picking the right routine

[bi0hazurd]

I've been doing DC training routine for a few months now. I really like the size gains I've been getting, maninly in my bis, back, and legs. However I've been wanting more of a strength gain than what I feel like I'm getting. I was thinking of transitioning over to rippetoes starting strength I've heard its the best of the strength training routines. However I'm afraid to loose the gains that I've made with DC in size. Should I be worried? Or will the gains stay?

[bi0hazurd]

Also can someone please post the details of mark rippetoes starting strength? Or if u know any other better strength building routines

[uncheelstar]

My go to strength routine is the 5x5 program... everything 5x5 without overdoing it.

Ex: Legs Squat 5x5, Leg Press 5x5, Calf raise 5x3 or 4 and then you are done, but if you do it right, you will leave it all on the floor.

Pyramids are good as well, but sometimes you just have to go in there and do what your body tells you. You may go in with the 5x5 plan but only do 3 sets of 5 and go harder on the next exercise. You could either do one muscle group once a week or go ahead and hit the same muscle group 2 times a week at different angles

Ex: Mon-BB Bench Press, T-Bar Rows, DB Curls, Tricep Push downs
Tues- Legs- Squat, Leg Press, Calf Raise
Thurs- DB Incline Press, DB Rows, BB Curls, Tricep Extension
Friday- Deadlift, leg curls, calf raises

You hit chest twice, back twice, and legs twice with a little arm work.

Or....

One major muscle group once per week

Mon-Chest/tris
Tues- Legs, Quads
Thurs- Shoulders
Fri- Back/Bis

I can get into this split as well if you would like

Hope this has helped

[CopyCat]

Here are two good links to look into for Starting Strength:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wi..._Strength_Wiki

http://www.startingstrength.net/

Also, I sent ya a PM

[SweetLou321]

i like 5/3/1 for strength and size ATM
in 6 monthes ive added 60lbs to my squat and deadlift, and 35lbs to my bench and oh press.

[bi0hazurd]

What is 5/3/1? And how does it compare in strength and size gains to 5x5 and DC?

[SweetLou321]

its slow progressive program
its easy to find in the powerlifting section here and if you google it
it a 4 day routine based on the Bench, Squat, Press, and Deadlift
idk how it compares to 5x5 since ive never tried it, but ive been doing 5/3/1 for 6 monthes now

[Steelwolf]

I honestly think at some point we need to work on writing our own routines and developing on our true calling and weaknesses vs routines someone else designs. Use them as a base but go for your own

[SweetLou321]

i agree with you here, i personally started with the basic 5/3/1 outline then modified it from there to fit me personally and now i really enjoy it. But it seems hes lookin for a base program to try

[Steelwolf]

i agree with you here, i personally started with the basic 5/3/1 outline then modified it from there to fit me personally and now i really enjoy it. But it seems hes lookin for a base program to try

It really depends on goals at the same time to. I dont understand just here's your routine even with a base program

[SweetLou321]

well for me personally its strength goals on the big three and overall hypertrophy so a modified 5/3/1 works pretty well, idk about the OP tho

[Steelwolf]

well for me personally its strength goals on the big three and overall hypertrophy so a modified 5/3/1 works pretty well, idk about the OP tho

Modified 5/3/1 works great for strength. My girlfriend is on a similar idea that I have given except we do not use percentages. 5/3/1 are all close to maxes. There is some exercise cycling involved and other things, but it works very well for her. I use the 5/3/1 rep scheme in my training but that is about it. I think reps 5/3/1 offer a lot in training.

[SweetLou321]

well its the first program that ever had progression built in for me, and its making a huge difference as things go along, pretty basic and can be used in almost any routine

[Omega]

ive also been doing a 5X5 strength based routine starting light and adding weight every workout for the last 2 months and made some pretty good gains in both size and strength but i felt squatting 5X5 every other day was too much for my body so i combined it with the 5/3/1 and taylor made it to fit what i think would help me the most.

now that i know the 5X5 works, i can always build off of that.. try everything, and keep what works

[drinkyboy]

I would say they it works great but it must be tailored to yourself and your weaknesses. Your only as strong as your weakest link.

[Torobestia]

Seems like you should have waited to go on DC. I have had massive strength gains like I had never achieved with 5/3/1 or westside template, but I also had a great base strength before starting (except on my squat, which blew ass). I don't know what you guys think is "strong," but from what I've read 5x5 is good to get strong, 5/3/1 is good to get stronger.

[bi0hazurd]

DC has just given me size boost. But seing as how ur supposed to use machines instead of many of the main lifts I've been losing strength in those. And my squat also sucked. What's the opinion on using 5/3/1 template for the 4 main lifts and doing DC style negative, rest pausing, beating the logbook and extreme stretches for accesory lifts such as iso movements back movements etc?

[SweetLou321]

the key of 5/3/1 is that the main movements are the most important.
ALL your other work is pretty much unimportant and should be used to bring up weak points in strength, size, what have you. Play around and keep what works. I say try it for a few cycles and see if your recovering and progressing well.

[Torobestia]

the key of 5/3/1 is that the main movements are the most important.
ALL your other work is pretty much unimportant and should be used to bring up weak points in strength, size, what have you. Play around and keep what works.

