A suggestion for those new to the 5x5

[GeaR_and_SauCe]

"Gear and Sauce" you need to relax. You can't whine like a pussy just because you keep opening yourself up for criticism.

The biggest problem with the 5x5 is that its boring, and its hard. It works amazing, but few people actually have the balls to do it right. They think, "oh, this looks ok, but I'll make it even BETTER because I know my body better than Bill Starr does."

Well, the truth is, NO, you really don't know your body better. If you want to change the program, I'm not going to stop you. But DO NOT tell newbies that its ok to go ahead and do the same thing.

Don't drag them down with you.

I really think some people are just crazy. They'll spend stupid amounts of money buying Flex or M&F just to do their lame-ass routines. Then...when someone gives them a REAL routine developed by the best coaches in the country...FOR FREE, they actually CHANGE IT so that its more like the lame-ass expensive, no results programs they've always done.

Madcow, that was hilarious. Thats very, very true.

Freddy I don't care how much experience you have, who you are, what you do or any of that bullshit. I had a problem and I devised my own solution. I never ever ever even hinting at pyramiding up at any time except the first. Its not me that needs to relax, its you guys. To be critical and helpful is one thing but to have a "better than thou" attitude is another. If you want to be like that fine, just leave my threads, don't reply to my posts and that it. I don't need advice from someone who already believes they know everything, because an inquistive mind is more impressive cockiness at any rate. Say what you want, this is an internet message board. I didn't open myself for critism, I actually didn't even expect people to respond. I mention in my previous question about the 5x5 is that I would come back here with my progress. I like the routine and I am impressed with it. I came back and started this thread because that is something I found to be somewhat tricky.

Also, I have repect for the guys on here but if you are all going to be so circle the wagon against another member for something so stupid as this than I'm starting to think meso isn't the place it used to be. Im on here everyday. I post my thoughts and questions and I apprecaite the answers. If I feel like I have something to contribute, than I do.

Please, go back and read my initial post and then read the responses. I made a dull comment about what I did and I get responses of people talking down to me and being sarcastic. If I am here dealing with a bunch of babies than I am beggining to wonder why I spend so much of my time here. Of course this site is a good resource with infinite information. I do most of my reading here. But if you are going to act this way it is really turning me off to this board. Like I said, its become very predictable. I could make a post and before anybody responds, tell you who is going to respond and what they are going to say.

I will stop asking stupid questions and making small remarks because obviously people worry too much about them here.

 

[kenneth]

God I wish I never even made this post. Anyway, my point was I started the 5x5. I started to bench press and I did my first set of 5 and it was fairly difficult to get up the last rep on the first set so I figured I would probably be good for 5 sets of this. Anyway, I pushed out the second set, fine. The third was tougher but still made it. The fourth set I was struggling by the 3rd rep but I managed to push it out. This fourth set really tired me out. So when I went for the 5th set, I had no spot and didn't feel confortable going down for the 4th rep because I knew in my mind there was a big chance I would get stuck. Hence, I learned that I needed to use mabye 5 - 10 lbs less in order to get the truely be doing the routine. On the next excersize, I worked my way up through the 5 sets and found my appropraite range. Next time I went to the gym, I knew what amount of weight to use and I think it was easier for me to find the correct amount by pyramiding for the first excersize, JUST THE FIRST! I don't see anything wrong with this hence I dont know why everyone snubbed their noses at me, I just thought it would be good to reccomended to other people starting out. Then, as soon as one popular guy here goes against me, I have to hear it for 10 more who just reitterate what the first guy said. Stop dick riding and breaking balls, this isn't the place to protray such an effeminate trait. Its very girly of you guys to be like this. I feel like I'm dealing with highschool sophmores in an all girl's prep school. Next time I will keep my solutions to myself.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I just dont understand how working your way up thru 5 sets of 5 ..assuming u mean working the weight up, i dont understand how this can determine what you can handle for 5 sets of 5 with the same weight. in other words, if you can deadlifts 400lbs for 5reps, it far from means that you can deadlift 400lbs for 5 sets of 5.. so how did this distinguish your appropriate range for 5x5 with a set weight?

