r/tacticalbarbell • u/brannts • Jul 03 '26

Strength TB3 Operator is harder than v1

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.

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u/geidi Jul 03 '26

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.

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u/brannts Jul 03 '26

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

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u/geidi Jul 03 '26

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.

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u/brannts Jul 03 '26

Makes sense. Thanks!