Smolov Experience Thread For All

Training Powerlifting
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[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
^^^ Bullshit. Smolov rocks and there is no reason to discourage someone who wants to try it. Everyone ought to run it at least once just to find out for themselves.

Spock81, go kick some ass. [/quote]

You know, unless the person is a beginner and can’t even squat 1.5 their BW. People move onto these peaking programs too quickly when they can make just as much, if not more progress, on simple linear progression programs. One of the worst things in lifting today is people who get program ADHD and can’t reap the benefits of the programs they’re doing. I’ve reached a 465 (possibly higher now) squat at 195lbs just by 5x5 and 5/3/1. I wouldn’t even consider a peaking program unless I stalled terribly on a lift.

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Spock is a small(ish) woman. 180 for her is quite different than 180 for a healthy young man.

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@ Doh: Spock is a female lifter with a fairly long training history. You might want to actually read a person’s posts before responding with bullshit advice. And then re-read your own posts for things like:
“And again, I’m not discouraging but merely questioning if he has what it takes.” You represnted that you are “not discouraging” and then dicouraged 2 words later in the same fucking sentence. Jesus.

@gorangers0525. This thread is the “smolov experience” thread. If you don’t want to run a peaking program, why are you here? Also, how much does spock weigh? How do you know 180 lbs. isn’t 1.5x her body weight?
Again, spock is a female lifter with a fairly long training history and she wants to run smolov. She ought to be encouraged, not discouraged.

Look fellas, I fully understand what Smolov is, and I fully understand its a peaking program. But you can learn alot about yourself, how your body respnds, and how much work you can actually endure without breaking by running smolov. Lots of people discouraged me from running smolov because I was too old and for lots of other reasons and I didn’t listen and think I learned more about myself and lifting in general during smolov than in any other training cycle in my entire life. I’ll say it again, everyone ought to run smolov at least once just to fucking do it.

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[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
@ Doh: Spock is a female lifter with a fairly long training history. You might want to actually read a person’s posts before responding with bullshit advice. And then re-read your own posts for things like:
“And again, I’m not discouraging but merely questioning if he has what it takes.” You represnted that you are “not discouraging” and then dicouraged 2 words later in the same fucking sentence. Jesus.

@gorangers0525. This thread is the “smolov experience” thread. If you don’t want to run a peaking program, why are you here? Also, how much does spock weigh? How do you know 180 lbs. isn’t 1.5x her body weight?
Again, spock is a female lifter with a fairly long training history and she wants to run smolov. She ought to be encouraged, not discouraged.

Look fellas, I fully understand what Smolov is, and I fully understand its a peaking program. But you can learn alot about yourself, how your body respnds, and how much work you can actually endure without breaking by running smolov. Lots of people discouraged me from running smolov because I was too old and for lots of other reasons and I didn’t listen and think I learned more about myself and lifting in general during smolov than in any other training cycle in my entire life. I’ll say it again, everyone ought to run smolov at least once just to fucking do it.

[/quote]

1.5x wasn’t to be taken too seriously considering that it’s not even that impressive of a squat. Neither is mine. I also believe in one of her threads she said she weighed 130+. But thats besides the point and for a female (not being sexist) it’s a decent squat. Yes, I will run smolov to it’s fullest one day which is why I’m reading this thread. But why would I run it at a time where I’m still making progress? Just for the hell of it? It seems like she’s a major program jumper. How do you make progress when you can’t even follow a program to it’s fullest? She still seems like she’s at the stage where she can do more with less if you actually stick to something.

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[quote]
But why would I run it at a time where I’m still making progress? Just for the hell of it? [/quote]

Why wouldn’t you run it? You might learn something about yourself and the base phase is only 18 days out of your life. Give it a shot and report back, you won’t regret it.

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WOW I didn’t realize posting about trying out a new program would create so many responses, LOl! Not my intention.

First off, yes I am a chick. I may wear hulk boxers, but I assure you I am all woman.

No, my squat isn’t supa star status by any means, and I am THE BIGGEST program jumper known to man.

But here’s the thing, I am not training for a meet, I am training for myself.

I powerlift because I love it with every fiber of my being and enjoying the time I spend in the gym is all that really matters to me. Why would I want to be on a program that I don’t want to be on just because it’s “better suited to my level” or whatever.
Better suited? Feeling bored and uninspired doesn’t sounds like it’s well suited at all.

