Should I go up??? (5x5)

[Fatty4You]

So, i had shoulders and hamstrings tonight at the gym. I was doing 5x5 on shoulder press and 5x5 stiff leg dead lifts. Well, i got all my sets of shoulder press at 155, but EVERY 5th rep was like 15 seconds long. But they went up! My instinct tells me that I shouldn't go up in weight next week, cause this week was soo hard on the last few reps.

Also, i was able to get 5x5 on stiff legs at 295, but they were also crazy hard.

My instinct tells me not to go up in weight, but then again, i am new to 5x5 workout. Should i go up in weight even if the sets were super hard??? Or should i do them again next week, see if it gets any easier?

thanks,

-Fatty

 

[slinky]

I would definitely go up in weight. Your set scheme should look something like this: 165x5, 165x5, 165x4, 165x3, 165x2.

The idea is to increase your rep range to 5 for all 5-sets. And if you're able to do that while in the midst of 5x5 training (if you're performing 5x5 program for like, 6-weeks), then you would increase the weight.

 

[Fatty4You]

Thanks dude. Its gonna be tough, but i did great this week and i am feeling pretty pumped!

-Fatty

 

[needsize]

I'd raise it, my experience has been that if you hit all 5x5 one week, then I always get at lesat 3 sets of 5 when I raise it the next week. Just make it a small increment, ie, go from 155 to 160, you'll barely feel the increase

 

[WarriorPL]

Once you're able to do 5 reps on the last set... then you should go up 10 pounds in weight. At least thats how it works fo rme.

 

[SofaGeorge]

Definitely go up in weight... if I nail all 5 sets at 5 reps I inch up the next week.

 

[Fatty4You]

Thanks guys. I am afraid that i will do something stupid. Like, i got 295 on stiffies, but i fear that i will jump 20 lbs for next week, JUST so i can see three plates on either side. That of course will probably end up hurting me.... must stay strong. 315 will come eventually!

But in the meantime, i will try to go up a reasonable amount for next week. See what i can do.

-Fatty

 

[needsize]

Thanks guys. I am afraid that i will do something stupid. Like, i got 295 on stiffies, but i fear that i will jump 20 lbs for next week, JUST so i can see three plates on either side. That of course will probably end up hurting me.... must stay strong. 315 will come eventually!

But in the meantime, i will try to go up a reasonable amount for next week. See what i can do.

-Fatty

Thats why I say keep the increases really small, its easier to keep progressing that way. for example, when I was stuck on 405lbs for 5x5 on the squat, I knew I couldnt add 10lbs and get even close to hitting my reps. So instead I started adding the 2 1/2lb plates, and went 410lbs, then 415lbs, etc, it was a very small percentage week to week, but I made it to 445lbs in 8 weeks, which was a substantial increase

 

[Dominator]

I would stick at the same weight. Just remeber that it is always hard before it's easy. You'lll eventually move up in weight...just be patient

 

[Fatty4You]

I think i have decided that i will STAY at the same weight with the shoulder press cause even the first set was really hard to get all 5 reps. But as for stiffies, i think i will go up cause it wasn't as hard and plus, i did get all 5 sets.

-Fatty

 

[JoBu]

It sounds like you really had to struggle for that last rep, which probably means your form was getting shitty too. I'd suggest staying at the same weight and this week making a point of keeping your form strict...then bump it up next week. If you didn't get all 5 reps on each set with good form then you still have progress to make at that weight.

 

[RusPA81]

Go up. The whole point of the 5x5 is the progressive overload. I have had weeks where I barely finished a weight went up the next week and finished it with eaze. If you find that the higher weight is just to hard or you can't use good form, then you may want to go back down, but as a general rule, if you finish go up.