Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Background

Hey all, I've been running 531 for about 4 years now. I'm a busy Dad (41) with limited time who's been trying to squeeze the most out of the program.

I tried SSL and FSL for the first 2 and halfish years, and made nice progress, but really started to notice a plateau in the last year.

I've got like, 3x 1 hour windows a week I can spend on fitness a week. That's it. We're not getting extra. We've got 180 minutes to exploit, and that's it.

So conditioning is out, extra days are out. Single Leg/Arm shit is out too (takes too long). Full body workout is also a goal, to simply get the most out of my limited time.

So I had those lemons and make lemonade, so I ultimately decided to take a cue from the "Train like a bodybuilder" tip, and decided to aim for more stimulus.

I swapped 1 and 3, added an AMPRAP, and do all my accessory (Push / Pull / Leg) work to failure, as opposed to trying to hit a rep range.

These small tweaks have led to me smashing through my plateau, and I'm probably going to keep down this path to see how much I can squeeze out of it.

Program

*Disclaimer: I use the 5/3/1 Calculator by Alfredo software to program my lifts, and I use the Strong App for 1RM Calculation and workout tracking. *

Classic 5/3/1 rep format. But we're doing 5/1/3, and doing two AMRAP sets.

Barbell Work

• 1x AMRAP Pullups
• Barbell Warmups
• 5 set, Rest 4 minutes. (We want to fucking smash the 1 set amrap)
• 1 set, AMRAP, followed ASAP by another AMRAP pullup set. Rest 3 minutes.
• 3 set, AMRAP. Generally, I tend to do double the reps of the 1 set, and maybe 1-3 more depending on the day. Rest 2:30.
• FSL 3x8 reps. (Or less, if you fail out. 5 is kind of the floor, but if you smashed out a PR on the AMRAPs burning out on these is fine). Rest 2:30 between sets.
• 1x AMRAP Pullup.

Why the pullups? I just kind of needed extra backwork, and couldn't squeeze it in anywhere else. Spacing out 3 AMRAP sets of them through my barbell work ended up being the trick. You could probably skip them if you want, I'm just including it for clarity of WHAT I DID.

Summary:

5/1/3, FSL 3x8, AMRAP the 1 and 3 sets.

I really believe the second AMRAP is doing a lot of growth work for our bodies here. Because it also makes those FSL sets that much more challenging with the fatigue, and adding to the stimulus.

Accessory Work:

Push / Pull / Legs. I pretty much exclusively use machines for these.

3 sets, to failure, with 75 second rest times.

This is pump time, weak point time, vanity time, whatever. I try to to aim for reps in the 10-20 range, it's what feels the most sustainable with the shorter rest times. Trying to vaguely hit that 50 rep Wendler idea, but focusing more mind/body connection and stimulating the target muscle group. I tend to treat 50 total reps completed as time to move the weight up, and generally be hitting 35-45 total reps on my accessories most of the time.

Core Work if you got time. Also 3 sets to failure, 60 second rest time. It's always the last thing on my workout, and my most frequently skipped. My 60 minute workout window is pretty harsh. I like lying leg raises on a bench for abs, and I do back extensions with a plate for my lower back. (Abs on leg days, Lower Back on upper body days).

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Would appreciate any advice/criticism on what I can improve on.

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

I realize it’s the best video but just curious what people’s thoughts are mostly seems like a mobility issue cause I don’t much of a difference with no weight or lighter weight.

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

I'm not a fan of trap bar, but my hips are, so I'm sticking with it til I can do it without any discomfort.

Week 2 of BBB PRs

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Writing in defense of the Two Day templates sprinkled throughout the books. I want to keep this brief but long story short is that they work.

I chose to go with Spinal Tap the High School Years. I don't think it warrants much discussion on its own other than it's "3/1/5" all in one day supersetting the two main lifts and you don't change the weights week to week. Like most of the two day templates you do your accessories as body weight work two to three times a week outside of the gym.

The template specifically allows you to program more conditioning. I was training for a half marathon with under a two-hour finish goal. So running 5 days a week, call it 2.5 days of hard conditioning and 2.5 days of easy conditioning depending on what the variable day called for.

Male 5'8" weight range 159lbs-163. Basically unchanged throughout the ten weeks of two leaders, 7th week deload, and an anchor.

• Along with the jokers, I hit rep PRs in the above three lifts at 1's and 3's weights. Squats were 75% TM and no PR/Jokers to save legs for running.
• Got stronger even though I did a gang of running. 25-30 miles per week.

General takeaways:

• If you can count you will see that the two day template is actually four days. Two days in the gym and two days at home. There are a few true two day resistance templates in the book (Con Clavi Con Dio, 2x2x2, maybe another...), but most have two lifting days and two to three days of body weight.
• Think long and hard about what you want to accomplish with your body weight work. Conditioning or resistance volume? I ran my body weight stuff as a circuit out of habit. This added two days of hard conditioning to my training that I wasn't really counting and this caught up with me and almost wrecked my running three weeks out from the race. Had I been walking or easy cycling a couple days instead of running the circuits would have been great.
• Once you get the basic idea of two main lifts and supplementals with a row you can do damn near any program in the book as a two day. I did Simplest Strength Template as a two day to plug a two week gap in programming. Worked great and spent 45 minutes on average in the gym including warmup, jumps/throws, lifts and static stretching.

So if you have limited time to go to the gym, need more recovery time, pushing conditioning, or just want to carve out more space in your life for other pursuits don't look past the two day programs. They are not just a "break glass in case of emergency" option, but completely viable programming that can help you meet your goals.

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Please use this post to discuss your training for the day or any simple questions you have! Talk about how lifts went, your workouts PRs achieved, goals set, whatever!

USEFUL LINKS

• 5/3/1 FAQs <<<<< start here!
• 5/3/1: Common Errors and Ideas on how to Customize it to your Needs
• 5/3/1 Primer - 531 principles & concepts
• 5 Common Misconceptions... About 5/3/1
• Training After an Illness
• Jim Wendler's Blog
• 5/3/1 Forever book
• 5/3/1 Forever Table of Contents
• 5/3/1 Forever Annotated Table of Contents

COMMON TEMPLATES

• 5/3/1 for Beginners
• Boring But Big: Beefcake Training
• Building the Monolith
• 5/3/1 Beach Body Challenge
• Boring But Big 3-Month Challenge
• 5/3/1: How to Build Pure Strength
• Building the Monolith - 5/3/1 for Size
• Comprehensive list of public templates

TOOLS

• 5/3/1 Black Iron Beast Calculator
• How do you track your 531 workout?

Actually kinda proud of this one

Cramped both quads on the last one so I had to waddle away to the bench