8 Weeks Preparing for 5x5 Program

[vornado]

Here is my plan:

So far I have been lifting 3-4 times a week, focusing on deadlifting, squatting, overhead press, and flat and incline presses with other lifts such as curls, skullcrushers, dips etc thrown in. I plan on starting a 5x5 program in early March when I begin the Spring quarter at school. For the next 8 weeks I plan on preparing so I don't get burned out by the 5x5 program and give up, so I was wondering what the best course of action would be to take. Should I just continue focusing on core lifts like squats, deads and benching with other lifts thrown in for now? I know what I'm currently doing is similar to a 5x5 program, but there are some weeks where I get to the gym 2 or 3 days and others where I'm there for 4 depending on schoolwork and tests. I'm also not as aggressive with increasing weight, though I did increase pretty much everything the other day in the gym.

I plan on doing the 5x5 program up until May 31st, as I will be having jaw surgery then and at that point I won't be able to eat much (except maybe lots of whey protein). As of now my diet is pretty much in check. Cut out soda, high-sugar juices and I'm eating ungodly amounts of chicken, fish, yogurt, brown rice and vegetables. I go through at least 5-6 lbs of chicken breasts per week and I'm only 175 lbs right now.

 

[anotherbutters]

Are you talking about the single or dual factor 5x5? From the fact that you're at school and 175lbs, I'd hazard a guess that it's the SF.

The SF only requires 3 days a week, so if you can fit that into your schedule, you can start right now. It sounds like you're already on the way with exercise selection. If you can't manage a regular scheule, try to stick to the principles of the SF: progressively increasing the weight from week to week by a small amount, attempting to set PRs once a week. Try to regulate the amount you're doing so you do enough, but don't load up.

 

[vornado]

Are you talking about the single or dual factor 5x5? From the fact that you're at school and 175lbs, I'd hazard a guess that it's the SF.

The SF only requires 3 days a week, so if you can fit that into your schedule, you can start right now. It sounds like you're already on the way with exercise selection. If you can't manage a regular scheule, try to stick to the principles of the SF: progressively increasing the weight from week to week by a small amount, attempting to set PRs once a week. Try to regulate the amount you're doing so you do enough, but don't load up.

Yeah most likely single factor for now. Over the summer I will have more time and be able to work out on a more consistent basis for the dual factor program.