I like volume, I like hard work, and right now I have a craving to give my squat all I’ve got. So what’s the big deal? I want my workouts to kick my ass, this program seems like it will do just that. SO right now I’ma gonna giver a shot.
What da hell do I have to lose? Time? Eh, whatever. I’ve got plenty.

Nuff said.

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Well I take back what I said. I didn’t know spock was a woman. I miscomprehended the 180 for chick statement. You can ignore my statements.

@jjackkrash. i don’t understand your random animosity towards me. how is questioning and discouraging the same thing. where in my posts did i imply “do not do smolov”. i merely presented a case to consider. how is my advise bullshit in anyway? i misunderstood spock for a male so the advise was for a general male who squats 180. and in no posts did spock mentioned her long lifting history so how would i know that? i’m supposed to browse through every posters history before i reply?

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[quote]Spock81 wrote:
WOW I didn’t realize posting about trying out a new program would create so many responses, LOl! Not my intention.

First off, yes I am a chick. I may wear hulk boxers, but I assure you I am all woman.

No, my squat isn’t supa star status by any means, and I am THE BIGGEST program jumper known to man.

But here’s the thing, I am not training for a meet, I am training for myself.

I powerlift because I love it with every fiber of my being and enjoying the time I spend in the gym is all that really matters to me. Why would I want to be on a program that I don’t want to be on just because it’s “better suited to my level” or whatever.
Better suited? Feeling bored and uninspired doesn’t sounds like it’s well suited at all.

I like volume, I like hard work, and right now I have a craving to give my squat all I’ve got. So what’s the big deal? I want my workouts to kick my ass, this program seems like it will do just that. SO right now I’ma gonna giver a shot.
What da hell do I have to lose? Time? Eh, whatever. I’ve got plenty.

Nuff said. [/quote]

The thing is you can make ANY program kick your ass. Want 5/3/1 to kick your ass? Do 12 reps on the final set of the 5 day and do some high volume assistance work and intense conditioning. Want the conjugate method to kick your ass? Work your ass off and incorporate a shit ton of different lifts.

By becoming a powerlifter you do whatever you can to CONSISTENTLY increase your squat/bench/deadlift. If you think program jumping all the time is the key- so be it. I personally don’t think it is, but it’d be awesome if you can prove me wrong.

No I don’t think the occasional peaking program is a bad thing and will definitely be incorporating one (probably smolov Jr. for bench) in the near future to hopefully kick start my bench. But once it gets to the point when you’re doing 5/3/1, smolov, conjugate, texas method, whatever other russian name,etc all in one year it gets a bit ridiculous. If you’re constantly hitting pr’s your program is working. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Even if you aren’t constantly hitting pr’s a minor tweak can do the trick.

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Well good shit Spock! I encourage you to enter Smolov,

As for Rangers, go fuck yourself, you have a 400lb squat stop giving people advice. Just because something works for you doesnt mean it will work for me, spock, doh, ect.

5/3/1 is cool, it works, but it is boring as fuck. I will do 5/3/1 again when im squatting 700+ and so on as I see it better for people who are at an elite level and need a program to gain them 10 lbs every month or 2 versus the ability to run girona, coan, or smolov programs that can peak you out and gain much quicker at the lower levels.

Also I am super stoked that you are the world authority on powerlifting, anyhow, seeing as you have yet to run smolov, kindly fuck off and do not try to give advice to people currently running or planning to run it. As in GOT “You know nothing” It is impossible to comprehend the feeling your body goes through in Smolov until you have run it.

GL to anyone attempting it, I enter the intensive phase in two weeks, hooray.

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[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
5/3/1 is cool, it works, but it is boring as fuck.[/quote]
LOL x2

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[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
Well good shit Spock! I encourage you to enter Smolov,

As for Rangers, go fuck yourself, you have a 400lb squat stop giving people advice. Just because something works for you doesnt mean it will work for me, spock, doh, ect.

5/3/1 is cool, it works, but it is boring as fuck. I will do 5/3/1 again when im squatting 700+ and so on as I see it better for people who are at an elite level and need a program to gain them 10 lbs every month or 2 versus the ability to run girona, coan, or smolov programs that can peak you out and gain much quicker at the lower levels.

Also I am super stoked that you are the world authority on powerlifting, anyhow, seeing as you have yet to run smolov, kindly fuck off and do not try to give advice to people currently running or planning to run it. As in GOT “You know nothing” It is impossible to comprehend the feeling your body goes through in Smolov until you have run it.

