Is it ever to early to go into a 5x5 high intensity workout regime?

randarrow · 2015-05-13T02:57:30+00:00

Worked out regularly for six years. Started weight training rarely about two years ago and regularly a year ago. I had to give up the weight training, switch back to light stuff and fat-burning exercises. My BP went through the roof.

Basically, I have been working out without weight-loss, building muscle without any change in weight. Doesn't matter that I was doing light 75lb clean and presses, as big as I am they were too much. Also, was was doing slow, real strength training, lots of reps, long hikes, rather than force/bulking exercises. They're starting to find out slow/strenuous can increase BP (sigh). For some reason, force/bulking exercises don't.... I am already big, didn't want to bulk. Wanted real strength, stamina, and improved vitals. Got the strength/stamina, but most vitals went bad.

Find a way to objectively measure your stats, get a bp cuff and a blood sugar machine; if they go wonky stop. Learn to monitor for physical over-training syndrome. Start working on your diet, get more/good protein (at least .7g per kilogram of bodymass per day, if not 2g per kilogram) and cut back on processed foods. Keep a food journal. Diet is really the hard part. I'm sure there are other gotchas. If your diet/stats don't go wonky, all the more power to you. Either it'll work for you or it won't :D

Doesn't sound like you need to worry about obesity, but what is your lean body mass? If you are 30% fat, doesn't matter if you weigh 78 kg.

BPtoRP · 2015-05-13T04:36:04+00:00

I did EXACTLY what you're describing. 3x10's of isolation exercises like bro-curls on and off for a couple months, then 3x10 but 5 times a week, then 5x5 for 2 months now and let me tell you, the changes are massive. More strength, more testosterone...and ironically, though 3x10 is more for aesthetics and 5x5 is more for strength, I look way better than I did while on 3x10, actually getting compliments, actually getting leaner while getting cut.

No, it's never too early, especially that you're not a slob, because usually the main pitfall to 5x5 is that people start it out but never stick to it enough to see results (3 months at least) or they skip workouts etc.

I would recommend you watch a ton of videos on form. Err on the side of too strict on form, it will go SUCH a long way the heavier you go. It trains the muscle better, and protects you from injury. So before going to the gym, watch a video on each of the 3 lifts you have for this day and you'll see massive strength in a relatively short time. Each youtuber feels the right muscle a certain way and so they explain form in a different way than others. Good luck, man! PM me if you need advice on something more specific along the way, I've researched a ton into 5x5.

Sepean · 2015-05-13T10:51:26+00:00

Yes, do 5x5.

And stop doing abs ffs. A set here and there is fine, but anything above that is fucking pointless.

[deleted] · 2015-05-13T20:00:41+00:00

5x5 is just a way of lifting that's not a program, what you're referring to is a strength oriented program as SL or SS, I recommend ICF 5x5, which basically is SL with accessory lifts for more volume and hypertrophy, while you still focus the big 3/4 on strength.

stillnoturday · 2015-05-13T02:25:11+00:00

No. Ripptoes 5x5 is perfect for beginners.

Title	Is it ever to early to go into a 5x5 high intensity workout regime?
Author	Chad_Thundercock69
Upvotes	1
Comments	17
Date	May 13, 2015 1:07 AM UTC (8 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/35s2an/is_it_ever_to_early_to_go_into_a_5x5_high/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/is-it-ever-to-early-to-go-into-a-5x5-high.148917 https://theredarchive.com/post/148917