Powerlifting on 531

[halfsquat]

I've read about the great progress that many folks have made using 531 so I think I'm finally gonna give it try myself. But I have a question - if you were using 531 to get ready for a raw powerlifting meet, how would you lay out the last 4 weeks before a meet?

I was thinking of switching the weeks from 5, 3, 1, deload to 3, 1, 5, deload, with the meet at the end of the deload week. That way the last heavy work would be 2 weeks out and I could have a 1 week taper with the 5's week before deloading or laying off completely the week of the meet.

BTW - I read on T-nation that Jim Wendler is coming out with a new 531 book specifically for powerlifting, but the article didn't say when. Anybody here know when he might put this out?

Thanks for any input.

[ironwill727]

A lot of guys do 3-5-1 with a few singles on the 3 and 1 week. I believe that is what the new book is going to include.

[joey54]

Search Scott Yard's training log. He has a good approach.

[Brian Hopper]

This past meet I did something like this:

WK1: 5/3/1-5+
WK2: 5/3/1-3+
WK3: 5/3/1-1+
WK4: Deload
WK5: 5/3/1-5+
WK6: 5/3/1-3+
WK7: 5/3/1-No rep maxes, just worked up to 1RM to see where I'm at
WK8: Deload
WK9: Deload
WK10: Openers
WK11: Rest for the meet

This seemed to work pretty good for me. I will probably do something similar for my next raw meet. Maybe Scott will pop in and give his opinion and what he does. He has a pretty nice layout also.

[ScottYard]

This depends how seasoned you are. Is this your first meet?

[halfsquat]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Scott - I guess it depends on what you mean by "seasoned". I'm 44yo, so I've been around a while. But as far as meets go, I've been in only about 8 total and 6 of those were over 10 years ago. I've lifted in 2 VA state meets over the past year. My best raw lifts are SQ 440, BP 308 and DL 480 at 198.

Most of my training has been linear progression type, which is what I'm used to, but I seem to have stalled out over the past several months. I'm hoping with 531 I can get my lifts moving up again.

Thanks for any help.

[RhodeHouse]

This is what Jim recommended for me and is what is in his book.

Week 1 - 3
Week 2 - 5
Week 3 - 5/3/1
Week 4 - Deload

2-3 cycles out, start doing singles on the 3 and 5/3/1/ weeks (as mentioned above) Continue to go for rep maxes before taking singles.

2 cycles out, maybe go for extra reps, but don't push it before taking singles. For example, on 3's week, do 5 and shut it down.

Last cycle, just hit the numbers prescribed with no extra reps.

When you take singles, it's not max effort. Some people will need to feel heavy weight in their hands, some won't. Do not come close to failure.

I'm trying it for a meet in January and I'll follow that up with another and see how it plays out. Worked extremely well for Jim.

[ScottYard]

I would go with what Matt says.

Especially if its right from Jim.

The most important thing no matter what you do is to take it easy those last few weeks and rest up.

[Brian Hopper]

Does anybody know when Jim is going to release his new book?

[halfsquat]

Thanks guys!! This is exaclty what I was looking for. Can't wait to try it out.

Rhodehouse - I appreciate the details. Very cool! Looking foward to Wendler's book.

[RhodeHouse]

Does anybody know when Jim is going to release his new book?

It's in the process of being edited.

[Brian Hopper]

It's in the process of being edited.

Thanks!!!

[HJP]

When you add singles are you still going for rep maxes as normal in those respective weeks?

Looking forward to the new book.