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Hi all, looking for a little bit of advice.

I've just started running Operator template as a novice with squat, bench and deadlift. I'm working out Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday but I know there are going to be weeks where I'm not going to be able to workout on Sundays. So I'm planning to try Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Is working out back to back days advisable? I know programs like starting strength advise against it but they don't use sub-max weights like TB does.

I want to continue to lift three times a week. So, while this is obviously not optimal, will it be counter productive?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

It's definitely counter productive. You need a day of rest between sessions. Is it possible to do Tuesday, Thursday Saturday? What are your other days filled with (LSS, conditioning)?

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a 44 year old with a young family, prioritizing strength as I'm feeling the effects of getting older! So weekends are often busy and my wife works on a Wednesday night so I can't get to the gym. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday are the nights I can almost guarantee being able to commit to lifting.

If back to back training days on Operator is counter productive, then it looks like my options are either the fighter template with some conditioning on Tuesday or something like 5/3/1 that uses an upper/lower split.

AndyGog wrote:Thanks for the reply.

I'm a 44 year old with a young family, prioritizing strength as I'm feeling the effects of getting older! So weekends are often busy and my wife works on a Wednesday night so I can't get to the gym. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday are the nights I can almost guarantee being able to commit to lifting.

If back to back training days on Operator is counter productive, then it looks like my options are either the fighter template with some conditioning on Tuesday or something like 5/3/1 that uses an upper/lower split.

I will be 47 in a month. And my family is relatively young with 7m twins. So, I hear you.

Now.. have you thought about OP I/A from TB Conditioning book with A-B-A template? Example listed in the book looks like:

Day 1: SQ/BP (A)
Day 3: DL/OHP (B)
Day 5: SQ/BP (A)

I'm not saying it should work for you, I am just thinking out-loud.. It might worth a shot, though.

Heretical thought here. A bastardization, if you will.

MON:
Bench, weighted pull-ups.

TUE:
Squat, swings.

THU:
Squat, bench, deadlifts.

Use the same percentages, just use the first two days almost like Zulu and the last day like an Operator cluster.

Barkadion wrote: I will be 47 in a month. And my family is relatively young with 7m twins. So, I hear you.

Now.. have you thought about OP I/A from TB Conditioning book with A-B-A template? Example listed in the book looks like:

Day 1: SQ/BP (A)
Day 3: DL/OHP (B)
Day 5: SQ/BP (A)

I'm not saying it should work for you, I am just thinking out-loud.. It might worth a shot, though.

I like this idea. Seems the same kind of thing as running zulu over an 8-10 day week
Mon - A
Tue - B
Thur - A
Mon - B
etc.

grouchyjarhead wrote:Heretical thought here. A bastardization, if you will.

MON:
Bench, weighted pull-ups.

TUE:
Squat, swings.

THU:
Squat, bench, deadlifts.

Use the same percentages, just use the first two days almost like Zulu and the last day like an Operator cluster.

I like this too. I'm tempted to replace the swings on Tue with deadlifts again as I was originally planning to use Squat, Bench, Deadlift as my cluster for Operator.

If you're staying with Operator it's not ideal, but it's a hell of a lot better than not training. But as everyone is kind of agreeing on, a flexible Zulu I/A might be your best option.

AndyGog wrote:Hi all, looking for a little bit of advice.

I've just started running Operator template as a novice with squat, bench and deadlift. I'm working out Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday but I know there are going to be weeks where I'm not going to be able to workout on Sundays. So I'm planning to try Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Is working out back to back days advisable? I know programs like starting strength advise against it but they don't use sub-max weights like TB does.

I want to continue to lift three times a week. So, while this is obviously not optimal, will it be counter productive?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Andy, how old are you and do you normally have any recovery issues? Also are you LEO/Military or 1st Responder? If so, what kind?

