Plans of a PB IV template (?) + back-off sets question

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hey BBM,

I was wondering if you guys had any plans on releasing a PB IV template in the next year or so?
I’m currently on week 7 of PB II (third time running the template) and will probably be looking to start running PB III next, although I was thinking of running PB II one more time as I had some good results so far this time (the second time I ran PB II though results weren’t great).
I know that this is looking quite far into the future, though a consideration I had as to whether I should rerun PB II one more time or start PB III next is that my goals align perfectly with the PB templates, and I would be a bit lost as to which template I should go to after PB III (of course i’ll probably run it a few consecutive times).

As for my second question - On PB II day 4 the third exercise is Dumbbell Incline Bench:
70% e1rm x AMRAP x 1 set.
63% e1rm x 12 reps x 3 sets.
The problem I have with this is that I can’t get the necessary number of reps with 63% e1rm. For example in my last workout this is what I managed to get:
36 kg (each hand) x 11 reps @ RPE 10 - e1rm of 51 kg per hand.
30 kg x 12 reps @ RPE 10 (59% x e1rm)
28 kg x 12 reps @ RPE 10 (55% x e1rm)
26 kg x 12 reps @ RPE 10 (51% x e1rm)
I made sure that I rested 3 minutes between each set though I still felt really fatigued after each set. I also have the same problem on day 2 with the back-off sets after the AMRAP on the OHP.

2

Hey Josh,

Not sure if PB IV is in my next 3-4 templates I want to get sorted. I’m thinking BB II, Gen S/C II, and the youth sports template are likely to be first…but never say never!

For your second question, I’d probably do the AMRAP with 30kg instead of 36kg, then do 26 or 24kg for the back off sets.

3

Hey Jordan,

So I know this is kind of looking far into the future, but if PB IV would not be out by the time I finished running PB III for a few times, what would be the next move if my goal is equally SBD strength and hypertrophy? Is there a problem with running PB III on a loop or would you alternate between different templates?

As for the AMRAP, I reckon I could get ~20 reps with 30 kg dumbbells if it’s my first working set (considering I got 11 reps with 36 kg dumbbells), wouldn’t this be too many reps (or too light) as the program calls for 70% * e1rm as the AMRAP set?

4

I have no immediate plans to design a PB IV template. I also suspect that you shouldbe able to run PB III a number of times before considering changing, particularly if it’s working. I think the strength templates are better for strength, so you might get some mileage out of strength III or the low fatigue template.

70% is going to be in the ~15 rep range or so. I think 36kg is too heavy for you right now and would defer to something lighter, even if it means more reps. That’s fine.

5

Got it, thanks Jordan!