http://www.T-Nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/the_big_5_of_getting_big
In the article, “The Big 5 of Getting Big” by Dan John, he suggests putting away all but the 25 and 45 lb plates. I can only see this somewhat working if youre doing something like working up to 20 reps with the weight then increasing weight to knock it back down to like 7 reps. Maybe I read it wrong, I dont know.
Any ideas anyone?
-Zep
How would this only work if you’re doing 20 reps, and then 7? That makes no sense.
The message is “don’t progress slowly”. Not “Once you’ve benched 185 I’ll slap you if you put anything less than 225 on the bar”.
Like Kakno said, it’s at least in part to avoid overly slow progress.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
Just get in, lift heavy, don’t stress about sticking to a program, and see what happens. So your workout might start off with:
Squat
95 x 15
135 x 12
185 x 10
225 x 6
275 x 2
or Flat bench
95 x 12
135 x 8
185 x 3
185 x 3
185 x 2
185 x 1
[quote]Chris87 wrote:
How would this only work if you’re doing 20 reps, and then 7? That makes no sense.[/quote]
I think what Zeppelin means is that you’d have to be able to do a lot of reps with a certain weight to be able to do that lift with another big plate on the bar. Can’t really have an opinion on that article but I just wanted to clear up that misunderstanding.
[quote]marrot wrote:
[quote]Chris87 wrote:
How would this only work if you’re doing 20 reps, and then 7? That makes no sense.[/quote]
I think what Zeppelin means is that you’d have to be able to do a lot of reps with a certain weight to be able to do that lift with another big plate on the bar. Can’t really have an opinion on that article but I just wanted to clear up that misunderstanding.[/quote]
Yes, this.
They say that 60% of your 1rm is your 20rm. So for 185, doing 20 reps would mean that your max is somewhere around 300. Your 10rm is somewhere around 75% of your 1rm, this would put you somewhere around 225. If you can only get 185 for 5, then how are you supposed to progress to 225 for anything? Using this system, that would be the next weight that you would use because you arent using anything below 25’s.
I just dont understand how this is supposed to make you progress faster. If you cant get reps of the next weight.
-Zep
You obviously missed this.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
You are using a calculator to figure out everything, he is using plates.
Or
Just do it, you will be surprised that the answer comes to you after actually doing it.
Aight, were gonna go with the just move some Iron and eat approach for 2 weeks and see what happens.
-Zep
LOL @ 2 weeks
[quote]Zeppelin0731 wrote:
Aight, were gonna go with the just move some Iron and eat approach for 2 weeks and see what happens.
-Zep[/quote]
Do this but for 6 months. You joined in 2008 and haven’t worked out how to add weight to the bar yet?!
[quote]The Rattler wrote:
[quote]Zeppelin0731 wrote:
Aight, were gonna go with the just move some Iron and eat approach for 2 weeks and see what happens.
-Zep[/quote]
Do this but for 6 months. You joined in 2008 and haven’t worked out how to add weight to the bar yet?![/quote]
Excuse the sarcasm bud.
-Zep
[quote]JFG wrote:
You obviously missed this.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
You are using a calculator to figure out everything, he is using plates.
Or
Just do it, you will be surprised that the answer comes to you after actually doing it.[/quote]
a) Realize this is the beginner’s forum. For people to ask beginner’s questions. By people who want to learn. Experienced people are answering as if the question or person asking is unworthy.
b) It IS a confusing concept for beginners. If I can do 135x5, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x8, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x12, maybe I can grind one at 185. Do I have to wait until I can do 135x15 before progressing my weights? This sounds like a ridiculous way to progress. If the plan has merit, smart, experienced, knowledgeable people such as yourselves ought to know how to explain it.
It could be useful one day - it’s worth asking. An experienced person can progress from lifting 315lbs to 325lbs to 365lbs because it’s a much lower percentage of the total weight lifted at the upper ranges. A beginner thinking about it in his own range is puzzled by the concept. I imagine if you can only do 185x5, you have to use smaller weights to progress.
c) “just move some iron”, “don’t follow a plan” also sounds like terrible advice for a beginner. People come to the beginner’s forum to figure out what to do. A little guidance, a little direction. Being told, “don’t worry about it” seems dismissive.
d) why is answering this way so common in the beginner’s forum? Why do people spend the energy to answer if they don’t really want to?
[quote]qsar wrote:
[quote]JFG wrote:
You obviously missed this.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
You are using a calculator to figure out everything, he is using plates.
Or
Just do it, you will be surprised that the answer comes to you after actually doing it.[/quote]
a) Realize this is the beginner’s forum. For people to ask beginner’s questions. By people who want to learn. Experienced people are answering as if the question or person asking is unworthy.
b) It IS a confusing concept for beginners. If I can do 135x5, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x8, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x12, maybe I can grind one at 185. Do I have to wait until I can do 135x15 before progressing my weights? This sounds like a ridiculous way to progress. If the plan has merit, smart, experienced, knowledgeable people such as yourselves ought to know how to explain it. It could be useful one day - it’s worth asking. An experienced person can progress from lifting 315lbs to 325lbs to 365lbs because it’s a much lower percentage of the total weight lifted at the upper ranges. A beginner thinking about it in his own range is puzzled by the concept. I imagine if you can only do 185x5, you have to use smaller weights to progress.
c) “just move some iron”, “don’t follow a plan” also sounds like terrible advice for a beginner. People come to the beginner’s forum to figure out what to do. A little guidance, a little direction. Being told, “don’t worry about it” seems dismissive.
d) why is answering this way so common in the beginner’s forum? Why do people spend the energy to answer if they don’t really want to?
