Inconsistent Assistance Work

Bigger Stronger Leaner Jim Wendler 5/3/1 Coaching
1

Hey Jim,

I’ve been running your program for around 18 months now , I’m consistently breaking PR’s on my main movements but the problem is been consistent on the assistance work

Some days I’m restricted by time so I’ll only get my main sets in and no assistance and other days I’ll have all the time in the world to get some volume in , is this going to cause problems ?

Am I sweating over the small details too much ?

Is switching the assistance around to suit myself on that day going to hinder me ?

For example I did BBB today after my deadlifts but had more time on my squat day so did the bodybuilding template

Like I say I’m hitting PR’s and never missing training or the main movements out just varying assistance

Any advice would be appreciated

2

There you go right there bud. When that’s no longer happening, then take another look at assistance.

4

Some days I’m restricted by time so I’ll only get my main sets in and no assistance and other days I’ll have all the time in the world to get some volume in , is this going to cause problems ?

This is totally fine - assistance work is important, to a degree. We use “total reps” and a very simple guideline of choosing movements from only 3 categories. HOWEVER, the good thing is that this can be customized AND can be done on other days. We are doing some very cool things with increasing volume/recovery and mobility as ONE total thing. I think too many people see assistance work as “bodybuilding” work and not seeing the entire picture. We have seen great increases in strength, speed, size and recovery by looking at things “total picture” instead of the obsolete “biceps” or “lats” or the even worse “weak point”. I can safely say that doing this how we’ve been doing is the probably the biggest change (besides how we structure the programming in 5 cycle blocks) in training.

Am I sweating over the small details too much?

If your goal is to do exactly what you are doing, then no.

Is switching the assistance around to suit myself on that day going to hinder me ?

Not at all.

5

Yeah I agree I’ve seen the assistance work as either ‘bodybuilding’ stuff or to bring up weak points

When you say the 3 categories are you referring to speed , size and recovery ?

For example I might lay it out like this

Mobility / stretching
Squat 5/3/1 (strength)
FSL squat (speed)
Leg curl for volume (size)
Good mornings as I have a weak lower back after a injury (recovery)
Conditioning work

Is this in the ball park ?

Thanks for everyone’s advice so far

6

I was referring to the assistance work. The three categories are push, pull and core/single leg. We usually do one of each per workout.

7

JIm, Can you elaborate on this?

8

I’m not sure what you mean. We just pick an exercise from those 3 and have at it. Obviously not for every cycle but in general, that is the norm.