How LONG do you do the 5x5 PROGRAM?

[Lililston]

6-8 weeks? Or whatever feels right for ya??

What week are you on right now?

 

[startsmallgetbig]

I just started the 5x5 and this is my second week. I'm not sure exactly how long to go for but I guess you would just go until you can't add weight anymore then you would switch up the routine to get over the hump. But i'm no professional so thats just my thinking behind it.

 

[Dial_tone]

I'm 8 weeks in; started too light. I will probably go 2 more weeks then finish my cycle using my normal routine.

 

[B0ARDIN087]

im 5-6 weeks in i am not sure, im going for the duration of my bulking, which is also tentative but later then march 27 at the very least

 

[biogeared]

you can use it until you plateau.

 

[Lililston]

you can use it until you plateau.

If you DO plateau, you can try 5 x 3... , until you can do 5 x 5 again

 

[B0ARDIN087]

you can use it until you plateau.

i think its better to work through it, very stuctured and good for gains IMO. i plateaued on a few lifts but was able to move up in about 2 weeks not them

 

[Destroyer1986*]

been on it since october is that too long?

 

[Griz1]

Unless I mis-understood, according to Needsize, stay on it all the time.

When you plateau, switch to 5X3 then back down to 5X5, then maybe even to a 3X5, etc.

Myself however after doing it for a year and half or more I would say taking a couple of weeks off here and there, then re-starting the program would work well too. I guess it really depends on you.

 

[needsize]

If you DO plateau, you can try 5 x 3... , until you can do 5 x 5 again

Thats the way I've always done it, but this year I've started switching every 8-10 weeks between a version of the 5x5, and a lower volume high intensity approach. The changes to my training do seem to be helping

 

[Dial_tone]

I'm in week 9 now; started off too light. From now on I'm just going to increase reps instead of weight on the 5x5 exercise. I'm also adding 1 set to each of the auxillary exercises, and probably 1 more again for weeks 12-16

 

[lucidblue]

I've been doing 5x5 since late August, had to switch to 5x3 a few times for awhile. Also, switched to some different lifts part way through. I've had some injuries that have set me back, so not all the weight has increased as much as I'd like.

 

[Debaser]

Also if you plateau on a routine, that doesn't mean you need to switch to another one, it just means your CNS is probably starting to get burned out; take a week off and then spend a couple weeks with lighter weights and build up again. You will plateau in strength eventually on any routine; it's your CNS and it doesn't always mean the routine isn't effective.

 

[Lililston]

Also if you plateau on a routine, that doesn't mean you need to switch to another one, it just means your CNS is probably starting to get burned out; take a week off and then spend a couple weeks with lighter weights and build up again. You will plateau in strength eventually on any routine; it's your CNS and it doesn't always mean the routine isn't effective.

CNS? what's that stand for?

 

[lavi]

Central Nervous System

 

[Lililston]

Also if you plateau on a routine, that doesn't mean you need to switch to another one, it just means your CNS is probably starting to get burned out; take a week off and then spend a couple weeks with lighter weights and build up again. You will plateau in strength eventually on any routine; it's your CNS and it doesn't always mean the routine isn't effective.

You mean that your mind just "gets bored" of the same routine over and over again? Is that what you mean by CNS?