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Planes of Movement
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 1:23 am
by Your_Lunch
For a bit of variety and to keep things interesting, I'm looking to do a couple of blocks of Zulu I/A with a BP, SQ, WPU, OHP, BB Row cluster. Now I don't know if I'm splitting hairs here, but would there be any advantage / disadvantage to breaking up the days into a vertical push/pull day and a horizontal push/pull day, as opposed to a regular BP/WPU/SQ day where I'm moving more weight, and then an OHP/BB Row day where the 1RM is lower and not as taxing?
Basically, is there any real difference between:
A - BP, BB Row, SQ (Horizontal push/pull)
B - OHP, WPU (Vertical push/pull)
As opposed to:
A - BP, WPU, SQ (Heavier lifting)
B - OHP, BB Row (Lighter lifting)
Re: Planes of Movement
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 6:54 am
by Maxrip13
The only difference is your pulling exercise. The rows are the direct opposite of the bench so in theory it should work well.
I look at rows as an accessory and weighted pull-ups as the squat of the upper body. I would do what you plan and then really push the weighted pull-ups hard.
Give it a go and tell us how it goes.
Re: Planes of Movement
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 3:32 pm
by WallBilly
I don't have any insight into your question, but here's another thing to consider.
I run Zulu most often, and one reason I like it is the "crowded gym" factor.
I always do squats and OHPs on the same day, because those are the ones I need the power rack for. If I show up and all the racks are taken, and it looks like it is going to be a while, I'll do bench/dead. If not, I'll do squat/OHP because the rack is free.
This way, I only have to stress about finding a free rack twice a week instead of 4 times a week.
Re: Planes of Movement
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 7:05 pm
by mikhou
I'm not sure that I understand the Heavier and Lighter distinctions that you are making, but here's what I like to do. You can either look at it as Zulu with a twist or you can look at it as Op I/A from TB2 with a twist (different from Op I/A in TB, 3rd edition). (Full disclosure: KB says that Op I/A in TB, 3rd edition supersedes Op I/A from TB2. I like it, but KB knows infinitely more about training than I do.)
I run an 8-day "week" as follows using Op I/A percentages:
1 - MS day - BP/SQ/WCU
2 - HIC
3 - MS day - OHP/BB row/DL
4 - Rest day
5 - MS day - BP/SQ/WCU
6 - HIC
7 - Fobbit Interval / Fun Run - In 1 hour get in as many sets/rounds as possible: 1/2 mile warm-up, do some warmup sets and the first working set for OHP, run a 1/2 mile, second set, run a 1/2 mile (repeat this until I get to my total number of OHP sets for this day - usually 5). Then I do some warmup sets and the first working set for straight-leg deadlift, run a half mile, do my second set, run. I can usually only get in 2 sets of SLDL. So I am moving and get in an E-type workout for an hour plus some strength work.
8 - Rest day
So what am I accomplishing here? Within 8 days, I hit BP/SQ/WCU/OHP 2x. I get in 2 HIC workouts and an E workout. And I get in heavy DLs once (which is enough) and add some accessory, but less taxing SLDLs. The only thing that I don't hit 2x in the 8-day week is barbell rows, but I'm getting in plenty of pulling to suit me. During some cycle I might switch out the WCUs for Barbell rows, but WCUs more suit what I want now. Granted this works best when you have a home gym as your rest days aren't the same days every week.
So that's a long explanation to say that I don't think that particular planes of movement and doing them on certain days and in combination with other exercises matters that much. In fact, KB once told me in an email that he didn't think that planes of movement mattered much at all, but that overall strength mattered more than working in certain planes. Hope that helps.
(Oh, and I, too, enjoy the variety of Zulu vs. Op. Op is GREAT, but I enjoy Zulu more.)
Re: Planes of Movement
Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 9:22 am
by Your_Lunch
I do like your thinking there WallBilly!
mikhou wrote:I'm not sure that I understand the Heavier and Lighter distinctions that you are making
Yeah sorry, it was a clumsy way of saying that because there's more weight moved on the BP/WPU than OHP/BB Row, doing them after a rest day may be better than after a work day of OHP/BB Row in terms of being rested.
I guess I'll just have to run it both ways and see how it works out.
I'm interested in the 8-day week you run too. Our brigade runs an 8-day roster, so it could slot in quite well...might have to try it out sometime!