supplemental strength builders

wendyapple

hola ladies!

i'm wondering if you'd share whether or not you're doing any supplemental exercises to improve the 5 major 5x5s, and what you're doing, if anything. i think my ohp and rows really need some help, so i'm particularly interested in those, but i'm also curious to know what else others are doing in addition.

thanks!

vegannlg

I started 5x5 not too long ago ( couple of months). The only thing I have felt to add have beem extra ab work (crunches, plank), and extra attention to my shoulders (also weak).

In my case I have a rotator cuff repair in my history. With that you spend 6 weeks in a sling and when I took mine off I had the shoulders of an old woman! All the muscle was gone from the one, and it has taken over a year for them to look even again. I still feel like I'm bony across my shoulder blade and have had trouble chosing a bar position for squats.

In any case I am weak there so I do all the push ups I can, and to my A day and B day I added 2 exercises each of:
upright row
tricep dip
swimmer's press
lateral raise

For anyone having shoulder issues, this is an absolutely awesome video of 4 good rotator cuff strengthening exercises. They are light weight or band exercises. If you've ever done any phys. therapy, you know that's all you need for those small, important muscles. This also, in addition to 5x5. NEVER having surgery again if I can help it! :noway:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRYmTEN_ZA8&list=FLyne4_NfeiqET6eOk-0fEng

wendyapple

thanks for all of those tips! i'm healing from shoulder surgery too (a/c joint replacement) so i'm weak and wonky in that region, not to mention a bit off kilter. i hate pushups with a passion, but after failing at 50lbs on the OHP, maybe i'll try to do a few each day.

the videos are great too. i'll have to dig out my old physical therapy band...pretty sure it's around somewhere.

thanks again!