Hi Docs, I just had a laparoscopic partial colectomy and have been advised to lay off of weights and vigorous exercise for about a month, to avoid incisional hernia. I have been lifting 2 years, started with SSNLP, and then moved on to an HLM program, then a 4-day split, then your original hypertrophy template, and most recently another HLM. I have not gotten a good feel for RPE, as at a certain point everything feels “really heavy” even when I complete my programmed sets without much grinding. So I have gravitated toward %-based programs. Basically, I think I am trading some efficiency of progress for the benefit of not having to think about it, which has seemed like an OK deal for me.
so my question: when I return to lifting after a month or so, would you recommend a beginner template vs the Bridge vs back to HLM, or something else?
My goals are general health, getting stronger and building muscle, and maybe looking a little jacked too. Over the past two years, my weight has gone up a little as my waistline has gone down, which is OK by me. I still have some stubborn belly fat to work on, but otherwise feel like my progress has been great.
my stats, in case that matters: 49yo, 5’7”, 185 lbs, 37”waist, 1rms: sq 345, ohp 170, bench 235, dl 380.