8x2 instead of 5x5

[sigweed]

I've been hearing and seeing lots more of this recently, and a few of my bbing friends whom i consider very knowledgable love doing this. Its like the 5x5, but you do 8 (or something, doesnt have to be 8) sets of 2 reps, then 4-5 other working sets of a couple different exercises at the 8-10 rep range

anyone actually do this? I wont be seeing or talking to any of my buddies for a couple weeks and really want to get this routine going, so if you've got any advice, im all ears

they refer to it as strength training, but obviously being very general.

Im looking to build a little mass, but strength and explosive power are a primary focus as getting bulky isn't a good idea for my sports right now

 

[Lee]

sounds liek its based on the same sorta principal of the 5x5. lift more weight for 2 rep sets. so overall yer lifting more weight. but there is only 16 reps as opposed to 25 on a 5x5 or 24 on a 3x8.

 

[wnt2bBeast]

not the same..i use 8x2 for speed work with very short rest periods..the goal is bar speed with good form..i wave my weights between 50-60% max..any higher than that and your going to lose speed..

if your goal is mass i dont think 8x2 is a good rep scheme..youll need to go a lot heavier

 

[sigweed]

not the same..i use 8x2 for speed work with very short rest periods..the goal is bar speed with good form..i wave my weights between 50-60% max..any higher than that and your going to lose speed..

if your goal is mass i dont think 8x2 is a good rep scheme..youll need to go a lot heavier

thats sounds a lot like the one im talking about... i think theres a minute rest between each set

i'm not too concerned with mass gain, but i wont argue if it comes... but im looking more to sculpt what mass ive got now, and increase my explosive strength a lot

 

[Madcow2]

Give it a shot, as long an your keep your weights reasonable i.e. the 50-60% or thereabout range specified by wnt2beast you will be fine. You can handle a lot of weight for a double so routinely doing 8 sets with 85+% is something that isn't advised as this poses a more serious stress.

 

[sigweed]

awesome, thanks for your input

just a question now then... I was just working some numbers out for chest, and my chest is kinda weak, like i can only do 225 for 2-3 reps... so by the 50-60% rule, I'd be benching a plate on each side, which i can do like 20 of for my warmup... should i alter it and say do like 155 or something at least?