I Tried It. It Just Didn't Work for Me

[T-Rad]

His high intensity premise was correct. MM was off regarding volume and frequency.

[T3hPwnisher]

@T-Rad

MM was off

This actually says enough.

It’s interesting how his brother never really got much attention. I always found him fascinating, considering he WASN’T a bodybuilder and was still stupidly yoked.

[T-Rad]

Ray Mentzer competed. he was a former AAU Mr. America. I saw him at the IFBB New England Grand Prix in the early 80s. He was big, but lacked the conditioning his brother had.

[T3hPwnisher]

Ah, disregard: it seems I had poor intel.

[T-Rad]

Ya, MM kind of lost it at the end, unfortunately. Should’ve won 1980 Mr. O (and I’m a huge Arnold fan). He never recovered psychologically from that loss.

[Friedrich]

Of course Ray Mentzer did compete in bodybuilding and won Mr. America? But, I believe there is a third brother. I just recently read that I think.

[QuadQueen]

What didn’t work for me:

Trying to run CrossFit regular programming, CrossFit Endurance programming, and Crossfit Strength Bias programming all at the same time… It seemed like a good idea at the time??? Lol

[TrainForPain]

@twojarslave

It can do all of those things, because it is lifting friggin’ weights, which always works when you bust a little ass and keep consistent without wrecking yourself

This is such a good point. I tend to feel like it’s pretty hard to screw up lifting weights, but I don’t find everyone agrees with that sentiment

[TrainForPain]

@QuadQueen

Trying to run CrossFit regular programming, CrossFit Endurance programming, and Crossfit Strength Bias programming all at the same time

What was the thought process that drove this attempt??

[antiquity]

@T3hPwnisher

And right now, it’s Tactical Barbell.

TB and 531 are my two favorites. I think you nailed it with 531, and I’d add it’s a slow burner of a program where you simply keep your head down, move the weights, and stick with it. Suddenly, you realize you’re so much more capable and “more awesome” than you were months ago.

TB is a game changer and more effective for shorter term results. I’ve run the original as written “Black + operator” and it’ll get you in shape like you never imagined. It’s a great way to program hard conditioning alongside strength work. It’s really nothing new or groundbreaking (the Operator is really 5 x 531, but programs weighted pull ups), but the way it’s presented and combined with conditioning is fantastic.

[alex_uk]

I’ve tried reactive hypertrophy, don’t think I got too far into it, keep meaning to revisit it but never feel like John’s programs gel with me (I do struggle to stick with traditional bodybuilding style programs).

[Kafkatamura]

Planned rest days. I find life is pretty good at taking care of that for me. Also, physical activity makes me happy. Why would I then voluntarily restrict they? Incidentally, the above is probably why I’ve always struggled with abbreviated training.

[Frank_C]

@darnell_becker

It’s been a while since I’ve ran 5/3/1 but I don’t recall having to hit anything beyond the target reps (5, 3 or 1).

My first run at it was the official with PR sets and the goal of beating the previous workout.

@darnell_becker

did you ever skip the deloads?

I never found a good fit for me. I tried the 5 x 40%, 50%, and 60% but I felt weak when I started the next cycle. I tried TM testing, too.

@alex_uk

45 masters

I’m going to have to check this out.

@TrainForPain

What have you found makes it enjoyable for you now?

I wish I had a good answer. I guess I’m training out of necessity right now. I want to maintain some strength and stay healthy (which means cardio and mobility). I don’t want to do anything most days and I seem to be perpetually sore.

I like the way I feel after I finish a CrossFit inspired MetCon but only if it’s spot on for my conditioning. If it’s too much then I obviously feel wrecked.

I felt pretty good after yesterday’s Best Damn session - even with rest/pause reps on leg press. I’m going to try to go back for my first pulling session of the program today.

[Njord]

@GulliverMcGee

For my westside conjugate program, I am working up to around 90% for triples on both ME upper/lower days. I then do two backoff sets at 85% of my max for that day. So I don’t think it was intensity as much as it was frequency. On 5/3/1 I always understated my max for that reason but it didn’t quite work for me. Everyone is different, lots of people love Jim’s program, just didn’t do it for me.

I don’t think you can compare the two. Westside Conjugate is designed to get lifters as strong as possible as quickly as possible.

5/3/1 was written by a former powerlifter who said in his own words that he was done powerlifting and wanted a no frills, simple program with a slow progression.

This would be like comparing a corvette and a suburban. Both serve a purpose, but neither can fill in for the other.

[davemccright]

I don’t think there’s anything I’ve ever done training-wise that simply didn’t work at all. I have my favorites of course. Fortitude Training, Mountain Dog and DC Training being my 3 favorites and I also really liked 5/3/1 and gained pretty well with Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty I and II programs. I used Scooby1961’s teen workout program for about 8 years too great success. Maybe I’m just a good responder to training.

You know what, I actually would say that Super Slow Training didn’t really work for me, both in results and satisfaction from training. I love hoisting heavy iron and Super Slow doesn’t really satisfy that and I felt like a dingus having my brother time all of my reps.

[QuadQueen]

The short story version - youth and stupidity. lol

I’ll tell you the long story version sometime when we talk again - if you’re bored and really want to hear it.

[barley1]

@davemccright

Maybe I’m just a good responder to training.

I think there’s some truth to this.

On the other hand, your great results may be because you work hard in the gym, lift big weights, and are enthusiastic as hell about training and recovery.

And, yeah, Super Slow is booooring.

[davemccright]

I appreciate your kind words and I think you’re right, I’m always excited about training and pushing as hard as I can and try to be very regimented with my nutrition outside of the gym. Those are all things that I consider to be tantamount to success.

I’ve seen 531 mentioned a lot here, and I actually really really like 531. I ran it for a year and made the most progress on my big lifts that I ever have. It’s extremely easy to follow and progress and there are leaders and anchors for just about every goal. I really enjoy that variety.

[Andrewgen_Receptors]

@T3hPwnisher

It’s not a routine, it’s an actual way to PROGRAM training. Leaders and anchors are accumulation and intensification phases, alternating different 5/3/1 programs allows you to employ phasic training (do the prowler challenge for GPP, BBB/Building the Monolith for accumulation, 5x5 SSL with jokers for intensification, etc), it forces you to do some explosive work with the jumps and throws, and it’s got the assistance work for hypertrophy.

Yeah, but it took Wendler like 4 books to come out with most of that stuff…

Seems pretty suspect when your original idea takes 3 follow-ons to justify why it works, you know?

[freshyfresh]

@Andrewgen_Receptors

Wendler

Idk why but this reminded me of the time someone told me “Wendler could suck the fun out of an orgy and ruin the happiest of wet dreams”