The intent of the back squat strength workout today might be a bit different than you think. Here is a question for you: when you first looked at the WOD and saw the string of numbers (555333111)… did your brain immediately go to trying to remember your 1 rep maximum back squat? If so (and I would put some money on it that most of us thought that!), it means that you likely viewed the intention of today’s WOD as attempting to set a 1RM back squat. And if so, you were not completely incorrect. But you were only partially correct.

Take a look at the next line that directs you to record some data related to your performance today. Yes, the 531. Today you are asked to record the heaviest sets of 5 reps, of 3 reps and then of 1 rep. This means that the intention of the workout is to first squat as much as you can for 5 reps. Then do the same for 3. And then finally for a single rep.

The intent of today’s WOD is to back squat as much as possible for 5 reps. Then to work up the heaviest that you can for 3 reps (*yes you will be fatigued from the 5 rep attempts and eventually the 3 rep attempts!), and finally… you get the drill. Under the fatigue from the previous volume of squats- see how much you can squat for a single rep. Perhaps you’ll set a new 1RM. Maybe- but MAYBE you can set new 5, 3, AND 1 rep maximums! But the REAL intention is simply to squat heavy and get stronger. Have fun and work hard!

Back Squat

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Post heaviest 5/3/1 loads