wondering how I'm gonna make it through this week.
 
You can expect pain and suffering, second guessing all the reasons you got into powerlifting, considering giving it up a few times, feeling weak and/or small. Then eventually getting through it and looking leaner and your lifts start going up again and it's all worth it. Kinda being funny, but really also dead serious.

Its like your in my head, this is exactly how I have been feeling lol
 
Its like your in my head, this is exactly how I have been feeling lol

I guess it's having the mental fortitude to keep on instead of giving up that separates us from the causal lifter that never makes it out of beginner stage. Just have to shut out the stupid inner voices.

I'm having a hard time with how my back is feeling. I'm half convinced it's something major. Already planning my bench only training for the next few months if necessary. Always gotta move forward with something. If I can't squat or deadlift it'll be a good time to get after that 455x1 bench.

Right now you're moving forward with getting lean. Realistically your strength isn't going up, but you can progress on getting lean, you can progress on mastering your form, you can progress on mobility. You're not stagnant even if your numbers aren't going up. You have to learn to step back and think of all the aspects of strength training. Even if your numbers aren't going up right now you can be building a foundation for them to go up later. It's hard to think of things like that, but it's true. It's not just about your big three numbers going up all the time. Hope that makes sense and helps.
 
I guess it's having the mental fortitude to keep on instead of giving up that separates us from the causal lifter that never makes it out of beginner stage. Just have to shut out the stupid inner voices.

I'm having a hard time with how my back is feeling. I'm half convinced it's something major. Already planning my bench only training for the next few months if necessary. Always gotta move forward with something. If I can't squat or deadlift it'll be a good time to get after that 455x1 bench.

Right now you're moving forward with getting lean. Realistically your strength isn't going up, but you can progress on getting lean, you can progress on mastering your form, you can progress on mobility. You're not stagnant even if your numbers aren't going up. You have to learn to step back and think of all the aspects of strength training. Even if your numbers aren't going up right now you can be building a foundation for them to go up later. It's hard to think of things like that, but it's true. It's not just about your big three numbers going up all the time. Hope that makes sense and helps.
Word to live by right there.

Your so right on form... both bench and squat need that work... my buddy spotting me at 265 bench last week said my left side is way lower than right on the way up
 

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