Most amazing thing ever read!!

[hendrixsolo]

I'm looking to gain overall body strength and size, in that order. I've done the 5x5 system and it works great.

After reading bob's sticky, I'm a little lost as far as how often I should work each muscle group. As it is, I work them once a week.

I bench on monday, deadlift on wednesday and squat on friday. I throw in a few other exercizes in there, but my main focus is on these lifts.

Deadlifts and squats are new lifts for me, as it's been at least a year since I've done them. I see bob squats 3 times a week. Should I work up to this, or start doing it now...or...?

Thanks for the input. Animalmass, I've seen the crew you work with, what do you or Dave do for a work out? What a beast...

[Grizzly]

Ah, you see the problem here is that you're not really doing "the" 5X5. It's not simply doing 5 sets of 5 reps. There's a whole lot more to it than that.

To answer the question, I would jump right into "the" 5X5, including the 3X/wk squats. However, I would begin with a weight that is a good 30lbs less than you are using for you squats now. You'll be surprised at how hard the actual 5X5 is. Plus, by using less weight, not only does it give you a few weeks to become acclimated to the increased frequency, but it will also allow for a longer loading period before the inevitable deload.

[hendrixsolo]

Good call griz...I tend to get excited and skip things, like the part:

---5X5---
Monday: Squats, Benching, Rows
Weds: Squats, Military Presses, Deadlifts, Chins
Friday: Squats, Benching, Rows

didn't even see it. I have a disclaimer in my signature for this type of thing. Thanks.