time to work up on squats?

[nb19]

so ive basically just been squatting 2x a week , trying to drive it up as much as possible in a linear fashion. but about 2 weeks ago, I had 3 straight squat sessions where I couldn't get 205 up for 3x5. first 2 sessions, I smashed my first set easy, but the next 2 sets I couldn't get 5. 3rd session, I just sucked in general, couldn't even get 3 the first set.so, I deloaded to 185, and added a 3rd squat day and began deadlifting, a la starting strength, and the past 2 weeks ive worked back up. today I was supposed to do go from 195 to 200 for my workout, but I said screw it and just did 205. again, first 2 sets I ripped, then my last set I got stopped cold at 3. so, should I start making use of ramped sets, just working up to one really clean, heavy set of 5 instead of trying to push out 3 sets? or am I just being a wimp, lol, and just needa grind harder? my best clean single was 225, never tried above that, just for reference.

[PeterGibbons316]

You should have done 200. Rest longer between sets, as long as 10 minutes if you have to.

[benjobb]

Find a good program suited for your experience level, which is novice, so some 5x5, allpro's, stronglifts, etc. Or if you hate full body with a vengeance, find an upper/lower with an ideally linear progression scheme. Make sure you follow the parameters to the t, reset the weights as the program tells you to, push yourself, eat in a surplus (10-15% over estimated maintenance) and have good form. Rest longer between sets if you need to so you can recover, and with hard work you can do it.

If you make your own program and train intuitively at this point in your training career, you're wasting plenty of potential and time. You can theoretically make strength gains this way, but I doubt it'll be as optimal or fast as something that some strength coach has desinged

[nb19]

what do you think of Kelly baggets "ultimate split"? http://www.higher-faster-sports.com/...matesplit.html... this article is where I got the idea to begin working up with my sets. its a good read in my opinion, but in case you don't want to read it, its basically:
-3 days a week
-rotate though 4 workouts (2 upper, 2 lower)
-improvement should be made in some way workout to workout, or week to week
-do some speed or plyometric work before each workout. stay consistent in your movement choice, and make progress in these as well (im an athlete, so this is important too)
and as far as rep and set set up. he says that he basically works up to a 1 heavy set (what he calls a "money set") in the given rep range for the workout, and just to try to beat that next workout. and as soon as you can hit that weight for 3 more reps than your target rep range, to up the weight. for example, your target rep range on squats is 5, once you hit a weight for 8 reps, you move up 5-10 pounds. I think I would just use this method on big movements, and for assistance or pump work stick with straight sets. but, heres the basic routine he posted
Monday(workout 1)
Bench Press or Board press variation 4 x 3-5
Wide Grip chin 4 x 6
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 x 8
Barbell or Dumbbell Curl 3 x 8
Skull Crushers 3 x 10

Wednesday (workout 2)
Squat or box squat 4 x 5
Glute/Ham Raises or pullthroughs 3 x 10
Ab work 3 x 10
forearms 2 x 20-30

Friday (workout 3)
Incline bench press or Shoulder Press 4 x 5
Rows 4 x 8
Tricep pushdowns 2 x 10
Preacher curl 2 x 10
Ab work 3 x 10

Monday (workout 4)
Deadlift or rack deadlift 4 x 5
Single leg squat variation 2 x 10
Calf Raises 3 x 15
Forearms 2 x 20

thoughts on this routine? sorry for making you read anyways, lol

[doranj1978]

You should have done 200. Rest longer between sets, as long as 10 minutes if you have to.

...THIS^^^^

Don't miss your reps. That means don't get in a big damn hurry. If you are something like 5 5 3 then you needed more rest. Don't skip like that when you are at the top of your weight range. Been there. Did that. Won't do it again.

[doranj1978]

what do you think of Kelly baggets "ultimate split"? http://www.higher-faster-sports.com/...matesplit.html... this article is where I got the idea to begin working up with my sets. its a good read in my opinion, but in case you don't want to read it, its basically:
-3 days a week
-rotate though 4 workouts (2 upper, 2 lower)
-improvement should be made in some way workout to workout, or week to week
-do some speed or plyometric work before each workout. stay consistent in your movement choice, and make progress in these as well (im an athlete, so this is important too)
and as far as rep and set set up. he says that he basically works up to a 1 heavy set (what he calls a "money set") in the given rep range for the workout, and just to try to beat that next workout. and as soon as you can hit that weight for 3 more reps than your target rep range, to up the weight. for example, your target rep range on squats is 5, once you hit a weight for 8 reps, you move up 5-10 pounds. I think I would just use this method on big movements, and for assistance or pump work stick with straight sets. but, heres the basic routine he posted
Monday(workout 1)
Bench Press or Board press variation 4 x 3-5
Wide Grip chin 4 x 6
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 x 8
Barbell or Dumbbell Curl 3 x 8
Skull Crushers 3 x 10

Wednesday (workout 2)
Squat or box squat 4 x 5
Glute/Ham Raises or pullthroughs 3 x 10
Ab work 3 x 10
forearms 2 x 20-30

Friday (workout 3)
Incline bench press or Shoulder Press 4 x 5
Rows 4 x 8
Tricep pushdowns 2 x 10
Preacher curl 2 x 10
Ab work 3 x 10

Monday (workout 4)
Deadlift or rack deadlift 4 x 5
Single leg squat variation 2 x 10
Calf Raises 3 x 15
Forearms 2 x 20

thoughts on this routine? sorry for making you read anyways, lol

No. You are a novice. Train like a novice. You'll make amazing gains if you are patient. You can get into the accessory work later, when it will actually do you some good. Right now it is just keeping you from make true strength gains.

[nb19]

finally hit 205 for 3x5 today. felt tired and beat up going in today, but got that bar on my back and just started feelin it, lol. and I did 230 for a single after.was a good day!