About skipping the deload week. I do something like a bastardized 531 (I do a week of fives, a week of triples, and a week of singles, and then sometimes deload) and I have done a few different things with this. I agree that you can sometimes skip the deload altogether, other times I’ve used this “deload week” to try new exercises (band work, other accessories, partial ROM lifts…), and also to use it like a PR week.
The last example being come in do your deload, then hit some singles and find out what your max is (or close to it). These options for me seem to make “deload week” a bit more fun, but if you really need the deload, I’d do it.
Also, just thinking about the previous conversation we had… I think it’s detrimental to your progress to do front squat instead of back squat as your 531 main lift. I’d switch them. This is from experience and not just idle talk. I started with front squat as my main lower body lift (I had a better reason than you though I think, as I had recent shoulder dislocations and mobility issues) and I don’t think it helped my deadlift or transfered much to my back squat when I was able.
The reason being that your upperback while getting worked does not have to be tight and arched in the same way as the squat and deadlift (shoulders aren’t pulled back as much, not squeezed together as much, your torso is more upright…). Do what you want there, but I think the evidence in my training log and those of many others will attest to the things I’ve said to you.
Best of luck. Oh, and back squats are more like the bottom of a deadlift than front squats. In fact they are almost like the position of a deficit deadlift (which I mentioned to you before for building power off the floor). Two birds… one stone???
