5x5 or stay the same?
Discussion
I'm looking for opinions/advice of people in the know as I'm slightly lost at the moment.
I've been following a 'traditional' 3x8 workout since just before Christmas - back and biceps on Monday, chest and triceps on Wednesday, legs on Friday and shoulders and abs at the weekend with cardio in the shape of football and mountain biking. I spent a lot of time perfecting my diet and saw some good gains in size and strength over the first few months.
All of the above is great and it's working, although it is starting to get slightly frustrating as its taking longer to jump up with the weights I'm lifting, but that's to be expected. I'm debating switching to a 5x5 routine for a few months, probably until the end of the year. Currently looking at either Stronglifts or Starr Linear, both of which seem to get positive feedback, however I am keen to keep putting on size (ideally I would like to put another 10kg or so on over the next few months). I've read that 5x5 is very good for increasing strength but can be difficult to put a lot of size on with, but I assume with a good diet it would still be possible?
Does anyone have any advice on whether to stick with what I'm doing or swap to 5x5? Or an alternative bodybuilding/powerlift workout that will give me good gains? I'm dedicated in terms of time and diet, just slightly lost on where to go next.
I've been following a 'traditional' 3x8 workout since just before Christmas - back and biceps on Monday, chest and triceps on Wednesday, legs on Friday and shoulders and abs at the weekend with cardio in the shape of football and mountain biking. I spent a lot of time perfecting my diet and saw some good gains in size and strength over the first few months.
All of the above is great and it's working, although it is starting to get slightly frustrating as its taking longer to jump up with the weights I'm lifting, but that's to be expected. I'm debating switching to a 5x5 routine for a few months, probably until the end of the year. Currently looking at either Stronglifts or Starr Linear, both of which seem to get positive feedback, however I am keen to keep putting on size (ideally I would like to put another 10kg or so on over the next few months). I've read that 5x5 is very good for increasing strength but can be difficult to put a lot of size on with, but I assume with a good diet it would still be possible?
Does anyone have any advice on whether to stick with what I'm doing or swap to 5x5? Or an alternative bodybuilding/powerlift workout that will give me good gains? I'm dedicated in terms of time and diet, just slightly lost on where to go next.
What about a short period of lower rep, strength based work with the fundamental 'big' lifts - the ones that hit many areas of the body, so less need for all sorts of 'extras' to be put in and waste your energy - and then a period back at c.8 to 12 reps etc. The added strength should allow you to lift heavier weights for the same reps you were originally doing.
I benefited well from that in my 3rd or 4th year - hit a plateau at say 8 reps, get stronger with lower reps, go back and find the old 8 rep weight much easier. Thus gained strength and size over the extended period, spending maybe 6 weeks on each phase.
I benefited well from that in my 3rd or 4th year - hit a plateau at say 8 reps, get stronger with lower reps, go back and find the old 8 rep weight much easier. Thus gained strength and size over the extended period, spending maybe 6 weeks on each phase.
GVT is supposed to be the way with big bulking
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/german-v...
Seen a few people follow this with the right diet and put on some kgs
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/german-v...
Seen a few people follow this with the right diet and put on some kgs
ali4390 said:
I'm looking for opinions/advice of people in the know as I'm slightly lost at the moment.
I've been following a 'traditional' 3x8 workout since just before Christmas - back and biceps on Monday, chest and triceps on Wednesday, legs on Friday and shoulders and abs at the weekend with cardio in the shape of football and mountain biking. I spent a lot of time perfecting my diet and saw some good gains in size and strength over the first few months.
All of the above is great and it's working, although it is starting to get slightly frustrating as its taking longer to jump up with the weights I'm lifting, but that's to be expected. I'm debating switching to a 5x5 routine for a few months, probably until the end of the year. Currently looking at either Stronglifts or Starr Linear, both of which seem to get positive feedback, however I am keen to keep putting on size (ideally I would like to put another 10kg or so on over the next few months). I've read that 5x5 is very good for increasing strength but can be difficult to put a lot of size on with, but I assume with a good diet it would still be possible?
Does anyone have any advice on whether to stick with what I'm doing or swap to 5x5? Or an alternative bodybuilding/powerlift workout that will give me good gains? I'm dedicated in terms of time and diet, just slightly lost on where to go next.
It's not clear to me what your aims are or goal is.I've been following a 'traditional' 3x8 workout since just before Christmas - back and biceps on Monday, chest and triceps on Wednesday, legs on Friday and shoulders and abs at the weekend with cardio in the shape of football and mountain biking. I spent a lot of time perfecting my diet and saw some good gains in size and strength over the first few months.
All of the above is great and it's working, although it is starting to get slightly frustrating as its taking longer to jump up with the weights I'm lifting, but that's to be expected. I'm debating switching to a 5x5 routine for a few months, probably until the end of the year. Currently looking at either Stronglifts or Starr Linear, both of which seem to get positive feedback, however I am keen to keep putting on size (ideally I would like to put another 10kg or so on over the next few months). I've read that 5x5 is very good for increasing strength but can be difficult to put a lot of size on with, but I assume with a good diet it would still be possible?
Does anyone have any advice on whether to stick with what I'm doing or swap to 5x5? Or an alternative bodybuilding/powerlift workout that will give me good gains? I'm dedicated in terms of time and diet, just slightly lost on where to go next.
The primary reasons to train with weights are body building (hypertrophy), sport specific, strength, power/Olympic lifting, flexibility/mobility and I'm sure there are others.
Once we know why you're training it'll be easier to recommend what system/program to follow.
Having said that, it's such a complex and opinion lead subject you'll probably be more confused than when you started.
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