What does YxY mean?

[CrazyRussian]

Hey guys I've been lifting for a few years and reading lifting articles for even longer. However, I still don't FULLY understand what "5x5" or "3x8" or "10x10" means. Take "3x8". Does this mean

12 x 135
10 x 155
8 x 175
8 x 175
8 x 175

or does this mean

12 x 135
10 x 155
8 x 165
8 x 175
8 x 185

Basically, I'm not quite clear on what "3x8" (for an example) means. Do you have to do the three sets of eights reps with the exact same weight every time?

By the same token, does "8x3" mean that you do eight sets of three reps with the exact same weight?

Thanks guys this will help me understand programs a lot better

 

[BiggT]

The answer is 'it depends' lol.....Typically 5x5 is 5x5 straight weight sets and 1x5 is really 5-5-5-5-5 adding weight set. Everybody, myself included, gets a little sloppy with it and will call 1x5 a 5x5 at times or 8-8-8 a 3x8.

If you really want to confuse yourself, the REAL way, the Soviet way, of writing 3 sets of 8 is 8x3, lol.

 

[Kabeetz]

I think, as it is commonly used, that it is not often meant to imply either simply from the yxy. It means 3 working sets of 8 reps, I don't think it passes judgment as to if those working sets are straight or not.

I usually write my log soviet style apparently. Hmph. reps in a set multiplied by sets in the exercise. Doesn't that seem more intuitive? Gotta love the ruskies.

 

[CrazyRussian]

But the problem is...if it doesn't pass judgement on if the working sets are straight or not, how am I supposed to know what to do? For example I could do 3 straight sets of 200 pounds, or I could do 1 set of 190, 1 or 200, and 1 of 210. Which one is the standard?

 

[blut wump]

I think Guinness5.0 and I are the only ones to use the real way of reps x sets.

If a program doesn't specify ramped or flat then assume flat. If that turns out to be too hard for you then ease back with some ramping. If that's still too hard then increase the angle of the ramp, ie start even lighter. For variety, you can take a spread as per your example. The important thing is to be consistent and even that might not be too important.

 

[Y_lifter]

3x8

3 Sets of 8 Reps is the most common usage meaning, with the weight that is being used added either before or after the 3x8..

3x8 @ 135 would be an example. OR 135x3x8


Sometimes you see people that do pyramid or drop sets put it down as..
135 x 8, 155 x 8,8 225 x 6 Meaning 8,8,8,6 reps of that weight shown.

But as stated, people use different methods and mostly you just have to use common sense to see what they were meaning.

As in, who is gonna do 3 reps 8 times ? More likely they meant 3 sets of 8 reps

 

[blut wump]

I do 3x8 much more often than I do 8x3. I rarely do sets of 8 past warmups.

 

[Guni]

3x5 would mean sets accross, ie 200x5,200x5,200x5
1x5 would mean a ramp up to a heavy set

 

[Y_lifter]

2x4 is what you use when the woman comes out of the kitchen during a ball game.

 

[Guni]

2x4 is what you use when the woman comes out of the kitchen during a ball game.

LMAO

 

[HiDnGoD]

I'm supposedly (or I thought I was) doing a 5X5, or 5 sets of 5 reps, irrespective of weight. Although I do 3X5 for my working sets.

Oh & 6X9 is why she came out of the kitchen.