How necessary do you guys think the 531 book it?

[Maxwell1995]

I'm restarting 5/3/1 next week, and I usually take my template from the one on T-Nation, but I've seen so many different ways to do it on the internet that I'm not sure which is correct. I know about the e-book, but I wasn't sure how worth it it is. Should I get it? Money isn't an issue, but I don't want to spend $20 if I don't need to.

[arian11]

One of the big things of 5/3/1 is that it can be customized or tailored to your specific needs/goals. The fact that you didn't know that makes me think maybe you should drop the money and read the book.

[Maxwell1995]

I read this off of T-Nation and assumed that I should just leave it alone. I will buy the book though. No harm in it I suppose.



Don't customize: This probably applies to any program published on this site, but it especially matters for 5/3/1. You must do the program the way it's written.

"People ask the craziest sh!t," Wendler says, his voice getting louder again. " 'Can I combine 5/3/1 with Westside for Skinny B@$tards?' Why not just do one or the other and make progress?

etc etc

[arian11]

I read this off of T-Nation and assumed that I should just leave it alone. I will buy the book though. No harm in it I suppose.



Don't customize: This probably applies to any program published on this site, but it especially matters for 5/3/1. You must do the program the way it's written.

"People ask the craziest sh!t," Wendler says, his voice getting louder again. " 'Can I combine 5/3/1 with Westside for Skinny B@$tards?' Why not just do one or the other and make progress?

etc etc

He probably says that because people who usually try to change things don't know what they are doing and do it wrong, like trying to combine 5/3/1 with westside. Which isn't even tailoring, that is changing it all. What I mean by tailoring is like after you do your 5/3/1 for squat you can choose what accessory work to do to match your needs/weaknesses. That is why there is the Boring But Big version and the Triumvirate version and other ones that you can see people have done in the workout log section.

[Maxwell1995]

He probably says that because people who usually try to change things don't know what they are doing and do it wrong, like trying to combine 5/3/1 with westside. Which isn't even tailoring, that is changing it all. What I mean by tailoring is like after you do your 5/3/1 for squat you can choose what accessory work to do to match your needs/weaknesses. That is why there is the Boring But Big version and the Triumvirate version and other ones that you can see people have done in the workout log section.

Ohh okay. Yeah I know what you mean there. I was planning on just doing Boring But Big this time around anyway.

[arian11]

Ohh okay. Yeah I know what you mean there. I was planning on just doing Boring But Big this time around anyway.

Well if you already know how 5/3/1 works and you are gonna do the Boring But Big and not change anything, then I guess you don't really need the book. Also, there are other ways you can get it, just can't be discussed on here.

[Maxwell1995]

Well if you already know how 5/3/1 works and you are gonna do the Boring But Big and not change anything, then I guess you don't really need the book. Also, there are other ways you can get it, just can't be discussed on here.

Bought the E-Book for the fun of it. If anything, now I'll learn a thing or two. Somebody owes me $20 anyway. Time to read.

Thanks a lot man. Reps on recharge

[Anthony21]

The book is definitely something to get. It'll answer any question you have and it also comes with workout sheets you can print out to track your workouts.

[austin.j.taylor]

The book is worth it just to read JW writing style. Dude brings the lulz.

[Sharksinurmouth]

Book is definitely a must read as everything is consolidated. I like the first edition the most as its simpler (I own both).

[_Buckeye_]

not to highjack the thread but can anyone recount their results from the 5/3/1 routine? how logn you did the routine, where abouts were you when you started (beginner, novice, advanced?) strength and size gains?

[C0bra]

Don't be a cheap piece of sh*t......buy the book

Edit: disregard...saw you bought it

[C0bra]

not to highjack the thread but can anyone recount their results from the 5/3/1 routine? how logn you did the routine, where abouts were you when you started (beginner, novice, advanced?) strength and size gains?

Staring lifts:

S: 275
B: 235 (paused)
D: 295

Current lifts after 1 year:

S: 405 (gym lift....soon to be in a meet)
B: 270
D: 465

only bodyweight change in that year was a 10 lb gain

[hsilman]

Staring lifts:

S: 275
B: 235 (paused)
D: 295

Current lifts after 1 year:

S: 405 (gym lift....soon to be in a meet)
B: 270
D: 465

only bodyweight change in that year was a 10 lb gain

Pretty inspiring progress. How would you rate the overall "difficulty" of the program. Did you have to reset during the year? and did you consistently get extra reps on the top sets?

I've switched to 5/3/1 since I was tired of feeling beat up all the time always pushing myself. That and I want to lose some weight. I started well for the upper body lifts, but I've probably started too high for my sq/dead(only getting prescribed reps for some weeks). I find it tough some days, but overall a lighter load than TM/Westside/etc. I've also lost 20# and only lost about 5% off my best squat(other lifts are the same).

I don't have the book, but it's on my short list. I wouldn't call it necessary, as even the multitude of templates still have the same basic main lift programming. However if you want to do the PL template or the full body one, I think it would be useful. It also will give you ideas for conditioning and assistance if you need help.

[MoshCamp]

5/3/1 is so 2010 brah, it's all Conjugate System now.

[Nood]

i would get the book, i got the e book and really enjoyed it just, i like the way wendler writes. he can make a boring story sound so much more funnier and cooler just by throwing in his analogies and other crap

[allergic2rice]

5/3/1 is so 2010 brah, it's all Conjugate System now.

if anything, it's the other way around

[Jason2459]

if anything, it's the other way around

Nah, the conjugate system never left and is still alive and kicking very well.

[arian11]

Nah, the conjugate system never left and is still alive and kicking very well.

All the Crossfitters are all about 5/3/1 now though.

[Jason2459]

All the Crossfitters are all about 5/3/1 now though.

Since they don't care about being elite at any one thing, like say getting stronger, then yeah I can see the popularity of 5/3/1 with crossfitters.

[allergic2rice]

Nah, the conjugate system never left and is still alive and kicking very well.

well, I read his post like "5/3/1 is old, and the conjugate system is the good stuff now".
by 'other way around', I mean that if anything, the conjugate system is the old, proven method, and 5/3/1 is the new stuff