5/3/1 Squat + BBB

5/3/1 squat day with Boring But Big assistance. 3 main working sets at 65/75/85% TM (week-1 wave shown — adjusts week-to-week), then 5 sets of 10 squats at 50% TM. ~14 working sets, ~75 min.

2 exercises~45 min
~45 min

Estimated session

Movements
2
Loads
Coach-filled
Progresses
Every session
01The session

Every movement, in order

Each lift with its working sets and target, in the order you run them. The coach sets the loads from your training and moves them up as the work gets easier.

5/3/1 Squat + BBB — every exercise with its working sets, rep or RPE target, and rest.
OrderExerciseTarget
01

Barbell Squat

3 working sets at 65 / 75 / 85% TM. Final set is AMRAP — push to RPE 9-9.5 but stop when bar speed slows materially. The AMRAP rep count drives next cycle's TM increment.

3 warm-up sets first

3 × 5, last AMRAP · rest 4 min

5–AMRAP
02

Barbell Squat

BBB assistance — 5×10 at 50% TM. RPE escalates 7 → 8 across the sets. 90 s rest. This is where the hypertrophy work happens; main sets are for strength.

5 × 10 · rest 1:30

10

The coach sets the loads and moves them up — these are the schemes

02Who · when · how

When to reach for this template

Base every percentage on the squat training max (~90% true 1RM), never the 1RM — that buffer keeps the wave repeatable. AMRAP only on the third set; chase reps but stop when bar speed slows, since that count sets the +5 kg TM bump. Hit consistent depth every rep so loads stay comparable week to week. The BBB 5×10 at 50% TM is the hypertrophy engine — start light, rest 90 s, add load once all fifty move cleanly. Front or hack squat substitutes for BBB if the back is fried.

Tuned to you

Every workout

The coach reads your log, tunes the loads and volume to where you are today, and tells you when to add weight.

03The fit

Programs that use this template

This session is scheduled across a week and progressed over the mesocycle in the programs below.

05FAQ

Common questions

The facts most people check before they drop this session into a week.

01When should I use the 5/3/1 Squat + BBB template?

Base every percentage on the squat training max (~90% true 1RM), never the 1RM — that buffer keeps the wave repeatable. Add it to your week in Squatly and the coach schedules it, sets the loads from your training, and tells you when to move up.

02How many working sets is 5/3/1 Squat + BBB, and how long does it take?

5/3/1 Squat + BBB runs 2 movements and about 8 working sets, roughly 45 minutes once warm-ups are in. The full per-exercise scheme — sets, reps or RPE, and rest — is in the session table above.

06The method

Built on the Squatly method

Every set count, rep target, and rest period here comes from how the coach weighs volume, intensity, and fatigue. See where the numbers come from.

Read the method

Volume, intensity, and fatigue — read per lift, every session.

Last updated: June 2026

Tuned to you, every workout

Keep moving forward.

Add this template to your week. The coach reads your training, sets the loads, and tells you when to push.

iOS · Works offline

Aleks · Coach

Three clean sessions at 185 × 5, last one at RPE 7. You’ve got more let’s take 190 on Monday.

Proposal — add weight

Last185 × 5RPE 7
Mon190 × 5▲ +5 lb
AcceptDeny