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Starting a 5x5 - Advice Please

Backlash

New member
Starting a 5x5

First, I just found this board (by accident). I've been lifting for several years, but gaining strength slowly and no weight at all, really. Now I'm all psyched about lifting again - this board rules.

Anyway, I wanted to try needsize's 5x5, so here's what I was thinking:

Day 1 - arms

5x5 standing EZ Bar curls
superset with
5x5 close-grip bench (on Smith machine)

2x8 one-arm db skull crushers
2x8 db incline curls
2x8 triceps push downs with cables (rope attachment)
2x8 barbell preacher curls

Day 2 - legs

5x5 squats
2x8 leg curls with machine
2x8 leg extensions with machine
3x15 calf raises

Day 3 - chest

5x5 bench (Smith machine)
2x8 incline db press
2x8 incline db flies

some sort of forearms - wrist curls, rollups if my gym has it

Day 4 - back/shoulders

5x5 barbell military press
5x5 lying T-bar row Image: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2002/lyingtbar1.jpg (this thing, but gripping the horizontal handles)

3x10 shrugs
2x8 lat pulldown or pullups
2x8 db front shoulder raises
2x8 backwards pec-deck

These aren't 4 days in a row, but I usually just rest about 2 days a week, sometimes 3. Also, I usually just do abs every other day at the end of the workout, regardless of what else I've done that day.

Some notes - I have a messed up lower back (3 cracked discs, though none herniated thank god) so I think deadlifts are out for me. That's why I thought T-bar rows might be a decent compund exercise which I could add weight to each week. I'm hoping to do squats without the Smith machine, but I'm not sure about my back yet.

Also, I don't really have a training partner so a bunch of stuff is on the Smith machine :(. I have to workout before work at 6:20 in the morning which is tough.

What do you think?
 
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Hmmm, I was hoping for at least a few comments. That was a little discouraging. I just got back from a great arms workout, though, so I'm feeling good.
 
Bunch of comments... and don't worry... others will jump in soon:

Get rid of the f-cking Smith machine exercises The Smith is the worst piece of equipment in the gym

Do your close grip bench and bench with free weights and ask for a spot. Don't worry about asking for a spot. If somebody is working out in the gym... 9 times out of 10 his motivation is the same as yours - and he will be happy to spot you.

Your arm routine looks great... but you need more hamstring work for legs. Add 5x5 straight leg deadlift... and maby 2 sets on leg press for more quad work.

Other than that... pretty okay routine. You've obvioulsy taken some time to educate yourself.
 
I'd put dips or ez-bar skullcrushers in for your tris. I never got much out of the pushdowns. At least not as much as I have with the compound movements. And definitely put something else in there for your legs, as SG suggested.
 
Cool, thanks. I will definitely put in more legs work - I really need to get rid of these chicken legs.

As far as the smith machine, I knew it wasn't as good a workout, I just had this mental barrier or something against getting random spots. There are a few total milfs who workout in the mornings - maybe I'll get them to spot me on closegrip since I'm not doing too much weight :). One time I got a spot on bench from some hairy dude who was sweating up a frickin storm. He leaned over the bar to help me out and dripped sweat right on my face. I almost dropped the bar - it was nasty as shit.
 
Backlash said:
There are a few total milfs who workout in the mornings - maybe I'll get them to spot me on closegrip since I'm not doing too much weight :).

By milf, I assume you mean "mom I'd like to fuck".

I dont think I could have a milf with her crotch at my forehead and try to push up a heavy bar. Then again, maybe it would help the ego a little.
 
You definitely will benefit by hanging out on this board. Getting larger gave dead on advice... one of the most critical pieces of advice there is - learn what the best building exercise are and use only them.

I don't do a huge variety of different exercises for body parts. I tend to rotate between 4-5 tops. Why? Because usually only 3-4 max a really great... and the others are only good.

For triceps I do:

Skullcrushers, closegrip bench, and dips.

I've yet to find a 4th triceps exercise I find to be as good a builder as these three.

For back I do:

Deadlifts, pullups/chinups, bentover barbell rows/one armed dumbell rows.

3 basic exercises... each with variations.

Not all exercises for a bodypart are equal.

Triceps pushdowns won't build your horseshoe the way skullcrushers will.
 
Yeah, I've learned more in the last three days than I have in the last year.

I'd like to do dips (especially since I'm about to max out the cable machine ay my gym for rope pushdowns :) ), but I need to figure out what's wrong with my chest.

In college I could do tons of dips (mostly cause I'm so light). However, about a year ago dips (for triceps with arms close to sides and elbows back) started really hurting my chest. It feels like it's gonna tear in half when I lower myself. I thought it was just tight, but I haven't really been able to stretch it out. Have you ever heard of this?
 
Listen to em when they say "ditch the smith machine" I have one in my basement and am getting rid of it! I just ordered a power rack for my squats. I have a bad back too and the smith made it worse (I do have herniated disks) so I thought the smith would be good but MISTAKE.

Does`nt your gym have a power rack?
Also it took me a long time to start deadlifting again due to my back but now I`m loving it. I`m doing the supported back row too. lol good luck and welcome
 
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