Your experience with 5x5, madcow, texas etc?

[strengthseeker]

I wasn't sure if i should post this in the full body section or here. Anyways i was wondering if anyone has done variations of 5x5. Nobody i know in real life has done it, or even heard about it. So this is as close as it gets.

Were you able to have strength increases every week? How far did you progress? Are you still on it? How often did you have to deload? How did your joints feel? Which variation of 5x5 did you enjoy most? What was your overall impression?

Thanks in advance!

[austin.j.taylor]

I went from 225/115/255 to 400/255/465 on Bill Starrs 5X5 in about 18 months as a 27 year old relatively untrained lifter. If it can work for me, it can work for you.

It takes about a month to set PR's every workout, but it gives you some time to get used to the work load. I had to deload about every 8 weeks for the first year and then monthly during the last 6 months. I also had to reset lifts more frequently during the ending portion. I ultimately quit using it because I needed a knee surgery(from unrelated activity). I have been running 5/3/1 since April and love that program as well.

As a relative beginner you need to run an established program until you have the knowledge and experience to program things for yourself. Starting Strength, Madcows, Bills Starr 5X5, Texas Method are all proven programs for beginners and intermediate lifters. Dont get program ADHD. Consistancy and frequency are the keys to progress.

[Pull14]

I've used all types of 5x5's in the past... 5x5 sets across, work up in 5's to one heavy set of 5, two work up and 3 sets across of 5, etc. Its important to remember that for the most part, "5x5" is just a number of sets and reps. It is only as good as the effort you put into it and how you react to constantly changing factors; some of which are natural slows in progression, stalls, bad days, etc.

Of all of the variations and programs of "5x5" I enjoyed the Texas Method the most. Ran it for about 25 weeks and progress was equally split between weekly and every other week. Sometimes I was on a roll and had no issues increase weight while other times I had to hold back to allow my body to adjust to increases in volume. Sometimes I could get away with increasing weight on all 3 training session, other times I'd have to cut back on two of them to increase on the third. 5x5, or rather sets of 5 works well with the Texas Method for a while, but 5x5 does not define the program. Its actually less a program and more of a system... a frame work. Throw in what ever rep/set ranges you want that fits the idea volume work and do that until it stops working, from there, move to triples, doubles, or singles... less conventional but 4's and 6 reps can also work.

But past that... it is a good program that when fully understood, can take a lifter a very long way. Odds are that boredum will lead to major changes in programming before progress is dried out.

[Shadowschmadow]

Texas Method is a good program. That's all there is to it. I made some great progress on that program in a short period of time.

[Mr.Silverback]

I agree with Shadow and everyone else, the 5x5 program is very good...my experience was pretty good. I ran it for 16weeks or so and the first 8weeks I saw my bench go from 375 to 405 real easy. The second cycle my bench went from 405 to 430x3 within the 6th week. Basically the 5x5 program is very versatile and adaptable.

[Shadowschmadow]

Originally Posted by Mr.Silverback

I agree with Shadow and everyone else, the 5x5 program is very good...my experience was pretty good. I ran it for 16weeks or so and the first 8weeks I saw my bench go from 375 to 405 real easy. The second cycle my bench went from 405 to 430x3 within the 6th week. Basically the 5x5 program is very versatile and adaptable.

Those are big gains for being at that level of lifting. Making gains after 400 gets pretty damn hard, from my personal experience. Strong work Silverback.

[Mr.Silverback]

Originally Posted by Shadow

Those are big gains for being at that level of lifting. Making gains after 400 gets pretty damn hard, from my personal experience. Strong work Silverback.

Thanks bro, yes gains after 400 are very hard in my experience as well...but I was also around 290-300lbs. LOL Now about 245-252 and Im down to 415 max.

[Shadowschmadow]

Originally Posted by Mr.Silverback

Thanks bro, yes gains after 400 are very hard in my experience as well...but I was also around 290-300lbs. LOL Now about 245-252 and Im down to 415 max.

I was at 205-215 and pretty lean when I got over 400. I don't know how much further I would have gone, but a rotator injury due to improper training eventually lead to my down fall.

All I can say is that 400+ lbs seems like you're holding up a truck on your wrists.