 

[Madcow2]

Just so you know. Just about every person botches this program in some way their first time through. You learn a ton about setting the weights and your ability to tolerate these workouts. Some might need to start lower, some higher, some might (---deleted--I'm not even writing this for fear that someone 2 weeks in their first training cycle will try it - not you but I have 4 other people right now trying to change it on me). Even if you did a 1 day test and figured out your best 5x5 and 3x3, if you aren't accustomed to training much in that range, you'd see improvements anyway which makes estimation further out a bit harder to be accurate with. You'll still do fine on it and next time it will be a lot better. It would be a really shitty program if you had to hit everything absolutely correct just to see good gains. The people who can set their weights properly aren't the ones learning about these programs. BTW - don't let the people here get to you. Everyone here started out totally ignorant and there's a massive amount of misinformation spread around BBing and fitness. I've never seen anything like it in any other subject.

 

[GeaR_and_SauCe]

this is what gets me. you guys say, do a set of 5 and if that is your max than take 80%. that is how you found your 5 rep max. good thank you for letting me know.

now I found my 5x5 max perfectly. i used my own method and all i did is let people know what i did. i didn't change the routine and i never said to. I do it to a t. The only thing I did was devised my own way to find my max for this routine. I apologize if it isn't the same way you found yours, I can see how you would get offended because everyone should be exactly like you.....

 

[Madcow2]

[significant amount snipper] BTW - don't let the people here get to you. Everyone here started out totally ignorant and there's a massive amount of misinformation spread around BBing and fitness. I've never seen anything like it in any other subject.

I sense you missed my previous post in your flury of posting. It's cool. Relax. Chill pill. Every BBer botches this program to some degree the first time through.

 

[GeaR_and_SauCe]

Madcow, I appreciate your help. The way I made it work for me was to start off with a weight that I was pretty sure was too light and work my way from there. the initial 20 reps of the first 4 sets tired out my chest pretty good as I made changes in somewhat larger incrimints. The 5th set, I then stuck with pretty much the same weight I used for the fourth set and I could barely get up the last rep. The next time I did the same excersize, I used that weight all the way through with great results.

Please forgive me for my flurry of posts. I don't understand the people here sometimes. Often everyone seems cool but then people show a side of them that is really petty and I just don't get it.

Also, to those reading my posts, don't take my word for any of this. Nor should you take anyone elses. Everyone's body and limits are different. Find what works for you and stick to it. I see this is a good routine but I'm sure in time I will try others because I am always looking for something better. If there is nothing better than I will eventually come back to what works best for me. If you are willing to try new things then you will almost always find a way to get results. I am very happy with my results since I started my endevour the gym and I come here to help myself to all the possible advantages I can learn. Sorry if I've bothered you, I sincerely apologize. But, in the future, think if there is really a need to post your response. Often, threads are hijacked by people going off topic or stating something that is most commenly understood. I try not to do this but sometimes find myself in the situation because I am eager to join the discussions.

Anyway, good luck to all and thanks for your help. This is really a stupid thread and it should have never ever gotten this much attention.

 

[Bob Smith]

Gear, if you didnt come across as such an arrogant asshole you wouldnt get half the responses that you do. Instead, those of us that have used the 5x5 were pointing out the proper way to get started. Rather than listening to guys like Freddy and AnimalMass, you get on your high horse and decide to be a dick about everything. And its not just this thread, its every thread you have posted regarding how to set up a 5x5 program. Lose the attitude and you will get more reasonable responses.

 

[GeaR_and_SauCe]

Apologies to all for any misunderstandings. If I come across like an asshole here, which I obviously must, it all has to do with this medium in which we communicate. The way I am really trying to say some things comes across more arrogant here in text than I would ever want them to be. With that being said, it goes the same for everybody. People read the posts assuming the author's disposition. I am sorry and never wanted to argue with anyone. I know that my articulation of things can come across cocky because of my style of writing.

With that being said, all of you have helped me more than you know and if I never came here asking questions I would never have achieved the results I do now. I appreciate the help and I never had any intention on changing someone else's advice. My intention was to help others the same way that I thought I helped myself. If you can understand this than I am sure you could accept my apology. I don't want to be blackflagged as the forum asshole here because this is the place I consider home. Hopefully this mundane misunderstanding can be forgotten.