Does anybody add more weight lifting exercises?

I started my first official 5x5 today using 50% of my normal lifting weight and it felt like I didn't even get a workout. I have been doing NROLFW and P90X in the past and I understand we are supposed to start light and gradually increase every workout, which is great.. I'm going to continue with the 12 week program with adding 5 pounds to all of my routines but my question is: Does anybody add any additional exercises with the set of 3? Also, what type of exercise do you do on the off days? Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • krokador
    krokador Posts: 1,794 Member
    I'm following this routine right now: http://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/jason-blaha-ice-cream-fitness-5x5-novice-workout

    It's 5x5 with some added assistance which I think is quite useful. I then try to get some HIIT or cardio work in 2-3 times a week on top of that. I like going to the gym for a 4th day and cranking out some complexes for extra conditioning too. But I've been told that's a lot so I might scale back a bit...

    And you would probably easily get away with 70% of your normal weight. I found that crazy light the first few times I did 5x5 workouts in the past!
  • _TastySnoBalls_
    _TastySnoBalls_ Posts: 1,298 Member
    No, and I wouldn't. Follow the program as is. I'm in week 8, and had to take a deload (rest) week cause I'm worn out. Then again, I don't have NROLFW experience, but I have done other home workout programs in the past. Use these first few weeks to really get your form down, then again, you probably already have with NROLFW. Good luck.
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    The first few weeks is light weight to work on form for the heavier stuff. I came into SL with some training already done so I felt comfortable adding some accessory work, mainly core work and cardio, to the routine. It isn't going to hurt progress until you get into the heavy for you range. I ended up burning myself out with the SL and accessory work and have never really gotten back into that groove. Rest is important when you start taxing your system more. Since you have some previous fitness under your belt, you can play with some (I wouldn't add a whole bunch) of accessory work to complement the lifting on lifting days. Non-lift days, stick to a full rest or light cardio if you feel you need to do something.
  • ItsPheebs
    ItsPheebs Posts: 127 Member
    I do, but I'm used to doing four day splits with much longer sessions. When I have time I do another day of glutes, and maybe shoulders and core. I run and walk, maybe do some HIIT every week, too.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    nope not yet..I am 19weeks in and have yet to hit all my goals so...

    When I do add in it will be glute bridges, weighted hip thrusts and some sort of tricep exercises...

    The only thing I have added in is HIIT x2 on my off days.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Yes I do curls, flyes, lunges and Roman chair leg raises.

    Other days I do Bootcamp and/or circuit training and also train in karate once a week.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    I walk most days of the week. On weight lifting days, I walk less. I do abdominal work five days a week, since that area really needed it, and I don't feel I'm working my abs at all with SLs. I also do extra work on biceps, triceps, and calves.
  • Fittreelol
    Fittreelol Posts: 2,535 Member
    I'm about to start my second cycle of madcow (when I'm not snowed in. Grrr). It's pretty similar to SL except the weight goes up every week instead of every workout, its only 1 max set of 5, and the workouts go A1 B A2 A1 B A2. On A1 days I'm doing assisted pull ups and assisted dips, on B days I'm doing weighted hypers and light curls, and on A2 days I'm doing Pull ups, dips, and triceps push down with a rope.

    Accessory work isn't required, and typically consists of exercise to help your weak points. Many beginners won't really know their weak points yet as they are still tweaking form etc. There are a few things you pretty much can't go wrong with:

    1: Core aka abs and erectors. You should be feeling your core work on pretty much every lift, if you're not you either have a core of steel and don't need accessory work , you're not heavy enough yet, or you should get a form check.

    2. Curls. This makes your elbow tendons and ligaments happy. They don't have to be heavy I do 10# curls. This will help prevent elbow tendonitus during bench when you're gripping the crap out of the bar, and will also help prevent bicep tears on your supine arm during heavy deads.

    3. Triceps work. Triceps help your OHP and bench lockout. Also buff tris look cool.

    4: Hip thrusts. Dat *kitten*.