Dear Jordan, dear Austin,
first of all: thanks so much for the content you’re providing on so many channels. You have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for my training since I “discovered” BBM earlier this year! I learned lots already and am stoked learning more and growing in my training over the next years.
Before I get into my questions, I’d like to give you a little background: I am 45 yo male, ~87kg, 185cm. I have been working out since my late teens, but mainly doing long-distance endurance stuff (mostly road cycling and running) sprinkled with some martial arts, and while I have always been doing some kind of resistance training, there was little systematic programming if any. Just prior to the start of the pandemic (and the closing of gyms), I found the joy in lifting heavy weights, and once gyms were open again, I started doing a standard linear-progression style training (StrongLifts/SS), to which I added some arm work and later added your very nice BBM press prescriptions. Now I am on my first actual BBM template, currently in Week 8 of the Bridge 3.0 program. I really enjoy it and continue to see improvements - if somewhat irregular in some exercises - across all movements/lifts. At the same time, I feel super-energized by the workouts and do not have the same recovery issues and fatigue I experienced during the mid/late LP.
Alright, enough with the lengthy prelude/context, here are my questions: 1. Since the end of the template is closing in, I am wondering what to do in the ~5 weeks between the end of the Bridge 3.0 as programmed in the template and the beginning of my vacations (2 weeks in late-September/early October in which I will not be going to the gym but will have plenty of aerobic activity). My thinking was that I would repeat either Block 1 or 2 of the Bridge again, maybe switching some of the exercises a little. Any thoughts on that? Not sure whether it’s relevant for that, but I am currently “cutting” a little, aiming for something around 84, 85kgs before my holidays, down from 91kgs in May. Oh, and after the vacays, I want to do PB1 (after doing a week of Tom’s “returning to the gym” routine) and start a very careful “bulking” phase.
2. Do I read it right that you suggest doing 5 units of “cardio” (3 LISS and 2 HITT) per week in Block 2 of the Bridge 3.0?
Thanks in advance and all the best,
David