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  • I keep looking at variations on the 5x5 / 5x3 / 3x5 routines to try and squeeze in as much as possible with accessory exercises (curls / pullups / dips etc.) but keep coming back to the basic bench / squat / row / ohp rotations & ditching the rest.

    Still on 5x5 for all exercises but not sure how much heavier I can go before switching it up a bit - can only get to gym Mon-Thurs so it's Monday - bench/squat, Tuesday - row/ohp, Thursday - all of the above but 3x5 at 90-95%.

    Not ideal as there's back to back days - I could add extra stuff onto Monday but that would impact negatively on Tuesday & I'm trying to fit everything in twice per week in some form, can anyone see a better way to work this?

  • I'd think about alternating heavy/light on at least the Thursday.

    So one week bench/squat 3x5 and row/OHP 3 sets of 10 at 50-60% (not easy but not head-popping). Then vice versa the next week with the heavier exercises first. Slows down the progression a little and gives you some quality volume sets without hammering away at that heavy range constantly.

    The other change I'd consider is dropping down to 3 sets max on barbell lifts to fit in the assistance work. Theres a diminishing returns thing with strength work that means the 4th and 5th set aren't giving you that much more stimulus than the first three but the fresh stimulus from a different movement (even targeting similar muscles) and the increased volume density will be much more valuable, as will having a different rep range. Even just from a joint wear/niggling aches perspective. It also lets you focus harder on maximising those three sets for growth as it's all you've got. Don't have to 'leave some in the tank' for the later sets.

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