T Nation

Beyond. Not 5/3/1

Jim Wendler 5/3/1 Coaching
#1

Next week I’m starting the Beyond program. Not 5/3/1 with different templates etc, or the Tnation Beyond 1.x. The base work going up to Training max from 10% Beyond. The namesake chapter it seems like is being ignored. I couldn’t find any people talking about their experience with it, so I’ll check back in three months and add to the discussion.

I ran 5/3/1 for 9 months, got the high school kids I coach on it. Last six weeks I’ve been doing a Cube type program where I was deadlifting and squatting three times a week at different percentages and I feel pretty wrecked.

#2

it worked for my squat and bench…deadlift jokers didnt quite work to well and press just wasnt quite enough volume…i was doing the volume and strength template version of it…another issue i had wa 5% jumps on jokers if i did it again i would probably do 2.5% jumps…another question i have is why not do the jokers before the PR set because that seems to make more sense to me lifting heavy singles after a PR set was pretty tuff(not saying there isnt some benefit to doing that though)it just makes more sense IMO to do the jokers first

#3

My press is the one lift that really hasn’t gone anywhere. I’ll be interested to see if this approach gets it to move.

“Whether or not you do a PR set or a single is 100% up to you”. So PR if your experience says PR. He’s really strong and I havn’t proven anything so I’ll do what’s in the book.

#4

I loved it, ran it for… 4-5 months? Maybe more, I dunno.

Anyway, re. press and volume: I found that I always did best when doing the option outlined in the book where you go up to the TM for a single, then down and back up to the TM for a PR set, maybe even doing that twice.

My press and bench seem to do best with lower TMs and more volume too, FWIW.

#5

Thanks for your experience there Bob. I’ll keep in mind the waves for the press.

#6

I ran Beyond for around 7 months. My basic template was to work up to the PR set, bust out a couple jokers if I felt like it, then back off to 70-75% and do a 5x5. After a couple months I adjusted the bench and press to a 5x8.

I the end I switched back to regular 5/3/1 and after having tried both I prefer it to Beyond.

#7

Why did you like more about the regular 5/3/1?

#8

[quote]Mattbob wrote:
Why did you like more about the regular 5/3/1?[/quote]

It’s harder.

#9

[quote]some_dude wrote:

[quote]Mattbob wrote:
Why did you like more about the regular 5/3/1?[/quote]

It’s harder.[/quote]

I’m with this guy. The original program, going for PR’s with a no-nonsense attitude and strict adherence to making each day great, is the best one for me too. Helps feed something inside me.