I’m on my fourth cycle of 5/3/1. I maxed again after the 3rd cycle. The issue is with my deadlift. During the first cycle I got 21 reps with 305 on the 3+ week, during the second cycle I got 21 reps with 315 on the 3+ week, during the thrid cycle I got 19 reps with 325 on the 3+ week. Then when it is time to max out after the 3rd cycle I only pull 395.
Needless to say I was very discouraged. I understand that I am getting stronger, especially when you look at the numbers I wrote above as I progressed through the cycles. What pisses me off is the fact that I feel like with the number of reps that I am getting I should be pulling over 400. Could this be a technique thing or just a patience thing?
Higher reps don’t equate very well - but it sounds like you need to learn patience. If you want to bench press 500, you need to bench 495 for 10 reps. That is my motto.
I think you need to concentrate on getting stronger, not on formulas. But what do I know…
15 plus reps and the predicted maxes start getting a little wonky. Also are you doing touch n go reps? If you are then you’re getting the benefit of a slight bounce which you won’t get on a single pull max. Sounds like you need to increase your training max a lot.
Just stay the course. Keep adding those ten pounds a cycle to your training max and train your ass off. You’ll be surprised where you will be in a years time doing it this way. Marathon…not a sprint.
[quote]Jim Wendler wrote:
Higher reps don’t equate very well - but it sounds like you need to learn patience. If you want to bench press 500, you need to bench 495 for 10 reps. That is my motto.
I think you need to concentrate on getting stronger, not on formulas. But what do I know…[/quote]
IMO, that calculator is only to help you find a training max if you don’t max out in the gym. It can also be used as a gauge to see if you are getting stronger as the cycles progress.
[quote]deepsquats220 wrote:
You can pull 315 x 21 and not pull over 400? Not doubting you, just making sure I understand as that seems incredibly unusual. [/quote]
I agree that it sounds unusual. The OP could be doing 315 TNG with shitty form, which may not translate to pulling 405 with decent form. One possible explanation.
I have seen that with people that only work higher rep ranges where max calculators don’t work anymore, hence the importance of hitting a variety of ranges. But hitting 21 on a 3+ week seems excessive. The OP might benefit from doing some joker sets to feel heavier weight.
[quote]THERick wrote:
I’m on my fourth cycle of 5/3/1. I maxed again after the 3rd cycle. The issue is with my deadlift. During the first cycle I got 21 reps with 305 on the 3+ week, during the second cycle I got 21 reps with 315 on the 3+ week, during the thrid cycle I got 19 reps with 325 on the 3+ week. Then when it is time to max out after the 3rd cycle I only pull 395.
Needless to say I was very discouraged. I understand that I am getting stronger, especially when you look at the numbers I wrote above as I progressed through the cycles. What pisses me off is the fact that I feel like with the number of reps that I am getting I should be pulling over 400. Could this be a technique thing or just a patience thing?[/quote]
Not to be a dick but I’m calling BS. Post a video of your deadlifts, even if your form is off there is no way you could be pulling 315 for 21 and still not be able to get 400 unless your trying to get 400 right after you get 315 for 21.
I don’t doubt it. When I trained exclusively with 20 rep squats, I could squat 210 for 20 but only squat 235 for a single. Surprised me too.
Not the same lift obviously, and my background was as a distance runner, but just providing another example that endurance strength doesn’t always translate to limit strength.
[quote]THERick wrote:
I’m on my fourth cycle of 5/3/1. I maxed again after the 3rd cycle. The issue is with my deadlift. During the first cycle I got 21 reps with 305 on the 3+ week, during the second cycle I got 21 reps with 315 on the 3+ week, during the thrid cycle I got 19 reps with 325 on the 3+ week. Then when it is time to max out after the 3rd cycle I only pull 395.
Needless to say I was very discouraged. I understand that I am getting stronger, especially when you look at the numbers I wrote above as I progressed through the cycles. What pisses me off is the fact that I feel like with the number of reps that I am getting I should be pulling over 400. Could this be a technique thing or just a patience thing?[/quote]
Not to be a dick but I’m calling BS. Post a video of your deadlifts, even if your form is off there is no way you could be pulling 315 for 21 and still not be able to get 400 unless your trying to get 400 right after you get 315 for 21.[/quote]
Yeah that sounds a tad weird. Seeing as you pull touch and go, maybe you should try dead stop instead. I found that I couldn’t pull anywhere near the same amount of reps when I switched over. Maybe you’ll experience the same thing.
[quote]THERick wrote:
I’m on my fourth cycle of 5/3/1. I maxed again after the 3rd cycle. The issue is with my deadlift. During the first cycle I got 21 reps with 305 on the 3+ week, during the second cycle I got 21 reps with 315 on the 3+ week, during the thrid cycle I got 19 reps with 325 on the 3+ week. Then when it is time to max out after the 3rd cycle I only pull 395.
Needless to say I was very discouraged. I understand that I am getting stronger, especially when you look at the numbers I wrote above as I progressed through the cycles. What pisses me off is the fact that I feel like with the number of reps that I am getting I should be pulling over 400. Could this be a technique thing or just a patience thing?[/quote]
Not to be a dick but I’m calling BS. Post a video of your deadlifts, even if your form is off there is no way you could be pulling 315 for 21 and still not be able to get 400 unless your trying to get 400 right after you get 315 for 21.[/quote]
Nice clean lifts. I see zero “bounce assistance” just the natural bar moving advantage. Got any videos of near max attempts? Your efforts ought to have you moving 500. How does your squatting equate to your deadlift?
No videos yet of near max attempts. I am going to try some Joker Sets this week and see where it gets me. I just started experimenting with joker sets on other lifts and I can understand their usefullness.
As far a grip is concerned, I never have a problem with grip. Especially with an alternating grip. I use chalks, not a believer in straps. Always felt like if I can’t hold the way, I don’t deserve to lift it.
[quote]deepsquats220 wrote:
You can pull 315 x 21 and not pull over 400? Not doubting you, just making sure I understand as that seems incredibly unusual. [/quote]
I agree that it sounds unusual. The OP could be doing 315 TNG with shitty form, which may not translate to pulling 405 with decent form. One possible explanation.[/quote]
OP, I apologize for assuming you used shitty form on your TNG reps. I thought the form looked pretty good for the first few reps. You definitely fatigued toward the end, but after 20 reps who wouldn’t? Definitely try doing a quick reset between every rep in addition to the jokers. Even though you weren’t bouncing, you still get some momentum going by doing TNG reps.
It wouldn’t let me view The vid but I believe you. Def do what everyone has said and pull some jokers. I would also advice cutting your reps short instead of going for as many as possible.
This may go against the grain on this forum, but I just can’t see a good reason to deadlift in rep ranges that high. That may be useful for assistance work, but this is your main lift. I understand the long term approach, but doing sets of 20 is just not an efficient way to get stronger. Especially if you’re interested in a 1RM. Sets of 20 will not prepare you for sets of 1.