I recently completed the smolov base cycle with a 60 lb increase in my squat, which is now at 370 lbs. My gains seem to be maintaining pretty well even though ive heard that gains sometimes falter after the cycle. My question is what i should do now?
I would like to get stronger in bench and deadlift but my main goal is to get my squat up to 405 before my 17th birthday at the end of august. I think something like 531 would be to low volume after such a cycle and it may cause my squat to lower but im not sure what to do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Honestly if Smolov was that successful for you why not run it again. If you make 50% of the gains this time your hitting your goal. If not that then nothing has raised mine faster than anything is simple progression graduation program of
Heavy Day- Last set is AMRAP.
week 1 - 3x3
week 2- 3x5
week 3- 3x6
week 4- start over with 10-20lbs.
Texas Method has weekly 5 lb progressions… that’s 7 weeks. Assuming a couple weeks to adjust to the new scheme and maybe a deload, that’ll get you your goal in 10 weeks.
I honestly had not even considered doing the intense cycle but it would probably be perferct. I wont have access to weights next week but i could start once i come home the week after. I guess back to hating squats again for a month!