What's next after PB-1

[nikhilsomani]

I think I have got the last drop of gains I could have squeezed out of PB-1. Ran it thrice in a row (actually into week 3 now) (the third time I am running it, just for technique refinement and eating in a caloric deficit). Although I got PRs every time I ran PB-1. I could rerun it again, but I think it's taking a mental toll (the programming bit).

Going forward my goal is to maximise strength gains in main lifts. I assume the advice would be to run Strength-1 (i have never tasted BBM pure strength programming) but the description says it's more suitable for leading into a meet. I don't see any meet coming up but I would still try to test my maxes in a mock meet.

As I understand there is a peaking phase built into the strength-1 template, but if I saw progress while running the template (which I assume I would) should I just skip the peaking block and just rerun the entire thing again from week 1?

Really appreciate all the work you guys do, including high-quality free resources, podcasts and videos. Thanks a lot. The BBM experience has been a life-changer for me.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

I'd do PL-II if you're cool w/ doing 4 days per week. If you're crushing it on a particular mesocycle, I don't see a reason to artificially cut it off and move onto the next phase unless you have a meet or test you've timed the template up with.

Thanks for the kind words as well!

[nikhilsomani]

I can move to 4 days of training but prefer 3 days. Also just want to confirm whether you meant PB-2 or PL-2. Thanks a lot for the answer.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

I can move to 4 days of training but prefer 3 days. Also just want to confirm whether you meant PB-2 or PL-2. Thanks a lot for the answer.

I meant PL-2 given the emphasis on strength. You could do Strength I, sure, but I'd be leaning towards PL-2.

[goreblox]

Hey, sorry to piggy-back on this but I'm in a very similar position. I'm on the second block of PB-I right now and wanted to transition to a strength focused template next as well. In the past, I've run most of block one of Strength I (got injured around week four of block one and had to go in for surgery/long lay off) so I never finished it, technically. Would it be your recommendation that I rerun Strength I next or can I just bypass it and do PL-II if I have the training time to lift 4 days/week? Would one route be advisable over within the context of someone coming back from a long layoff? Thanks in advance.

[nikhilsomani]

Ok. Thanks a lot Jordan.

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

Hey, sorry to piggy-back on this but I'm in a very similar position. I'm on the second block of PB-I right now and wanted to transition to a strength focused template next as well. In the past, I've run most of block one of Strength I (got injured around week four of block one and had to go in for surgery/long lay off) so I never finished it, technically. Would it be your recommendation that I rerun Strength I next or can I just bypass it and do PL-II if I have the training time to lift 4 days/week? Would one route be advisable over within the context of someone coming back from a long layoff? Thanks in advance.

If you're coming right off of PB-I, I think PL-II would be fine. If you're coming back from a layoff (months), I'd implement a similar strategy to what's laid out here: https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog...ng-to-the-gym/

[goreblox]

The beginner template was the first program I ran post-surgery, then subsequently ran PB-I. This being the case, I think I'll elect to run PL-II next. Thanks, Jordan!

[Paulscaff1]

Hi Jordan, im in a similair-ish boat to the OP.

Ive just started my second run of PB1, but would definetely like focus on improving my big 3 after I finish the next ten weeks.

I actually purchased Strength 1 at the same time as PB1 but have never ran it.

Am I right in assuming my recommendation would be the same as the OP's... to do PL 2?

Is the difference between Strength 1 and PL 2 just a matter of 3 days vs 4?

Cheers

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

PL 2 would be a better idea than PL IF you had run PB I multiple times before and weren't really responding to it anymore. There are multiple differences between the templates including days of training, volume, exercise selection, etc.