Stronglifts 5X5 vs. Ripptoes?

[abenson88]

They are both very good programs but which do you guys think is better?

[Twist3dJok3r]

Everyone is different hence people will get different results with different programs

[RAW87]

Personally i would do rippetoes then 5x5 after. I think Rip is a program where if your a beginner, you make much more progress quicker, and 5x5 is more for after you've stalled a bit. I am doing rippetoes now and will do 5x5 after.

[NotGirlChocolat]

did rip for like a month then started on 5x5
5x5 leaves me feeling a lot more fatigued, but I wasn't lifting near as much weight on rip so I dunno...

[1111111111111111111111111111]

Rippetoe's and Madcow's 5x5 has been proven to be great programs.

However, the Stronglifts program is nothing more than Rippetoe with extra volume added, which imo is stupid b/c 3x5 using the same weight is hard enough. Beginners should stick to a low volume program such as Rippetoe.

I'd say do Rippetoe for a few months then go with Madcow's 5x5 if you want.

[Ka0s]

rippetoes, dont even think about madcow 5x5 until youve stalled hardcore on rippetoes. trust me youll wanna take advantage of adding 10lbs a workout to squat and pull and 5lbs on everything else for as long as you can


stronglifts 5x5 is stupid, 3x5 is much easier to progress on.

[bango skank]

Is Stronglifts 5x5 the same as Rippetoe's?

Stronglifts has outstanding explanations of the main lifts and great supplementary information... but unfortunatley it is also peddles a wannabe Kethnaab's version of Starting Strength, with an added 40% volume and additional mandatory accessory exercises. Here is how the designer of Stronglifts 5x5 justifies his approach:

The Beginner Strength Training Program I has 5 sets of 5 vs. 3sets of 5 with rippetoe. Reason is that Rippetoe starts with weight on the bar. StrongLifts appraoch starts with empty barbells. Doing 5 sets of 5 = 10 reps more than with rippetoe's, 30 reps more a week. These are 30 reps more that allows you to learn the technique. That's the first reason. Second reason is that it gives more total volume (sets*reps*weight) at the end of the week. Which is useful as the weight is so low (empty barbell).

Exactly, it is "useful as the weight is so low," and it stops being useful as soon as respectable poundages are being moved (and isn't that the goal?).

Never-the-less, even at a lower weight this still isn't as useful:

StrongLifts 5x5:
5x5x45lb = 1125 lbs. tonnage (bar only)

vs.

Starting Strength:
3x5x75lb = 1125 lbs tonnage (bar + 30 lbs)

One might take this to mean that starting 'Stronglifts' with an empty barbell is equal to starting 'Starting Strength' with 75 pounds, but it's not. You also have to look at intensity, which is a percentage of your maximum strength. True, they both have equal volume, but Starting Strength has a higher Intensity which will result in stimulating more growth.

He also says that the extra 10 repetitions per lift will help with technique, but in Starting strength there are an extra 20 repetitions of warm-ups with lighter weight that accomplish the same goal.

No, the original Starting Strength, Mark Rippetoe's version, is the best way to go about gaining strength as fast as possible for as long as possible. You will be doing just as much volume on Starting Strength, but you'll be doing it because of the increased intensity with heavier weight, not because of increased sets with lighter weights. Plus StrongLifts doesn't include powercleans in their program, and they are arguably one of the most effective exercises a beginner can do.

[hellasx44]

Personally i would do rippetoes then 5x5 after. I think Rip is a program where if your a beginner, you make much more progress quicker, and 5x5 is more for after you've stalled a bit. I am doing rippetoes now and will do 5x5 after.

x2 you should bulk if your currently that weight and height. these programs on bulks are great for strength. take a lil to cut in between then bulk on the 5x5 and youll be extra straight

[anubi5]

With these types of programs, I think both say it's important to do squats and presses with free weights, not on a smith machine. My gym doesn't have free weights, only a smith machine, when I said I want to change gyms for this reason they suggested talking to their personal trainer about doing extra exercises that work the stabiliser muscles that wouldn't get worked with the smith machine. Opinions on this? Or should I still just change gyms? The other gym is more expensive but aside this issue Im happy with my current gym...

[jayfirered4]

I like starting strength only bc i only have 50 minutes to workout and i can finish the workout. With rippetoe i can't because i have to rest long in between sets. and theres 15 set in total for the base excercises with no assistance work

[2FAT2LIFT]

Both are great for improving strength, stronglifts probably a bit simpler and beginner friendly, so i would give it to stronglifts. That being said both suck for hypertrophy.

[AmySiami22]

I personally thought stronglifts 5x5 was beginner friendlier than ripptoes, and gives you a better workout as well. I didn't do riptoes for as long so I may be biased, but I will do ripptoes again and let you guys know what I think .

[sgttom]

Stronglifts has you switch to 3x5 after stalling anyways. The only real difference is Starting Strength has Barbell rows while Stronglifts has Powercleans instead. Both are good. I like Starting with 5x5 and then switching to 3x5 though.

[Woodyb23]

Stronglifts has you switch to 3x5 after stalling anyways. The only real difference is Starting Strength has Barbell rows while Stronglifts has Powercleans instead. Both are good. I like Starting with 5x5 and then switching to 3x5 though.

I think you got this backwards my dude. Stronglifts uses rows and the other one uses cleans.