Pyramid up or straight sets

[Boss101]

I need different thoughts on which you think is better.

Pyramiding up ie 135 10 reps/155 8 reps /175 6 reps

or straight sets ie 1-2 warm up sets then 175 6 reps/ 3 sets

Thanks

 

[Natural_Teen]

it really all depends on what your current workout is, how long you have been doing it, and what the intensity level is, and how long you have been training for.

But if you are looking for size/mass and are a pretty advanced lifter, i would try the pyramid which uses progressive overload. Needsize correct me if im wrong but, this is one of the reasons that the 5x5 program works so well. Though i would drop the reps a bit to sub 6 IMHO. IF you can provide the boards with some more info we can better tailor a workout.

 

[Boss101]

Is the 5x5 program for strength or size? I'm more worried about size (bodybuilding) then strenght. I've been training for over two years, but I feel that 6 reps is more for strength and higher reps (8-12) shorter rest peroids are more for size.

 

[Fatty4You]

NaturalTeen, You say that he should pyramid cause it works so well for 5x5 workout, but i thought that in the 5x5 the weight is kept constant through out the sets, and pyramided on a workout by workout basis, not set by set??

-Fatty

 

[Natural_Teen]

F4U sorry i didnt explain myself, the 5x5 i use for size and strength is a little variaion. Because i take about 3 minutes between sets i am able to get 3 setsx 5 with the same weight, i then add weight and get 2 sets with 3 reps. Or you can start with a weight that is close to a warm up and get 5 reps and continue to add weight untill you can get 3 reps on the 5th set. Then each week you start the 5x5 with a progressivly higher weight. By doing this you are continually gaining 5-10 lbs a week on the bar. thats just my opinion, flame on if you feel it necessary

 

[Shark01]

My take on this, is when do you give your body the signal to grow? On sub-optimal sets going up a pyrimid, or at the highest weight when you have overloaded your muscles? I would just do a little warm-up (on the first exercise of the session only) then go for the max weight all the way.

 

[Fatty4You]

Natural teen, i see what you are saying with your variation. Sounds good. Personally, i havn't done strait sets in years and the idea is a little strange, but hell, if its gets me big, i figure i can try it for a bit.

Oh and by the way, what the hell does "flame on if you feel it necessary" mean???

-Fatty

 

[Boss101]

On sub-optimal sets going up a pyrimid, or at the highest weight when you have overloaded your muscles? I would just do a little warm-up (on the first exercise of the session only) then go for the max weight all the way.

This makes sense to me. I think I'll do 1-2 warm up sets followed by 2-3 work sets with the same weight and reps.

 

[Natural_Teen]

F4U it just means feel free to critisize my opinions