Yeah, and I think this is one of the reasons I didn't have great success with max effort work in the past - I didn't always attack my weak points (I did sometimes, but mostly by chance more than anything). So if possible I would recommend you lift with a spotter who will be able to notice where your form breaks down with harder/heavier lifts. Based on this you can select the appropriate accessory work.

[bi0hazurd]

I would like to see if this template is ok

Workout a
Squat protocol
Leg curls DC style
Sumo Leg press DC style

Workout B
Bench protocol
Bent over rows 5x5
Dips 3x5

Workout C
Deadlift Protocol
Barbell curls DC style
Chinups 3x5

Workout D
Overhead press protocol
Longbar cable pulldowns DC style
Closegrip bench DC style

[bi0hazurd]

Is this ok? Feel free to re-arrange the workouts in a way they would work better

[SweetLou321]

I would like to see if this template is ok

Workout a
Squat protocol
Leg curls DC style
Sumo Leg press DC style
Could use some ab work here

Workout B
Bench protocol
Bent over rows 5x5
Dips 3x5
This is fine

Workout C
Deadlift Protocol
Barbell curls DC style
Chinups 3x5
Deadlifts are more hip movement then a back movement so some lower body work would fit better. Ex. Box Jumps, GHR, RDL, Box Squats, also you could use some core work here too

Workout D
Overhead press protocol
Longbar cable pulldowns DC style
Closegrip bench DC style

Id add you chins here, and just superset close grip bench with curls.

My suggestions are in bold
Id do it in an upper/lower fashion. Try to do as much pulling as pushing for healthy shoulders, same goes for hamstring to quad work.
Also how are you gonna lay this out? 4day a week? 3day? 2day? Overall i like you picks alot

[bi0hazurd]

3 day. Are my picks good? I basically want as much strength as possible IME size comes with strength anyway. And then the additional workouts are to build up the right spots. And to keep the girlfriend happy lol she likes definition

[SweetLou321]

I gave you my suggestions in bold above, check them. to get as much strenght as possible you will need to 1) focus on the main lifts "bench, squat, dead, oh press" 2) do extra work to make sure you can maximize the strenth on the main lifts "chins, rows, ghr, core work, ect". Id suggest looking of the template layouts to get a good idea of what is usually recommended for this. I like the perizidation layout and i add some supersets and crap to fit my personal needs at this time, later things will change of course.

[bi0hazurd]

Also I would like to add pushups on my chest day for added work but idk if that would be over training

[SweetLou321]

dude dont over think this, like i said...the main lifts matter

[bi0hazurd]

What are "box jumps" "ghr" and "rdl"

[SweetLou321]

box jumps are when you jump to a box, builds explosive strength without over taxing the cns and allows good recovery. you can use weight and what not
ghr are glute ham raises
rdl are romainian deadlifts

and since you wanna add pushups just add them to oh press day or bench day

[bi0hazurd]

What ab work do u suggest? I was planning on doin p90 ab ripper on my off days

[Steelwolf]

dude dont over think this, like i said...the main lifts matter

yes

[Rodja]

Google 5/3/1 and thank me later.

[bi0hazurd]

What core work would u recommend on deadlift day to replace chins and curls that I'm moving to OH press day?

[SweetLou321]

What core work would u recommend on deadlift day to replace chins and curls that I'm moving to OH press day?

Basic, what i usually do.
Squat day i do weight crunches or rope crunches
Deadlift day is usually leg raises
both 5 sets 10-20 reps

Seriously google 5/3/1, it will save all these questions and just make complete sense. then of course, thank rodja

[bi0hazurd]

Revised version looks like this:

Workout A:
Squat protocol
Leg curl DC
Sumo leg press DC
Hanging leg raise 3x10

Workout B:
Bench protocol
Bent over rows 5x5
Dip 3x5

Workout C:
Deadlift protocol
Box jumps 3x8
Cable crunches 3x10
Prone bridge 3x60 seconds

Workout D:
OH press protocol
Chinup 3x5
Standing bicep curls DC (superset)
Close grip bench DC (superset)

[bi0hazurd]

Would that be effective?

[SweetLou321]

Would that be effective?

sure would, just try it for a few cycles and go from there.

[Steelwolf]

Revised version looks like this:

Workout A:
Squat protocol
Leg curl DC
Sumo leg press DC
Hanging leg raise 3x10

Workout B:
Bench protocol
Bent over rows 5x5
Dip 3x5

Workout C:
Deadlift protocol
Box jumps 3x8
Cable crunches 3x10
Prone bridge 3x60 seconds

Workout D:
OH press protocol
Chinup 3x5
Standing bicep curls DC (superset)
Close grip bench DC (superset)

why did you chose those exercises? What are your weaknesses?

[bi0hazurd]

I chose those excercizes not because of weakness more because I want to build and maintain mass with strength

[Rodja]

I chose those excercizes not because of weakness more because I want to build and maintain mass with strength

Then you really picked the wrong things. Assistance exercises are to bring up weak points. You have no posterior delt, mid/upper trap, or glute work.

I'll say it one more time: Google 5/3/1.

[SweetLou321]

Then you really picked the wrong things. Assistance exercises are to bring up weak points. You have no posterior delt, mid/upper trap, or glute work.

I'll say it one more time: Google 5/3/1.

Rodja are you refering to movements like face pulls and rear laterals for the mid/upper trap and posterior delts?

and wouldnt rdl and ghr raises work the glutes?