5x5 routine???

[Matoltsy85]

Wondering about the 5x5 routine. Is it supposed to be like a dropset routine??

[abbot138]

No.....Nice description somewhere in this thread Various Training Techniques

[Matoltsy85]

Okay It took me forever to find it on there....

so basically, you keep the same weight for all sets until u can bang out 5 reps for each set? then up the weight when you do?

For example?

Set 1 - 5 reps
set 2 - 5 reps
set 3 -4 reps
set 4 - 3 reps
set 5 - 1 rep...

so basically its not 5 sets of 5 reps? the 5x5 is an ending result??

[abbot138]

Okay It took me forever to find it on there....

so basically, you keep the same weight for all sets until u can bang out 5 reps for each set? then up the weight when you do?

For example?

Set 1 - 5 reps
set 2 - 5 reps
set 3 -4 reps
set 4 - 3 reps
set 5 - 1 rep...

so basically its not 5 sets of 5 reps? the 5x5 is an ending result??

Yeah, kind of. Start light with something that you think you should be able to get for 5 sets of 5 and keep adding a SMALL amount of weight each week. And you dont get to up the weight until you get the 5x5. Make sure you use the right lifts for the 5x5 portion of your training, the compound lifts are normally the ones that are used (squats, deads, flat BB, Dips, Shoulder press). And then be sure to throw in some ancillery lifts for each body part at a more standard (8-12, 2 or 3 sets) rep and set scheme. This is a great way to get your strength up and if you throw in the ancillery lifts you can also generate some hypertrophy. If you are looking to add mass I wouldnt stick with this method of training for more than say 6 weeks or so. However, it is a great way to prime yourself for mass gains by building strength.