Will SL5x5 get me the body I want?

[btg522]

Hey Guys-

I just finished my 6th week of SL5x5 program. So far, I am really happy with the gains (from 153 lbs/10% BF to 158 with about 11%) . I am a pretty active individual with a good fitness background, but I really wanted to get muscular and some really good definition. I will be honest: I am mostly motivated by the vanity factor in doing the program, not so much strength, although it is nice.

My question is: should I start doing isolation exercises to get the really defined and large upper body I want? Or should I stick with 5x5 a little longer? As it stands, I was thinking of doing 5x5 to the new year (3 solid months) and then keep going with it while adding in isolation exercises twice a week. Will that get me my goals? Or am I better of just sticking with 5x5?

[itsbruce]

How much are you lifting? Isolation exercises are no use at all to a beginner; you have to have a lot of strength before you can lift enough in the isolation exercises for them to do you any real good.

[killerdude494949]

6 weeks is not long enough. Isolation at this point won't do much. Forget the isolation for now, keep getting stronger and putting on overall mass and you will grow everywhere because you're pretty small in size at that weight. Some people never need to do isolation and grow equally everywhere from heavy compounds, some tend to lag in other bodyparts, usually the smaller ones. But for the most part someone at your weight will grow equally everywhere, it is not until you get closer to being an intermediate that you might want to add in something extra. This tends to go for the peripheral muscles as they are not emphasized.

So just keep at the program for now.

[maroon]

From my own experience so far you won't need isolations to grow at all. The big compounds will increase mass all over if you eat enough. "Definition" is more of a diet issue coupled with already having a decent amount of muscle mass; from what I've understood.

My own plan is to do heavy compounds for at least another year. When I have intermediate level strength I look forward to throwing in some isolations to improve aesthetics a bit if things aren't proportional. But really, one has to build the foundation before building a house. Ok, that was corny but I'm sure you get what I'm trying to say. I can't see that throwing some isolations in as assistance is going to do any damage but I personally don't see much point either; at least if your lifts are at my level or lower.

But really, I think it's important that one should do what feels right and fun. Whatever keeps you motivated to go work out! Just make sure they are at the end of the workout after the big lifts I guess I promise you though, as the big compounds start to strain you, you won't feel like doing any curls or similar afterwards. Just home and eat.

[btg522]

Thanks for the responses guys! I will keep your advice in mind.

[pavyoncu]

Hey Guys-

I just finished my 6th week of SL5x5 program. So far, I am really happy with the gains (from 153 lbs/10% BF to 158 with about 11%) . I am a pretty active individual with a good fitness background, but I really wanted to get muscular and some really good definition. I will be honest: I am mostly motivated by the vanity factor in doing the program, not so much strength, although it is nice.

My question is: should I start doing isolation exercises to get the really defined and large upper body I want? Or should I stick with 5x5 a little longer? As it stands, I was thinking of doing 5x5 to the new year (3 solid months) and then keep going with it while adding in isolation exercises twice a week. Will that get me my goals? Or am I better of just sticking with 5x5?

Do SL5x5 until you reach a base strength or stall. Then move on to a different program.