What's better? Nrolfw or strong lifts 5x5?

I have not done both programs, so take this with a grain of salt. When I started looking at different programs, I saw several posts from women how loved NROLFW initially, but some of the later cycles got confusing and required more equipment (basic stuff like steps). I wanted truly simple, so I just went with strong lifts.

That said, everyone raves about the book for NROLFW which has tons of useful info whether you do the program or not.

Apples and Oranges...they are both excellent...it really just depends on your goals.

SL 5x5 and programs like that (Starting Strength, etc) are true "strength" programs...people us the term "strength training" to be anything involving weights...kind of like how some people call every kind of soda "coke"...but really, there is a true definition of strength training. It is basically the compound lifts...it's very simple and basic in that RE...little to no isolation or assistance work. True "strength training" is heavy weight (relative to what you can lift) and low rep...thus the sets of 5x5 here...5 sets of 5 reps where you're pretty much really struggling to get that last rep up. This largely works neural adaptation for maximum strength gains rather than hypertrophy or muscular endurance.

New Rules is more of what I would consider just a general fitness lifting routine. You work in more of the hypertrophy and muscular endurance rep ranges with somewhat lighter weight than you would with a strength program. It has you also switching things up pretty regularly...unlike SS or SL where you just go on and on and on with just adding weight...New Rules will switch up the exercises. New Rules does have it's foundations in the compound lifts which is what you want from any program...but it also branches out into more isolation and assistance work as well as other conditioning and general fitness exercises...whereas again, SL is sole a heavy lifting strength routine...it's sole function is increased strength (and yeah...you make some sick gainz)

Really, it's all about your personal goals as well as what you enjoy doing. My wife did SS with me and then did Wendler's 5/3/1 with me for a time but found herself board just hitting the compounds every other day and trying to add weight. She much prefers New Rules and the variety of exercises and the focus on overall fitness rather than just pure strength. Others find that the variety complicates the program...I guess it just depends on the person...my wife hasn't found it to be the least bit complicated.

Again...just really depends on what you're after here.

Oh, and a good resource:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

I started with strong lifts and maxed my lifting out and I am just finishing NRLFW. NRLFW is great, switches things up and the book has lots of good information and I know I have gotten stronger doing it. I will now go back to strong lifts and see if I can push myself past where I stopped before.

Whatever you'll enjoy and continue to make progress on.

If you hate the way a routine is structured and consequently don't want to show up and do the work, then it doesn't matter if it's "the best routine in the world".

SS, SL 5x5, NROL & All Pro SBR are all good, non-retarded choices that can be done for a few months and will give you measurable progress while you figure out what style of programming works best for you.

I'm currently doing NROLFW with my wife and I think it's awesome. I love the exercises. The early stages feature workouts that you can finish in about 30 minutes, good progression, great advice for nutrition, great recipes, etc.

I'm currently doing NROLFW with my wife and I think it's awesome. I love the exercises. The early stages feature workouts that you can finish in about 30 minutes, good progression, great advice for nutrition, great recipes, etc.

Phase 1 is about 30 minutes. After that it gets increasingly time consuming.

...it sure does...