Update:
I've completed 14 weeks of PTTP/S&S split and honestly I'm glad it's over. Got a bit mentally exhausted at the end for reasons I'm going to state later in my post.
I didn't hit 230Kg, but very very close...227,5Kg!
Tested today and 225Kg almost didn't go up. I really wanted to join the 500lbs club and 225Kg is "just" 496lbs...
So I rested for a full 10min and put 227,5Kg (501.5lbs) on the bar and tried that. Went up, but my friend said it was really ugly.
It wasn't my smartest move for sure, but I really wanted that lift and thought of is as a kind of competition lift -> a true 1RM.
I wouldn't base a routine on that 1RM though
A 1RM with 100% technical form integrity would be more in the 210-215KG area.
Originally I wanted to continue until the end of the year, but ditched that for 2 reasons.
First, I felt that mental exhaustion ramping up and therefore decided to not extend my 3 month gym membership, which ended last week and I don't have access to barbells at home.
Second, the mental exhaustion itself. It's not that I dreaded my workouts, because I still like DLs, but the barbell work made me stiff. I had to ramp up my mobility work significantly to stay as mobile as I was before.
The S&S weeks became a real relief between the PTTP weeks and I kept them light (28-32Kg).
I think PTTP is a good program, but maybe not the best fit for my level.
@Steve Freides,
@Jared_G_85,
@Antti &
@Alexander Halford told me that PTTP is probably not maintainable at such weighs and better for beginners (
@Antti mentioned the 300lbs barbell kit before) and not the best for someone DLing close to 500lbs. It's not like I didn't want to hear your concerns, but some things you just need to experience first hand
Also I wouldn't start at 75% of 1RM like I did. 60-65% seems a lot more reasonable.
I got sidelined two times. Once because of a flu like cold, which hit me during my first S&S block and then my lower back acted up during the second PTTP block.
I dealt with this by using a belt for some of my lifts and instead of continueing to add weight to my military presses I did some light ones followed by bent press practice.
No back problems after that.
Would I recommend it to others?
Yes.
Even though I had some minor personal issues with it, it still delivered.
If you don't have a special date (e.g. a meet where you want to lift xx Kg) it's probably a lot better, because you can start lower (~60% 1RM) and don't have to ramp up the weight as aggressively as I did (last fridays session was 200Kg, starting weight in June was 150Kg).
For those who dislike the monotony of S&S or PTTP alone it might be a good fit to keep things fresh.
I'd say to go with it for at least 8 weeks to get an idea whether you like it or not.
Will I repeat it in the future?
Probably not.
It showed me again that I like KBs much, much more than barbells. I really looked forward to my S&S weeks.
Also KBs are a lot more convenient, because I don't have to go to the gym. Yes, I could buy a barbell set, but that's a money and space issue.
I mentioned the stiffness issue before and I simply don't have that problem with KB or bodyweight work.
Joining the 500-club is something I can scratch off the bucket list and if I ever feel that I want to further increase that number I wouldn't go for PTTP, but probably a PlanStrong or similar routine.