Wendler's "Building the Monolith -- 531 for Size."

giantrobot_powerlifting

Curious to know who is running this program, or who has? I am considering running this six week program after my next meet January 28th.

"In the template above, the only exercises that are required are the first three – so for those keeping score it involves one lower body movement, one pushing movement and one pulling movement. The other exercises are simply window dressing and you are free to do them if you wish. Bottom line is that if you push the pressing, the squatting and the deadlift to new heights – you will grow. This is nothing new; only the programming is done a bit different. The worst day is Friday. You want to keep the high rep squatting on this day but feel free to change the pressing. Move the Monday press workout to Friday and vice versa. You may also want to squat LAST on Friday. 20 rep squats tend to suck the life out of you. Do NOT do the 20 rep squat workout on Monday as you will be sucking the rest of the week. Conditioning or cardio is mandatory – 3-4 times/week. Hills cannot be done but Prowler is OK. Bike and weight vest walking is preferred. Remember your goal isn’t to become Cardio Queen and if you get fat when you train like this, it’s because you simply aren’t working hard enough to support the calories. You must EAT to recover. You must EAT to grow. If you use the Prowler regularly then I recommend using only the “light” programming for this six week program."

What were your results? Did you have to widen the doorway? Gains? Where there gains? Did your overall strength diminish? Did your strength improve?

https://jimwendler.com/blogs/jimwendler-com/101078918-building-the-monolith-5-3-1-for-size

jessef593

I'm currently running PHAT as my primary program but I'm using wendlers 5/3/1 for my compound lifts. I've been loving it and actually preferring my power days to my hypertrophy days. Already hitting new belt less rep records.

giantrobot_powerlifting

jessef593 wrote: »

I'm currently running PHAT as my primary program but I'm using wendlers 5/3/1 for my compound lifts. I've been loving it and actually preferring my power days to my hypertrophy days. Already hitting new belt less rep records.

That's a combination I haven't considered. I'm currently running 531 but with a high volume approach, in addition to 531 as strength days, I run two additional deloads for squat and bench (one day at 50% -- with BBB -- and another 70% 4x8) for volume and movement practice.

I really like the straightforward approach of Monolith and a few core exercises that it entails.

DeadliftsandDonuts

That looks like fun! I was going to try the PowerliftingtoWin.com 5/3/1 variation after my meet in January, but I may look into this template too.