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Texas Method

The classic intermediate jump from Starting Strength: heavy volume on Monday, a light recovery day on Wednesday, then chase a new 5RM every Friday. Progress weekly, not every session.

Level
Intermediate
Goal
Strength
Days per week
3 days / week
Cycle
Repeats
Progression
Weekly ramp

What you need to start

A starting working weight for: Squat, Bench press, Deadlift, Overhead press

How the weight moves

  • Squat: +2.5 kg (5 lb) per successful week
  • Bench press: +2.5 kg (5 lb) per successful week
  • Deadlift: +2.5 kg (5 lb) per successful week
  • Overhead press: +2.5 kg (5 lb) per successful week

The week

1

Volume

ExerciseSets × repsLoad
Back Squatvolume90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5Working weight
Barbell Bench Pressvolume90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5 · 90% × 5Working weight
Deadlift100% × 5AMRAPWorking weight
2

Light

ExerciseSets × repsLoad
Back Squatvolume80% × 5 · 80% × 5Working weight
Overhead Press100% × 5 · 100% × 5 · 100% × 5AMRAPWorking weight
Chin-Upvolume3 × 8Your choice
Romanian Deadliftvolume5 × 10Your choice
3

Intensity

ExerciseSets × repsLoad
Back Squat100% × 5AMRAPWorking weight
Barbell Bench Press100% × 5AMRAPWorking weight

Sets marked "volume" are supplemental or recovery work — they don't decide whether the weight goes up.

Out now

Now on the App Store

Free to download, no account required to start. Android is on the way.

Download on theApp Store
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