quick 5x5 questions?

[tonymctones]

Gonna do a 5x5 workout tonight b/c i want to change it up a little

should you increase weight from set to set or just use the same amount? rest time between sets?

Do this for every exercise or just the big ones?

Thanks guys

[tonymctones]

damn it answer me i gotta go workout 

[evandatp]

I'd say increase it gradually over the sets because as far as I'm concerned the 5x5 is a way to get through steadily increasing volume over a 6-8 week cycle. Start out with the max weight at 80-85

But in some exercises I know I can't get all 5 reps of all 5 sets at the max weight, so...
 
If l do something like this:

80|80|85|95|100 (% of the max weight for the exercise)

It generally means total volume is only down 60 'units' (kg, lbs, whatever) Whereas if I can only get 4 reps on my last two sets using 100% in all 5 sets I'm down 200 'units'. See the spreadsheets* for a few more examples.

_{Open Document Format}
http://www.mediafire.com/?ttllgymtm0c
_Excel
http://www.mediafire.com/?mnbz1yto0lk

[tonymctones]

I'd say increase it gradually over the sets because as far as I'm concerned the 5x5 is a way to get through steadily increasing volume over a 6-8 week cycle. Start out with the max weight at 80-85

But in some exercises I know I can't get all 5 reps of all 5 sets at the max weight, so...
 
If l do something like this:

80|80|85|95|100 (% of the max weight for the exercise)

It generally means total volume is only down 60 'units' (kg, lbs, whatever) Whereas if I can only get 4 reps on my last two sets using 100% in all 5 sets I'm down 200 'units'. See the spreadsheets* for a few more examples.

_{Open Document Format}
http://www.mediafire.com/?ttllgymtm0c
_Excel
http://www.mediafire.com/?mnbz1yto0lk

LOL damn thats more complicated then i thought it would be 

thanks though i will check into it, i did it tonight i think i actually did 6 sets b/c i lost count, iono but ill start doing this for shoulders and see how it goes.

[evandatp]

LOL damn thats more complicated then i thought it would be 

Explaining it is complicated but it's fairly simple when you look at the spreadsheet & see the difference in total volume & how it's better to lift sightly under you ability than try to max & fail to get 5 reps in any set.

I'd also shoot for the 100% weight to be your 7-8 Rep Max. Goudy made some great observations yesterday... (when I can find the link...)

thanks though i will check into it, i did it tonight i think i actually did 6 sets b/c i lost count, iono but ill start doing this for shoulders and see how it goes.

You're welcome but I have only ever heard of the 5x5 as a 3 day a week whole body routine. Never as any form of body part specialisation.

All advices are hereby rescinded!  Check out stronglifts.com