# Decreasing volume ?

**URL:** <https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527>\
**Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\
**Created:** [July 1, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527 "2018-07-01T12:16:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![brettkeefer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/brettkeefer/32/1087_2.png) [@brettkeefer](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/brettkeefer)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527/1 "2018-07-01T12:16:36Z")

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I got a bug up my butt and convinced myself that to get to the next level, I wouldn’t be able to do it programming for myself and needed to hire a coach. The guy I sought out has an elite total @198 , currently coaches 20 different powerlifters , so I’m not gonna say his approaches are wrong. However , the 4 week block he made for me to start has a lot less volume than what I’ve been doing and have been successful with. For example , during squats in my hypertrophy block I was doing 4x8 comp squats followed by 3 sets of 6 pause or tempo squats. Where as he has me doIng 1 set of 8 comp squat followed by 2x6 tempo or pause. And that theme resonates with the other lifts. I would also be going from a benching movement 3 times a week to 2 times. My question is , does this seem harmful to my progress? I dont get how it’s supposed  
to be enough volume and everything I know about the bbm philosophy says that less volume is rarely the answer.

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527/2 "2018-07-01T13:58:05Z")

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Hi Brett,

You’re asking us to assess the program a one-on-one coach has given you compared to your prior program, without us actually seeing either program, OR knowing anything about you. You are also assessing the programs based entirely on one variable (volume).

Sorry man, can’t do this.

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**Author:** ![quark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5e9695/32.png) [@quark](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/quark)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527/3 "2018-07-01T15:13:53Z")

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Would seeing if e1RM is increasing over a few weeks be a good way to assess a program? Also see if fatigue and soreness become unpleasant?

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**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527/4 "2018-07-01T15:37:40Z")

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The former is obviously a useful metric, yes.

The latter is … a bit more complicated and difficult. [Fear, Catastrophizing, and Training](http://www.barbellmedicine.com/catastrophizing/)

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**Author:** ![quark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5e9695/32.png) [@quark](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/quark)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/decreasing-volume/2527/5 "2018-07-01T17:01:08Z")

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I was thinking of Texas Method and other grind it out styles of programming that have a reputation for resulting in excessive soreness, fatigue, etc., but perhaps just monitoring e1RM would be enough, as those programs tend not to provide enough productive stress. You certainly don’t want to nocebo yourself by focusing on ill effects.