I’ve read the original 5-3-1 book, and then bought the 5-3-1 for Powerlifters book, and think I am following it correctly. I just finished my 2nd cycle of it, after doing the Texas Method for 4 months. Upon finishing w/ the Texas Method, I tested my 1RMs in all four moves, and then took 90% of those as my working maxes for 5-3-1 cycle 1:
Press: 120
Deadlift: 310
Bench: 185
Squat: 265
In week 3 of the first cycle, I achieved the following reps in my last (1+) set:
Press: 155x4
Deadlift: 295x8
Bench: 175x7
Squat: 250x8
I was surprised to have gotten so many (all clean reps), but stuck to the program and increased my working maxes by just 5# for the presses and 10# for the deads & squats:
Press: 125
Deadlift: 320
Bench: 190
Squat: 275
I just finished cycle 2, week 3, and achieved the following reps in my last (1+) set:
Press: 120x5
Deadlift: 305x9
Bench: 180x8
Squat: 260x9
And again, I am surprised. I am training to be a Masters powerlifter (after a 6 year hiatus into other sports), and want to get back to low-rep work. Would folks suggest sticking with the formula, and going up by just 5#/10# for cycle 3, or doing a reset and taking 90% of my new (estimated) 1RMs? No doubt, the program has been very effective, and I am getting stronger, but it seems I am getting stronger at high-rep work, and am wondering if that will translate into getting more powerful in low-rep work?
Kind regards,
Michael, age 50