Newbie question about 5x5

[Hypersion]

I'm going to be using the Single factor 5x5 workout plan but I have one question.

When selecting weights for Mondays 5 sets of 5 reps how heavy should the starting sets be? Should they be fairly light? (Example of my dead lift workout) 135x5 170x5 210x5 260x5 325x5

Or should I go heaver than that on the starting sets? Example
215 240 265 295 325

Or maybe somewhere in between these two examples. Thanks for any help guys.

 

[HunterUk]

I'm not entirely sure but it's worth noting that to start off with I put my weights far too close together, going up say only 5 pounds per set and it made the 5th and final set almost impossible to do I was so burnt out fom the other 4 near max effort sets.

Looking at what you posted I'd lean more towards the 2nd heavier ones as I think the first ones start a too low to begin with, they'd be almost warmup sets (which I assume you'd be doing anyway?).

 

[|D_J^B_J|]

I'm going to be using the Single factor 5x5 workout plan but I have one question.

When selecting weights for Mondays 5 sets of 5 reps how heavy should the starting sets be? Should they be fairly light? (Example of my dead lift workout) 135x5 170x5 210x5 260x5 325x5

Or should I go heaver than that on the starting sets? Example
215 240 265 295 325

Or maybe somewhere in between these two examples. Thanks for any help guys.

I'm doing the same program, and my first set is at roughly 50% of my target weight for the final set and I increase in roughly even increments up until the final set.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Err on the side of too light- one of the main focuses of this program is progression. It's better to start light and ramp than to "blow your load" and quit moving the weights up after a couple weeks.

 

[Hypersion]

Wow one for vote for each!!!

HunterUk = heavy sets
|D_J^B_J| = between
Guinness5.0 = light

I tried the light sets on monday and they were WAY too light the first 3 sets felt like warm-ups and even the 4th wasn't that heavy but I may feel different come next week when I really feel the heavy volume from doing the big3 3 times a week.

I think I going to try in-between today and see how that feels something like this
325,275,235,195,165

Thanks guys.

 

[Guinness5.0]

"To avoid missing reps, pick weights carefully. Take it easy the first few weeks, and don’t over do it. "

This is a direct quote from the single factor description from the TOC of the big 5x5 thread.

 

[rbtrout]

Exactly, what I'd say - err on the light side. You want the weight heavy enough for a challenge, but light enough to be able to do all 5 sets. It also has to be light enough for you to be able to add a bit of weight next week.

 

[Hypersion]

Wow, now everybody is voting light. I went with medium on Wednesday and Friday and managed to hit three reps for squat and deads’ but only got two reps on my bench. We'll see how well I do next week before completely deciding how much weight to pyramid.

Thanks,