Don't make these mistakes with the Texas method
This is an overview of the mistakes I made with the Texas method which I did not get a lot of return on. It is a good program if you time it right in your development which I did not.
Ran it too late
The Texas method is a great program to run after Stronglifts 5x5 when you cannot squat so many repetitions a week anymore at a high load and the improvements come month over month rather than week over week (I will not go into the law of diminishing returns here, but that is what you should look up if you want to know why this happens). I tried it after already having done Jim Wendler 531, Smolov and Stronglifts. I think a better progression would have been SL, 531, Texas method and then Smolov. As it stood I was bored by the 5 rep scheme and it was also a less extreme program than Smolov which I had run before. Therefore I was bored with a program that has a great structure and delivered results for many lifters across the globe.
Did not run it long enough
If something bores you and is not challenging, chances are big that you will not do it for long. No surprise then that I quit the Texas method after three months which compared to my other programs (Stonglifts for 10 months, Wendler for 8 months) is a laughable amount of time. You get what you put in so of course I was disappointed with the program.
Did not take a deload
I finished my Smolov cycle with a 170kg personal best increasing my squat by 30kg. This was a great success and I loved the progress. In fact, so much that I foolishly believed that this PB will completely carry over to the Texas method even though the amount of squatting you do is a lot less. I did my calculations for starting TM based on my Smolov squat numbers. The better practice would have been to be less greedy and go into the program with an assumed 1RM of 160kg and then kick the shit out of the barbell rather than the weight crushing me. Still, would have come to 140kg for rep which I could only do for one rep before Smolov.
Conclusion
The Texas Method is a good well thought out program which you should do after Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5. A feasible alternative is Madcow 5x5 which is only slightly different. If you are an advanced lifter switching from a 3x3 template back to 5x5 or any other similar scenarios which are likely to lead to an overstated 1RM err on the side of caution and rip the program apart rather than suffering through it like I did. This has multiple positive impacts long term for you. Two of them being less risk of injury and positive reinforcement. If that does not suffice for you I don’t know what your problem is.
Further reading
On the deadlift
- 7 simple ways to gain on the deadlift
- 72 deadlift dynamite quotes which will make you pull more
- Best deadlift dynamite review which will make you pull more
- Can kettlebell swings replace deadlifts?
- Can you use
smolov for the deadlift? - Try this deadlift thing to get strong like bull
- Selected quotes from deadlift dynamite that will make you stronger
- Which is harder bench press
oder deadlift? - Why are there only 1x5 deadlifts in Stronglifts 5x5
On the squat
- Are you sure about wearing the right shoes for squatting
- Bench press or squat first
- Bench press in a squat rack
- Better breathing makes your squat stronger
- Breathing Squat
- Can kettlebells swings replace squats
- Can you squat and deadlift on the same day
- Challenge, Sore
toda , Strong tomorrow - Confidential: Get rid of the machines and hire the squat
- Detailed Smolov squat routine review
- Eager to know about wearing the right suit for squatting
- How to perform a back squat for
crossfit for beginners - How years of quality cossack squats easily help your fitness
- Overcome these sins of the squat
- Squat: How many reps
- Squat: How to improve
- Squat: When to inhale and exhale
- Squat without pads
- Squat Calculator [Free Downloads]
- The Truth squat or lunges?
- Ultimate 30 day squat challenge that
tighten and tone - What squat is best
- Why are there so many squats in Stronglifts 5x5
On the bench press
- 6 common mistakes when you bench press for strength
- An easy guide to bench press like a powerlifter for any age
- Bench press or floor press
- Bench Press or Military Press
- Eliminate these mistakes with the bench press
- How accurate are bench press calculators
- How to bench press 300 pounds or 140kg
- How to bench press for Stronglifts
- How to bench press more weight quick
- How to do the bench press properly
- How to increase your bench press
- The reasons why you need to bench press
- What are bench press boards
- What does the bench press target
- When you should bench press with dumbbells
- Which bench press is best for chest
- Who can bench press 1000 pounds
- Why bench press with bands
- Why bench press with chains
- Why is the bench press so popular
- Why use a bench press shirt