Learner in need of help

[Introspective]

Couple of things i am unsure about with the 5x5
say if i can do 85 kilo on my last set of 5 on bench press then how should i pyramid my weights, i was thinking maybe do it like this 50, 57.5, 65, 72.5, 85
for past 4 weeks i have been doing 3 sets of warmups, first with bar then add
5 kilos, then add 10 kilos, and then start the 5x5 but i was starting 5x5 on like 60 kilos and just adding random weights working my way up to my 80 kilo top weight, but i really wanna do this properly.

Also with this 5x5 program it says only do 4x5 on wednesdays and fridays, but i have just been doing 5x5 on all workout days on all exersises and always finish off on things i struggle to lift even on the light day because i feel 4x5 isnt enough,
is there a solid reason why i should have a light and medium day or is it ok if i do 5x5 on everything on all days, or am i doing more harm than good by sticking to 5x5 on everything, can anyone clear this up?
cheers

For those who don't already know i am doing this program

Monday – Heavy Day
Squat – 5 sets of 5
Bench – 5 sets of 5
Powercleans – 5 sets of 5 = substitute with bent over rows
2 sets of weighted hypers
4 sets of weighted Sit-ups

Wednesday – Light Day
Squat – 4 sets of 5
Incline Bench – 4 sets of 5
High Pulls – 4 sets of 5 = Substitute with deadlift
Sit-ups – 3 sets

Friday - Medium
Squat – 4 sets of 5, 1 triple, back-off
Bench – 4 sets of 5, 1 triple, back-off
Powercleans – 4 sets of 5, 1 triple
Weighted Dips – 3 sets of 5-8
Triceps and Biceps – 3 sets of 8 each

Please help out a newbie

 

[blut wump]

Take a look at Anotherbutters's log
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413888

 

[anotherbutters]

I hadn't even noticed it was 4x5 - I've been doing 5x5 all this time! Don't worry about it. If it's too much, cut down to 4x5. If you prefer 5x5 and feel good doing it, stick with it.

No program can be optimal for everyone at every point in time. Right now, you might make quicker progress using 4x5 than 5x5, or maybe it's the other way around. Nobody except you can tell and it'll change over time anyway. The program as it's laid out is good enough to work for most people in their first year or two of lifting. The big things that make the program work are the use of compound movements, frequency, moderate volume and progression over time. Whether you do 4 sets or 5 is worrying about the 0.5% - it probably won't make any noticable difference.

On the ramping question, do as you suggested - try to space the sets out evenly. I do one or two warmup sets using the bar and then maybe 10kg extra, then do the 5 sets. It's not always easy getting them spaced out evenly, so keep an eye on the 4th set. If it gets too close to the final one, it might compromise it and it's the final one that matters.

 

[Introspective]

Thank you blut wump for the link, thanks to you anotherbutters for the helpfull input.
Im definatley gonna stick to 5x5 on everything, i have been doing powercleans instead of rows for about 4 weeks now i usually feel out of breath after all 5 sets and hard work doing them, but i did love them even though i was probably doing em wrong. Starting from monday i will start substituting with rows, Im gonna follow your journal also, i already had a quick look over and some good tips there for me to take on board. Good luck with future lifts ;-)

 

[anotherbutters]

Well if you're reading my journal, stop when you get to week 14. It all goes tits up from there