Hey guys… First time poster on T-Nation. Just have a question on which template I should do for 5/3/1. I have been doing the ‘triumvirate’ template for three cycles now. My lifts have gone up considerably but, I was just wondering of a different template any of you would recommend I try for the next three or four cycles?
Thanks
If its working why change it? But…if all the main lift work stays the same and is consistent, I guess you could do whichever one you felt like. Also, shouldn’t you run a template for than three cycles at first? have you even gotten your TM back to your previous maxes?
[quote]contender12 wrote:
Hey guys… First time poster on T-Nation. Just have a question on which template I should do for 5/3/1. I have been doing the ‘triumvirate’ template for three cycles now. My lifts have gone up considerably but, I was just wondering of a different template any of you would recommend I try for the next three or four cycles?
Thanks[/quote]
Jims reply to some other dude… basically just pick one that looks interesting to you and fucking own it.
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
Best bet - switch between the two. Or better yet switch between the dozens of different templates that are offered. The PRINCIPLES are the same, they are 100% interchangeable and they are all proven to work. All you need to do is add 1 ton of hardwork and 2 tons of effort. Be consistent and you’ll get “there”. The thing that is holding you back right now is “you want it NOW” but don’t realize you must pay the price - and that price is 2 decades of those added ingredients.
Do you have what it takes? Few do. See what you are made of. Because it will carry over to everything in your life (if you know how to apply them). A sad and de-evolved human race has only 3 outlets of physical activity that can help sharpen his character with training being one of them. Do yourself a favor and don’t be a growing number of a generation of soft, pear shaped stains of failure. Train to shape. Train to mold. And train to harden mind, body and soul.
So yeah, switch between the two. Anyone who says differently should be gutted. [/quote]
[quote]Young33 wrote:
If its working why change it? But…if all the main lift work stays the same and is consistent, I guess you could do whichever one you felt like. Also, shouldn’t you run a template for than three cycles at first? have you even gotten your TM back to your previous maxes? [/quote]
It is working and love the template… for bench and OHP, I have matches my maxes and for squats and deadlifts, they are 10-15 pounds of my previous maxes so far.
I guess I will do the ‘triumvirate’ till it stops working.
Thanks for the response
yeah man, if its working why change it up? as long as you enjoy it, and you do, i wouldnt change it at all till it dries up…
I’ve been running 531 since April and have only stalled on OHP, and have found assistance doesn’t matter as long as you use the same 531 programming for your main lifts. I use a cramped, overcrowded military gym, so if someones using the adjustable bench and my normal assistance is 5x10 incline DB bench, then i switch to Dips or flat bench etc… some weeks my assistance is completely different from the previous week.
It really doesn’t matter so long as you’re not doing assistance too heavy so as to impede recovery from the main lift. BBB is best for newer lifters not because 5x10 version of the main lift is going to build more mass than 5x10 similar excercise, but because it reinforces the movement pattern of the main lift. So, something to keep in mind if you have technical issues with any lifts. Also, I find people don’t give the “bodyweight” options enough credit, especially as a way to finish a session.
[quote]Zoro wrote:
I’ve been running 531 since April and have only stalled on OHP, and have found assistance doesn’t matter as long as you use the same 531 programming for your main lifts. I use a cramped, overcrowded military gym, so if someones using the adjustable bench and my normal assistance is 5x10 incline DB bench, then i switch to Dips or flat bench etc… some weeks my assistance is completely different from the previous week.
It really doesn’t matter so long as you’re not doing assistance too heavy so as to impede recovery from the main lift. BBB is best for newer lifters not because 5x10 version of the main lift is going to build more mass than 5x10 similar excercise, but because it reinforces the movement pattern of the main lift. So, something to keep in mind if you have technical issues with any lifts. Also, I find people don’t give the “bodyweight” options enough credit, especially as a way to finish a session.[/quote]
IN the new Beyond 5/3/1 book there is actually a beginner’s specific template that is very good. 
I think i’m going to do ‘Triumvirate’ for a few more cycles and then explore some more templates in the Beyond 5/3/1…
There are dozens of templates to follow - they all follow the same principles. Since the program is based 99.9% on the four basic lifts, their progression and their emphasis, what you do AFTER isn’t so much of a concern. Don’t be afraid to switch every 5 cycles - thus following the PROVEN 5 forward/3 back.
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
There are dozens of templates to follow - they all follow the same principles. Since the program is based 99.9% on the four basic lifts, their progression and their emphasis, what you do AFTER isn’t so much of a concern. Don’t be afraid to switch every 5 cycles - thus following the PROVEN 5 forward/3 back.[/quote]
Just curious as there are couple of ways to interpret 5/3, do you count the first cycle as 0 or 1?
First way:
tm 100
110
120
130
140
reset
110
120
130
140
150
reset
120
…
Second way:
tm 100
110
120
130
140
reset
110
120
130
140
150
160
reset
130
…
The first way one does five cycles before reset and on the second one actually does six cycles before reset but as the first cycle is not an advancement one kinda only goes five forward.
It doesn’t matter much, i believe, but just wanted to check your idea of it.
[quote]jajarven wrote:
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
There are dozens of templates to follow - they all follow the same principles. Since the program is based 99.9% on the four basic lifts, their progression and their emphasis, what you do AFTER isn’t so much of a concern. Don’t be afraid to switch every 5 cycles - thus following the PROVEN 5 forward/3 back.[/quote]
Just curious as there are couple of ways to interpret 5/3, do you count the first cycle as 0 or 1?
First way:
tm 100
110
120
130
140
reset
110
120
130
140
150
reset
120
…
Second way:
tm 100
110
120
130
140
reset
110
120
130
140
150
160
reset
130
…
The first way one does five cycles before reset and on the second one actually does six cycles before reset but as the first cycle is not an advancement one kinda only goes five forward.
It doesn’t matter much, i believe, but just wanted to check your idea of it.[/quote]
You count the first cycle as “1”. I don’t know where you came up with these examples; do 5 cycles. Then go back 3. Then do 5 cycles. You can do it however you want though as it is the idea/principle that are important. Some people do 4/2 or something similar.