5x5 Mindset Question

[Protobuilder]

OK, I've read tons on 5x5 and frankly this board (and another board Glenn P. visits) have provided me the BEST training knowledge so far. Here's a question -- I'm used to a take no prisoners, no holds barred, leave it all in the gym, training mentality. You know, you struggle for a new rep PR or a new weight PR each and every time your hand touches iron. Besides being a lot of fun, LoL, it also feels like you're really pushing yourself each and every time. Well, with the 5x5, I sort of get the feeling that you're not really supposed to beat yourself to death each workout. Is that accurate? Obviously, going for PRs is a diff't story, but when you're ramping up, and when you're pyramiding, the sets are . . . kinda easy. Am I doing something wrong?

Next question -- is the whole brutality mindset more conducive to growth and strength, or should I trust in the 5x5? I guess I"m finding it a little confusing that you can achieve new heights w/ the 5x5 but not feel like you're really punishing your body each and every time you touch iron . . .

 

[RipStone]

In a way you are right, but what I do t make everything challenging and keep myself focused is make every rep count. That is, even if I am doing my first set of 135lbs on squats, I make damn sure my form is good, that I have a good mind-muscle connection, etc I believe this helps a lot when you go try to set new PRs cus your mental intenesity is being "practiced" all the time and we know that it takes a lot of focus when you are trying to set a new PR.

Its hard to decsribe a mindset, but I hope this helps some.

 

[blut wump]

On the contrary keep mental intensity to one side. You don't want to be stimulating and firing up your CNS for every piddling lift that you do. Keep good form and keep your body tight but learn to know that your muscles are strong enough. Spend the early sessions to keep your form in trim so that when you do come to make new PRs the only thing you have to think about is applying more force.

The 5x5 sessions are very different to WS Dynamic effort speed days. I take less rest in 5x5 during early weeks and build up my conditioning. Korte describes the idea of using just enough force and effort to make the lift as the ESM 'energy-saving method'. Many top coaches recommend not getting fired up for your lifts.

 

[Jim Ouini]

5 x 5 is perfect for me as I'm more of a cerebral lifter anyway. Never been a blood 'n guts type o' guy.

 

[Madcow2]

Here's a decent thread on emotional arrousal with myself and a few others offering opinions. http://www.fortifiediron.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=26641 I think most knowledgable people agree that psyching/voluntary arrousal is going to impact fatigue separate of whatever work is done (i.e. think about an individual going through a traumatic period in their lives (divorce) and their ability to focus and tolerate normal workloads without fatigueing). So given that the most important aspect in training is expanding capacity. You simply do what you need to do, and you have that planned in advance. No unnecessary psyching regardless of whether one screams and yells or gets themselves reved up internally by being very quiet. Just do what you need. Plenty of opporunities to push oneself and dig super deep just a limited capcity to do it that you don't want to squander.

 

[DZLS]

forgive me, but what's PR...?

also WS...?

i'm kinda new to these boards, and don't know what some of these abbreviations are...

 

[blut wump]

PR - Personal Record. Your best ever lift. You can have PRs in just about any category you care to invent. Common ones are 1-rep PR, 3-rep PR, 5-rep PR etc.

WS - Westside. There's a renouned and successful gym club called Westside Barbell. It's practicioners have popularised a style of training which has become known as Westside. Sometimes WSB rather then WS.