5x5 questions from a newbie

[BIOtech41]

Hey y'all,
I'm Kyle. I have been lurking here for a few weeks and have picked up some really good info and tips for a beginner like me. The discussions here have really gotten me motivated to change my body. Thanks to everyone! I was hoping someone could answer a few questions for me.

About a week ago I started doing the 5x5 plan as described in the sticky above. I am 33 yo and have not worked out since I was ~27yo. I am 6' 2", 175, 15% bf and pretty weak. Obviously, with those stats, my objective it to put on mass fast. I was hoping for clarification about the following:

1. I realize that my final rep should be done to failure in 5 or less reps. I am curious as to what the starting weight should be like. 50% of the last set? 75%? How intense should the first few sets be? On a 1-10 scale, 10 being the intensity of the final set, where should I be on the first two sets?

2. How sore should I be on off days. I haven't been very sore and I am afraid I am not lifting with the right intensity. Or is the minimal soreness appropriate since I am hitting the same muscle groups 3x week with only one day rest between.

3. The gym at my condo complex is fairly basic and does not have freeweights for liability reasons. Obviously, I can do bench press and military press fine. I subbed seated cable rows for rows, lat pulldowns for chins, seated leg press for squats. what should I do in place of deadlifts? I know machines are worst option, but they are my only choice until I save enough money to join a real gym.

I am focussing intensely on my nutrition program, eating 5-6x per day ~3000 cal/day, etc. I am also trying to get lots of sleep (which I love to do anyway). i understand that for me, what I do outside of the gym is as or more important that what I do in the gym. What kind or realistic gains can i expect in the fisrt few months? year? I'd like to be able to track my progress.

Any input I can get would be greatly appreciated!

[Grizzly]

Ouch! That machine stuff really, really, really, really, really has to go. No ifs ands or buts. How much could it cost to join a real gym? 100 bucks. Seriously, you NEED to go to a real gym with FREE WEIGHTS to workout. FYI- Lifetime Fitness is not a real gym. So that will save you an assload of money right there.

1) The weight should be the same for all 5 sets. You most certainly don't want to fail short of 5 reps and, really, you probably don't want to fail at all...ever.

2) Don't worry. Soreness doesn't indicate a good or productive workout. Be happy you're not sore so that it doesn't negatively impact your next workout.

3) Answered in my beginning rant.

[monsoon]

Unfortunately, what you described is not the 5x5. the exercises were selected for a reason. This is not to say that you are completely wasting your time, at least you are trying. it is pretty important that you find a real gym, but don't stop traiining while you look.

[Girth]

Find the gym, do some actual squats...then ask us about soreness.