Hi everyone,
I am a “Freeathlete” training 4-5 times a week, and I am currently finishing the Ultimate Strength Training Journey for the third time. I love this program for its use of the barbell combined with equipment like the weight vest, dips, and explosive exercises. However, after completing it multiple times, I feel it lacks two key features for those with specific strength goals:
1. Selecting a “Core” of 3-4 Favorite Exercises
The undulating periodization is great, but the frequency of some “Big” lifts is too low to effectively consolidate loads and technique. Often, entire weeks go by without Bench Press or strict pullups.
Proposal: Allow users to select 3 or 4 key exercises that the Coach must include at least once a week to ensure consistency in the training stimulus.
2. Equal-Level Alternatives and the Absence of the Shoulder Press
There is one missing element I consider critical: the Barbell Shoulder Press is simply never proposed. In a strength program, the “strict” variant is fundamental for building power and stability; it cannot always be replaced by the explosive Push Press.
Furthermore, the “Adapt Session” feature should offer alternatives of equal technical intensity rather than just simplifications:
The ability to swap Pushups (even weighted) with Dips.
Replacing the Push Press with a strict Shoulder Press to isolate upper body drive.
Replacing deadlift or squat variants with exercises of equal commitment but different spinal impact (e.g., Front Squat instead of RDL) when the lower back is fatigued.
This would allow for better customization of fundamental details, still following the Coach’s suggestions but tailored to individual goals, without having to rely blindly on the program.