I am set to run the bridge 1.0 (minus the squatting due to bad knees), and looking at the programming i noticed GPP is on separate days.
My schedule is flexible enough to do the GPP work whenever (i.e. either on separate days or after resistance training), but I was just curious on the reasoning behind it.
Would there be any downside to doing my GPP after lifting (besides the additional time cost)? I read somewhere that there could be competition for nutrients (i.e. my “lifting muscles” wouldn’t get AS MUCH as they could have due to the “cardio muscles” being more nutrient sensitive since this is the most recent physical activity that was done).
How much does it really matter if improved strength outcomes were the goal?
I mean, I can do bodyweight squats ~2-3 inches above parallel, with knee pain in both knees ultimately being the limiting factor for depth. However, I can no longer (or should I say - I am no longer willing to) get the bar on my back due to a right shoulder problem which brings significant pain.
Would the pain in my shoulder and knees improve through gradual exposure to squatting? Probably. I guess I just never enjoyed squatting enough to want to revisit the movement. Maybe after 8 weeks, just maybe.
By the way, follow up question.
I don’t know if this makes sense or if I’m flat out just looking at this the wrong way but…Since I don’t squat currently, does this mean I will have extra recovery resources to allow for pushing the DL and Bench a little harder than if I was (squatting)?
I think your ability to tolerate squatting would improve via gradual exposure to the squat, yes. Since you’re not engaging in as much physical activity, you’re incurring less training stimuli to both adapt to and recover from.
First of all, thank you for encouraging me to squat again. I essentially wrote them off but I’m back to doing them!
I basically just did the empty bar (albeit 1.5-2 inches above parallel) and widened my grip due to the shoulder issues, but I guess this is the entry point. I obviously could have done more but I chose to err on the side of caution given the knee problems.
That said, what sort of progression would you recommend I do for the squat? Would the beginner template progression be good or would being a little more conservative (i.e. increases in weight every 2 weeks or more instead of every week?) make more sense?
I think if you haven’t been squatting, yet can squat fine without issue right now, then the beginner template would be fine. I don’t think it’s advisable to recommend any specific load progression rate outside of what is detailed in the beginner template. If you can’t really load the squat right now without issue, I’d refer to the article here:
