Madcows 5x5 Question

[comps]

Following madcows 5x5.
Let's say I just benched 185x5. I am now on the workout day with my heavy triple for bench. I am going to try to bench 190x3. However, it feels easy and I push out 190x5. During the next workout with bench, should I do 190x5 again or 195x3?

Thank you.

[Jasonk282]

Following madcows 5x5.
Let's say I just benched 185x5. I am now on the workout day with my heavy triple for bench. I am going to try to bench 190x3. However, it feels easy and I push out 190x5. During the next workout with bench, should I do 190x5 again or 195x3?

Thank you.

when in doubt I say add more weight, you can always drop weight the next set if you don't complete a full set.

[comps]

when in doubt I say add more weight, you can always drop weight the next set if you don't complete a full set.

I suppose, I used to fuark up a lot with the amount of weight I was using when I was younger, but now I keep a very detailed log, diet, and routine.

[Jasonk282]

I suppose, I used to fuark up a lot with the amount of weight I was using when I was younger, but now I keep a very detailed log, diet, and routine.

How do you expect to make any gains if you don't push yoursefl each and every set.

For example on monday when I did bench I did 220x5, 220x5, 225x4, 220x5 and 225x4. So Friday when I bench again I'll probably do 225 on my first set when I am at my strongest.

[comps]

How do you expect to make any gains if you don't push yoursefl each and every set.

For example on monday when I did bench I did 220x5, 220x5, 225x4, 220x5 and 225x4. So Friday when I bench again I'll probably do 225 on my first set when I am at my strongest.

Pushing myself is not a problem.
I'm just a little nervous of wasting time again because I tried to get ahead of myself.
And anyways, thanks for the reply, question was answered.

[Jasonk282]

Pushing myself is not a problem.
I'm just a little nervous of wasting time again because I tried to get ahead of myself.
And anyways, thanks for the reply, question was answered.

How would be adding more weight a.k.a progressive weight training, a waste of time?

[comps]

How would be adding more weight a.k.a progressive weight training, a waste of time?

Added too much weight, did not progress that week.
Next workout even though I lowered the weight I was not able to do even what I did before at times.

[Hambone79]

Following madcows 5x5.
Let's say I just benched 185x5. I am now on the workout day with my heavy triple for bench. I am going to try to bench 190x3. However, it feels easy and I push out 190x5. During the next workout with bench, should I do 190x5 again or 195x3?

Thank you.

This is a classic example of pushing the envelope and overtraining. Progressing faster than normal (as in Madcow's program) cuts into the envelope of your recovery system. When your CNS cannot recover fast enough you are then overtrained and will go backwards until you deload and slowly build back to your previous PR's.


This is one of the main reasons they recommend taking the 10% off max weights and slowly build up to PR's over 4 weeks. If one was to go for max reps and max weight on Madcow's program you would essentially be doing Starting Strength!

The reason Madcow's is slated an "Intermediate" program is because it is built around managing increased tonnage of a more advanced lifter to keep that lifter RECOVERED and PROGRESSING! There is nothing fancy about this program other than the variables that allow more advanced lifters to maintain RECOVERY. If you want to go balls out try Starting Strength!

I know it sounds VAG, but I never started making gains till I learned to balance my recovery and progression on a cycle. That is the simplest way to define strength training: managing recovery and progression!

[comps]

This is a classic example of pushing the envelope and overtraining. Progressing faster than normal (as in Madcow's program) cuts into the envelope of your recovery system. When your CNS cannot recover fast enough you are then overtrained and will go backwards until you deload and slowly build back to your previous PR's.


This is one of the main reasons they recommend taking the 10% off max weights and slowly build up to PR's over 4 weeks. If one was to go for max reps and max weight on Madcow's program you would essentially be doing Starting Strength!

The reason Madcow's is slated an "Intermediate" program is because it is built around managing increased tonnage of a more advanced lifter to keep that lifter RECOVERED and PROGRESSING! There is nothing fancy about this program other than the variables that allow more advanced lifters to maintain RECOVERY. If you want to go balls out try Starting Strength!

I know it sounds VAG, but I never started making gains till I learned to balance my recovery and progression on a cycle. That is the simplest way to define strength training: managing recovery and progression!

Past starting strength for most of my lifts.
Can't progress that fast on bench, deadlift, overheadpress, and rows that quickly anymore lol.

[rdferguson]

How do you expect to make any gains if you don't push yoursefl each and every set.

For example on monday when I did bench I did 220x5, 220x5, 225x4, 220x5 and 225x4. So Friday when I bench again I'll probably do 225 on my first set when I am at my strongest.

I don't think you know what Madcow's 5x5 is. You wouldn't have written the above post if you did.

OP, just repeat the set of 5 at the same weight. And if you're going to push yourself on Friday above and beyond the calls of the program, the high rep set after the heavy triple is probably the set to do it on, rather than the triple itself.

[Jasonk282]

I don't think you know what Madcow's 5x5 is. You wouldn't have written the above post if you did.

OP, just repeat the set of 5 at the same weight. And if you're going to push yourself on Friday above and beyond the calls of the program, the high rep set after the heavy triple is probably the set to do it on, rather than the triple itself.

I just though it's like all the other 5x5 routines where once you achieve 5 sets at 5 reps of the same weight or it's to light you then advance 5-10 pounds in your next set/workout. Guess I was wrong, my bad.

[otiskii]

Yep, you happen to be wrong. It's a program. Does anybody ever just do a program the way it's written? If I play Johnny B Goode using 1, 2 and 3 chords instead of 1, 4 and 5 is it still Johnny B Goode?

[jamnajh]

You should stick to the program. If you can do the weight for 5 reps, good. Do it Monday. The program was written like that to keep Progression consistent. It's a good program.

[TaskForce01]

Like what has already been said stick to the programme save your energy so you can hit all 5 in Monday, stick exactly to the programme because I no its tempting to try and progress faster but you will end up stalling quicker if you do

[comps]

I'll follow the program how it is written then.
I'd like faster progression, but 20lbs/3 months is Fine and I have no problem working with that. (That is if I don't stall or anything)

[snyper99]

are you using this calculator?

http://www.vicjg.com/aspx/madcowint.aspx

[comps]

are you using this calculator?

http://www.vicjg.com/aspx/madcowint.aspx

I am not using that calculator, but I do my sets the same way as it tells me to.