Cycles 1 and 2 Comparison: Week 1

Week one of SM Cycle 2 is done.  Let's compare week 1 of the two cycles and see if progress has been made:

Squat Singles

On squat day last month, I set a new PR of 370lbs.  Since then, I have set a PR of 375, but that was later in cycle 1 after DL singles.  This week, I failed miserably to set a PR, and in fact struggled to barely lock out 350.  Progress has been made, I think I am just having a bad week for squats.

Press 12s

Cycle one: I got 120 for 13; 105 for 12; 95 for 16.
Cycle deux: 132.5 for 10; 117.5 for 12; 100 for 15.
I think this counts as progress.  12.5 pound jump balanced against a 3 rep reduction for set one; 12.5 pound jump with no rep +/- on set two; and a 15 pound jump with one rep reduction for set three.  I'll take it.

DL 4s

Cycle 1: 397.5, 377.5, 357.5

Cycle 2: 407.5, 387.5, 365.
+10, +10, +7.5 -- I cannot stress enough how much easier it felt to do 3x4 this week than it did a month ago. I about died last cycle. Plus I was in quite a bit of pain the next few days, which is not the case this time around. I am definitely adapting and improving on DL.  

Bench 20s

Cycle 1: 175 and 150 x 20; 135 x 25

Cycle 2: 192.5 x 17 and 13; 165 x 20; 145 x 23.

I am happy with this progression.  Set one saw a 17.5 pound increase against a 3 rep reduction; set two was a 15 pound increase with no rep +/-; and set three saw a 10 pound increase with a 2 rep reduction.  "I am strangely comfortable with it."

Verdict: Positive.
Decision: Stick with SM.  The Texas Method can wait.