Success Stories Thread

[Barkadion]

Just wrapped up a 6 week Operator I/A (from TB2) block after a 3 month hiatus from lifting. I last tested in early June and started this block in early September using the same numbers I got from the June test (no TM). I had expected to have slightly weakened during the break, but had no problems getting any of the reps and at the end of the block had actually made some progress (around +5 lb to OHP and weighted chin ups and +11 lb to trap bar deadlift). I had expected to break even at best so it was a pleasant surprise, and further reinforces what KB said in the book about your lifts staying pretty constant even after an extended break.

Congrats!

May I ask you what is your trap bar DL routine with OPI/A? ##sets/##reps/##days? And how do you feel about it?

I am genuinely interested due to programing my next block.

Thanks!

[Stechkin]

Congrats!

May I ask you what is your trap bar DL routine with OPI/A? ##sets/##reps/##days? And how do you feel about it?

I am genuinely interested due to programing my next block.

Thanks!

I do it 3 days a week with around 20 reps a day during the 70-80% weeks and varying a bit on the 90-95% weeks (usually 3x2).

The reason I count the 70-80% weeks in total reps done instead of in sets x reps was because this block I experimented by adding a farmer's walk component to each deadlift. I would deadlift it, walk 15 metres (the length I have available), put it down, then deadlift it again and walk back to the starting point and rest 2-3 minutes. So it was actually something like 10x2 and naturally took a lot longer than just doing it 4x5 or 5x4 or whatever. I didn't do that during the harder weeks because it would just be overwhelming (my hands were red enough).

Even with doing that I had no recovery issues. It's really a squat/deadlift hybrid and won't beat up your lower back like a conventional deadlift will, so you can handle a lot more volume. I am still fairly new to lifting (current 1RM 363 lb with low handles at 150 BW) so as it gets harder it will become harder to recover from and I will probably have to start treating it more like a conventional deadlift, but for now I have no issues and actually want to increase volume on it. I'll start a log here soon once I figure out a plan for my next training block so you will be able to follow along if interested.

[Barkadion]

Congrats!

May I ask you what is your trap bar DL routine with OPI/A? ##sets/##reps/##days? And how do you feel about it?

I am genuinely interested due to programing my next block.

Thanks!

I do it 3 days a week with around 20 reps a day during the 70-80% weeks and varying a bit on the 90-95% weeks (usually 3x2).

The reason I count the 70-80% weeks in total reps done instead of in sets x reps was because this block I experimented by adding a farmer's walk component to each deadlift. I would deadlift it, walk 15 metres (the length I have available), put it down, then deadlift it again and walk back to the starting point and rest 2-3 minutes. So it was actually something like 10x2 and naturally took a lot longer than just doing it 4x5 or 5x4 or whatever. I didn't do that during the harder weeks because it would just be overwhelming (my hands were red enough).

Even with doing that I had no recovery issues. It's really a squat/deadlift hybrid and won't beat up your lower back like a conventional deadlift will, so you can handle a lot more volume. I am still fairly new to lifting (current 1RM 363 lb with low handles at 150 BW) so as it gets harder it will become harder to recover from and I will probably have to start treating it more like a conventional deadlift, but for now I have no issues and actually want to increase volume on it. I'll start a log here soon once I figure out a plan for my next training block so you will be able to follow along if interested.

Thank you! Appreciate that! Actually, I remember post on reddit about trap DL/Farmers combo. I didn't know it was you
Anyway, great success and great flexibility with your approach! You keep me thinking

[Stechkin]

Thank you! Appreciate that! Actually, I remember post on reddit about trap DL/Farmers combo. I didn't know it was you
Anyway, great success and great flexibility with your approach! You keep me thinking

No worries. Yeah that was probably me, I forgot what my reddit username was (deleted it after this forum was made).

Here's some links on the trap bar that may interest you:

https://www.t-nation.com/training/trap-bar-deadlift
https://www.t-nation.com/training/5-kil ... variations
https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-m ... ret-weapon
http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-cond ... ap-hex-bar
https://bretcontreras.com/if-you-could- ... -one-lift/

Wendler also approves of it. From 5/3/1:

Question: Can I use the trap bar instead of the barbell for deadlifting?
Answer: Yes, this is the only acceptable deadlift option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa0SI9C_Lm4

[Barkadion]

Thank you! Appreciate that! Actually, I remember post on reddit about trap DL/Farmers combo. I didn't know it was you
Anyway, great success and great flexibility with your approach! You keep me thinking

No worries. Yeah that was probably me, I forgot what my reddit username was (deleted it after this forum was made).

Here's some links on the trap bar that may interest you:

https://www.t-nation.com/training/trap-bar-deadlift
https://www.t-nation.com/training/5-kil ... variations
https://www.t-nation.com/training/tip-m ... ret-weapon
http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-cond ... ap-hex-bar
https://bretcontreras.com/if-you-could- ... -one-lift/

Wendler also approves of it. From 5/3/1:

Question: Can I use the trap bar instead of the barbell for deadlifting?
Answer: Yes, this is the only acceptable deadlift option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa0SI9C_Lm4

Thank you. I am familiar with the beast. I am kind of curious how trap bar DL/Squat combo will feel for OP since it is done in the same session. It might feel like doing 2 squat variations depending on one's technique.. Your success gives a good answer!

[Karak]

Snatched a 32kg kettlebell for the first time today! Could never do this pre-Tactical Barbell. I'm a few blocks deep into Operator. Finished up Fobbit Intervals today using a 32kg for two handed swings. Felt solid, started playing around with the KB. Ended up doing 4 (singles) per arm! Wasn't even able to do this when I ran the old Enter the KB program (most I got to was 24kg on that program).