# What's next after PB-1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [May 10, 2022, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401 "2022-05-10T07:04:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nikhilsomani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nikhilsomani](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/nikhilsomani)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 7:04am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/1 "2022-05-10T07:04:56Z")
I think I have got the last drop of gains I could have squeezed out of PB-1. Ran it thrice in a row (actually into week 3 now) (the third time I am running it, just for technique refinement and eating in a caloric deficit). Although I got PRs every time I ran PB-1. I could rerun it again, but I think it’s taking a mental toll (the programming bit). Going forward my goal is to maximise strength gains in main lifts. I assume the advice would be to run Strength-1 (i have never tasted BBM pure strength programming) but the description says it’s more suitable for leading into a meet. I don’t see any meet coming up but I would still try to test my maxes in a mock meet. As I understand there is a peaking phase built into the strength-1 template, but if I saw progress while running the template (which I assume I would) should I just skip the peaking block and just rerun the entire thing again from week 1? Really appreciate all the work you guys do, including high-quality free resources, podcasts and videos. Thanks a lot. The BBM experience has been a life-changer for me. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/2 "2022-05-10T14:35:03Z")
I’d do PL-II if you’re cool w/ doing 4 days per week. If you’re crushing it on a particular mesocycle, I don’t see a reason to artificially cut it off and move onto the next phase unless you have a meet or test you’ve timed the template up with. Thanks for the kind words as well! ---
**Author:** ![nikhilsomani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nikhilsomani](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/nikhilsomani)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2022, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/3 "2022-05-10T23:26:51Z")
I can move to 4 days of training but prefer 3 days. Also just want to confirm whether you meant PB-2 or PL-2. Thanks a lot for the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/4 "2022-05-11T13:30:55Z")
> [@nikhilsomani](#): > > I can move to 4 days of training but prefer 3 days. Also just want to confirm whether you meant PB-2 or PL-2. Thanks a lot for the answer. I meant PL-2 given the emphasis on strength. You could do Strength I, sure, but I’d be leaning towards PL-2. ---
**Author:** ![goreblox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/goreblox/32/221_2.png) [@goreblox](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/goreblox)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2022, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/5 "2022-05-11T16:37:48Z")
Hey, sorry to piggy-back on this but I’m in a very similar position. I’m on the second block of PB-I right now and wanted to transition to a strength focused template next as well. In the past, I’ve run most of block one of Strength I (got injured around week four of block one and had to go in for surgery/long lay off) so I never finished it, technically. Would it be your recommendation that I rerun Strength I next or can I just bypass it and do PL-II if I have the training time to lift 4 days/week? Would one route be advisable over within the context of someone coming back from a long layoff? Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![nikhilsomani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nikhilsomani](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/nikhilsomani)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/6 "2022-05-12T00:18:19Z")
Ok. Thanks a lot Jordan. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/7 "2022-05-12T14:39:04Z")
> [@goreblox](#): > > Hey, sorry to piggy-back on this but I’m in a very similar position. I’m on the second block of PB-I right now and wanted to transition to a strength focused template next as well. In the past, I’ve run most of block one of Strength I (got injured around week four of block one and had to go in for surgery/long lay off) so I never finished it, technically. Would it be your recommendation that I rerun Strength I next or can I just bypass it and do PL-II if I have the training time to lift 4 days/week? Would one route be advisable over within the context of someone coming back from a long layoff? Thanks in advance. If you’re coming right off of PB-I, I think PL-II would be fine. If you’re coming back from a layoff (months), I’d implement a similar strategy to what’s laid out here: [Returning to the Gym | Barbell Medicine](https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/returning-to-the-gym/) ---
**Author:** ![goreblox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/goreblox/32/221_2.png) [@goreblox](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/goreblox)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/8 "2022-05-12T14:44:08Z")
The beginner template was the first program I ran post-surgery, then subsequently ran PB-I. This being the case, I think I’ll elect to run PL-II next. Thanks, Jordan! ---
**Author:** ![Paulscaff1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/paulscaff1/32/446_2.png) [@Paulscaff1](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Paulscaff1)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2022, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/9 "2022-05-14T17:15:33Z")
Hi Jordan, im in a similair-ish boat to the OP. Ive just started my second run of PB1, but would definetely like focus on improving my big 3 after I finish the next ten weeks. I actually purchased Strength 1 at the same time as PB1 but have never ran it. Am I right in assuming my recommendation would be the same as the OP’s… to do PL 2? Is the difference between Strength 1 and PL 2 just a matter of 3 days vs 4? Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/whats-next-after-pb-1/12401/10 "2022-05-15T14:40:15Z")
PL 2 would be a _better_ idea than PL _IF you_ had run PB I multiple times before and weren’t really responding to it anymore. There are multiple differences between the templates including days of training, volume, exercise selection, etc.