5x5 progression/missing weights.. question??

[bigred133]

Spring collars are the best micro-loading solution I have heard yet. Stores that sell them online list the weight as 1 lb. That is perfect.

 

[Protobuilder]

Spring collars are the best micro-loading solution I have heard yet. Stores that sell them online list the weight as 1 lb. That is perfect.

Exactly. I've got 3 sets. One set is 1 lb. on the bar. The other set is 1.5 lbs on the bar. So I can do 186, for example, or 186.5, or I can put both sets on and have 187.5.

 

[get456]

Something I realised on the issue of micro-plates is that my pair of spring collars weighs 0.5Kg and my screw-on collars weigh 1Kg for the pair. Between them, I can squeeze some 1 lb increments between having to add another pair of 1.25Kg plates. They're a cheap alternative to sourcing and buying micro-plates, especially since spring collars just litter the floor at some gyms.

ive been using the chains... as illustrated on Madcows website... i have 3 pairs... 1.25lbs...2.5lbs.. 3.75lbs

 

[get456]

Update on me sucking:

I reset back one week on my bench and still missed it
I am going to go back another week starting friday.
Incline went back one week and should be able to make it tonight.

However, I have hit PR's on squats, deads and rows.

So that makes me happy

Basically I just need to learn how to program for my body.

 

[blut wump]

That's great news. Congrats.

I take the same view: if my squats are going up then anything else is a bonus.

 

[get456]

More good news from this evening-

I had missed my incline number last week... week before i had done 212.5 x5, last week i got 217.5x 3........ so instead of going all the way back to 212, i decided to try in the middle, so i got 215x5! at least I added something and didnt stall. That is still a PR for me.

This week I added another 6 lbs on my dead, so 2nd week of PR, did 361.25x 5 (got 307.5x 5 with no straps, double overhand, also a PR for me with no straps)

even though my bench has been sucking im still very happy with my progress to this point. I just came off a very light cycle (hrt really) and im 6 weeks off with my total test near 150ng and im still hitting PR's so that is great for me. Cant wait to get my test back where it should be and ill be making even better progress!

 

[coolcolj]

get the Practical Programming book - all your questions answered...

 

[get456]

thats why im here to learn and read, so i can "program" a routine better that has some real theory behind it... In fact per Madcow's suggestion I justbought Ripptoe/Kilgore's book "Practical Programming for Strength"

its ok i know its a lot of work to read a whole thread