Advanced 5x5 Ramping

[rmexico]

I've been doing the advanced 5x5. I'm starting the 4th week, where the top set of every lift would be a huge PR. On squats for example, I'm supposed to do

315x5
340x5
365x5
390x5
415x5.

I know that I'll be able to get the first four sets, but the 5th set is going to be hard. In fact, it'll be impossible after doing 390x5. Is there any reason why I couldn't do something like

315x5
340x3
365x1
390x1
415x5
390x5
365x5

instead? I'd be doing the same (even a little more) volume, but I'd be far less fatigued for top set. I guess I'm asking if the order of the sets matters. I don't see why it would, but I could be wrong.

[IliekFude]

no reason at all.
chaining yourself to pre-set percentages and numbers that are supposed to progress linearly week to week as prescribed by a pre-planned cookie cutter just doesnt work in real life.
Everyone is different. Do what you can and adjust accordingly.
Not to mention - everyone has an off week. While you may be behind on yr programs prescribed %'s etc one week, you may just bounce back fine the next and get right back on track.
One of the main reasons i dont follow these types of restrictive prescribed linear programs.

[TheSuaveOne]

I've been doing the advanced 5x5. I'm starting the 4th week, where the top set of every lift would be a huge PR. On squats for example, I'm supposed to do

315x5
340x5
365x5
390x5
415x5.

I know that I'll be able to get the first four sets, but the 5th set is going to be hard. In fact, it'll be impossible after doing 390x5. Is there any reason why I couldn't do something like

315x5
340x3
365x1
390x1
415x5
390x5
365x5

instead? I'd be doing the same (even a little more) volume, but I'd be far less fatigued for top set. I guess I'm asking if the order of the sets matters. I don't see why it would, but I could be wrong.

Week 4 is the always the week that kicks my ass. I would be hesitant to mess around with the system to just get by. Maybe just take a little more time between sets?

[BiggT]

I've been doing the advanced 5x5. I'm starting the 4th week, where the top set of every lift would be a huge PR. On squats for example, I'm supposed to do

315x5
340x5
365x5
390x5
415x5.

I know that I'll be able to get the first four sets, but the 5th set is going to be hard. In fact, it'll be impossible after doing 390x5. Is there any reason why I couldn't do something like

315x5
340x3
365x1
390x1
415x5
390x5
365x5

instead? I'd be doing the same (even a little more) volume, but I'd be far less fatigued for top set. I guess I'm asking if the order of the sets matters. I don't see why it would, but I could be wrong.

Ramping up to a set of 5 is actually the 1x5 day, as opposed to 5 sets of 5 at a set weight, which is your true "5x5" So, what you laid out isn't a bad idea at all. Just keep driving up that top set of 5 and thats all that matters. If it were me, I'd bag 390 and 365 x 5 as backoffs and do 385x8-12 to finish after the set of 5 at 415.

That said, I would always tell people not to fuck with the 5x5, but when you reach the point where you're squatting over 400lbs, you know enough about training not to go out and fuck up your progress.

Actually, you've hit a point where you need to personalize the 5x5. So, yeah, work up to 415x5 that way, on that day all that matters is the top set of 5, so it really is 1x5.

You're gonna start seeing at this level that you follow the basic principles of a Bill Starr-style program, but you've outgrown a cookie-cutter, which is fine because you should know enough about yourself to know how to keep progressing. In the end all that matters is progress, the rest is just a means to an end.

[Pan]

While I agree with T and Fude, I believe TheSuaveOne came up with a very valid solution. It is likely a conditioning issue. If you condition yourself you will be able to nail those two top sets no problem, I find that the first three sets do nothing for me, but the fourth really fires me up because it starts to feel like there's some weight to work against. I always take as much time as I need between my 4th and 5th set because its the 5th set that counts. In my eyes theres no real need to dick around with it too much.

T's suggestion of using the 4th set weight as a backoff is a good one, but I'd prefer to keep it because its the weight on that set that really revs me up

[saiyanjin]

While I agree with T and Fude, I believe TheSuaveOne came up with a very valid solution. It is likely a conditioning issue. If you condition yourself you will be able to nail those two top sets no problem, I find that the first three sets do nothing for me, but the fourth really fires me up because it starts to feel like there's some weight to work against. I always take as much time as I need between my 4th and 5th set because its the 5th set that counts. In my eyes theres no real need to dick around with it too much.

T's suggestion of using the 4th set weight as a backoff is a good one, but I'd prefer to keep it because its the weight on that set that really revs me up
agreed with both of you. when i use to ramp up on the 1x5 days, lets use 405 for example, id do something like 225x5, 275x5 315x5, 375x5, 405x5. you want that MAX set, the rest of them are really just to warm you up. i was never short of energy for my MAX sets.