Question on jump in weight for squats.

[Rabid_Goose]

I'm into the 2nd week of my bulking right now and I can feel the positives to it right now. My 3RM on Day 3 for Bench can be done for 5 if I wanted it too, and squats almost feels like I'm not even really straining. Sure getting out of the hole is hard but when I maintain form it isn't a struggle to fight my way all the way up.

Should I go ahead and try a 10lb jump next week on my squats? They are very low, today was 175 for 3. Before stomach flu I had them at 190 or 195 for 5 and after the flu my body was just dismantled and burned down. I was wanting some opinions on this because I don't want to jump up and stall out too fast. Just ended Week 4 today.

 

[Xlajbf]

Are you talking about the 3RM day on the intermediate 5x5?

If so, here's what I have done to speed up my progress.

On Day 3 for my Squat, Bench, and Row 3RM, I make the primary goal to do the 3 reps. Once I've completed the 3 reps, I push for another 2 to make it 5. If I make it to 5 reps, the next Day 1 automatically goes up in weight. If I fail to make it to 5 (making it to 4.999999 reps or slight spotter assistance on the last bench rep = I failed), then the current weight is Day 1's 5RM weight.

Example: Tonight I'm supposed to squat 360x3. If I make it to 3, great, Day 1 will be 360x5. If I make it to 5, then screw 360x5 (hey, I already did it, right?), and I'll go for 370lbs on Day 1.

True, you will run into a wall faster because of the big weight jumps, but you'll also get to bigger and better weights faster than with the original layout. With the original layout, I'd only be scheduled to squat 320 this week instead of 360 like I'm planning.

 

[Kabeetz]

Pretty soon you're gonna hit a wall you're gonna regret hitting... and the only thing a jump is gonna do is get you there faster.

Unless u feel like u can do it for like 10+ reps, just stick with that 2.5%. That's from personal experience. Try to string together as maaaany weeks of progress as possible. That's where the magic is.

 

[al420]

That is a great post Kab - exactly what I was thinking