StrongLifts 5X5 app.

determined24girl
determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Has anyone used this app? Did you like it? Would it be good for beginners? I just ordered a set of Barbells off amazon and I'm looking for a good program to use to get started. I've never lifted before so I'm not sure what's good for beginners. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Edited because I, evidently, don't know the difference between "dumbbells" and "barbells"
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Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    It's more than an "app". It is a power lifting program. You should look up the program online. You will need a barbell. And yes, it is good for beginners.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    App aside, how familiar are you with the 5x5 program? Program apps generally only help you determine your percentage etc but you need to have a foundation in the program before you can really understand and make use of the app. I would recommend that you do a little research on the program first and compare it to other beginner programs as well to see if it really suits your needs.

    Best of luck!
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    It's more than an "app". It is a power lifting program. You should look up the program online. You will need a barbell. And yes, it is good for beginners.

    Ok thanks. I'll look it up online.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    Wheelhouse15 wrote: »
    App aside, how familiar are you with the 5x5 program? Program apps generally only help you determine your percentage etc but you need to have a foundation in the program before you can really understand and make use of the app. I would recommend that you do a little research on the program first and compare it to other beginner programs as well to see if it really suits your needs.

    Best of luck!

    I'm not at all familiar with the 5X5 program. Like i said I'm totally new to lifting and I'm just really excited to get started. I'll do some more research. Thanks for your input!
  • AlphaCajun
    AlphaCajun Posts: 290 Member
    I'm half way through my first week of a two week workup to starting the stronglifts 5x5. Seems solid to me and will give me time to build the proper form on core lifts that every other lift is based upon. I downloaded the app after doing a bunch of reading on the program. Not a total beginner but raw on free weights and after discussing it with a couple of seasoned lifters, I think it'll be great. They also liked the app, thought it would have been great if they had it when they started.
  • CeeBeeSlim
    CeeBeeSlim Posts: 1,370 Member
    I just downloaded the app tonight. Is this doable with Dumbbells and an ez curl bar? Will be using my husbands equipment. (No bench but a stability ball, and no straight bar - just the curl bar)
  • snowmaniac
    snowmaniac Posts: 600 Member
    The app is excellent if you are going to do the Stronglifts 5x5 program. Lookup Stronglifts 5x5 workout A and Workout B on youtube and you can see the two workouts the program is based on. It is great for beginners but it uses a barbell, not dumbells. If you are a member of a gym with a good free weights section and at least one squat cage or rack, it's a very good program. If you are limited to dumbells and body weight style workouts at home, look into programs like Convict Conditioning and the like which do not require extensive weight equipment.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    CeeBeeSlim wrote: »
    I just downloaded the app tonight. Is this doable with Dumbbells and an ez curl bar? Will be using my husbands equipment. (No bench but a stability ball, and no straight bar - just the curl bar)

    Not really
  • snowmaniac
    snowmaniac Posts: 600 Member
    CeeBeeSlim wrote: »
    I just downloaded the app tonight. Is this doable with Dumbbells and an ez curl bar? Will be using my husbands equipment. (No bench but a stability ball, and no straight bar - just the curl bar)

    See my post above. In short, the answer to your question is no.
  • Jack_NYC
    Jack_NYC Posts: 64 Member
    determined24girl wrote: »
    I just ordered a set of Barbells off amazon...

    Wow, your mailman is in for a surprise!
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    edited February 2016
    Can you explain to me what a set of barbells are?

    Edited to say, I am not even being jerk I just have no idea what you ordered.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    Can you explain to me what a set of barbells are?

    It's just the bar and some weights to go on it. Am I saying it wrong?
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    Jack_NYC wrote: »
    determined24girl wrote: »
    I just ordered a set of Barbells off amazon...

    Wow, your mailman is in for a surprise!

    Yes he is lol
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    amyrebeccah wrote: »
    Jack_NYC wrote: »
    determined24girl wrote: »
    I just ordered a set of Barbells off amazon...

    Wow, your mailman is in for a surprise!

    I got my power cage off amazon. Prime free shipping is awesome.

    I love prime! lol
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    AlphaCajun wrote: »
    I'm half way through my first week of a two week workup to starting the stronglifts 5x5. Seems solid to me and will give me time to build the proper form on core lifts that every other lift is based upon. I downloaded the app after doing a bunch of reading on the program. Not a total beginner but raw on free weights and after discussing it with a couple of seasoned lifters, I think it'll be great. They also liked the app, thought it would have been great if they had it when they started.

    Awesome :) Thanks for your input.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    determined24girl wrote: »
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    Can you explain to me what a set of barbells are?

