So I’ve decided to run this type of peaking program into my next meet May 17th. My current best lifts are a 505 squat, 330 bench, and a 617 deadlift. My goals for the meet are a 517 squat, 341 bench, and a 628 deadlift. I’ve set up two sets of numbers. One set is more conservative working up to only hitting 90% of the goals for 2x2. The other set of numbers has me hitting anywhere between 92%-96% of the goals for the 2x2. I’ll place the numbers side by side.
In your opinions, what one do you think would give me the better chance of hitting my goals? I want to get stronger obviously but I don’t want to run myself into the ground. The sets and reps are a bit different between the options and option 2 ends heavier. If I did choose option one, it’s in the hope I’d be fresh and explosive the whole training cycle building momentum, and with option 2, I’d push harder hit bigger numbers with less reps per set.
I’m leaning towards option number 2 but at the same time I don’t want to be hardheaded so some opinions would greatly help! Thanks a lot. (I write it out SxRxW)
Squat Option 1______________Squat Option 2
W1: 3x10x310______________3x8x315
W2: 3x10x330______________3x8x340
W3: 3x8x350_______________3x5x360
W4: 3x8x370_______________3x5x375
W5: 3x5x390_______________3x5x390
W6: 3x5x405_______________3x5x405
W7: 3x4x420_______________3x3x430
W8: 3x3x435_______________3x3x445
W9: 3x2x450_______________3x2x460
W10: 2x2x465________________2x2x480
Meet Week
Bench Option 1______________Bench Option 2
W1: 3x10x215______________3x10x205
W2: 3x10x225______________3x10x220
W3: 3x8x235_______________3x8x230
W4: 3x8x245_______________3x8x240
W5: 3x5x255_______________3x5x265
W6: 3x5x265_______________3x5x275
W7: 3x4x275_______________3x3x285
W8: 3x3x285_______________3x3x300
W9: 3x2x295_______________3x2x310
W10: 2x2x305_______________2x2x320
Meet Week
Deadlift Option 1___________Deadlift Option 2
W1: 3x10x445______________2x8x460
W2: 3x8x460_______________3x5x480
W3: 3x8x475_______________3x5x500
W4: 3x5x490_______________3x5x515
W5: 3x5x505_______________3x5x530
W6: 3x4x520_______________3x3x550
W7: 3x3x535_______________3x3x570
W8: 3x2x550_______________3x2x595
W9: 2x2x565_______________2x2x605
W10 Off____________________Off
Meet Week
Although I don’t have any powerlifting experience I prefer option 2 as I believe lifting that bit more heavier will prepare you better overall, good luck with your training and meet 
At the end of the day I think its just splitting hairs, go with the harder option if you feel ready and if it gets to be too much you can always go to the other option youve made.
Long meet prep time has worked (8-16wks out).
Personally, if your training is right during the “offseason”; you really only need about 4 weeks. Train for increasing strength thru sub max work for as long as possible before prepping for heavier weight.
For example: I follow 531. I do the normal template until a few weeks out. I then stop going for rep maxes and only hit the required reps. Then I do the Joker sets (for me, that means heavier singles) to get the body ready for some heavier weight. I never grind. I make sure all lifts are done explosively. That keeps me honest w/ myself.
There’s no sense while training to beat yourself up w/ near max weight. Wait until you are a few weeks out to do that. You’ll last longer in the game and be fresher come meet prep time.
Ask yourself this - Do you think you’ll hit all those numbers you have posted in either option above? Or do you think it would be better to allow your body to make that decision each session? What happens if you don’t hit your pre-calculated numbers? What does that do to your mindset? Make you work harder - rethink the whole meet prep - get discouraged?
Just trying to give you some other options to think about.
Everyone is right. And just to be a troll, here are my primary squat workout numbers leading up to my first power meet in October 2012.
Week 1: 415x5
Week 2: 405x8
Week 3: 425x5
Week 4: 455x2x2
Week 5: 435x2, 455x2, 415x4
Week 6: 445x2, 465x2, 475x2
Week 7: 455x3, 485x1, 415x6
Week 8: 465x2, 425x2
Week 9: 485x2, 415x3
Meet: BW: 240, age: 36—Opened with 450, then 485, then 515. (Belt and Knee Wraps)–Bench Press and Deadlift were unexceptional.
I can’t claim that any weights lifted were well thought out in advance, I didn’t have coaching or a lifting partner, and my accessory work was all over the place in terms of volume and exercise selection. I tried to limit knee wrap use to stuff over 450. I used Olympic lifting shoes.
In general, I think your planned volume is too high, but since you’re stronger than I am in that lift I’ll shut up now.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I changed up just a few things with the prep and started at 8’s rather than 10’s for the squat and am working my way down. Five weeks out I added progressively higher singles to get my body a bit used to that. Some of the suggestions sound great to play around with too.