I’ll give that section another read, thanks. But I honestly think my problem is a lack of muscle. I’m overanalyzing things though – anything should work as long as my recovery is sufficient. It’s more entertaining to have training ADD at these sort of crossroads 
Yo, late drop into this conversation here, but if the above summarizes your situation, you should look into either Coffinworm or Pervertor. Pervertor was a good mix of strength and muscle, and I set lifetime PR’s on squat, bench, and deadlift after Coffinworm. Holy shit do you need to eat a lot on Coffinworm, though.
I’m in the same boat on upper body stuff. Planning on taking it easy for a little while then switching to a building program. Didn’t see anyone mention a TM based program so I’d thought I’d throw it in the mix.
It definitely is, however I wish someone would just tell me what to do at this point because it gets overwhelming with all of the options available.
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Do Mass Made Simple.
You’re welcome
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Dude, try Pervertor. Works well with a lower TM so you can de-stress your body a bit but still build muscle.
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I guess I’m just keen to push PR sets. For example, I managed my best press after Brian Alsruhe’s program, which had a lot of AMRAPs. I never felt like BBB did anything for it. Similar thing for squats… though I think form was a bigger issue , BBB didn’t seem to do much there. And while I certainly understand the whole point is to lift submaximally, 10x5 at FSL, even with short rest periods, feels like a warm-up to me on all the lifts.
This is why the 28 week program in Beyond attracts me right now. Can be 1 main lift/day, can still fit in some conditioning, have an entire plan laid out for a long time, and – most importantly – the fact that I have to not only rep out my steadily increasing TM by the end (no rolling back my TMs at the same place I always stall, i.e. wheel-spinning) but also perform some jokers – would scare me into eating enough to recover. But then again, maybe I just need a good kick in the pants and to do MMS 
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C1W3D1
3x3 jumps
50 pull ups
50 dips
Squat
35x5
85x5
100x5
110x3
125x8
BB Curl 45x18,11
100 band pull aparts
Not feeling great… hungry, long work hours, can’t sleep as a result of those. But I was surprised by my top set of squats.
Followed by some conditioning at the track:
1x400m (1:30), 4x200m (:43, :45, :40, :42), 1x100m (:19)
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Ok
Ok
I’ll read up on both tonight and get a plan together
Edit: sorry for the hijack!
I’m mostly joking, both for yourself and @Bagsy. Mass Made Simple is a very specific tool, it certainly isn’t right for everyone.
Also, the Mass Made Simple on this sight is different from the ebook version but similar enough to get the general idea.
I actually like the T-Nation version the most, probably because it incorporates 5/3/1 and still allows for deadlifting. Leaves room on the 3rd day to focus more on upper body. It might not be right for me because of my poor squat form, though devil’s advocate might say the higher volume at even lower intensities could help me. Doesn’t seem like there’s room for much conditioning if any at all, though then again it’s only 6 weeks directed toward a single goal. I simply “buy in” to 5/3/1 a bit more, haha. Would like to use my belt squat set-up more also.
@boilerman No worries at all, glad the discussion has helped guide you.
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Agreed, although I prefer the ebook version for complexes and high rep squats.
Also agreed
Also agreed
How about something totally different like a leg focussed bodybuilding program?
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Bro-split. Try it at least once.
Though MMS could be a good thing though once snow starts falling here and if it gets bitterly cold. Probably wouldn’t be running hills or anything at that point, so I will be limited to Assault bike (nowhere near as taxing).
Bodybuilding doesn’t really compel me, honestly. I still have time to decide, and I am overthinking things of course. Seems like Dan highly recommends getting as lean as reasonably possible before MMS, and I reckon that’s a good idea regardless of whatever I choose. I think I still have to fight against a few more pounds before I feel “ready.” 
Focusing on one thing at a time should be good.
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I have. Obviously. Isn’t that how every male who first sets foot in a gym trains? Monday chest day, Tuesday arms day, Wednesday Bench day, Thursday triceps and biceps, Friday back.
The suggestion was to @Bagsy
I started with stronglifts as a teenager. I wish I had started with something else that didn’t marry me to squats as much mentally. There’s a boxer on here I can relate to.
Fixed that for you.
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When I was transitioning out of a distance running stint in college, I was blending StrongLifts and CrossFit together for a long time and didn’t know what I was doing. Then I stopped and did GZCL for a little while, still didn’t know what I was doing (e.g. didn’t deload once for over a year), then started 5/3/1 and trying to figure things out more. One could easily argue that I’m still an idiot because I’ve trained this long and still have sucky lifts, hahaha. But reading works by trustworthy authors and being here help. Honestly, don’t most people start off doing something stupid?
I pretty much only did bench, arms, and back to start. Then threw in some really ugly deadlifts, then threw in some uglier squats while trying to run smolov for a second. I then did some more idiotic stuff for the next 5ish years, followed by a few of slightly less idiotic, followed by only somewhat idiotic stuff. Needless to say, yea everyone does dumb stuff, just learn from it all. I’m getting to the point (after such a long time) where I’m realizing that form is the most important thing and that improving my form gets me gains way faster than building muscle.
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C1W3D2
3x3 jumps
Squat
35x5
85x5
100x5
110x5
Bench
35x8
55x5
70x5
80x3
90x6
SA BB Row +42.5x5x10
Landmine Belt Squat +40x25
100 band pull aparts
Nothing exciting, but on the bright side the scale is finally moving again. I think I’ve been retaining a lot of water. Was so tired yesterday that I had a headache + bloodshot eyes all day. Not that the scale is the be-all and end-all, but finally seeing a number < 120 is nice. 119.4. I think I can tolerate this a few more weeks.
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