5/3/1 for Grappling

Started my second cycle of 5/3/1 today, for the most part following the triumvirate template laid out in the article on this site, thought I would start a log to keep myself accountable and consistent. I just turned 18, and have been lifting for about 2 years now, but have had interruptions from lacrosse and wrestling. No more excuses though, as I am out of organized team sports and have access to all you can eat dining commons food at school. Goals are to increase strength for grappling (no-gi and BJJ), and I wouldn’t mind some extra mass. I will probably move up to middleweight (181 with gi on) by next spring.

Current Stats:
Height: 5’9"
Weight: 165 ~10% BF
Bench: 200x3
Military: 145x2
ATG Squat: 240x3
Deadlift: 305x4

11/8: Military Press

A) Military Press
5x85, 5x100, 10x115, felt strong so I put a plate on each side and hit an easy 2x135

B) Chin-Ups
75 total reps
(started with shoulder width pronated grip, moved to close neutral grip as fatigue set in on last few sets)

C) Dips
25 total reps
(2 easy sets of 15 and 10, will probably add weight next time)

11/9: 6:00 PM BJJ class

11/10: Squats

A) Squat
5x145, 5x170, 11x190

B) Leg Press
10x 2 plates per side (pps), 20x 3 pps

C) Leg Curl
2x6 w/135

D) Chin-Ups (2 dif. grips)
50 reps

11/12
AM: Bench

A) Bench Press
5x125, 5x145, 11x165

B) Incline DB Press
15x50’s

C) Kroc Rows
15x75’s

PM: No-Gi Jiu Jitsu
5:00-6:00

11/14: Deadlift

A) Deadlift
5x195, 5x225, 5x255

B) Weighted Sit-Ups
3x20 w/ 25 lb. plate

C) DB Shrugs
20x50’s, 20x80’s

D) BW Squats
100 reps

Accidentally wore running shoes to the gym today, really messed up the feel of the deads so i just did the requisite reps and moved on. I’ll go for more reps on the last set next week.

11/15: Military

A) Military Press
3x95, 3x110, 6x120

B) DB Lateral Raise
3x15 w/ 15’s

C) Chin-Ups
50 reps

D) Seated DB Cleans
3x12 w/15’s

FYI, just to let you know there are different types of strengths. Are you sure THIS type will work for grappling? Doesn’t seem like it to me with a “speed strength and limit strength training program” for a sport that requires “nonlinear anaerobic strength endurance, nonlinear aerobic strength, and speed strength.”

I’m just saying, you might want to check that out.

11/16: Squat

A) Squat
3x160, 3x180, 9x205

B) Leg Curl
8x135, 7x135

C) Leg Press
10x2 pps, 20x3 plates+ 25 lb. per side

Yes, I’m aware of different emphases that strength training can place on your body. However, as a 165 pound weakling 5 months out from my next competition, I’m focusing on more traditional weightlifting- “building a base” if you will. Don’t worry, as I get closer to to Pan Am’s I’ll start including more speed, core, unilateral, and bodyweight work.

11/17: 1 hour of no-gi today

11/18: Bench

A) Bench Press
3x135, 3x155, 9x175

B) Chest-Supported Rows
4x10 w/ 45,70,70,80

C) Lat Pulldowns
3x12 w/ 120

D) Chin-Ups
4x8,6,5,7 w/ BW

11/22:
Bitched out on week 2 deadlifts because i still didnt have shoes, didnt have much energy, and was just being a pussy. So moved on to week 3 military instead.

A) Military Press
5x100, 3x115, 4x135

B) Dips
50 reps

C) Chins (2 dif. grips)
50 reps

D) Chest Supported Rows
4x10 w/ 55,55,65,65

11/24: Squat

A) Squat
5x175, 3x195, 5x215

B) Leg Press
10x4pps (wimped out on the 20-rep widowmaker, ill get it next time)

C1) Leg Curl
3x8,6,6 w/ 135

C2) Leg Extension
3x20 w/ 65,65,80

D1) Hanging Leg Raise
3x20

D2) 45* Back Raise
3x20

Didn’t get as many reps as i wanted on my first two exercises, so I added in a lot more volume. I hurt my back/neck/shoulder blade in jiu jitsu and aggravated it military pressing so i wasnt feeling too good this workout. Should be feeling better by bench day hopefully.

11/26: Bench

A) Bench Press
5x145, 3x165, 7x185

B) BB Rows
4x10 w/ 95, 115, 115, 135

C1) V-Bar Pushdowns
3x10

C2) Alt. DB Curls
3x10

Neck was really bugging me on the rows so i didnt go particularly heavy

11/28: Deadlift

A) Deadlift
5x225, 3x255, 3x285

B) 45* Back Raise
5x10 w/ 35 lb. plate

C) Pulldown Abs
4x10

D) DB Shrugs
4x10 w/ 80,80,85,85

Did some random shoulder health stuff at the end, neck/shoulder felt a lot better today.

11/30: Military Press deload

A) Military Press
3x5 w/ 55, 65, 75

B) Chest Supported Rows
5x10 w/ 70,70,70,70,80

C) “Beach Muscle” Circuit: 3x10 ea. of
-Alt. DB Curls
-DB Lateral Raise
-Rope Pushdowns
-Rear Delt Machine

Fun day today, but I think for the next 3 workouts I will try to do a true deload, just the main lift, a full-body circuit to get blood flowing, and some extra prehab work without pushing anything hard; feeling a bit beat up, but my shoulder seems to be on the mend.

12/1: Squat+Bench

A) Squat
3x5 w/ 95, 115, 135

B) Bench
3x5 w/ 75, 95, 115

C1) Lat Pulldown
2x20

C2) Seated DB Press
2x20

D1) Leg Extension
2x20

D2) Seated Leg Curl
2x20

E1) Seated Row
2x20

E2) Machine Chest Press
2x20

F1) BW Decline Russian Twists
2x30

F2) Alt. DB Lunges
2x10 ea. leg

Lots of light supersets to just get a sweat going and the blood pumping. Feeling pretty good and ready to get back into some heavy lifting. One more deload day (deadlift) then I start the next cycle.

12/3: Military Press

A) Military Press
5x90, 5x105, 7x120

B) Flat DB Bench
2x15,10 w/ 60’s

C) Chest-Supported Rows
5x8-12

D1) Rope Pushdowns
3x10-12

D2) Hammer Curls
3x8-12

12/4: Squat

A) Squat
5x155, 5x175, 8x200

B) Bulgarian SS
4x6 w/ 25, 30, 30, 35

C) Hanging Leg Raise
4x15

D) Standing Leg Curls
2x10 ea. leg

E) 45* Back Raise
2x20

12/6: Bench

A) Bench Press
5x130, 5x150, 9x170

B) Incline DB Press
2x11,7 w/ 50’s

C) Lat Pulldowns
4x8-12

D) Rear Delt Machine
3x12-15

E1) Rope Pushdowns
4x8-12

E2) DB Lat Raises
4x8-12