I started with the bar for every lift except for deadlifts (I think I started at 65 or 75 lbs. I don't remember). Then with each workout, I progressed with a 5 lbs increase. I would do this with each exercise until I couldn't perform the full 5x5. For example, I spent 3-4 workouts doing overhead press at 50lbs until I (finally!) did the full 5x5 last week. Today I moved up to 55lbs.

It seems annoying to start with such low weight for some of the moves, but since you're supposed to progress by 5lbs each workout, you move up to more challenging weights really quickly.

Yes, especially just starting out with a new program or lifting in general, soreness for a couple of days is totally normal.

I started out with the recommended weights, but I had been lifting previously for a bit already. I have been able to increase everything each time except for pendlay rows, and I may even need to decrease weight with them a bit to work on form. Start where you feel comfortable, safe, and work on form before you add weight.

Thanks, What is a pendlay row? I did not see that listed on my stonglifts app, is that the same as the barbell row?

I think Strong Lifts calls pendlay's "barbell rows". Basically you have to put the weight back on the ground between each rep, and you lift it up to your chest quickly.

Yeah it's not stated very well in the pdf, but they are the ones the program uses.

http://stronglifts.com/how-to-perform-the-pendlay-row-with-correct-technique/

don't be scared by the big numbers - I can barely finish phase 1 of 30day shred wiht only 8lb weights but I squatted 125 on Monday with no problems.

Jillian stuff is all about endurance, when you have to hold weights out in front of your body for 30 seconds or a minute straight its EXHAUSTING and feels super heavy. But with weight lifting the goal is to lift the weight as efficiently and painlessly as possible so you can't really compare the numbers.

You should be ok with with the start weights -- you might stall pretty early on some of the upper body stuff though - IF you hae access to a women's olympic bar (35 instead of 45) you could start with that instead.

Also - think about picking up some fractional weights so you don't HAVE to go up by 5lbs per workout on every lift. Particularly on the stuff like the overhead press, rows, and bench press. I just got my 1.25 lb ones but they make sets that even have smaller amounts.

Adding 5 lbs is a pretty significant jump - on something like a squat where you will likely hit 120-150 before you have to stall/deload its not a big deal but on something like a bench press where you might stall at 70 it is.

SL is a progressive loading program - the idea is that you are always amoving forward on weight, or deloading and then moving forward on wiehgt some more, but sometimes 5lbs is too much to move forwrd with, especially for women, so fractionals can be a good way to progress.

How do I get the Stronglifts 5x5 workout information. I've tried to enter my Name & email address a couple times on the site but I'm not receiving the confirmation email.

Huh, I didn't have a problem with it. You can do the routine without the pdf. It's on the website. Just do 5x5 of everything, with a warm up set or two on squats, except do two warm up sets on deadlifts and only one set at your full weight.

I started with what he suggested except the overhead press. I could NOT do it. So I used my 25 lb curl bar and I am moving up from that.

I have no upper body strength so it wasn't really a surprise.