Is 5x5 the best way to gain mass?

[Cheek74]

Never tried it before so I was wondering if I should after wrestling is over with. Right now I'm doing light weights and high reps sense it's wrestling season, I don't want to gain mass, but when the season is over I want to gain about 20 pounds for football for my senior year. If there is any other better ways to put on mass I would like to know, thanks.

[PumpMachine123]

5x5 = strength

Mass = eat a ton with hypertrophey training, which is 6-12 reps

Do compounds and use isolation exercises to complement the compound routine.

[Cheek74]

Repped. Thanks a lot man!

[Saki]

5x5 = strength

Mass = eat a ton with hypertrophey training, which is 6-12 reps

Do compounds and use isolation exercises to complement the compound routine.

Not entirely true.

If you're on a 5x5, gaining strength, and eating enough... Mass gains have to follow.

[Aminian]

5x5 = strength

Mass = eat a ton with hypertrophey training, which is 6-12 reps

Do compounds and use isolation exercises to complement the compound routine.

I lol'd. The best way to gain mass, OP, is different for everyone, for some, something works Better than others. A beginner cannot use DC training, as an advanced lifter wouldnt really do well on SS.Arnold never used "hypertrophy" training until late in his career, it was all 5x5. Same with Reg Park and most other world class bodybuilders. 5x5 is extewmeley effective for most, when you have reached somewhat heavy weight, and find it harder to progress.

Strength=Mass.

[Cheek74]

Thanks guys! I'm going to try 5x5 regardless after wrestling. It's something new and it seems really beneficial for football.

[Packham93]

Is there a 5x5 routine on here, were can i find it, im going to try it to

[KarmicEffects]

5x5 definitely is strength gains out the ass if done right, mass I think is just made in the kitchen and compounds personally.

[Slaytonslayer]

Is there a 5x5 routine on here, were can i find it, im going to try it to

i have not seen any, though im sure a number of people, including me, can easily make one for you if youd like, or you can make one yourself knowing how your body reacts to the different excercises

[giggity69]

Is there a 5x5 routine on here, were can i find it, im going to try it to

madcows 5x5

[XShreddedX]

no.

[mormonpickett]

Do whatever YOU like man. Somedays I go for 5 sets of 5 otherdays I got for 6 sets of 12. Depends on the body part too. For example, I hate doing low reps for my legs. I don't get a pump at all. I can do 315 for like 6 reps on squats and just dont feel it. Yeah it's hard but I get no pump. I'd much rather do 275 for 10 reps for a few sets.

[MiscStrngthCrew]

In general for most people, added strength will lead to added hypertrophy. There's a lot of debate about rep ranges and how heavy you have to lift, but it's proven that 5 reps and 8-12 reps are at least equal in mass building capabilities, while 5 reps and lower can lead to more strength. Even if the two rep ranges were equal, I would do 5 reps just to gain the added strength that comes with it. I can't really tell you which one is better, you just have to see for yourself. And the program doesn't have to be 5x5, it can be 4x5 or 3x5. I do my own variation of a full body workout that consists of 2 warmup sets and 4x5 working sets for the squat, standing shoulder press and bent over row. Some days I add pullups and isolation work. The best thing to do is create a program that works best for you, but yes 5x5 is an excellent way to gain mass and strength, which you will want for football.

[Braveheart91]

Hypertrophy <3 got alot of mass through this

[whizkyy]

I lol'd. The best way to gain mass, OP, is different for everyone, for some, something works Better than others. A beginner cannot use DC training, as an advanced lifter wouldnt really do well on SS.Arnold never used "hypertrophy" training until late in his career, it was all 5x5. Same with Reg Park and most other world class bodybuilders. 5x5 is extewmeley effective for most, when you have reached somewhat heavy weight, and find it harder to progress.

Strength=Mass.

