Well, I've been doing 3x5 for a long time now. I also do stomach work and stretches. And a lot of walking.

I'm still currently doing 5x5, but I also do accessory work and abs (when I'm not being lazy).

I'm contemplating switching to Mad Cow in April though, which will be after the New Year's rush and after a big vacation I have planned in March. Plus, by that time, I'll probably need to change it up to start progressing in my lifts. I'm getting close to stalling out on some of my lifts (OHP and bench) at the moment.

Before 5x5 I did AllPro Beginner's routine. It was progressive 3x8/9/10/11/12 so you only increased in weight every 6 weeks. It had other accessory lifts as well. At some point in time I might consider going back to it.

Currently I also bike, treadmill, do fitness blender and mix in bicep/tricep work into routines.

I did 5x5 and then dropped to 3x5 when the volume got to be too much. Then I got sick of the program and did strong curves. I did that for a while and then did a glute challenge (also by Bret Contraras). I've managed to have an injured tailbone for about 5 months now, and it still hurts to sit down, so no squats or deadlifts for now. I'm actually itching to get back to 5x5; I miss having the benchmark of seeing where my big lifts are.

LOL at "body snatcher"

I like that ICF is similar to SL but with just a bit more added. However, the row every day... *grumbles* There are some lifts I haven't done yet though so could be interesting. With NROL4W, I'm not sure if my gym has all of the equipment. I could get through stage one if I got over my issue with using those exercise balls in public and my wrist cooperates on the one move. But then there is the whole finding a box for the deadlift, and I might miss squatting every day. Though trying to do 2 sets of 12 on deadlift could be interesting, or doing the rep test at the end of stage one. hmmm

So, I'm undecided for now.

@logg1e, do what you think is best for yourself. To quote the great singer Selina Gomez, the heart wants what it wants. You can always change your mind and come back. It's ok to focus more on other exercise routines and it's perfectly healthy. Hope you stick around the group, though

As for your bolded question, lifting progressively is a general term. If you're making progress by adding more weight, more reps, having an easier time, feeling better, getting stronger, etc. then you're lifting progressively. If you want to shift focus, what you'll no longer be doing is strict progressive loading upon which SL is built. Progressive loading is continually adding weight until you struggle or fail your sets. The goal is to get stronger and be able to lift more over time.

I have done this program previous to 5x5 (because I never do anything like anyone, rofl! My first program was a bro-split, so hush xD) and it's an upper/lower split that actually worked well for me in the beginning - I even managed to run it with wendler's 5/3/1 in a way (I would do the 5/3/1 on power days and accessories on hypertrophy days)

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/workouts/phul-workout

Just figured I'd throw it out there since it's also another type of split that could be interesting for some of you.

I do really enjoy Wendler's basic program on its own because you can pair it with anything. The 5/3/1 sets rarely will take up much more than 20-25 minutes to get through. The BBB template with opposite lifts (so doing 5x10 squats on deadlift day) works pretty well for hypertrophy but I don't know that doing more than 3 sets really changes anything at that point. I know it buried me when I tried to do it and was at a deficit, so if you're trying to lose weight, not a good plan.

But as you've all seen my thing is more towards crossfit-like workouts (with reasonable progressions programmed into it, not just any random WOD). Some strenght and power focus, some skill work, and some form of conditioning. Keeps things fresh and interesting. However, I actually paid for the programs I follow (although if you ask reaallyy nicely I could share the pdfs >_>) and they include oly lifts and stuff not all of you guys would want to try (I HAVE been called crazy ) so that may not be everyone's cup of tea

symba1130 wrote: »

Love all this input!!! I sure hope I get to stay in the group if I am not doing 5x5 strictly. You ladies are all so awesome!

Um, pretty sure you're not allowed to leave.

(What number is "Hotel California" on the jukebox?)

DawnEmbers wrote: »

I like that ICF is similar to SL but with just a bit more added. However, the row every day... *grumbles* There are some lifts I haven't done yet though so could be interesting. With NROL4W, I'm not sure if my gym has all of the equipment. I could get through stage one if I got over my issue with using those exercise balls in public and my wrist cooperates on the one move. But then there is the whole finding a box for the deadlift, and I might miss squatting every day. Though trying to do 2 sets of 12 on deadlift could be interesting, or doing the rep test at the end of stage one. hmmm

So, I'm undecided for now.

The rows in ICF are not the same as the rows in SL. They are done w/ your back at a 45 degree angle instead of a flat back. You aren't pulling from the floor either.

DawnEmbers wrote: »

Yeah.. I don't pull from the floor on the rows. I am barely up to 80 right now and hate doing the set up of the plates underneath to gain height so haven't been doing the pendelay ones. I'm really not sure on that lift in general. I've had a trainer help and watched videos but still. I will work on it tonight since it's a row day.

Ah. I see.
I'm thinking about scrapping the Pendlay rows for bent-over rows as well. Going down to the floor feels weird to me.

I still stack my bar on weights to get the height right on rows. They've only started to feel OK since I re-watched some videos and realized I needed to put my *kitten* in the air more. And let me tell you, it feels like it's WAY UP THERE for the whole damn world to see. But my I finally feel like I'm engaging my back correctly so I guess the world will just have to like it.

I started 5x5, then 3x5, then a nia shanks program for a tiny bit, but I didn't really like it, then madcow, then more madcow, then 531, then I had to take 5 maybe 6 weeks off so I started back with 3x5, and I just started a new round of 531 which I will probably do forever unless I pay a coach for programming or something. If you actually read Wendler's books you'll be offended, but you'll also learn a ton about taking a basic 531 and adapting it to whatever needs you might have. He even gives you very specific adaptations for a billion different goals. So many people just download the spreadsheet for a program and then complain it lacks X.