Linear Progression

Linear progression is the action of getting stronger/more reps/less rest/improved tempo on a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly basis which then forces your body to build muscle. When you are a beginner to lifting, you can make progress on a daily/weekly basis easily. Hence why I include a lot of 5 sets of 5 reps or 3 sets of 8-10 reps because you can easily just add more weight to the bar each week. When you become more advanced to training this gets more difficult and you need to use advanced techniques to drive progress.

 

How To Progress with 5 Sets of 5 Reps?

Week 1: Trap Bar Deadlift 5 Sets of 5 Reps | Weight 100kg | Rest 5 Minutes Between Sets | 3110 Tempo

Week 2: Trap Bar Deadlift 5 Sets of 5 Reps | Weight 102.5kg | Rest 5 Minutes Between Sets | 3110 Tempo

*Highlighted is the change

2.5kg added less rest, improved tempo in 1 week. Do this every week for a long period of time and you will build muscle. You don't have to make progress on all of them (weight, rest, reps, tempo) each week because some weeks you may be more tired or you slept less, things happen.

 

Which Progression Should I Prioritize?

Number 1: Form, ALWAYS! have perfect form when performing the exercise. If you get stronger on the bench but your form slipped it doesn't count.

Number 2: Weight, lifting more weight each week

Number 3: Reps, doing more reps with the same weight

Number 4: Rest, this is not that important but I still want you to know this

Number 5: Tempo, I wouldn't even bother with this one (But as a newbie to the gym be cautions of your form and tempo)

 

How To Progress with 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps?

Week 1: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 10 Reps | 60kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 2: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 62.5kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 3: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 9 Reps | 62.5kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 4: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 10 Reps | 62.5kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 5: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 65kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

 

or

 

Week 1: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 60kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 2: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 62.5kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 3: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 65kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 4: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 67.5kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

Week 5: Overhead Press 3 Sets of 8-10 Reps | 8 Reps | 70kg | 3 Minutes Rest | 3010 Tempo

 

The progression in this will vary with everyone. You will have to see for yourself on the day of the training session how strong you are. You can use both of them at some time. The point is to get stronger each week. Once you hit the upper range of the reps (10 reps) the week after higher the weight and try to get 8 or 9 or 10 reps with the higher weight. If you can get 10 reps with a weight next week 100% increase the weight.