5x5 Bill Starr Program

[Promax]

Next week I plan on trying out this work out plan. I have seen a lot of people who tried it and praised the routine. I just have one specific question. The Wednesday workout includes Incline Bench in the routine. I had read that replacing that with Military Press is considered ok. In your guys opinion do you think that it would be more beneficial to keep Incline Bench or replace it with military press? Here is a link to the exact program I am talking about.

Bill Starr 5x5 - Madcow Intermediate or Linear Version

[Nooklear]

I'm definitely not an expert, but I'd say that working all three major muscle groups 3x a week seems excessive...

But if you've heard good things about this routine then give it a try. Personally I think I'd see better results doing one muscle group per day, 1 or 2 times a week.

[lee thompson]

the 5x5 routine is usually credited to englands Reg park,google Reg park 5x5 and you will get more of an idea.

[waynaferd]

Well, the military press is more for shoulders and would give your pecs a bit of a break, but if your gonna follow a routine then follow it, don't change it. Not at first, anyway.

[jlozan84]

yeah, switching it is fine...........a lot of the 5x5 variations I have seen list it as either Military OR Incline anyway. Incline is mainly shoulders anyway bro.

[Noir]

Originally Posted by Nooklear

I'm definitely not an expert, but I'd say that working all three major muscle groups 3x a week seems excessive...

But if you've heard good things about this routine then give it a try. Personally I think I'd see better results doing one muscle group per day, 1 or 2 times a week.

Don't even know what to say to this...

[Boomer91]

sounds like a good routine, all compound exercises...think i might give this one a try for a few months till summer.

[Nooklear]

Originally Posted by Noir

Don't even know what to say to this...

Sorry, guess I gave some bad advice!

Anyways good luck with the new workout!

[Renegade68]

It works well. I did it for 8 weeks - strength jumped in all exercises. It is NOT easy and requires some dedication and a lifting partner whose also dedicated. Try it, you'll love it. I'm planning to do it again in the fall.

One big note - you MUST have strong core muscles PRIOR to starting this for max effectiveness. This is why I cut it at 8 weeks. I needed to improve my core to get the full benefit.

Good luck.

[schmichael]

gade, i think you'll find he's looking at the version i did.

promax, i ran this for 10 weeks or so and added about 20lbs to my bench, 50 lbs to my squat and 100lbs to my deadlift. just start out fairly easy, especially if you aren't used to full body training. i was setting new PR's at the end of week 4.

and you will be fine swapping out incline press for MP. i did and increased that by 20 odd lbs too!!

[Promax]

Aright I am going into week five and loving this routine. Starting off light in the beginning really helps on improving technique. When I first starting squatting I didn't want to go past parallel because like a dumb ass I did not want to drop the weight that much. Well with this routine I was able to start with very light weight and started going ass to floor. Now I am passing what I was squatting before and going waaaaay down.

One of my goals were to be able to put two 45lb. plates (aka 225lb.) on each side and lift it. I just considered it impressive when I first started lifting and thought man I would love to be able to do that. Call me crazy. At the end of every Friday we would attempt it. Last Friday we nailed it. I was so happy. Not to bad for only being back into lifting for 3 and a half months. I will probably keep going until I start failing on my lifts. Then I will reset all of my 5 rep maxes and do it all over again. That's how much I am enjoying this routine. No isolation and all compound moves!!!

[mitchcumstein]

Originally Posted by Promax

Aright I am going into week five and loving this routine. Starting off light in the beginning really helps on improving technique. When I first starting squatting I didn't want to go past parallel because like a dumb ass I did not want to drop the weight that much. Well with this routine I was able to start with very light weight and started going ass to floor. Now I am passing what I was squatting before and going waaaaay down.

One of my goals were to be able to put two 45lb. plates (aka 225lb.) on each side and lift it. I just considered it impressive when I first started lifting and thought man I would love to be able to do that. Call me crazy. At the end of every Friday we would attempt it. Last Friday we nailed it. I was so happy. Not to bad for only being back into lifting for 3 and a half months. I will probably keep going until I start failing on my lifts. Then I will reset all of my 5 rep maxes and do it all over again. That's how much I am enjoying this routine. No isolation and all compound moves!!!

A 225lb squat all the way down, sitting on your calves is a respectable lift for a beginner/intermediate. Most guys you see in the gym that are sissy/half squatting 315lbs or more couldnt even do it 1 time.