"Like I mentioned before, this system was designed to be used with maxes taken during a peaking cycle. Preferably those maxes would have been taken on their own days, around a month or so out from the meet, after months of training. That’s how we peak with 5thSet. Of course, there is plenty of specific detail for exactly how we do it in the books, but this manual is for everyone.

Here is how the formula works. We take the best lift and multiply it by the corresponding coefficient for each attempt.

The coefficient for the first attempt is .9.

The coefficient for the second attempt is .97.

The coefficient for the third squat and deadlift is 1.04, but for bench press, the third coefficient is 1.025.

So for example, if the lifter’s max during the peak was 500 pounds for squat, we would multiply 500 x .9, 500 x .97, 500 x 1.04 to get our three attempts. That gives us 450, 485, and 520 for attempts. Remember that 520 is the upper limit for the third and should be called based on bar speed.

If the lifter’s max during the peak was 300 pounds for bench press, we would multiply 300 x .9, 300 x .97, 300 x 1.025 to get our three attempts. That gives us 270, 290 (rounded down), and 307.5 as the limit, which will probably end up rounded down to 305.

Remember the bench coefficient for third attempt is different from the other two lifts."

swede burns attempt selction