Is 3x a week enough

[appro]

I'm thinking of starting the 5x5 program. I currently work out 5 times a week. I'm trying to get stronger, especially my legs, but I also want to bulk up (t-shirt muscles). Would the 5x5 program be enough for bulking up, or should I add extra sessions?

[oi_joe]

just do the 5x5 and eat loads of good food.

[mjh]

I'm trying to get stronger, especially my legs, but I also want to bulk up (t-shirt muscles).

Muscles don't grow in the gym, they grow in between gym sessions, with the help of copious amounts of good food and good rest.

[appro]

I already have my eating plan worked out down to the last calorie/gram of protein & fat. It was more a question of whether 5x5 is about strength rather size, as I want to achieve both.

[luco]

Depending on how much you eat, you'll grow as you get stronger. Have faith and work hard, you'll achieve your goals.

[grambo]

When you are squatting heavy 3x a week, you will think it is enough . Your legs will grow and tone really fast (with the right technique) if you haven't been squatting high volume in your normal routine now. Unless you are already an intermediate/advanced lifter in terms of the weight (see exrx.net for benchmarks or Starting Strength) you should do SL 5x5.

[bigwhat62]

with strength comes muscle size. 5X5 will help you get strong.

[appro]

I'm definitely keen to give this a good 8-10 weeks. Many thanks chaps.

[oi_joe]

i would limit your self to a time scale, its the kind of program you keep doing until it runs out.

[thesidewinda]

I'm definitely keen to give this a good 8-10 weeks. Many thanks chaps.

I'd end the beginners program until I could squat 1.5 times my bodyweight...

[appro]

I suppose what I'm saying is I'll give it 2-3 months to see if I like it and I get results. If it does then I'll keep at it. It seems to be what I'm looking for - although I know those squats/pullups are gonna hurt!! Hehe. But I suppose that's the point and I need to start pushing myself.

Cheers again all.

[shill]

You can add an extra session every two weeks by going M - W - F - Su - Tu - Th - Sa

[nwb]

Keep in mind, though, that the proportion of muscle size to strength is going to vary from person to person. Even though I have put on 20+lbs of muscle and am adding more, I am still very skinny for my height (131lbs@6'0"), but finally starting to lift well over my body weight. Bob Peoples weighed less than 170lbs and deadlifted over 700lbs. =D

[sifaan]

I already have my eating plan worked out down to the last calorie/gram of protein & fat. It was more a question of whether 5x5 is about strength rather size, as I want to achieve both.

If you compare to a typical bodybuilding routine, SL5x5 is more about strength than size. Even if you want more body-building oriented results, you're better off working from a foundation of strength... I'd say you should get to at least 5x5 squats @ BW (with corresponding gains in other exercises) before you think whether you want to add some exercises to focus on size.

If you're following the program, people will be able to help you better if you have a log here.

Cheers!

[tommyv]

yeah defo mate you need time for your muscles to repair! but remember lift big