If I feel like I am not getting stronger although making weight on my way back up, is it o.k. to prolong it to 6-8 weeks to get back and just go with how i feel as far as making increases anywhere from 1.5lbs up to 5lbs? very helpful example!
If I understand what you're saying here correctly, you want to make smaller increases on the way back to your current PRs? You could do this I suppose, but personally I wouldn't take more than 5 or 6 week's max to hit your old PRs.
It's usually tough for people to get past week 8-10 on this program before they need a deload, because you are pushing some high intensities, especially at the end. While taking tiny jumps up to your old PRs, you'd still be working at weights which are very close to your limit, and therefore adding too many weeks of that may impact the length of time you can continue to hit new PRs when you get to that point.
When I bench, I do it in the squat rack so I feel comfortable going to failure as all I have to do is drop my chest and it hits the pins. To be honest, i hate asking for spots cause then they do the work for me, grab the bar, or sweat drips in my face. Amazing how so many people don't know how to spot in my gym. Wish there was a golds
(sorry for rant), haha.
Ya, people are terrible spotters, lol. If I end up having to ask a random person, I always give them lengthy instructions on what not to do...
I like your idea that after totally failing on one exercise how I could integrate a hybrid of the advanced & intermediate. You think that's a good way to transition into the program? Just do advanced for the lifts that hit plateaus after deloading doesn't work anymore and continue intermediate on the other exercises?
Ya, that's one way that you could go about it. Alternatively, you can change up to a different program, as EM suggested. Ultimately, it's all about what program works the best and what program you can enjoy/tolerate doing. If you're getting terribly bored or not getting results, the motivation won't be there.
Another great point! You're on fire today! haha. I am proud of my gains for the minute amount of testosterone I'm on. Never lifted 275 easily before hand (except 5 years ago when I was on 1000mgs of test a week), however, i do miss doing shrugs, side delt raises, more bicep work, rear delts, but then again, 5X5 taught me it's meaningless.
It's ok to add some of those things in as assistance exercises. Just be smart about where you put them, and don't go overkill. Try to keep the overall assistance reps to 30-60 per day. If you're going to increase the volume on assistance exercises, do it slowly, so you give yourself time to adapt.
Interesting response. Because I take my shot every monday. And when I got this blood test, I took it on Friday. So I think i'll take your advice and shoot twice a week and split the dose. Then 1 month later, take a blood test again and then gauge from there...
That explains the results then. Your blood levels will peak roughly 24-48 hours after the shot and then tail off. So if you took the test on Friday, the blood levels would be much lower by then, and so on. By Sunday night, your blood levels are quite low (you may be feeling different even by then).
So let's say after splitting the dose and taking another blood test i'm still in mid range. Although 250mg is considered high, is the real result the total test levels and free test? Meaning, that if I upped it another 100mgs lets say, and my total test was under 1000 and free test was also within proper range, would that be something I could maintain long term and still be healthy? Obviously if I was over the levels, I would drop it too.
As I said above, the gear is likely fine, so I wouldn't worry too much about this. But yes, ultimately the actual levels in your blood is what matters. At this point, I'd just wait a month as you suggested and then take another test and go from there.
Out of curiosity, what routine do you follow? Would like to get away from the 5x5 once i don't make gains anymore.
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