I started the Bridge this week and just wanted to make sure I shouldn’t still be LP-ing. I’m 40, 6’, 205(-ish), up from 185 in August and 170 a year ago. I’ve been on the LP since August and have reset my squat twice due to illness and stalling. My press stalled a long time ago and I’ve been doing different things (6 sets of 4, etc.) to keep it moving. My lifts are:
Squat - 280 lbs, 3x5
Press - 135, 3x3 (heavy set of three is probably higher)
Bench - 183, 3x5
Deadlift - 315, 1x5
I feel like my deadlift and bench could keep going another week or two (or more, who knows) on LP, but each set on my squat at 280 lbs was at about RPE 10, and my bench is at about 9, I think. I tried going up to 285, got two reps at RPE 10 and racked it, de-loaded 10% and finished. The same thing happened the next workout. I feel like I had built up a lot of fatigue from several sessions with 3x5 squats at RPE 9.5–10. The first week of the Bridge feels great (day 3 is tonight) and I feel like I’m dissipating some fatigue, but I can’t help but feel a little guilty abandoning LP and/or inadequate at a 280 lb squat. Maybe I’m average.
Anyway, thanks for the program! And I’ve been using GainzZz Rx and it’s great!
From the data collected by SSC’s and presented at last year’s coaches conference, the average ending squat on the LP is around 285 lbs. Interestingly, that’s where my own novice LP ended back when I did it myself. You are fine.
Additionally, consider the fact that you aren’t planning on quitting training anytime soon. Let’s assume you’re going to train for the rest of your life. Do you think grinding out LP for another 1-2 weeks is going to make a difference in where your squat ends up in 10 years?
Thank you very much for the response. This perspective is very helpful, even liberating. I’m excited about the Bridge and what this kind of training can do long term. Thanks, again!
I wish I had known this sooner. I couldn’t bear the thought of ending my LP at 295 (failed 300) after being on it for a year so I milked it out until 315…another 7 years later.
This is exactly where I am at and what I was wondering. Good points as I do plan on training for the rest of my life.
I have been feeling like a complete wimp as I am at 275x3x5 squat, 115x3x5 Press and 325x1x5 DL.
I can feel the fatigue smashing me and feel my 47 year old body starting not to recover.
Also if it makes you feel any better the numbers they mentioned in the podcast you are referring to were 265 avg squat end LP, 115 press and 350 DL. Personally I must also say I find the information here, and on barbell medicine podcast significantly better and more helpful than those two.