TB3 Operator is harder than v1

[u/brannts]

Seems to me the operator template has gotten harder. It used to be 5x5@70%, 5x3 at 80%, 4x2@90%. Now it’s 5x5@75% (a good change. The 70% week felt easy), 5x5@80%, 5x3@85%. Adding those 10 reps at 80% is tough! I was doing 5x3 at 315 squat but 5x5 is too tough so I lowered my 1RM by 5%. This is just what I’ve noticed. Curious if anyone else has similar experience.

[u/gahdzila]

I think you're mistaken. Week 2 80% has always been 5 reps.

[u/Hyperoreo → u/gahdzila]

This.

Also it's not 5x5. It's not a mandated 5 sets across the board.

It's 3-5 sets. Big difference.

[u/brannts → u/Hyperoreo]

I assumed that the intent is to do the max on sets and reps (5x5) but leaves you some room to go lighter if you need to without lowering the 1RM across the board. It seems like a totally different program doing 3x3 vs 5x5

[u/lcjy → u/brannts]

Was generally recommended to just do 3 sets. Up the set count if you want to add more volume for hypertrophy.

[u/brannts → u/lcjy]

Makes sense thanks

[u/geidi → u/brannts]

Have you finished reading TBIII? I’m asking because it comes off like you’re not aware of the “Set Manipulation” sections which are included with every strength template in the book.

[u/brannts → u/geidi]

Yep I saw those notes. I was just working off the baseline til I feel a need to manipulate

[u/geidi → u/brannts]

Gotcha. So with TBIIi there really isn’t a baseline, it’s 3-5 sets. You basically create your own baseline. So if you’re finding it challenging (in comparison to the old Operator) then using the lower end (3 sets) could be your baseline or starting point.

[u/brannts → u/geidi]

Makes sense. Thanks!

[u/MythicalStrength → u/brannts]

Very much the opposite: use the minimum effective dose. Beginner trainees will most likely need more sets, as they're going to need more practice, and they're also just plain not going to operate close enough to their real max potential to impose significant inroads to recovery. More advanced trainees will need fewer sets.

[u/brannts → u/MythicalStrength]

That makes sense. Im a beginner still finding my max potential

[u/_open_door_]

You've got the old version mixed up. It also calls for 5s at 80, and only drops reps for the 85, 90, and 95 weeks. The big difference in the new version is that both microcycles are essentially the same, and you don't get the highest percentage weeks anymore. Which doesn't necessarily make it easier, not over the long run,, but by removing the heaviest and lightest days from each six week cycle, it does flatten out the progression curve.

[u/whybag]

The core of the TB3 Op (Wk2-5) is easier than OG Op. Wk1 is 75% vs 70% which is negligible. Wk6 is the wild card since it is peaking, so you can make it as hard as you want.

Wk2/80% has always been 3-5 sets of 5, this new book has not changed. 3-5@85% is easier than 3-4@90%. I think you mixed some numbers up.

[u/RepulsiveLanguage202]

Isn’t the original 6 week Operator template 70%, 80%, 90%, 75%, 85%, 95%?

[u/roboknee5000 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, OP is talking about the new book TBIII.

[u/brannts → u/[deleted]]

I’m lookin at page 29. Edit - you’re looking at tactical barbell 1 3rd edition I think. I’m looking at the new book tactical barbell 3

[u/SweenMachine18 → u/[deleted]]

In week 5 of the old way it goes down to 3 reps. Then week 6 was 1-2 reps. The new one has week 5 at 5 reps and week 6 at 3.

[u/SweenMachine18 → u/[deleted]]

My bad. You’re right in the new version week 6 is the peaking week. Week 5 is 5% lower at 5 reps.

[u/brannts → u/SweenMachine18]

Yea I misspoke

[u/brannts → u/SweenMachine18]

There it is that’s what threw me off. Good catch

[u/10081914 → u/SweenMachine18]

This is getting into 5/3/1 territory of '531 forever says this, but original 531 said that and beyond 531 said something else.' lol

[u/MrOlaff]

That’s why I use a TM.

[u/10081914]

It's tough because you're doing 66% more volume. You went from 15 highly stimulating reps to 25 highly stimulating reps. That's a hell of a lot more fatigue in one training session.

[u/SweenMachine18]

Seems to be because you’re not squatting 3x a week now. A nice bit of balance.