This isn't optimal and I DON'T recommend it for everyone - but go ahead and do Op on Mon-Tues with the following caveats:

- Work in 6 week blocks. Take a rest week every 7th.
- Use no more than 3 exercises and/or +1 bodyweight movement (pull-ups/chins)
- Deadlift no more than once a week. On the Thursday
- Use a minimum RI of 3 minutes during your Mon session. Bump it up to 5 when you can.
- Make sure there's at least 24hrs between your Mon-Tues session. So if you work out 3pm Monday, don't train until 3pm or later on Tues.
- Assess yourself after 2-3 blocks in terms of recovery

There are several Eastern bloc programs that have you train the same movements on consecutive days. Some even have you do the same movement every day 6 days a week. Most of these programs aren't optimal for cross-training athletes, but Op set up as described should be fine.

I ran a Bompa program (in my early 20s) where I trained strength 4 days a week/EOD - same lifts every session. Day 7 and Day 1 were back-to-back from week to week. I didn't die or have any major issues - in fact I saw some benefit (maybe controlled over-reaching?) but I wouldn't recommend it for cross-training athletes.
Operator within the guidelines I've outlined isn't nearly as taxing as the Bompa program in terms of volume and frequency, so it shouldn't present any major problems. Try it out and see how it goes. I don't generally recommend this set-up because my personal trial is the only experience I can directly speak to in terms of consecutive days. It hasn't gone through the crucible like standard Operator. It might be a disaster for some people and it might be magic for others, like the 'Squat Everyday' crowd.

Either way, keep us posted.

K.B. wrote:
Andy, how old are you and do you normally have any recovery issues? Also are you LEO/Military or 1st Responder? If so, what kind?

This isn't optimal and I DON'T recommend it for everyone - but go ahead and do Op on Mon-Tues with the following caveats:

- Work in 6 week blocks. Take a rest week every 7th.
- Use no more than 3 exercises and/or +1 bodyweight movement (pull-ups/chins)
- Deadlift no more than once a week. On the Thursday
- Use a minimum RI of 3 minutes during your Mon session. Bump it up to 5 when you can.
- Make sure there's at least 24hrs between your Mon-Tues session. So if you work out 3pm Monday, don't train until 3pm or later on Tues.
- Assess yourself after 2-3 blocks in terms of recovery

There are several Eastern bloc programs that have you train the same movements on consecutive days. Some even have you do the same movement every day 6 days a week. Most of these programs aren't optimal for cross-training athletes, but Op set up as described should be fine.

I ran a Bompa program (in my early 20s) where I trained strength 4 days a week/EOD - same lifts every session. Day 7 and Day 1 were back-to-back from week to week. I didn't die or have any major issues - in fact I saw some benefit (maybe controlled over-reaching?) but I wouldn't recommend it for cross-training athletes.
Operator within the guidelines I've outlined isn't nearly as taxing as the Bompa program in terms of volume and frequency, so it shouldn't present any major problems. Try it out and see how it goes. I don't generally recommend this set-up because my personal trial is the only experience I can directly speak to in terms of consecutive days. It hasn't gone through the crucible like standard Operator. It might be a disaster for some people and it might be magic for others, like the 'Squat Everyday' crowd.

Either way, keep us posted.

Thanks for all the information. This is sounding more positive now. To answer your questions, I'm 44 and a novice in terms of the weights I'm using. Working a desk job and wouldn't describe myself as a cross trainer. I'm using TB as a strength program at the moment, along with as much walking as I can fit in. Not especially out of shape but not an athlete either.

For my first 6 week block I'm going to get as many Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday weeks in as I can, with squat bench and deadlift, and then shift to Mon, Tue & Thursday with chins replacing the deadlifts on Mon & Tues.

Thanks again.

Andy - There's lots of good info to ponder in this thread, but let me throw in my two cents. Right now you are training Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, but Sunday is often going to be problematic, right? You might think about doing Fighter on Tuesday and Thursday, just as written in TB. On Sundays, when time permits, you could do a third day of Fighter, or just go to the gym and do whatever you want. Deadlift, play with a lift not in your main cluster, do some bodybuilding, kettlebell work, or SE (Tango Circuits). You have some extra time, so this is a "Bonus Day." By keeping the regular discipline of Fighter, you will stay on track with your main cluster and and continue to make progress. Sundays will just be "catch as catch can." If life conspires against you, then let Sunday go. If you can sneak off to the gym, go have some fun.