Is there any harm in doing quite a few sets of accessory work in between primary training days? For example, big lifts M/W/F and then chins, rows, curls, etc T/Th/S…overkill? I want to improve the number of chins I can do, but cannot fit such upper back work at the end of the main training sessions (due to time). Thanks in advance.
Roman,
Yes, there is a risk of applying additional stress (and fatigue) that may overrun your existing resources, though the magnitude of this risk depends on a number of things. We do program things like upper back, ab, and arm work on GPP days, which are typically done between main training sessions, e.g. on “off days”.
That said, I would try to concentrate any additional accessory work on days you’re already training. Additionally, if you’re not really well-trained at this point I think focusing on executing your existing training is likely to produce better performance.
-Jordan
Thank you for the quick response. I will do just that and try and extend my main training sessions (ending with chins after the big lifts) and stick to GPP and rest on off days. Switching gears to something almost as important as training, I’ve heard you mention that you ride motorcycles (or used to)….what do you ride? I think I saw a pic of you on a Triumph Thruxton (or Bonnie). I ride a Ducati 899 and a YZ250 (dirt), but am thinking of getting an adv bike (Triumph Tiger)….have you been happy with the Triumph (assuming it was your bike)? I live just over the hill from Santa Cruz (in Gilroy) and will keep an eye out for a jacked rider in a pink shirt. You’ll have to start your own club, “Nuance MC - Santa Cruz Chapter.”
Roman,
So the only bike I have right now is that thruxton R. It’s a nice little cafe bike to scoot around town, but honestly it’s a dog even with the 1200cc engine! That said, I may have had unrealistic expectations as I previously had a Yamaha R1 and Suzuki GSXR 600. I also used to race dirtbikes, started out on Yamahas (125’s and 250’s) and even went to the Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s in 2003 (Jordan P Feigenbaum - The Loretta Lynn's Vault - Amateur Motocross Results) . After college I had a YZ450 and then a Honda CRF 450 before I broke some more bones and got out of it. Now that I live in SoCal again, I’m thinking of picking up another bike to go ride in the desert!
-Jordan
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That’s awesome (getting to race at the ANCs)! My father raced motocross and enduro in the '70s and '80s and while his competitive days are behind him, he still rides both street and dirt well into his 60s (I ride with him almost every weekend). I’m trying to get him under the barbell though! My YZ250 is actually an '03 (probably what you rode at the ANC?). Great bike. We’ve been doing a lot of dual-sport riding up in the Santa Cruz Mountains…it’s not the same as full-on motocrossing, but it gives you a nice taste of the dirt (and you don’t have to trailer the bikes to the location, which is nice). I’ve done some track days at Laguna Seca, but mostly stick to street riding for the same reason you have given it up: a lot of broken bones. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that Thruxton….but yeah, if you came off an R1, it likely feels like a lawnmower by comparison. 
Anyway, you guys and gals are doing such important work and have really moved me from half-assing it in training/nutrition, to really progressing like I never did in my 20s and 30s (now 43 yrs old and the strongest I’ve ever been thanks to you). Thanks for the bike chat and ride safe!
Thanks man! To quote Larry Maier, longtime host of the now-defunct TV show *MotoWorld, “*Keep your feet on the pegs and your wheels on the ground.”