[/quote]
“just do it, and the answer will come to you” is a legit answer for a LOT of newb questions here.
too often, people ask questions here when they ought to just try it for themselves and let their own personal experience answer the question. I find that approach has answered my questions much more clearly than the words that someone else posts here.
[quote]qsar wrote:
[quote]JFG wrote:
You obviously missed this.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
You are using a calculator to figure out everything, he is using plates.
Or
Just do it, you will be surprised that the answer comes to you after actually doing it.[/quote]
a) Realize this is the beginner’s forum. For people to ask beginner’s questions. By people who want to learn. Experienced people are answering as if the question or person asking is unworthy.
b) It IS a confusing concept for beginners. If I can do 135x5, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x8, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x12, maybe I can grind one at 185. Do I have to wait until I can do 135x15 before progressing my weights? This sounds like a ridiculous way to progress. If the plan has merit, smart, experienced, knowledgeable people such as yourselves ought to know how to explain it.
It could be useful one day - it’s worth asking. An experienced person can progress from lifting 315lbs to 325lbs to 365lbs because it’s a much lower percentage of the total weight lifted at the upper ranges. A beginner thinking about it in his own range is puzzled by the concept. I imagine if you can only do 185x5, you have to use smaller weights to progress.
c) “just move some iron”, “don’t follow a plan” also sounds like terrible advice for a beginner. People come to the beginner’s forum to figure out what to do. A little guidance, a little direction. Being told, “don’t worry about it” seems dismissive.
d) why is answering this way so common in the beginner’s forum? Why do people spend the energy to answer if they don’t really want to?
[/quote]
Because he was given an answer, he just chose to ignore it and answer someone that was on the same page as him. I didn’t tell him to shut up and lift. I pointed to him what he missed and gave him answers on a different level.
The article was plain and easy. He chose to concentrate on math when even the article told him not to. It’s not a beginner question, it’s a lack of comprehension question. He got it, he will try it.
The “lol at 2 weeks” is common. Try something for 12 weeks if you want to build an opinion.
We answered. Next time, PM the culprits. Keep the thread to the subject.
[quote]JFG wrote:
[quote]qsar wrote:
[quote]JFG wrote:
You obviously missed this.
Also, re-read the last few sentences:
“You may or may not like this advice, but at least try a few workouts without using your calculator and spreadsheets and move some iron. It may shock you.”
You are using a calculator to figure out everything, he is using plates.
Or
Just do it, you will be surprised that the answer comes to you after actually doing it.[/quote]
a) Realize this is the beginner’s forum. For people to ask beginner’s questions. By people who want to learn. Experienced people are answering as if the question or person asking is unworthy.
b) It IS a confusing concept for beginners. If I can do 135x5, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x8, I can do ZERO at 185. If I can do 135x12, maybe I can grind one at 185. Do I have to wait until I can do 135x15 before progressing my weights? This sounds like a ridiculous way to progress. If the plan has merit, smart, experienced, knowledgeable people such as yourselves ought to know how to explain it.
It could be useful one day - it’s worth asking. An experienced person can progress from lifting 315lbs to 325lbs to 365lbs because it’s a much lower percentage of the total weight lifted at the upper ranges. A beginner thinking about it in his own range is puzzled by the concept. I imagine if you can only do 185x5, you have to use smaller weights to progress.
c) “just move some iron”, “don’t follow a plan” also sounds like terrible advice for a beginner. People come to the beginner’s forum to figure out what to do. A little guidance, a little direction. Being told, “don’t worry about it” seems dismissive.
d) why is answering this way so common in the beginner’s forum? Why do people spend the energy to answer if they don’t really want to?
[/quote]
Because he was given an answer, he just chose to ignore it and answer someone that was on the same page as him. I didn’t tell him to shut up and lift. I pointed to him what he missed and gave him answers on a different level.
The article was plain and easy. He chose to concentrate on math when even the article told him not to. It’s not a beginner question, it’s a lack of comprehension question. He got it, he will try it.
The “lol at 2 weeks” is common. Try something for 12 weeks if you want to build an opinion.
We answered. Next time, PM the culprits. Keep the thread to the subject.[/quote]
Ok so at least someone understood the point I was trying to make. My point was that the jumps are not feasible for everyone. Also, wouldnt the law of diminishing returns negate this after a certain point? Who would this be useful for? An intermediate? The article is written like it is for total beginners.
For the record, I decided I would give this a try. Found out I am stronger than I thought I was. Was able to do a set of 10 with 20 more lbs than I usually do. I was progressing a lot slower. I am interested to see how long I can do this type of thing for now.
I think the majority of the responses have been pretty good thus far.
-Zep