GL to anyone attempting it, I enter the intensive phase in two weeks, hooray. [/quote]

First of all you’re fucking idiot. When did I once say that that I was the world authority on powerlifting? I even said my 465 squat isn’t impressive, but it’s also not terrible for someone who weighs 195 and has been seriously training for <2 years. It’s a forum, I shared my opinion on the manner and I couldn’t care less if anybody followed my advice. I’m sure there are plenty of more experienced powerlifters that agree that program jumping is a terrible thing. STB recently posted something along the lines of " A good program is something you can stick with and make progress for the rest of your life".

There’s a huge difference between someone doing a peaking program to peak and someone doing it just for fucks sake because they’re bored of what they’re doing. Also if all you get out of 5/3/1 is you add 5/10 lbs a month you have no idea what it’s about. No it’s not for everyone and anyone, but atleast understand the concept first.

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YO SUP YA’LL LET’S HUG AND MAKE UP, MMKAY?

I ran 5/3/1 for about a year and a half before I took a break from powerlifting. My squat went from like 115 to 205, my deadlift went from around 225 to 280 and my bench went from 95 to 130 (DAMN BIG BOY PLATES SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR!!)

NOW, surely my form was terrible and I really had no idea what I was doing, but I followed the program and it was bascially my bible during this time.

Took 9 months off, lost about 35 pounds and became weak as shit.
Got back into it and went right back into 5/3/1, but my heart was not in it anymore. I wanted something NEW.
I haven’t found anything that my mind can settle on yet. Could be because I am manic and hyper and reading everyones log here makes me want to do what everyone else is doing all at once. I don’t program jump because I think it will yeild the best results, I program jump because I have yet to fall in love again.

IN THE MEANTIME

I will do THIS particular program because I have SO MUCH EXCESS anxious/nervous/i-never-get-laid engery I need something that will tire me out completely.

Probably not the best that I am medicating myself with lifting-ness to reduce anxiety, but at least I am not resorting to crack-cocaine or what have you.

K BYE GROUP HUG << >>

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I wrote up a long response but it is not worth it. Rangers squat progress in 5/3/1 compared to those running Smolov will be enough.

Congrats rangers, now go troll some other specialized training thread and start speaking about a program everyone in there knows about but is not running at that time.

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[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
Spock, honestly 5x5 or starting strength is made for people at your level, but give smolov a try. Hell i plan on running it multiple times throughout my lifting life.

Its rough, but it works, GL dude. Make sure you eat a lot, get your rest, and do not underestimate the program and think you can do a lot of accessory. On 5/3/1 I did anything i wanted, on smolov follow the guidelines. [/quote]

“5x5 or SS”.

Atleast don’t be a hypocrite. I didn’t even mention a specific program, I just named programs that have proven to consistently give people many years of results. Not little spurts. I’ll be more than happy with my 120+ lbs a year on squats/deadlifts.

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[quote]gorangers0525 wrote:

[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
Spock, honestly 5x5 or starting strength is made for people at your level, but give smolov a try. Hell i plan on running it multiple times throughout my lifting life.

Its rough, but it works, GL dude. Make sure you eat a lot, get your rest, and do not underestimate the program and think you can do a lot of accessory. On 5/3/1 I did anything i wanted, on smolov follow the guidelines. [/quote]

“5x5 or SS”.

Atleast don’t be a hypocrite. I didn’t even mention a specific program, I just named programs that have proven to consistently give people many years of results. Not little spurts. I’ll be more than happy with my 120+ lbs a year on squats/deadlifts. [/quote]
You’re missing the context …

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Rangers, I hate to break it to you but you will not consistently add those numbers running 5/3/1

You do not understand this yet because of your current strength level, but ask anyone benching over 400, squatting and DLing over 6, you hit major plateaus at around those numbers and your gains are not nearly the same. Bolton spoke about being excited to add 5 lbs to his bench one year, others talk about 15 lbs to their DL being amazing. Use 5/3/1 go for it maybe even post a picture or video as proof of your success. But do not think that it will be consistently adding 120lbs to your lifts each year.

Edit: Also what was hypocritical?

/I told her to try smolov, thinking she was a guy knowing 180 is a horrible squat for a guy

I stated SS and 5x5 would be the normal approach, but we are all seeking stupidly inhumane numbers so why follow the norm?

