5x5 off cycle, mass routine ON CYCLE?

[the.gladiator1987]

So ive been doing the 5x5 kind of like a pre cycle routine. Strength is getting better every week and ive actually gotten bigger. I am kinda sick of 5 reps, but my gains are good. Anyway, im thinking of maybe switching to a 8-12 rep scheme for ON cycle, in about a month, and then a month after cycle go back on 5x5 and repeat this for all my cycles. Any inputs on this?

I know a lot of people are gonna say if youre getting gains why switch it, but im not completely giving it up, I actually really like the 5x5. I just want more of a isolation on all bodyparts, like 1x a week lifting and higher colume just while ON cycle.

 

[sweed]

try 10-15 rep range. slow movements and really concentrating at the positive and negative. really flexing the muscle at the top, but not locking out. this will pump up the muscle full of blood. This has always worked for me, I have done the 5x5's and I got stronger no doubt, but the majority of my muscle gains come at the higher rep range. slow controlled movements are key. super sets also are fun on cycle. try it out for the first month and if you like it, keep going for another month. if not go back to 5x5's.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

try 10-15 rep range. slow movements and really concentrating at the positive and negative. really flexing the muscle at the top, but not locking out. this will pump up the muscle full of blood. This has always worked for me, I have done the 5x5's and I got stronger no doubt, but the majority of my muscle gains come at the higher rep range. slow controlled movements are key. super sets also are fun on cycle. try it out for the first month and if you like it, keep going for another month. if not go back to 5x5's.

I like that! So maybe use a little lower weight but really use controlled movements and really focus on the muscle? Maybe slow on the negative and explode up on the positive?

 

[sweed]

slow negative and controlled positive too. lower the weight, you'll be surprised how little weight you need.
Jay Cutler said when we was just about turning pro that he never went above 225 for bench.
even try it for a day. my muscles always feel wicked pumped after the first exercise.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

slow negative and controlled positive too. lower the weight, you'll be surprised how little weight you need.
Jay Cutler said when we was just about turning pro that he never went above 225 for bench.
even try it for a day. my muscles always feel wicked pumped after the first exercise.

for sure bro! Thanks, it makes sense. I was really hopin to throw up 365 on this cycle tho haha

 

[sweed]

you can go for 1rm while on, no doubt!

 

[needtogetaas]

So ive been doing the 5x5 kind of like a pre cycle routine. Strength is getting better every week and ive actually gotten bigger. I am kinda sick of 5 reps, but my gains are good. Anyway, im thinking of maybe switching to a 8-12 rep scheme for ON cycle, in about a month, and then a month after cycle go back on 5x5 and repeat this for all my cycles. Any inputs on this?

I know a lot of people are gonna say if youre getting gains why switch it, but im not completely giving it up, I actually really like the 5x5. I just want more of a isolation on all bodyparts, like 1x a week lifting and higher colume just while ON cycle.

Why not stick to the 5x5 program but add in the isolation to the body parts you want to focus on most.

I do this with shoulders and some times tries.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

Why not stick to the 5x5 program but add in the isolation to the body parts you want to focus on most.

I do this with shoulders and some times tries.

You dont think that will be overtraining on cycle?

 

[wolfman87]

most definitely. slower controlled movements with as much weight as you can handle are great. you can do them (and should) on any kind of routine to really get the most out of it. i see a lot of kids trying to bench and practically knock the air out of themselves letting the heavy weight fall and then struggle to get it back up. that's not what it's about. i leave the ego at the door and do what i can to get the best form and reps in. of course everyone's gonna cheat somewhat on the last few reps of that last set cause you're not pushing hard enough if you don't.

try taking 3 seconds on both sides of the lift and see how much harder it is and how much more you can lift after a couple of weeks of doing this when you go back to doing it the old way. it's really cool.

sweed was right to bring this up, it's often over looked.

