Barbell Have I been running vodka and pickles wrong?

[FlatbushAve]

Hi Everone,

Just starting another wave of (the great!!!) vodka and pickles program, but I think I may have been increasing the weighs incorrectly. The way I read it was that one increases the starting max weigh by 10 lbs on workout #6 and proceed with percentage increases accordingly. For example, if starting TM is 100lbs, you would follow the protocol of 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% and finally 85% before starting the cycle over by “adding 10 lbs” - so beginning again with a TM of 110lbs. Is this incorrect?

This is the workout for those not familiar: Kettlebells and Deadlifts Go Together Like Vodka and Pickles | StrongFirst

 

[John K]

Hi Everone,

Just starting another wave of (the great!!!) vodka and pickles program, but I think I may have been increasing the weighs incorrectly. The way I read it was that one increases the starting max weigh by 10 lbs on workout #6 and proceed with percentage increases accordingly. For example, if starting TM is 100lbs, you would follow the protocol of 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% and finally 85% before starting the cycle over by “adding 10 lbs” - so beginning again with a TM of 110lbs. Is this incorrect?

This is the workout for those not familiar: Kettlebells and Deadlifts Go Together Like Vodka and Pickles | StrongFirst

That’s my understanding as well.

 

[ShawnM]

Hi Everone,

Just starting another wave of (the great!!!) vodka and pickles program, but I think I may have been increasing the weighs incorrectly. The way I read it was that one increases the starting max weigh by 10 lbs on workout #6 and proceed with percentage increases accordingly. For example, if starting TM is 100lbs, you would follow the protocol of 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% and finally 85% before starting the cycle over by “adding 10 lbs” - so beginning again with a TM of 110lbs. Is this incorrect?

This is the workout for those not familiar: Kettlebells and Deadlifts Go Together Like Vodka and Pickles | StrongFirst

That's how I ran it years ago. I simplified my math and just did 10lb. jumps each session and then on session six I just added 10lbs. to my starting weight. Slower, more achievable production. I also did both squats and snatches/swings in each session. I just reduced the number of snatches/swings to 80-100 and the squats to 3 x 5. It worked great for me for about nine months back around 2018/2019.

 

[metaldrummer]

I like vodka and pickles.

 

[Nick Stevens]

I read it as add 10lbs to each workout (i.e.., when you repeat the 5 workouts it’s 65%+10lbs, 70%+10lbs, etc.)

I got that idea from an article/singles program on DD that was VERY similar: Deadlift Singles Success Story: A Fitness article

But I didn’t consider this other way of reading that, and maybe that’s more correct (and maybe more sustainable for a longer amount of time).

 

[Pete L]

I read it as add 10lbs to each workout (i.e.., when you repeat the 5 workouts it’s 65%+10lbs, 70%+10lbs, etc.)

I got that idea from an article/singles program on DD that was VERY similar: Deadlift Singles Success Story: A Fitness article

But I didn’t consider this other way of reading that, and maybe that’s more correct (and maybe more sustainable for a longer amount of time).

It's not a significant difference if the loads are reasonable. But if a 1RM is specified as the base load, I would assume that the 10 lbs refers to base "100%" value.

Likewise, if you're at a high load, you might do several two week cycles before needing to reset, whereas a lower load will top out in fewer cycles.

Has anyone tried this with barbell presses?

 

[FlatbushAve]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Some very helpful info here.

I got that idea from an article/singles program on DD that was VERY similar: Deadlift Singles Success Story: A Fitness article

This is a great read. I wasn't aware of this article, but I almost think that rep range is a little more doable over a longer period. Not a huge change from vodka & pickles, but I might give it a go this run.

Has anyone tried this with barbell presses?

This is an interesting idea. I'm currently running the this in parallel to deadlifts this time around, but I bet it would be great if you could dial in some supplemental movements (chins, etc).

I also did both squats and snatches/swings in each session. I just reduced the number of snatches/swings to 80-100 and the squats to 3 x 5. It worked great for me for about nine months back around 2018/2019.

I might give this a go. Looks fun!

I like vodka and pickles.

I'm with you!