My problem with you is that you are posting in a Smolov thread, telling someone why they should not do smolov and should try something else, when you yourself HAVE NOT ran smolov. Quite frankly the average person does not finish it, especially if you are used to the volume, rep, work load of 5/3/1 versus the extremeness of smolov.

5/3/1 is great, 5x5 is great, SS is good, but out of them all 5/3/1 bored the shit out of me. Smolov is an assault on yourself, you learn whether or not you really want to be in this game.

Thank you Ranger, I will ask you for any advice from here on out in upping my numbers

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Ok fine. You got me I don’t have the experience necessary to comment on it. The “go fuck yourself” got to me and sent me on a retarded ramble. Maybe I don’t understand the standards for female powerlifting considering all the ones in my gym either A.don’t squat or B.don’t care what they squat. I personally thought 180, even for a female was a bit too early to start a peaking program, when you have potential to do much more with less. I guess I was wrong. I disagree with you 5/3/1 not being “intense” because it’s as intense as you make it. If you take the last set for granted than yes it’s going to be easy, but if you push yourself until your heads about to explode then it can get pretty “intense”. Also pushing the assistance work or doing a drop-set after your main sets are killer too. I did 20-rep squats for a cycle after the main work (suggested in one of the e-books) and I personally wouldn’t consider that to be something easy and boring.

But I didn’t jump in to turn everyone into 5/3/1 attics. I just thought the standards between males and females weren’t that drastically different. I’ll be on my way and keep it to myself.

Edit: Just want to make it clear that I’m not insulting Spock in anyway when I was saying standards. I just didn’t know. You’re way more bad ass than 90% of the guys (and 100% of the girls) at my gym for the fact you know how to perform the sq/bench/dead. I wish I could get my girlfriend to do the same…

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Ok GG.

now in regards to intensity, I understand 5/3/1 can be intense, but it is a completely different style.

For example, my current 5/3/1 would not touching 500lbs on squat until week 2 were i am required a triple. Yes, I could go to as many reps as possible, but that is only 1 set at 500lbs, versus my 2nd week in smolov having me to a 7sets of 5 with 500 and then 10 sets of 3 with 515. That is 17 sets of a total of 65 reps with 500+ in one week, versus just 1 set of probably 3-7 reps at 500lbs

Bench wise, 5/3/1 has me doing 345 on the third week for a single, compared to smolov that had me fo 10 sets of 3 @ 355 yesterday and 10 sets of 3 @ 360 the following week.

The intensity is a completely different level. I like 5/3/1, I have ran it and plan to again, but IMO its more for the inbetween phases. I run 5/3/1 until I am ready for a smolov or coan philip or Gavrilo cycle.

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^ That post is exactly what my thoughts are on 5/3/1 vs. Smolov & similarly intense programmes. Run an intense programme to bring up a lift, level out with 5/3/1 a little then run another intense cycle… I can see myself sticking to something like that for the next 1-2 years for sure.

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[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
Ok GG.

now in regards to intensity, I understand 5/3/1 can be intense, but it is a completely different style.

For example, my current 5/3/1 would not touching 500lbs on squat until week 2 were i am required a triple. Yes, I could go to as many reps as possible, but that is only 1 set at 500lbs, versus my 2nd week in smolov having me to a 7sets of 5 with 500 and then 10 sets of 3 with 515. That is 17 sets of a total of 65 reps with 500+ in one week, versus just 1 set of probably 3-7 reps at 500lbs

Bench wise, 5/3/1 has me doing 345 on the third week for a single, compared to smolov that had me fo 10 sets of 3 @ 355 yesterday and 10 sets of 3 @ 360 the following week.

The intensity is a completely different level. I like 5/3/1, I have ran it and plan to again, but IMO its more for the inbetween phases. I run 5/3/1 until I am ready for a smolov or coan philip or Gavrilo cycle.[/quote]

The last thing you said was kinda’ve what I was trying to get at, but I worded it terribly. It’s nice to have a main training program/cycles (in your case and my case it’s opposite) and then use something to spark a lift or in your case take a volume break between cycles. So far I’ve been making great progress with 5/3/1 so I don’t really feel the need for a change. I also love the going all out part, especially for deadlifts lol. But when I get to the point where a lift just isn’t going anywhere I will hit a smolov cycle and get back to 5/3/1 afterwards. I personally think that there is a point where people just get routine ADHD. But you’re right, if you’re making gains trying out different cycles than more power to you and someone like me shouldn’t be stopping you.