Progression with 5x5 routine

[BigBruiser]

Hey sorry if this has been posted before but i was wondering if just changing the 5x5 rep scheme to say 4x6 then to 3x8 and then going back to 5x5 is a good way to progress? I enjoy the principles of the 5x5 scheme and i was just curious if this method will help me keep from burning out from lifting heavy for too long. Or would it be recommend to switch routines from 5x5 to give the muscles a break?

 

[djeclipse]

Hey sorry if this has been posted before but i was wondering if just changing the 5x5 rep scheme to say 4x6 then to 3x8 and then going back to 5x5 is a good way to progress? I enjoy the principles of the 5x5 scheme and i was just curious if this method will help me keep from burning out from lifting heavy for too long. Or would it be recommend to switch routines from 5x5 to give the muscles a break?

It is recomended on amdcows site that after the first run through the 5x5 you can change the rep scheme to something diggerent. I am on my 3rd run through of the 5x5 and was thinking after this run I'd change it to 3x8 for a month or so.

 

[xblitz44x]

I would pick a certain rep range for say, 8-10 weeks at a time, and stick with it. That way if you are benching a max of 250x4 on week one, and you're ending week 10 benching 280x4, you know you got stronger. But if you're constantly shuffling around the rep ranges it's hard to gauge your progress.

 

[djeclipse]

I would pick a certain rep range for say, 8-10 weeks at a time, and stick with it. That way if you are benching a max of 250x4 on week one, and you're ending week 10 benching 280x4, you know you got stronger. But if you're constantly shuffling around the rep ranges it's hard to gauge your progress.

That's what I meant, change the rep scheme for the entire run, not mid way...

 

[anotherbutters]

My usual canned reply, but always a good read. Hope it's useful for you!

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5462522#post5462522

 

[Cynical Simian]

Yep, it's fine. Like xblitz said, if you don't want to change much, just pick a different rep range and get better at it like you did with the 5s.

 

[Protobuilder]

I would pick a certain rep range for say, 8-10 weeks at a time, and stick with it. That way if you are benching a max of 250x4 on week one, and you're ending week 10 benching 280x4, you know you got stronger. But if you're constantly shuffling around the rep ranges it's hard to gauge your progress.

Agree completely. Pick some exercises and a rep range, work it, and get stronger. Then consider making an adjustment and repeat the formula.

I tried switching to 3x8 after a 5x5 run . . .and after tinkering w/ the program several times, I wound up right back at the 5x5 set-up. LoL