 

[sweed]

overtraining and on cycle hardly go together in a sentance man! lol

 

[aquatic_glories]

I also suggest you to use some high-rep sets in your cycle; since you will be able to get incredible pumps that way.

Combine heavy lifting with huge pumps and that will equal growth

 

[Fatboy1984]

yeah man. The concentrated reps get you pumped as hell. and it feels good knowing your forum is good when you feel the muscle your actually triing to work getting so pumped you can feel your stretch marks tearing more.
I usually train alittle of both ways on and off cycle. ill do a week of alittle higher reps, and than a week of heavy 4-6 reps.. although i usually always end my workout with somthing with alot of reps to get pumped the fuck up. haha

 

[the.gladiator1987]

Ok cool, im thinking about a 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 scheme. and doing

day 1 - legs
day 2 - chest/tris
day 3 - off
day 4 - back/bis
day 5 - shoulders
day 6 - off
Repeat

Then keeping it up in PCT, then going into a 5x5 with my new lifts. Reason i dont want to start pct off with a 5x5 is because my lifts will go down so ill always be having to change the program.

 

[Fatboy1984]

crazy. thats my exact schedule/ routine im doing right now man. I like it.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

crazy. thats my exact schedule/ routine im doing right now man. I like it.

nice! thats sick man, im liking the idea of doing 5x5, 5x3, 5x3x1 off cycle and high reps big pumps get fuckin huge routines ON cycle.

 

[ceo]

I'm going to be the lone one here that says, "if it ain't broke, why the fuck are you trying to fix it?"

So, let me get this straight...you're getting gains, you have NOT stalled out, and you want to change this? What exactly about still gaining size and strength do you not like?

This is where I have a serious issue with all these guys saying it's good to "switch it up constantly". Really? So, if you're gaining size and strength, then you should change what you're doing? Why? So you can maybe find something that will make you not gain? Too many people do this and these are the same people who basically look the same year after year in the gym.

Keep doing what you're doing until you stop growing. If you follow the 5x5 as it's laid out and do the deloading, etc. just as it's set, then you should be gaining for a long time off that program.

 

[Unit 2005]

I like the idea of switching training styles and rep ranges, its all good to keep the body guessing and stop plataues. 5x5 is amazing for strength but for size 8-12 is where its at. There are loads of studies doccumenting that 10 repetitions is the best rep range for hypertrophy....5x5 is hard but when on cycle you can train longer and use far more volume. For me, volume and masive overload is what makes me grow. I like around 20 sets for most bodyparts on cycle, i drop it down off, like you i tend to do more strength based routines off. If you want help with a killer mass routine PM me.

 

[Unit 2005]

you dont think that will be overtraining on cycle?

not at all!!!

 

[the.gladiator1987]

I like the idea of switching training styles and rep ranges, its all good to keep the body guessing and stop plataues. 5x5 is amazing for strength but for size 8-12 is where its at. There are loads of studies doccumenting that 10 repetitions is the best rep range for hypertrophy....5x5 is hard but when on cycle you can train longer and use far more volume. For me, volume and masive overload is what makes me grow. I like around 20 sets for most bodyparts on cycle, i drop it down off, like you i tend to do more strength based routines off. If you want help with a killer mass routine PM me.

Seems to me like steroids help build muscle, so you might as well try and get as big as you can. Then off try to maintain size (weight) with food and strength by lifting heavier. I pm'd u!

 

[artificialaspirations]

this seems like a good premise. What about for a powerlifter?

I think lifting the heaviest weights possible while on would be the most beneficial. Anyone?

 

[sweed]

this seems like a good premise. What about for a powerlifter?

I think lifting the heaviest weights possible while on would be the most beneficial. Anyone?

If looking for size when you are doing heavy heavy lifts at only a few reps per exercise; are you breaking the muscle down a lot compared to when doing 10reps, 15 reps, 20 reps? I would think the more your break the muscle down, the more it grows back bigger.
Good question.