5x5 exercise order?

[racerX]

recent convert to the 5X5 program. would it be a problem to do the rows first? after 5x5 ass-to-grass squats my legs are toast. it is really hard to do any weight on the rows when my legs won't hold me up. thanks,

racerX

[Grizzly]

Haven't they recovered by the time you're done benching? You probably could switch them up, but then wouldn't your squat poundages suffer?

[racerX]

no, they are still pretty wobbly after benching. i don't think rows would effect squats nearly as much as the other way around.

[Bob Smith]

From a safety standpoint, I would squat before rowing.

[Preacher]

I always squat first seing its my heaviest weight. Plus if you drop the weight while doing Rows who cares but if you collapes while doing squats ouch.

[Girth]

It sounds as though you may be hitting it too hard too often. The 5x5 is designed such that on 1 to 2 workouts per cycle will wipe you out. The first couple weeks of each new cycle are supposed to be relatively easy.

Take heed of the above though. Anything that you want to improve the most upon should be done first. And that which will give you the greatest overall body gains are the squats.

[racerX]

Originally Posted by Girth

The 5x5 is designed such that on 1 to 2 workouts per cycle will wipe you .

thanks for all the replies guys. girth, please explain the above quote, not sure what you mean. thanks

[Grizzly]

He means that the first couple of weeks, the weights should be very manageable. It isn't until that latter weeks of loading that you start hitting new PR's and having a hugely difficult time completing the work.

[johnsmith182]

I think you should really try to do your squats first. If you break into the program slowly like you are supposed to, by the time you are up to really hard poundages on the squat, you should be used to it and it shouldnt be much of a problem. Im not saying its easy to do ANYTHING after a bunch of heavy squats, its not easy, but its doable.

[Girth]

Sorry for the delay Racer.....Grizz is spot on with his clarification.

[perp69]

I do squats then rows and bench last.

Perp