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lifting questions

favoritenut
favoritenut Posts: 217 Member
edited February 7 in Getting Started
I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

Replies

  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    It means 5 sets of five...... with a rest in between..... not a stupid question at all!! :)
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

    I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

    goggle wendlers 5x5 program

    Also LoL at the persons answer above this is why you should do your own research and not depend on message boards
  • favoritenut
    favoritenut Posts: 217 Member
    It means 5 sets of five...... with a rest in between..... not a stupid question at all!! :)


    thank you, so you do 5 squats or what ever, then rest for how long, I have tried googling it, it just doesn't explain it well enough. I'm excited to start. I have been doing some weights and have seen a difference in me, but want more.

    thanks again!
  • favoritenut
    favoritenut Posts: 217 Member
    I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

    I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

    goggle wendlers 5x5 program

    Also LoL at the persons answer above this is why you should do your own research and not depend on message boards


    I tried looking up wendlers 5x5 and got a bunch of forums asking questions,
  • beekay70
    beekay70 Posts: 214 Member
    I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

    I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

    goggle wendlers 5x5 program

    Also LoL at the persons answer above this is why you should do your own research and not depend on message boards

    I'm confused as to why you LOL at the reply regarding 5 sets of 5 reps. That is correct. She didn't ask about a particular 5x5 program, so that answer is as correct as possible to the question asked.
  • mikejholmes
    mikejholmes Posts: 291 Member
    So if you're lifting heavy, you do 5 squats, and then rest until the fatigue goes away, and you can do it again. It's a personal thing, and it depends on how heavy you're lifting, but for a beginner, probably 2-3 minutes. It might be as long as 5 when things get really heavy.

    For more information than you could ever dream of knowing about lifting, buy Starting Strength.
  • beekay70
    beekay70 Posts: 214 Member
    I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

    I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

    goggle wendlers 5x5 program

    Also LoL at the persons answer above this is why you should do your own research and not depend on message boards


    I tried looking up wendlers 5x5 and got a bunch of forums asking questions,

    I think he's referring to Wendler's 5/3/1.
  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    Depends on how heavy and hard you want to go.... if you are doing other exercises too you may want to rotate them all in... then do another rotation, etc. When I lift, I do a complete circuit, then do it again. So I do 2x13........... 2 sets of 13 reps......... total.
  • mheebner
    mheebner Posts: 285 Member
    You do 5 repetitions of a exercise in 5 sets for a total of 25 repetitions. You would do your first set of 5 reps, then take a 1 min to 5 min rest. Then do your second set of 5 reps and take another rest. Repeat until you hit your 5 sets.

    Don't ever worry about asking questions if you don't understand. It can be intimidating and if you are not familiar with terminology, or progression its always better to ask and confirm than guessing and being wrong.
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    I'm sure this has been asked a lot of times before, but I don't know how to look up previous topics on the forums.

    I have been reading on how to start lifting on a website, and it talks about 5x5 squats and so on, please don't get mad at me or think I'm totally stupid, but I do not understand what they mean by 5x5, could someone please explain this to me.

    goggle wendlers 5x5 program

    Also LoL at the persons answer above this is why you should do your own research and not depend on message boards


    I tried looking up wendlers 5x5 and got a bunch of forums asking questions,

    Here just use this one it's almost the same thing ... it's based off of Wendlers

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAuARgqS6aQ
  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    clearly referring to a specific program......... not at all what I am talking about, I have never heard of it.
  • jobean12
    jobean12 Posts: 99 Member
    Thumbs up!
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    If you're new to weightlifting I absolutely do not believe a 5x5 program is a good starting point. Trying to lift such heavy weight that you can only do 5 reps when you're new to weighlifting is going to end in injury.

    Try doing a weight lifting routine that calls for 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps (which would look like 3x12 or 3x10, for example) so you can ensure the proper form before going to such heavy weight than you can only get 5 reps.

    Add me if you want help.
  • favoritenut
    favoritenut Posts: 217 Member
    thank you, and yes it is intimidating. just from seeing all the fabulous beautiful women on here after lifting, I cannot wait to look hopefully a little like them. and have no idea where to start.

    Thank you all for helping me understand....
  • soehlerking
    soehlerking Posts: 589 Member
    http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/

    ^^ That is the Stronglifts 5x5 program, probably what you've heard about.

    http://www.jimwendler.com/2011/09/531-for-a-beginner/

    ^^ That is Wendler's 5-3-1 program. Also popular, but (personally) I found it a little intimidating for first starting out. Stronglifts helps you master just the basics, and from there it might be easier to move into something like Wendler. IMHO.
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