Phase - WANJIRU:

Dates: December 8 - January 24, 2026

Our next Phase is called WANJIRU, an homage to one of the most fearless endurance athletes to ever live. Wanjiru raced marathons like they were middle-distance events - full send, no fear of the pain cave, an zero hesitation to take competitors somewhere dark. That spirit is exactly what this phase brings. Expect a weekly, heavy squat session, plenty of pulling gymnastics, and difficult aerobic-power pieces that force athletes to sit with discomfort and keep moving.

Key Dates:

December 9th - 5RM Back Squat
December 11 - DT
Week of January 19th:
-> Back Squat Re-test
-> The Standard

Lift Focus: 5x5 Back Squat Progression

Welcome to the Texas Method Squat cycle. This is the only phase during the year where our weekly heavy day will always be a back squat, and will always be 5 sets of 5 with the goal of adding 5 - 10lbs per week, culminating in a new 5RM at the end of the phase.

Gymnastics: Pulling Bias (Muscle Ups, Pull Ups, Strict pulling, rope climbing)

Snatch & Clean:

While not part of a specific progression, we make sure to include a little more in the way of the Olympic lifts this phase to compliment the weekly squatting while also taking the pulling strength we developed in the last phase. This pops up most prominently with DI in week 1, and ‘The Standard’ at the end of the phase.