That is a lie....Arnold used it alot early then late in his career

He also suggests using 8-12 reps for upper and 12-16 reps for lower for mass gain

Every rep range is gunna build mass and strength, but different ranges are 'optimal'

also Strength =/= Mass

[Saki]

also Strength =/= Mass

No, but there is a correlation. After the point where CNS adaption to heavier weights slows down, if diet is on point and lifts are going up it is impossible for mass gains not to follow.

There is a reason that they have bodyweight classes in powerlifting, for example. More muscle mass = more fibres the CNS can potentially recruit.

[bravo96]

i really dont know any world class bodybuilders that used 5x5 training except for reg park.

[Mechka]

No arnold trained for hypothery in his natural days.............................................. .................................and if your after size 8-12 reps and every now and then do 5-6 reps to bost platues ect

[Shredded-Wolf]

Did 5x5, got from 170 to 225 (Diet was GOMAD, don't do it, keep it lean brah). Felt good.

[Shredded-Wolf]

i really dont know any world class bodybuilders that used 5x5 training except for reg park.

Pretty sure Arnold followed in Regs footsteps. Here brah.

Arnold's 5X5
In the aforementioned book by Schwarzenegger, the legendary bodybuilding movie star describes his program for using the 5X5 workout program. Arnold would perform traditional bodybuilding split routines, training different parts of his body in different workouts over the course of the week. Unlike Starr and Rippetoe, both of whom recommend no more than three workouts per week, Arnold would work out as much as twice a day, five and six days per week. During a chest workout for example, he might perform the bench press, incline press, cable flyes, and dumbbell flyes. He would perform five sets of five repetitions of each one. The 5X5 workout program led Arnold to an unprecedented seven Mr. Olympia titles, providing ample evidence that the concept works well

From the beginning I was a big believer in the basic movements, because that was Reg Park's preference. He would stay with the basic exercises--bench presses, chin-ups, squats, rowing, barbell curls, wrist curls, pullovers, leg extensions, calf raises. These were the movements that worked most directly on all body parts. I was following his example to the letter. And as it turned out, I could hardly have chosen more wisely. The basic exercises were creating for me a rugged foundation, a core of muscle I could later build upon for a winning body. Reg Park's theory was that first you have to build the mass and then chisel it down to get the quality.
-Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder

Reg park (the first bodybuilder to bench over 500 pounds) said

If you're a beginner and you want to train like Arnold Schwarzenegger, then you have to train like Arnold Schwarzenegger trained as a beginner. When Arnold first began training he trained 3 days a week, so you'll train three days a week. When Arnold first began training he followed a Reg Parks routine, so you'll follow a Reg Parks routine. When Arnold first began training, he focused on the big heavy compound lifts, so you'll focus on the big heavy compound lifts. This is how Arnold got his start on the road to being the best that there ever was and it's my hope that this could be your start as well. Let's take a look at some of the programs advocated by Reg Parks, all of which Arnie would have used at some point. Try to imagine Arnold at 15, 16 and 17 doing the exact same things that you'll be doing. Try to recreate for yourself some of the same excitement, determination and raw power that Arnie did, and ultimately, success.

And these are the Reg Park 5x5 routines Arnie followed

Reg Park and 5x5

The 5x5 model was Reg Park's choice du jour for packing on slabs of muscle and producing hundreds of pounds of strength. This is also the model that Arnie came to know and love during his formative years. But this isn't Bill Starr's 5x5, this is Reg Park's 5x5 and it's a little different. The first two sets of five are actually used as warm-up sets. So let's say we're going to work our way up to a 150 lb bench, the first set of five would be about 60% or 90 lbs, and the second set of five would be about 80% or 120lbs. After that you would get down to the grit, what Reg liked to call Stabilizer Sets; 3 sets of 5 at 150lbs. So it would end up looking like:

5x90 (Warm-up @ 60%)
5x120 (Warm-up @ 80%)
5x150 (3 stabilizer sets)
5x150
5x150

When you can get all your reps of 5 at 150 lbs, you add 5 lbs. So next time your bench it would be:

5x95
5x125
5x155
5x155
5x155

Reg liked to use about 3-5 minutes to rest in between sets.

