Many people I encounter on social media have asked questions that suggest they wonder what progression through years and years of lifting would look like according to the general way I do things.
Very solid numbers for near 50. Generally I've found older lifters to be a little more sensitive to fatigue than younger lifters, recovery isn't as robust. But the extent to which this is the case and needs to effect programming varies enough person to person that, at the pretty advanced level you're already at, exact application of this principle will have to be individualized.
It sounds like what you've been doing is generally working though, so there is a case for, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it."
For mid-intermediate 1, how would you program those variations (high bar squat, strict press, paused bench, deficit or snatch grip deadlift)? Do them on volume day with the primary lift on intensity day? Or as backoffs? Something else?
My focus right now is on putting out good info and building a solid audience, but yes I do online coaching through barbell logic. Right now there's only one option, full white glove online coaching for $235 a month. At some point I will likely go independent and offer more options than that, including some templates and online coaching that's less white glove but still effective.
What do you do if you are “advanced” in some lifts (squat and dead lift for me ) and barely a intermediate, but stalled in the others ? (Bench / press for me )
thanks to your comments both here and on Twitter (where i'm at @karthiks) I matched my PR in my first bench of 2025, and hit a new PR today on the second heavy bench session (a "grand" 72 kg, but I'll take it. > 70. I weigh 84).
with full benefit of hindsight, i did "novice programming" for way too long. bench and press stalled, and I just kept at what I could do rather than pushing, or doing assistance stuff. and squat and deadlift just kept going up.
also Feb 2024 I didn't unrack properly while benching and dropped the loaded bar on my chest, and since then been a bit afraid to go heavy. (and on press, have had an annoying shoulder pain for last 1-2 months, so it's down)
Hard to answer these questions generally without regard to individual situation - aka actually coaching you - but you can usually set up a basic framework that pushes weekly or bi-weekly progression for the upper body lifts while treating the lower body dominant lifts as more advanced.
Where does Age fit in? I’m nearly 50. Maxes: squat 450, dead 474, press 205, bench 325. I want to continue progressing.
Very solid numbers for near 50. Generally I've found older lifters to be a little more sensitive to fatigue than younger lifters, recovery isn't as robust. But the extent to which this is the case and needs to effect programming varies enough person to person that, at the pretty advanced level you're already at, exact application of this principle will have to be individualized.
It sounds like what you've been doing is generally working though, so there is a case for, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it."
I suspect also I could use some actual coaching :)
For mid-intermediate 1, how would you program those variations (high bar squat, strict press, paused bench, deficit or snatch grip deadlift)? Do them on volume day with the primary lift on intensity day? Or as backoffs? Something else?
Do you offer consultations/coaching? Didn't see a link here or on your Twitter.
My focus right now is on putting out good info and building a solid audience, but yes I do online coaching through barbell logic. Right now there's only one option, full white glove online coaching for $235 a month. At some point I will likely go independent and offer more options than that, including some templates and online coaching that's less white glove but still effective.
If you're interested, you can sign up using this link:https://store.barbell-logic.com/product/professional-coaching/?ref=michael.wolf
What do you do if you are “advanced” in some lifts (squat and dead lift for me ) and barely a intermediate, but stalled in the others ? (Bench / press for me )
How did you end up in such a situation?
thanks to your comments both here and on Twitter (where i'm at @karthiks) I matched my PR in my first bench of 2025, and hit a new PR today on the second heavy bench session (a "grand" 72 kg, but I'll take it. > 70. I weigh 84).
with full benefit of hindsight, i did "novice programming" for way too long. bench and press stalled, and I just kept at what I could do rather than pushing, or doing assistance stuff. and squat and deadlift just kept going up.
also Feb 2024 I didn't unrack properly while benching and dropped the loaded bar on my chest, and since then been a bit afraid to go heavy. (and on press, have had an annoying shoulder pain for last 1-2 months, so it's down)
Hard to answer these questions generally without regard to individual situation - aka actually coaching you - but you can usually set up a basic framework that pushes weekly or bi-weekly progression for the upper body lifts while treating the lower body dominant lifts as more advanced.