@Antti I was doing some poking around on the forums and I have a question about weight jumps and cycling. Is it true that when you start going heavier relative to your max, that you need to
A.) drop reps
B.) take bigger weight jumps every workout, and
C.) do lighter drop-off sets
Until you peak, and then begin another cycle?
A) In general, yes. Some of us have a higher tolerance for high reps relative to 1RM, some lower, but in general, yes.
B) I don't think so. Of course, the weight jumps will be higher absolutely as you get stronger, but relatively they should be the same.
C) I'm not sure if lighter but typically less of them. As the total intensity goes higher, total volume goes down. Also, as you go closer to your 1RM, it is expected you do a set or two more of warm-up, so that counts into the volume as well. Some make do with less warm-up, and can do more back-off sets if necessary.
If we take a 12 week linear cycle, one could start at 72,5% 1RM and end at 100% 1RM. Relatively the weight jump can be the same no matter how advanced you are, but the absolute weight will of course be different based on the 1RM. When lifting closer to 70%, one can do fives. Around 80% it can be better to do triples. Soon it'll only be doubles.
One can of course, for example do a five rep set at 85%, but it doesn't mean it's sensible. Shorter sets are much easier to recover from, both short and long term.
One can make a lot, if not most, of the progress working in the 65%-85% range. That is where the big base is made for one to peak on. In that range, the volume and intensity can mostly vary independent of each other. Beginners do not even need peaking practice per se, but it gets more important the more advanced one gets. We have to learn how to lift heavy singles. And getting used to heavier weights, even for singles, makes it easier to train with lighter weights, so I think a certain amount of peaking practice is beneficial for non-competitors as well. But that does not mean beginners. And even when training for peaking, it should be done rarely, something like 2-4 times a year.
But the peaking programming is pretty far away from PTTP. PTTP builds the base, and it should be really high and wide before considering the need for peaking.