One more thing: When you're first starting any 5x5 program you never want to start with your max. Typically you start 30-45 lbs below what you think you can do and work your way back up. Starting anywhere near your maximum capacity is a good way to stall out, so give yourself a running start. If that means starting with an empty barbell, well, just consider that Arnold and Reg both started at the same place you will.

Onto the programs...



The Reg Park Beginner 5x5 Routine

Here is a workout that he and Arnold used with great success (provided by Kaya Park, Reg's grandson)

Workout A

Back Squats 5x5
Chin-Ups or Pull-Ups 5x5
Dips or Bench Press 5x5
Wrist Work 2x10
Calves 2x15-20

Workout B

Front Squats 5x5
Rows 5x5
Standing Press 5x5
Deadlifts 3x5 (2 warm-up sets and 1 "stabilizer set")
Wrist Work 2x10
Calves 2x15-20

Week 1: A, B, A
Week 2: B, A, B
Week 3: A, B, etc



Reg Park's 5x5 Power Training

Schedule 1 - To be performed 3x/week for 5 weeks before continuing onto Schedule 2

Back Squat - 5x5
Bench Press - 5x5
Power Clean - 8x2
Standing Press - 5x5
Barbell Curl - 3x5 strict, add 20-30lbs then 2x5 cheat curls
Deadlift - 5x1, working up to a top weight (Only performed on Day 3) Beginners should do 1x5

Schedule 2 - To be performed 3x/week for 5 weeks.

Front Squat - 5x5
Clean and Press, warmup w/ 2 sets of 2, 5x2 Stabilizing sets. Optionally perform 2 more sets of 3 Push Jerks
Upright Row - 5x5
Dips - 5x8
Dumbbell Curls - 5x5
Deadlift - 5x1, working up to a top weight (Only performed on Day 3) Beginners should do 1x5


And this is arnold at the end of those.

[musclehead09]

5x5 is really good. I'm on PHAT right now which is imo the best of both worlds. as with Madcow's you add weight to the bar once a week so do you with PHAT on each power day then you have higher rep days in the middle and end of the week.

[Ka0s]

5x5 = strength

Mass = eat a ton with hypertrophey training, which is 6-12 reps

Do compounds and use isolation exercises to complement the compound routine.

This. When you do 5 reps, your body says "Hmm I must be training for strength, ergo I will not build any muscle now"
But when you do that 6th rep, your body realizes you are a bodybuilder and therefore releases essential hypertrophy hormones which make you huge
It's all about that 6th rep.

[musclehead09]

This. When you do 5 reps, your body says "Hmm I must be training for strength, ergo I will not build any muscle now"
But when you do that 6th rep, your body realizes you are a bodybuilder and therefore releases essential hypertrophy hormones which make you huge
It's all about that 6th rep.

I lol'd

[matthew10113]

This. When you do 5 reps, your body says "Hmm I must be training for strength, ergo I will not build any muscle now"
But when you do that 6th rep, your body realizes you are a bodybuilder and therefore releases essential hypertrophy hormones which make you huge
It's all about that 6th rep.

lmaooo

[Shredded-Wolf]

This. When you do 5 reps, your body says "Hmm I must be training for strength, ergo I will not build any muscle now"
But when you do that 6th rep, your body realizes you are a bodybuilder and therefore releases essential hypertrophy hormones which make you huge
It's all about that 6th rep.

At first I like "Ka0s are you srs?" then I lol'd.

[knight07]

5x5 is great. Its mostly strength but if youre eating and getting stronger, youre going to grow. Hypertrophy routines work well if you already have solid muscle but you have to get a solid frame to work with first, which is where powerlifting routines work best.

