We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Introduction

crawpapa
crawpapa Posts: 156 Member
edited October 2024 in Social Groups
I have been following 5/3/1 for exactly three months. How do I know? Because I just completed the 5/3/1 BBB 3-month challenge and made some HUGE gains! My previous max for overhead press was 135 x 1; after the challenge was 150 x 3! That might not be a huge number to some people, but 135lbs was a sticking point for me, and 5/3/1 helped me get through that plateau. I would love to hear about any of your success stories, or just a basic intro.

Replies

  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I am on my 7th cycle currently (I did a reset after the first 3 cycles, as I think I started out a little too heavy). Really loving it. I'm literally at the strongest I've been in my life, and this is all while in a calorie deficit no less. Can't wait to see the gains once I start eating at maintenance or above!
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    In.

    I ran about 6-7 months of 5/3/1 from November of last year until sometime this year.

    Doing 5x5 at the moment but I'll be back to 5/3/1 again I'm sure. I loved it and it really helped my deads.
  • bksmith83
    bksmith83 Posts: 6 Member
    I don't normally post, but I am currently into my second cycle of 5/3/1 and it is making me feel like a beast. I like the focus on one big lift for the day. I did 5x5 on and off for most of last year but as the weights increased I started running out of time at the gym since I go at lunch. Anyway I wish the best of luck to everyone here.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    I'm still getting lifts up on SS but will be switching to 5/3/1 in a couple months or so
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I'm still getting lifts up on SS but will be switching to 5/3/1 in a couple months or so

    This is a great path to take. Definitely milk SS for all you can.
  • FoxyMcDeadlift
    FoxyMcDeadlift Posts: 771 Member
    I ran about 6 cycles of 5/3/1 and it taught me a hell of a lot about programming. I think im probably not strong enough to be doing 5/3/1 but i like the discipline and general philosophy of it. I will probably switch to Texas or Madcow as i think i can make better gains on it. But i will definately come back to 5/3/1 when im a bit more advanced and this will be a good group to mooch around in
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    I ran about 6 cycles of 5/3/1 and it taught me a hell of a lot about programming. I think im probably not strong enough to be doing 5/3/1 but i like the discipline and general philosophy of it. I will probably switch to Texas or Madcow as i think i can make better gains on it. But i will definately come back to 5/3/1 when im a bit more advanced and this will be a good group to mooch around in

    At the least I'd 5x5 for a 9 week block with Madcows. Then reset numbers and come back to 5/3/1.
    The squatting frequency made me so comfortable under heavy weight.
  • crawpapa
    crawpapa Posts: 156 Member
    The CONSTANT squatting is why I switched from Starting Strength to 5/3/1.....I made some great gains with SS, but it was just SO redundant, and my legs needed a bigger break than one day.
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
    Hey,
    i just finished my second cycle of 5/3/1 and I had some pretty impressive gains, 13% increase on my dead lift, 8% increase on my bench, 6% on my squat and 11% on my OHP.
  • crawpapa
    crawpapa Posts: 156 Member
    Sounds like you hit a good stride....I am still having fun with the accessory work, and will move things around at the last minute, but keep the main lift as is.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I am only on my first mesocycle week two. Bench is seeming easier than when I stalled on upper body lifts during stronglift programme previously. Cannot wait to lift more on the overhead press which stumps a lot of women early on. I am missing the barbell rows a bit though (although doing heavy single arm dumbell rows instead for assistance)
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
    I am only on my first mesocycle week two. Bench is seeming easier than when I stalled on upper body lifts during stronglift programme previously. Cannot wait to lift more on the overhead press which stumps a lot of women early on. I am missing the barbell rows a bit though (although doing heavy single arm dumbell rows instead for assistance)

    Why can't you do BB rows?
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I can and I lift 70kg...they aren't included in the main lifts in Wendler's programme though, that is what I meant. Might keep them in, but work them the same way the other four lifts are worked.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    Well you could pic any additional lifts to do. I haven't read the book yet to make sure it makes sense, but I plan to run BBB and have a day of

    Bench 5/3/1
    DB OHP BBB
    BB Rows 5/3/1
    Chinups

    and then

    OHP 5/3/1
    Inc DB press BBB
    DB rows
    Pullups
  • crawpapa
    crawpapa Posts: 156 Member
    so you are going to be doing 5/3/1 of TWO main lifts in one day? The Bench and then Rows? Seems like that would be lot for 5/3/1, but not overly so if using the rows as an accessory lift. I don't think I would want to tackle two 5/3/1 lifts in one day. Let us know how it works out.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    so you are going to be doing 5/3/1 of TWO main lifts in one day? The Bench and then Rows? Seems like that would be lot for 5/3/1, but not overly so if using the rows as an accessory lift. I don't think I would want to tackle two 5/3/1 lifts in one day. Let us know how it works out.

    Yeah it doesn't really treat rows as a main lift so the only option is to do that or add a 5th day which i dont want to do. There is a 3 day template that has two of the main lifts done 5/3/1 style on one day. I think it is bench and ohp but haven't seen it in awhile. I am still not sure it will be harder than PRing 5 rep sets of squats, bench, and deadlift or squats, ohp and power cleans all in one day three days per week every week minus stalls\resets
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I do two of the 5/3/1 lifts in one day and with time left over I still do pull ups, one arm rows, etc...my bench has increased after a major stall doing stronglifts...yay!
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    I've also worked the barbell rows into the programme. Haven't lost any strength, so big smiles here!
  • crawpapa
    crawpapa Posts: 156 Member
    I'm trying to re-energize this forum, and hope you all contribute. I've recently re-started my journey after finishing my Master's degree, which ate all my time, and I saw a huge decline in energy and strength, as well as an increase in my waist....not a good combination. So I just finished my first cycle of 5/3/1 doing ONLY the main lifts, with first-set-last, to get myself back into the lifting. With the first deload coming up, I will start again with the assistance lifts using triumvirate, which seems to work best for me. I can't imagine doing the BBB assistance. Hope everyone is still lifting heavy weights crazily!
This discussion has been closed.