Quick question about warm up sets and 5x5

[ten2go]

Hello all! I haven't posted in awhile but have been lurking lately. I have 2 questions...First, when doing a 5x5 workout and say you are doing squats do you count your warm up squats as part of the 5x5? I've been trying really hard to increase my weights on squats (I think a lot is mental) and my first set I've been doing the bar, then next set 75 lbs, the next 95, next 2 are at 105 (I'm getting there!). Should I instead maybe do a warm up set and then 5x5 at 105?

Second, I saw FREEBIRDMAC post on another thread (and I didn't want to hijack it) that if doing legs 2x a week (which I do) that one should be heavy 5x5 and the other should be hypertrophy (8-10) and not do the same exercises. I don't do the same exercises on both days but are there better exercises for doing 5x5 vs. 8-10?

Day One I do: Squats, Stiff Leg DL, Walking DB lunges, Calf Raises, Leg Ext and seated leg curl.
Day Two I do: Leg Press (and then calves on the leg press machine), Regular Dead Lifts, Smith Lunges, Plie Squats, Wall Sits (60 secs) and Leg Curls using the "kneeling" machine.

Thanks for any input!

[MaliaBot]

I don't count my warm ups as part of mu working set. I do take a rest (a minute or two) after warming up so my muscles are ready to give it their all.

As for part 2...I think it depends on how advanced you are. I think beginners are fine doing a standard program. But...don't hold me to it!!!

[freebirdmac]

Look at the leg routine used for PHAT http://www.simplyshredded.com/mega-f...ated-2011.html

[ten2go]

Thanks!

[thehobbes]

Hello all! I haven't posted in awhile but have been lurking lately. I have 2 questions...First, when doing a 5x5 workout and say you are doing squats do you count your warm up squats as part of the 5x5? I've been trying really hard to increase my weights on squats (I think a lot is mental) and my first set I've been doing the bar, then next set 75 lbs, the next 95, next 2 are at 105 (I'm getting there!). Should I instead maybe do a warm up set and then 5x5 at 105?

Don't count the warmup sets for that stuff for the 5x5. Your warmup looks exactly like mine. But yeah whatever your working weight is atm for your 5x5s, be it 105 or wherever you're starting then do 5 sets of that.

[kjake55]

Don't count the warmup sets for that stuff for the 5x5. Your warmup looks exactly like mine. But yeah whatever your working weight is atm for your 5x5s, be it 105 or wherever you're starting then do 5 sets of that.

/\/\Agree. Don't count warmup sets.

[Cvrchak]

You got the answer on warm up sets. As for high low rep, I like doing squats and press with heavly weights, low rep, and lunges, rdl and other with lighter wieghts and higer reps. You can do it any way you like it. Mix it in one day or do one day high rep, one day low rep. It depends on how your feel, and how tired are your muscles.

[ten2go]

You got the answer on warm up sets. As for high low rep, I like doing squats and press with heavly weights, low rep, and lunges, rdl and other with lighter wieghts and higer reps. You can do it any way you like it. Mix it in one day or do one day high rep, one day low rep. It depends on how your feel, and how tired are your muscles.

Thanks! I like that idea as I don't like to do Squats and Leg Presses on the same day but want to do both heavy!!

[Cvrchak]

Thanks! I like that idea as I don't like to do Squats and Leg Presses on the same day but want to do both heavy!!

Than you can do it on different days. Add some light work in combination. I used to do heavy squats superset with lunges with no weight
leg press in combination with adductors and similar. Try, and you'll see what you enjoy the most and what works best for you