A lot of famous bodybuilders competed in powerlifting and focused on strength training before they began bodybuilding. I personally have switched from all hypertrophy and I now run 5x5 advanced and do bicep/tricep hypertrophy during the off days of 5x5. It works wonders, Ive gained 25 lbs since august. Despite training for strength, I still look like I can compete in bodybuilding.

[whizkyy]

Pretty sure Arnold followed in Regs footsteps. Here brah.






Reg park (the first bodybuilder to bench over 500 pounds) said





And these are the Reg Park 5x5 routines Arnie followed

Reg Park and 5x5

The 5x5 model was Reg Park's choice du jour for packing on slabs of muscle and producing hundreds of pounds of strength. This is also the model that Arnie came to know and love during his formative years. But this isn't Bill Starr's 5x5, this is Reg Park's 5x5 and it's a little different. The first two sets of five are actually used as warm-up sets. So let's say we're going to work our way up to a 150 lb bench, the first set of five would be about 60% or 90 lbs, and the second set of five would be about 80% or 120lbs. After that you would get down to the grit, what Reg liked to call Stabilizer Sets; 3 sets of 5 at 150lbs. So it would end up looking like:

5x90 (Warm-up @ 60%)
5x120 (Warm-up @ 80%)
5x150 (3 stabilizer sets)
5x150
5x150

When you can get all your reps of 5 at 150 lbs, you add 5 lbs. So next time your bench it would be:

5x95
5x125
5x155
5x155
5x155

Reg liked to use about 3-5 minutes to rest in between sets.

One more thing: When you're first starting any 5x5 program you never want to start with your max. Typically you start 30-45 lbs below what you think you can do and work your way back up. Starting anywhere near your maximum capacity is a good way to stall out, so give yourself a running start. If that means starting with an empty barbell, well, just consider that Arnold and Reg both started at the same place you will.

Onto the programs...



The Reg Park Beginner 5x5 Routine

Here is a workout that he and Arnold used with great success (provided by Kaya Park, Reg's grandson)

Workout A

Back Squats 5x5
Chin-Ups or Pull-Ups 5x5
Dips or Bench Press 5x5
Wrist Work 2x10
Calves 2x15-20

Workout B

Front Squats 5x5
Rows 5x5
Standing Press 5x5
Deadlifts 3x5 (2 warm-up sets and 1 "stabilizer set")
Wrist Work 2x10
Calves 2x15-20

Week 1: A, B, A
Week 2: B, A, B
Week 3: A, B, etc



Reg Park's 5x5 Power Training

Schedule 1 - To be performed 3x/week for 5 weeks before continuing onto Schedule 2

Back Squat - 5x5
Bench Press - 5x5
Power Clean - 8x2
Standing Press - 5x5
Barbell Curl - 3x5 strict, add 20-30lbs then 2x5 cheat curls
Deadlift - 5x1, working up to a top weight (Only performed on Day 3) Beginners should do 1x5

Schedule 2 - To be performed 3x/week for 5 weeks.

Front Squat - 5x5
Clean and Press, warmup w/ 2 sets of 2, 5x2 Stabilizing sets. Optionally perform 2 more sets of 3 Push Jerks
Upright Row - 5x5
Dips - 5x8
Dumbbell Curls - 5x5
Deadlift - 5x1, working up to a top weight (Only performed on Day 3) Beginners should do 1x5


And this is arnold at the end of those.

However he recommends 8-12reps and 12-16 for lower for Muscle mass gains

[Ka0s]

Who cares how Arnold Schwarzenegger trained?

[doyoueveneat]

the best way to gain mass is to provide adequate stimulus to the muscle + eat enough + genetics also play a role.

5x5 does provide adequate stimulus to the muscle.

[jushe9]

in my experience as a skinny person the best way to gain the mass i have so far has been through hypertrophy training i.e. moderate reps 8-10 and moderate weight. and of course changing routines