    It's just the bar and some weights to go on it. Am I saying it wrong?

    Oh! Ok. I was just thinking like two barbells -- you got a bar and a set of weights.

    I started out with SLs, a standard bar, and a husband that would help me set up. Once I out grew the weights I had, I went the gym.

    Just watch videos and make sure your form is on point and you will be great!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.
  • CeeBeeSlim
    CeeBeeSlim Posts: 1,370 Member
    Whoa! Had to google the power cage! Looks awesome. I'm too embarrassed to do this at my gym i think. Any of you know equivalent heavy lifting programs - on YouTube - with just Dumbbells?
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    snowmaniac wrote: »
    The app is excellent if you are going to do the Stronglifts 5x5 program. Lookup Stronglifts 5x5 workout A and Workout B on youtube and you can see the two workouts the program is based on. It is great for beginners but it uses a barbell, not dumbells. If you are a member of a gym with a good free weights section and at least one squat cage or rack, it's a very good program. If you are limited to dumbells and body weight style workouts at home, look into programs like Convict Conditioning and the like which do not require extensive weight equipment.

    I'll look it up thanks!
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.

    I am quoting this because it's super critical to success and not injuring yourself.

    Also, even if you think you can do more, start off extremely light and build up.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    determined24girl wrote: »
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    Can you explain to me what a set of barbells are?

    It's just the bar and some weights to go on it. Am I saying it wrong?

    Oh! Ok. I was just thinking like two barbells -- you got a bar and a set of weights.

    I started out with SLs, a standard bar, and a husband that would help me set up. Once I out grew the weights I had, I went the gym.

    Just watch videos and make sure your form is on point and you will be great!

    Yeah a "set of barbells" does sound like I bought 2 bars lol.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.

    I will thanks. I am a little worried about not having the correct form and injuring myself. I don't have the money for a personal trainer or anything, but i was thinking about getting a large mirror to check form.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    determined24girl wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.

    I will thanks. I am a little worried about not having the correct form and injuring myself. I don't have the money for a personal trainer or anything, but i was thinking about getting a large mirror to check form.

    Good idea. And take videos and post them for form checks.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.

    I am quoting this because it's super critical to success and not injuring yourself.

    Also, even if you think you can do more, start off extremely light and build up.

    I do have a tendency to overdo things when I start so thanks for the reminder.
  • determined24girl
    determined24girl Posts: 382 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    determined24girl wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    Good on you for trying this. Please, watch the videos on form..over and over, and over and over again.

    I will thanks. I am a little worried about not having the correct form and injuring myself. I don't have the money for a personal trainer or anything, but i was thinking about getting a large mirror to check form.

    Good idea. And take videos and post them for form checks.

    Where would you recommend I post them?
  • AlphaCajun
    AlphaCajun Posts: 290 Member
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »

    Also, even if you think you can do more, start off extremely light and build up.

    That's the entire point of the app in question. It literally starts you out with an empty bar (except rows, can't do those empty) and you add 5 pounds each cycle IF you complete the previous lift. It walks you through every step, holding you back if you miss a rep, etc.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    CeeBeeSlim wrote: »
    Whoa! Had to google the power cage! Looks awesome. I'm too embarrassed to do this at my gym i think. Any of you know equivalent heavy lifting programs - on YouTube - with just Dumbbells?

    You might want to start a thread for that so that you can get more input. I'm not all that familiar with dumbbell only programs, but you might also want to check into kettlebells since there are a ton of good videos and programs on them and they have some interesting advantages over dumbbells.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    AlphaCajun wrote: »
    itsfuntobenormal wrote: »

    Also, even if you think you can do more, start off extremely light and build up.

    That's the entire point of the app in question. It literally starts you out with an empty bar (except rows, can't do those empty) and you add 5 pounds each cycle IF you complete the previous lift. It walks you through every step, holding you back if you miss a rep, etc.

    For someone who has never lifted a weight before, starting with a 95 pound deadlift and a 65 pound row (or whatever it is) may be too much. There's no shame in starting those lower.
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    edited February 2016
    I like the app and am really enjoying the program. I started with the empty bar for several workouts- And my OHP is still at 45lbs until it becomes easier. I am up in weight for all the other lifts tho and am damn proud of my progress! There is no way I could start with a 95lb DL or 65lb row on my first lifts tho! Yowza! I took full advantage of going at my own pace while I worked on form.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    Film yourself with your phone rather than trying to see yourself in a mirror through the full range of the lift.

    Changing neck positioning by trying to catch a look at yourself mid-lift can alter your mechanics and spine stability.

    You can review your form on your phone between sets and make adjustments as you go.
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