Hey guys,
Trying to plan a 3 week strength cycle (I will be out of the gym for 8 days for travel in Inner Mongolia). I figure serious overtraining would be ideal prior to my time away from the gym. I just finished Smolov Base for Squats & Bench at the same time, running for 5 weeks (first 3 as scheduled, add 10 pounds for weeks 4 & 5). New stats:
Weight: 157
Squat: 275
Bench: 250
Deadlift: 330
OHP: Probs ~150 (no max)
I know my strength levels probably don’t warrant Smolov, but I box in college, and will have to start cutting in about a month, so I want to get everything I can out of my last stint of strength gaining. I feel that starting a Texas Method (or equivalent) would have limited benefit if the duration is restricted to 3 weeks.
1st idea: Would a Smolov Jr. Deadlift & OHP cycle (simultaneous; 3 weeks of base) be beneficial for strength and muscle gains?
2nd idea: a mutation of 5x5 for squat (3x a week; Texas style?) with smolov jr. OHP
3rd idea: 5x5 for squat (3x a week; Texas style?), non-squat day for heavy deads, & bench/OHP alternating
4th idea: Smolov Jr. Deadlift + bench/OHP alternating
One of my main concerns is that after deadlifts, my lats/upper body may be too fried to OHP well. Any validity to this? Also, I’m concerned that by focusing on deadlifts/OHP, my squat/bench will suffer, while the inverse seems not to be the case.
Any thoughts/suggestions/feedback would be greatly appreciated.