Guys Starting a New Routine, Need Some Help...

[Shepherd4]

Given your stated goals, I still don't see why you aren't a first-rate candidate for 5x5. As noted above, you can get a spotter in the gym if you really need one (which you shouldn't except in the hardest weeks), or you can use a power rack. Aside from that, it seems exactly what you're looking for. I just don't think you're going to be happy with the results if you try to KILL THAT SHIT doing sets of 12/12/10/8 or whatever.

Just my $.02.

mpc

"Think of Tiger Woods out there hitting a bucket of balls. He's not swinging the 5-iron to get stronger -- he's swinging it to hone the groove. Hone the groove."

 

[mm107]

Given your stated goals, I still don't see why you aren't a first-rate candidate for 5x5. As noted above, you can get a spotter in the gym if you really need one (which you shouldn't except in the hardest weeks), or you can use a power rack. Aside from that, it seems exactly what you're looking for. I just don't think you're going to be happy with the results if you try to KILL THAT SHIT doing sets of 12/12/10/8 or whatever.

Just my $.02.

mpc

"Think of Tiger Woods out there hitting a bucket of balls. He's not swinging the 5-iron to get stronger -- he's swinging it to hone the groove. Hone the groove."

YEA, im looking into the 5x5, as we speak, its just a litttle confusing for me....
BUT i guarentee by next week im going to be onto the 5x5. I just got done reading all up on it, and i GOT A SPOTTER! I feel i need a spotter because i like to go to exahustion/failure each time, i love it when the bar is stuck for 20 seconds and i finally get it up!

Thanks for all the input guys!!!

 

[mphowells]

Cool, i think 5x5 would be best and there is tons of stuff on here about it. as you like working to absolute failure you could always look into HIT too. Either way best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[Shepherd4]

YEA, im looking into the 5x5, as we speak, its just a litttle confusing for me....
BUT i guarentee by next week im going to be onto the 5x5. I just got done reading all up on it, and i GOT A SPOTTER! I feel i need a spotter because i like to go to exahustion/failure each time, i love it when the bar is stuck for 20 seconds and i finally get it up!

Thanks for all the input guys!!!

That's terrific, but make sure you understand 5x5 before you start. If you're going to failure every set, every workout and every week - you're doing it wrong. Week 1 of a proper 5x5 cycle should have you lifting at somewhere between 80-85% of your max IN THAT REP RANGE (e.g., 80% of your 5RM). Week 2 pushes it up to 87% (or so) and Week 3 pushes it to 95% (or so). Only in Week 4 are you going to meet or exceed your starting 5RM.

mpc

 

[maldorf]

Doing the 5x5 without a spotter is easy, Im doing one now. The only sets that get hard are the 4th and 5th set if you set the weight right. When doing these sets it is no different than any other routine, if you cannot do the last rep on your own you stop. If you have any kind of experience lifting, you will be able to tell when you have reached failure and you stop.