Trainers - pls critique my routine (strength vs size)

[Spencer444]

I just finished a starting strength cycle and my lifts all increased nicely...below is where Im at with a 5 rep set:

Bench - 225
Squat - 245
Deadlift - 320
Power Clean - 150
Overhead Press - 130

I want to train for size but also build strength so my question is should I go with hypertrophy training (i.e. Mon - chest/tris, Tues - back/bis, etc...) in the 8-12 rep range where I mix compound and isolation or should I continue to progress with strength training (5x5 madcows) and just expect that the mass will come naturally as I up the weight?

Im assuming that Ill get a little bit of both with either program but that the hypertrophy split routine will be more mass and less strength and the 5x5 madcows will be more strength and less mass.

Also, which program will I be gaining less fat on holding my diet as a constant?

Last thing is Ive never really done hypertrophy training (ive only ever known 3x5 strength training of the 5 major lifts Mon, Wed, Fri), but how do people usually pyramid the sets? How many total sets? Do they pyramid up to a max 8 rep set? Do they dropset? Superset? How quick is the linear progression (in SS, I would try to add 5 pounds each workout) but I imagine it is much slower when training for size.

Sorry for the long post, would appreciate any feedback. thanks guys

[bigfrog]

Strength will come with size. If you've been doing the same routine forever, you may not make many gains if any. Like bulking and keeping viewable abs.. Hard to do.. Mix it up maybe....

[jdmalm123]

Spencer,

Those are good numbers...but I would suggest you get a little further before you convert to bodybuilding.

[rdferguson]

What I'm more interested in is why there's no upper back excercises in there.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Spencer444

I just finished a starting strength cycle and my lifts all increased nicely...below is where Im at with a 5 rep set:

Bench - 225
Squat - 245
Deadlift - 320
Power Clean - 150
Overhead Press - 130

I want to train for size but also build strength so my question is should I go with hypertrophy training (i.e. Mon - chest/tris, Tues - back/bis, etc...) in the 8-12 rep range where I mix compound and isolation or should I continue to progress with strength training (5x5 madcows) and just expect that the mass will come naturally as I up the weight?

Im assuming that Ill get a little bit of both with either program but that the hypertrophy split routine will be more mass and less strength and the 5x5 madcows will be more strength and less mass.

Also, which program will I be gaining less fat on holding my diet as a constant?

Last thing is Ive never really done hypertrophy training (ive only ever known 3x5 strength training of the 5 major lifts Mon, Wed, Fri), but how do people usually pyramid the sets? How many total sets? Do they pyramid up to a max 8 rep set? Do they dropset? Superset? How quick is the linear progression (in SS, I would try to add 5 pounds each workout) but I imagine it is much slower when training for size.

Sorry for the long post, would appreciate any feedback. thanks guys

Eat big to get big. Food is the ticket