Should I try to add weight *every* week with 5x5?

[Tarheel]

Or just as often as possible.

Is it better to kill 5 reps fast (and be able to do more) or to only be able to do 4 with more weight?

I've just started the 5x5 this week, and I dont think I'm going to be able to add 5 lbs every week to my deadlift and make progress. Possibly I started out too heavy?

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Yes, definately set the weight back twenty lbs so you CAN add 5 each week. By the time you get back to the point you're at now, you'll surely be able to progress. Like Needsize said to me originally, if you progress too fast, you'll hit a wall much quicker.

 

[Tarheel]

Cool.

I think I have my bench and squat about right but today was my first day DLing on the 5x5.

 

[Legion Kreinak]

Yeah, I way underestimated my strength on my first day deads. I used 80 lbs. I find, though it tore up my back (I'm guessing because I wasn't used to the movement at all) I am easily able to do 150. Whoo, this feels a lil' better.

 

[barbell265]

I run the 4x5 routine and have made tremendous gains by making sure I challenge myself every week. First keep a notebook, I didn't until about a year ago, so you will know what youdid the previous week and also track your progress. Second find a weight you can hit for 5 on your first set, don't make it too easy, and if you can get 5 reps for each set bump it up 5 lbs the following week.

Point being you need to either move up the weight or the # of reps each week. If you don't challenge the muscle it will stop responding. Hence the need for the notebook.

Also I think 5x5 is prolly too much, your going to overtrain. Do 2-3 warm ups on the first exercise of each muscle group then do 3-5 exercises.

Later bud

 

[Legion Kreinak]

I don't feel you'll overtrain if each muscle group is hit once or twice a week. 5x5 is nothing compared to alot of medium/high intensity endurance training which I've tried doing, and successfully done without overtraining.

 

[Tarheel]

I've always kept a training log, since I started ~6 months ago.

I'm just not sure how fast my DL is going to respond. I'm pretty sure I can add 5 lbs next week with no problem, and maybe 10 lbs after 2 weeks. After that, well we'll see....