T Nation

BBB Assistance Very Light?

Jim Wendler 5/3/1 Coaching
#1

Hey guys. Don’t know why it’s taken so long to try the 531 templates but here I am.

Started BBB on Monday and enjoyed squat, press and DL days but had BP day today and assisted with 5x10 at the prescribed 50% of TM and supersetted with rows @ 50% of my true 1RM. I found it exceedingly light, like a 5/10 on the effort scale, like early warm up sets easy. Is this normal? I hate feeling like I’ve wasted a day but I respect the author and designer of the program way too much to deviate from what he’s prescribed. As I say, I enjoyed the other 3 days as they felt more like 7/10 on the effort scale and I felt like I’d worked out, which wasn’t the case today.

Just wanted to know your experiences with the BBB template in its very early stages.

#2

Broadly speaking first month or two will feel very light overall.

yeah if this the case fine to nudge it up a little.
Fine to add a couple sets push ups/dips/chin ups etc as finisher also

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#3

Well, BBB percentages range from I think 30-75% in the different templates within the books so if you feel the need for it then bump it up a little, maybe to 60% instead. Just be honest with yourself on how heavy it is. I feel that 50% is a little light on bench/ohp but more okay for squat/dl. I guess it might depend on your strength levels.

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#4

Thanks for your input and yes you’re right, DL and squat days were more taxing than OHP and BP days, but still not overly. I guess when you’ve been training to failure or close to it every session for almost 3 decades it’s going to come as a shock when you start on this template! Was planning on running bbb for 3 months initially, so I think I’ll adjust my assistance work from 50% of TM to 60% and then 70% month 2 and 80% month 3 and then take stock.

#5

Ok bud thanks for your input. I’ll try 60% of TM next workout and adjust from from there if needs be.