by clifferus
5/3/1 is a popular, proven system for training that is effective for trainees of all levels first developed by Coach Jim Wendler with many common variants available for free online. Please see his website for more information.
** This program will rotate the lifts. This is in the interest of Deadlifts and recovery. When first starting the program, only do the BBB volume for leg movements on fridays. If you are able to recover over the weekend and feel good, experiment with adding the volume as listed on additional days.
** Example of Rotation First Week: -- Monday ->Back Squats, Wednesday->Deadlifts, Friday->Squats+Incline Bench Second Week: -- Monday->Deadlifts, Wednesday->Back Squats, Friday->Deadlifts Day Again Repeat this cycle
*** In my version of this, volume work should be done speedy/slow with full depth demonstrating control and power. Volume (sets of 5 after standard 5/3/1 training) for Bench and Incline Bench should be done with a closer grip (hand position). Volume for Deadlifts should be done from a raised platform.
For the purpose of repeated Skill work and getting used to maximal loads without fatigue, Monday involves Heavy 5/3/1 Squatting and a Heavy Deadlift single AMRAP, mostly for practice. I found that too much volume doesn't really help once you become an intermediate lifter. We instead must practice heavy often, aiming for Heavy Volume PR's regularly, and hit hypertrophy volume ahead of the weekend to ensure adequate recovery.
This section is a barebones overview of the program. Please read the full description for more info.
On each of the three lifting days, you will be doing the following:
Before you do any of the lifting, choose one of the following and perform 10-15 total reps over 2-3 sets. This should not take more than 5-10 minutes at most.
You can warm up for your work on the Main Lifts with the following sets. This is optional and can be done with minimal rest between each set.
Each day, choose one exercise for each of the three categories below, and perform 50 – 100 reps of it. The number of sets you use to accomplish this is not important. You can do all of your reps for each category one at a time, or to finish your workout faster, you can cycle through a set from each category in a circuit. If you choose a bodyweight exercise and cannot complete at least 50 reps, you can choose a second exercise to finish the total out. If you choose a weighted exercise and cannot complete at least 50 reps, you chose a weight that was too high.
Don’t overthink your exercise choices, your weight selection, or your sets and reps – What’s important about this work is just getting a lot of full body volume done.
| Push | Pull | Single Leg/Core |
|---|---|---|
| Dips | Chinups | Any Ab / Core Exercise |
| Pushups | Pullups | Back Raises |
| Flat DB Bench | Inverted Rows | Reverse Hypers |
| Incline DB Bench | DB Rows | Lunges |
| DB OHP | Cable Rows | Step Ups |
| Tricep Extension | Machine Rows | Bulgarian Split Squats |
| Tricep Pushdown | Face Pulls | KB Snatches |
| Band Pull-Aparts | KB Swings | |
| Lat Pulldowns | ||
| Curls |
The suggested progression rules are already programmed into the workout exercises below.
Starting TM is 90% of 1RM.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Overload: After 1 successful session, Training Max will be suggested to increase by 5 kg.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Overload: After 1 successful session, Training Max will be suggested to increase by 5 kg.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Overload: After 1 successful session, Training Max will be suggested to increase by 2.5 kg.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Overload: After 1 successful session, Training Max will be suggested to increase by 5 kg.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %
Overload: After 1 successful session, Training Max will be suggested to increase by 2.5 kg.
Deload: After 1 uncompleted session, Training Max will be suggested to decrease by 10 %