Hi

Ive just started the strong lifts 5 x 5 regime today, what are your thoughts on it? It appeals to me if what they say it true!!!!

It seems to me that there are no isolation exercises ie bicep curls triceps etc/

Any views?

Hi

I think its a great program, and the beauty of it is simplicity itself. All the garbage you see in the Mens Health magazines about dumbell work outs that will make you big and strong is bollocks. What really works, when trying to gain overall body strength and mass is the big, simple, compound exercises - high weight, low reps. 5x5 has got the big 3 - Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press. Plus, a few other compound exercises to target certain zones. Its all you need.

Isolation exercises such as bicep curls or tricep kickbacks are for the individual who already carries mass and strength. They are there to carve the muscle out, to develop the peak. When you don't have a solid base of mass they are worthless, and will actually be counter productive.

Stick with it mate, but don't forget to take in some serious calories (high protein, slow release carbs, low fat), because you'll need it to recover. And most important - don't forget to rest. You grow when you rest.

Thanks I am deffinitely going to give it a go, just felt i was at the gym for much less today but felt that I worked much harder.

sekibugei wrote:i was at the gym for much less today but felt that I worked much harder.

Bingo