Thursday was always my guage of the cumulative effect of fatigue as it relates to work/recovery.
If I was dragging on Thursday I needed to eat more or do less.
But if I was still fresh on Friday then I’d be able to really kill it on squats or deads Saturday.
Adding 5 lbs a month is certainly the gestalt of it, but fitting it into percentages and rep ranges and how they cycle on a monthly basis are what makes the program to me. It’s spelled out what you’re doing each workout and getting to shut your brain off and just focus on pushing yourself is a nice comfort that makes the program very user friendly. He’s also written a million assistance templates, which I think speaks to what you said, about his ability as a writer and also his creativity.
In theory, any experienced lifter could write out their own program to fit exactly what they like and what they know works for them. However, I think laziness might be one factor as to why many don’t, but also following a program from someone you trust or who’s philosophy aligns with your own will sometimes force you to do something harder than you would probably want to program for yourself. For example; 100 total reps of squats in 10 sets or less in Deep Water, or 20 rep Widow Makers in DC and Super squats. Also some people just like rigid structure.
We’re 100% on the same page here and with your follow-up point about just letting someone else dictate overcomes your own biases
I totally agree Dave, cycling through the rep ranges over the month, before adding weight was the Big takeaway for me too.
A few effective, different workouts to run through, before needing to add weight or reps actually gave me enough time to improve so I could “do more next time,” every time.
It was a big change from how I had done things and thought about progression.
I never ever checked out the Darden forum until your post peaked my curiosity. I read through some threads for maybe 10 minutes and already feel a migraine coming on…holy crap.
Good point. Programming system is a better way to describe it.
I keep going back over there – it’s like a car crash that I just can’t stop looking at.