Texas Method for Powerlifting

[GatorBison]

Thumbing through Practical Programming3 and the Texas Method section, I came upon the Texas Method for PL outline/overview.

Basically a 12wk meet prep with the volume-recovery-intensity typical of the TM. Performing all of the Big3 on intensity day, conditioning the lifter for the grind of meet day. I just took my last, best set of 3x5 as my 5rm, and got my poundage off the percentages in the book.


Wk1
Volume
Sq 5x5 @ 70%
GoodMornings 2x5
BP 5x5 @ 70%
(I would add some rows here, but they're not in the plan)

Recovery
Sq 5x3 @ 50%
OHP 3x5
Power Clean 3x3

Intensity
Sq 1x5 @ 90%
BP 1x5 @ 90%
DL 1x3 @ 90%


From there on, Intensity day become all about completion style singles, 5 on Sq and BP, and 3 on DL.

There are other tweaks the can be made mid cycle. And alterations later on.

I was taken aback by the lack of rows.

And I'm not exactly sure how much progression is supposed to be done weekly. I've seen 2.5kgs on the main lifts during outside research, but I must have missed it if it's explicitly stated in PP3. There was a mention of CGBP(encouraged to be used on volume day, until too heavy. Then 3 sets of comp grip, and 2 sets of close grip) increasing at a rate of 2.5lbs per week.


What do yall think? Seems interesting, but I'm not sure how taxing it will be. "The weights for both volume and intensity day should feel fairly light."

Anybody run this before? Any alterations regarding accessories or progressions?

Thinking I might give this a run, as I was thinking of going lighter with the weight for a bit. And I'll keep the time between sets to a minimum for volume and recovery days.

Look forward to this discussion, and I'll do a workout log when I run this in its final form.

[mike584]

Hey. First off, I've never done the Texas Method before and I'm currently doing the Jim Wendler 5/3/1 for powerlifting. But I do know for a fact that Mark Rippetoe has pretty much made it known that he hates rows. He doesn't use them in any of is templates, especially Starting Strength. Here are his own words:

“My opinion about barbell rows is as follows: **** barbell rows. Really. **** them. Stop wasting time worrying about barbell rows and get your deadlift up to 500. By then you’ll have your own opinion and you won’t have to worry about mine.”

[GatorBison]

Hey. First off, I've never done the Texas Method before and I'm currently doing the Jim Wendler 5/3/1 for powerlifting. But I do know for a fact that Mark Rippetoe has pretty much made it known that he hates rows. He doesn't use them in any of is templates, especially Starting Strength. Here are his own words:

“My opinion about barbell rows is as follows: **** barbell rows. Really. **** them. Stop wasting time worrying about barbell rows and get your deadlift up to 500. By then you’ll have your own opinion and you won’t have to worry about mine.”

Damn, once I read the quote I remembered. Thanks for the reminder brother!

[grouchyjarhead]

I would personally use triples if I was using the TM to peak for a powerlifting meet. 5x3 @ 90% 3RM on Volume Day, then push for a new 3RM on Intensity Day. I'd bench both days, press on recovery, and do 2x3 on recovery days. Rows, RDLs, and some triceps work would round things off nicely.

[wick]

**** what rippetoe said. bb rows are awesome

[GatorBison]

**** what rippetoe said. bb rows are awesome

Agree. I'm interested in the program, but the thought of not doing any rows is something I can't abide.

This template is very interesting, wondering if the built in recovery day and 2 days rest after intensity day will effectively reduce the need for deload weeks.
The first intensity day is one set of 5 for SQ and BP, and one set of 3 for DL.
Then the rest of the intensity days are competition singles, but to never be up to a 1rm.
Just seems intriguing, and since no one has chimed in that they've run this template, seems like the perfect reason to do a workout log.



But, gotta have dem rows...😜

[InfernalVortex]

I do rows on Monday, chins on Wednesday, deads on Friday when I do TM.

[GatorBison]

I do rows on Monday, chins on Wednesday, deads on Friday when I do TM.

Good idea

[mike584]

I do rows on Monday, chins on Wednesday, deads on Friday when I do TM.

That's a good amount of back work properly spread out through the week. I like it.

[GatorBison]

I've done two weeks of this program, broken up however, by a work trip. So, counting them as one.

The weights are supposed to feel light, but I'm just a little curious about the progressions. I'm thinking of 10lbs on SQ and DL, and 5lbs on BP and accesories. If I just progress at 2.5lbs a week across the board, I won't even make it back to the training numbers I started with.

This should leave me with enough time for a peaking cycle, with a meet the first week of October. I'm thinking of running this with the 10lb/5lb progressions all the way through September 2, and pushing for a mini meet on that day.

Next week as a recovery week, then peak training the next 3 weeks, ending on September 30th. A gentle priming/recovery week later, and crush the meet on October 8th.


Thoughts?

[jmmainvi]

I do rows on Monday, chins on Wednesday, deads on Friday when I do TM.

That's a good bit of back work and is recommended in the 70sbig versions of Texas Method. They also push RDL's on monday instead of good mornings.

[GatorBison]

That's a good bit of back work and is recommended in the 70sbig versions of Texas Method. They also push RDL's on monday instead of good mornings.

I like the insertion of RDLs in lieu of GMs. Gonna go with that, thanks

[FSEC]

How long do your workouts last on TM? I'd love to run it but I can't dedicate more than 1 hr in the gym/session.

[GatorBison]

How long do your workouts last on TM? I'd love to run it but I can't dedicate more than 1 hr in the gym/session.

My recovery day on Wednesday is quick, but the volume and intensity days (Monday & Friday) would be near impossible to do in an hour. Especially as the weights ramp up, and time between sets starts to lengthen.