Is Stronglifts 5x5 for me?

HankScorpio

HankScorpio

HankScorpio

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Hi all

I'm a skinny/weak dude who's just been doing some upper body dumbbell exercises for the past 1-2 months, a 17kg box set I've had collecting dust. My arms were twigs but now I'm seeing some shape coming to my upper back and arms, but need to invest in some heavier weights ,as it's getting too easy now.

I just glanced over another thread here about a guy reporting his pretty poor results after 6 months and he got pretty harshly abused and told to start the Stronglifts 5x5.

So after looking up on this programme and reading the pdf I'm willing to give it a go and I'm on the verge of ordering a squat rack for floor presses and for when squatting gets heavy and an olympic barbell and 35kg in plates for starting.

I'm pretty excited about starting this and I haven't really heard or seen too many negatives about it.

I started doing dumbbell squats 5 reps, 5 sets, 2 nights ago with my 17kg DBs in preparation and my thighs are still feeling the pain, but I'm going to do this until my gear arrives to warm up for starting the squats.

I just wanted some advice about starting this and am I on the right path? I've been reading though Mendi's pdf and think I should be starting with the empty barbell and adding 5 pounds each workout right?

May sound silly but just wanted some opinions before I invest in this equipment as it's quite a financial investment for me currently, only working PT and having to pay lots of bills, so just wanted to see if this is a good starting programme and set of equipment for a beginner getting into shape. My aims are to build muscle and strength and lose some belly flab.

Cheers guys!
 
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Yes that would make more sense but I just don't enjoy the gym and at least this way I know I'll be able to always do the workouts. Can always sell the equipment after I'm done or decide to move to a gym after I get into the more advanced stages, i.e needing a power rack.
 
You don't enjoy the gym?

Good luck with your dusty barbell sat in the corner gains of next week.
 
Dude go to gym you'll get used to it soon and start enjoying it :) trust me on this :) people go there to workout not judge or laugh at others even if you're fat or skinny no one gives a tosh :) you'll make a lot more progress at the gym.
 
duvet77 said:
Maybe it's other aspects of the gym he doesn't like and not the actual act of lifting weights.
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Yes I understand that. My point is that if you dislike going to the gym enough (for whatever reason) that it makes you decide you'd rather not lift weights, then that is bad news bro.
 
I hate going to the gym. Being in it is not so bad. I started a membership about 2 years ago and the commute was around 2 hours+ and it really ate into my daily activities. Being inside wasn't so bad, as it was usually empty. I prefer to start this early phase at home and when I need to, move into the gym for the power rack stuff and extra heavy deadlifts.

My recent dumbbell workouts in my bedroom have been great though as I can watch all the wonders of the internet while I workout. Started out using 17k set with twigs for arms... and admittedly they still sort of are pathetic. But going from not being able to do more than 5 proper pushups and about 3 military presses to easily doing 20 in less than 2 months (so what if this sucks), I've found it very enjoyable and look forward to starting SL5x5 and progressing to a proper workout. I just don't fancy incorporating long arse bus rides to the gym into my schedule AT THIS CURRENT PHASE and that's why I'm forking out nearly £200 for some equipment so I can guarantee never to miss a workout at this early critical stage as I might do if I had to commute to the gym.

I don't see this as a slipping slide to defeat in hating the progress. It'll probably still be there (my reluctance to go the gym) in 10 months time and I hit a wall in how far I can go at home, but still I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, and it certainly won't affect my attitude to starting the routine, your honour.
 
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HankScorpio said:
I hate going to the gym. Being in it is not so bad. I started a membership about 2 years ago and the commute was around 2 hours+ and it really ate into my daily activities. Being inside wasn't so bad, as it was usually empty. I prefer to start this early phase at home and when I need to, move into the gym for the power rack stuff and extra heavy deadlifts.

My recent dumbbell workouts in my bedroom have been great though as I can watch all the wonders of the internet while I workout. Started out using 17k set with twigs for arms... and admittedly they still sort of are pathetic. But going from not being able to do more than 5 proper pushups and about 3 military presses to easily doing 20 in less than 2 months (so what if this sucks), I've found it very enjoyable and look forward to starting SL5x5 and progressing to a proper workout. I just don't fancy incorporating long arse bus rides to the gym into my schedule AT THIS CURRENT PHASE and that's why I'm forking out nearly £200 for some equipment so I can guarantee never to miss a workout at this early critical stage as I might do if I had to commute to the gym, your honour.
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Just remember that 60kg weights will be useless in a month... Then you'll need another 60 and with Deadlifts you'll soon need another 60kg.. :)
 
I'll be honest - if I ever get a workshop I'll likely never set foot in a gym again. I'd much rather my own squat rack/bench and freeweights to lift in the peace and quiet of my own home. Completely understand where you're coming from, and if you have the facilities to be able to have your own home gym, I'd definitely go for it.

In regards to the actual question? 5x5 will help you, no doubt. The most crucial part is that you get your form right, which is where starting with a low weight, as 5x5 does, really helps out.

You've mentioned pushups - can't say if 5x5 will help with that or if its your goal. What helped me get to 93 pushups in 2 minutes (for the Army) was doing pushups. Funnily enough.
 
I agree. I would love to build my own gym and not arse withgoing to one. So what if I don't like being around others while working out. I thought I'd be able to last around a year with my own equipment but don't think its possible now that I look more carefully at the rapid weight progression 5x5 involves.

Going to join my university gym as that's more closer to me, so should cut down on some of the travel hassle and apparently I get a 30% discount for recent graduates.

Oh and managed to cancel all the items except the Olympic Barbell. Is this worth keeping at all?
 
Can always ask if anyone wants to buy it in the home gym building thread?

Why can't you return once its delivered?
 
Yeah I will be able to return it. Think the dudes I ordered it on amazon just ignored and rejected my cancellation request, managed to cancel all my other items I ordered at the same time. They're just gonna get it returned anyway and waste their free shipping cost.

Glad I made this thread though. Was against going to the gym but now I'm looking forward to going to my uni one. It's recently been massively refurbished and forgotten about this as an option.
 
heard this story at least 100 times over the years.

Want to buy home gym because I hate public gyms, plus it's cheaper.

Argue for ages, explaining to noob that home gyms are expensive for half decent stuff, plus any decent commercial gym will have a far superior range and types of equipment as well as other stuff to boot, which you cannot do at home, like free classes, sauna, jacuzzi, golf club or swimming pool, etc.

Person usually goes off and then buys argos equipment which never gets used.

Good to see someone actually take other people's advice on board.

Proper home gyms are only for people with a lot of dedication and commitment which is tried and tested, and for those who have a large chunk of cash to spend.
 
You had a 2+ hour commute to a gym? I didn't think that Liverpool was that remote! ;) Find one closer!

Stronglifts is a really good routine. I've found but like anything it needs a good amount of time invested to it. It has a good rate of progression and is easy to follow with Mendhis spreadsheet. There is also an app now (for iPhones at least) which is handy if you can't remember what weight you should be doing that session
 
JohnnyDrama said:
You had a 2+ hour commute to a gym? I didn't think that Liverpool was that remote! ;) Find one closer!
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Well that's the total journey time there and back. Not too bad I guess. Buses are really slow.

Managed to get all my refunds except the barbell. Printed a return statement on amazon and they said they'll deduct £6 for sending a courier out. All in all not too costly a mistake.

Actually trying to get my mate to let me use his gym membership. His fancy apartment complex has a ground floor gym that he never uses. I asked if I can pretend to be him and use it, since he doesn't take advantage of the free membership to its tenants :cool:
 
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