Is Stronglifts 5x5 for men and women?

kmab1985
kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm thinking of starting this workout as I've read up on it and all the moves I either do in bodypump or with my PT and it looks to be a good workout and easy to follow!

But can women do this too?

x

Replies

  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Of course!

    The only difference is that adding 2.5kg can quickly become too much of a weight increase each workout for some of the exercises, especially OHP. Fractional weight plates will enable you to add a smaller weight increase.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Yes.
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Sure hope so since I've been doing SL 5x5 for months now :wink:

    Like the PP said, it can get difficult pretty quickly to add the recommended weight to the upper body lifts, but there are ways to work around that.
    -Get fractional plats so you're add 2.5 pounds instead of 5 pounds each time.
    -Add reps to each set until the weight gets easier, then bump up.
    -Stay at each weight for a few sessions before bumping up.
  • kmab1985
    kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
    OK great, thanks, I'm gonna give this a try, would you start it Monday or tomorrow?

    Can I just ask a few questions pleeease:

    1. Shall I start tomorrow or Monday?
    2. Where you say "add reps to each set until weight gets easier", do you mean, say, instead of doing 5 sets of 5 reps, do 5x sets of 6 reps?

    Yeah I will defo stay at same weight for few sessions....

  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    kmab1985 wrote: »
    OK great, thanks, I'm gonna give this a try, would you start it Monday or tomorrow?

    Can I just ask a few questions pleeease:

    1. Shall I start tomorrow or Monday?
    2. Where you say "add reps to each set until weight gets easier", do you mean, say, instead of doing 5 sets of 5 reps, do 5x sets of 6 reps?

    Yeah I will defo stay at same weight for few sessions....

    You can start whenever you want: today, tomorrow, Monday.
    That's exactly what I mean, but that is only to be used when you are struggling to be able to bump up your weight. If you are getting 5x5 at the weight you're at just fine, then bump it up. No reason to follow that tip of advice in that instance.

    Example: I'm doing fine with 5x5 at 75 pounds on OHP, but I can't get 80 pounds. So, last workout B I did 6x5 at 75 pounds for OHP. Next workout B session, I'll do 7x5 at OHP. I'll keep doing this until I get to 10 reps then hopefully be able to do 5x5 at 80 pounds. (Again, this is only need when you're struggling at adding weight to your lift.)
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    OP why would you think women can't do 5x5?
  • xcalygrl
    xcalygrl Posts: 1,897 Member
    Also, MFP has a group specifically for women who do 5x5. You should join it :smile:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    It's only for unicorns, I heard.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    _dracarys_ wrote: »
    It's only for unicorns, I heard.

    Then I'm out. I'm a snowflake.

  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    I've done it 5 months and it turned me into a zombie.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    I've done it 5 months and it turned me into a zombie.

    That totally explains your skin problem... I didn't want to say anything before, but, girl! That's nasty.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    odusgolp wrote: »
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.
    No woman will ever accidentally look like a bodybuilder.
  • kmab1985
    kmab1985 Posts: 295 Member
    I'm not sure why I thought it was just for Men to be honest, I just wanted to make sure women could followi it too :-) Thanks "xcalygrl" for your tips/advice....
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    odusgolp wrote: »
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.
    No woman will ever accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Don't you dare ruin her dreams
  • runner475
    runner475 Posts: 1,236 Member
    The answer is always 42. It always is.
  • Sweet_Heresy
    Sweet_Heresy Posts: 411 Member
    odusgolp wrote: »
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.

    It made me grow a penis. Don't do it, OP.

    Obviously jk, SL 5x5 is for anyone. Though I can understand why you'd think that because the website, although highly informative, seemed rather bro-centric.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    LolBroScience wrote: »
    yusaku02 wrote: »
    odusgolp wrote: »
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.
    No woman will ever accidentally look like a bodybuilder.

    Don't you dare ruin her dreams

    Right? I want all the muscles!

  • keithcw_the_first
    keithcw_the_first Posts: 382 Member
    Ryudori wrote: »
    odusgolp wrote: »
    I heard SL 5x5 makes you bulky if you're a woman.

    It made me grow a penis. Don't do it, OP.

    Obviously jk, SL 5x5 is for anyone. Though I can understand why you'd think that because the website, although highly informative, seemed rather bro-centric.

    Yeah it's a little biased, especially when he lifts the benefits of being stronger as things like "carry more groceries" and "hold babies". Or maybe just straight up sexist, I don't know.

    The point is that a strength-based progressive program is for anyone, whether their goals include carrying groceries or being a strong, high functioning member of society. Or getting swole like Bane.
  • itsclobberintime
    itsclobberintime Posts: 164 Member
    Yes, men and women do not need to exercise differently.
This discussion has been closed.

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