Hello all! After reading many of your stories, I figured it was about time to share my own success and failures (and a few other opinions) with the SL 5x5 program. A little background before doing so though. I'm an average sized male (5'10" and about 215lbs) and almost 40 years old. I played a myriad of high school sports (ahhh the glory days) and was actively "working out" using a split routine 3-4 times/week for approximately 3 months before finding a program that I felt would suit my needs and schedule; StrongLifts 5x5. In addition, I had never done a single free weight/barbell squat, deadlift or barbell overhead shoulder press in my entire life before starting this program. I do take a supplement; EAS Phos HP (as recommended) as well as VitaCost Finest Fish Oil with Omega-3 (2 tbsp daily...most of the time...read up on it). With all of that being said, here's the details of the past 2 months workouts in a condensed version.

First recorded SL 5x5 workout...7/3/13
Most recent SL 5x5 workout...9/19/13

squat...135 starting/235 current*
deadlift...135 starting/265 current
bench...175 starting/205 current**
row...95 starting/145 current
ohp...95 starting/135 current***

Now you're noticing the asterisks...they are there for a reason and I'll explain each one specifically. In general, keeping the same MWF workout schedule has been tough due to external circumstances beyond my control. I have missed a few workouts here and there but have never quit.

*squat...at 220 I had a failure that I can only attribute to just an "off day" and my mind was somewhere else as I only completed 1 set and was spent. This is where it gets a little fuzzy. I think the next workout was a 220 repeat and the following was inadvertently 235 (55lb bar vs. 45lb bar). In any case, I have purposely repeated or regressed weight because of missed workouts and my last full 5x5 was at 235 (with a healthy amount of noise generated on the uplift I might add).

**bench press...I stalled at 220 which was disappointing to me as my goal here was 225 (there's just something about benching 4 plates total). I evidently pulled or strained or pinched something in my left shoulder (something in the anterior deltoid) and was only able to do 220 3x5 and the remaining 2x5 were at 200. I decided to drop back to 200 and am working my way back up (while still nursing the shoulder) and current 5x5 bench is at 205.

***overhead press...From reading previous posts, I understand that this is where most lifters have their most surprising failure at, what seems to me, a very low weight. Not so here. I kept going and going on OHP...until the 140lb mark. That was the stall weight and I was only able to complete 3x5 and then 1x4. I tried it again at 140 and it just wasn't happening. It should be noted that these were front OHP, meaning in front of my head. I knocked the weight down to 125 (primarily because of my left shoulder) and was able to do 5x5 again with no problems. I then made the decision to switch from front to rear OHP because of two reasons. One, it felt better on my shoulder (odd because they says rears is more taxing on the shoulders) and two, it's the same hand/arm position used when squatting. I started rear OHP back at 90lbs and most recently completed 5x5 at 100lbs.

My conclusions and opinions so far: Personally, I like the program. It works, as long as you stick to it! My advice to others is as follows:

-Don't try to reinvent the wheel! Just follow the program. I don't understand how people have so many questions regarding this program. It blows my mind! Start light with good form. When you fail to 5x5, repeat weight. When you fail again, reduce the weight. Easy.
-Proper form. I see so many people in the gym using improper form and no one says anything, especially the "trainers"! Half the time they are the ones teaching the bad form (that's a whole other rant)! Again, start light...lighter than you think you should! Let your muscles adjust to the weight little by little (5lbs at a time).
-"Easy" bad form fixes: Squat as low as you can go, not halfway (or less). Quads below parallel to the floor, not even with it. Even for you big guys, if your gut gets in the way, widen your stance slightly to accommodate. Deadlift like a chimp (without gloves). Yeah it sounds funny but your starting position should be almost like a chimp squatting. Drive with your legs and keep your *kitten* low. The point here is to lift with your legs, not your back as so many do! Bench press...bring it all the way down to your chest, not most of the way down!
-You don't need an "app" to tell you what to do or keep track of anything. Good ol' pen and paper work just fine...just like they have for the last 100 years. Buy a $1 Composition Book at Wal-Mart, take 3 minutes before you go to the gym to plan your workout and go do it. Record your progress accordingly after each set. For example:
squat 225 √ | √ | √ | 4 | x (√ for complete / # of reps if partial / x for none accomplished)
-Don't try to mix in a split routine...at least not while you're in this program. Biceps, triceps, calves, etc etc etc...it's not needed. Once you start lifting heavy with proper form in this program, you'll feel it in those muscles I promise! I'm not against ancillary exercises but they should be kept in check. I personally do things to "stretch out" like dips, decline situps, side bends, weighted rows, unweighted barbell curl, tricep press and leg press...but nothing with substantial weight. Just enough to get loose or stretch the muscles out post-workout.

Well, that's my story so far. I hope this helps some of you out and gives some kind of motivation to others.