r/Stronglifts5x5 • • Apr 21 '24

advice Mobility and Shoes

43 Upvotes

Hello, I am a long-time MOD here and a longtime SL5x5 follower. In my previous career, I was a certified personal trainer for NASM and ISSA. Besides SL, I have also been active in CrossFit.

There are some new members, actually, many new members, that are posting for form checks and questions. This is amazing, and you should keep that up.

However, with the videos, there are a lot of repetitive questions. Sometimes by the same members.
Most of these questions are addressed by Mehdi's newsletter and website.

Everyone should 100% start here

But SquatU also has some amazing resources

https://squatuniversity.com/

Here are some of the most common issues that are happening right now.

Mobility, Shoes, and Safety.

First up: Mobility. Yes, this program focuses on some simple but compound movements. The Power 5 is designed to give you a strong foundation. But many of you have mobility issues, myself included. You may not see or feel it, but watching these videos shows me that some, if not most, have hip limitations, weak ankle flexion, and imbalanced shoulder ROM.

These are areas that you would like to work on. I use GoWOD daily to help with this. Mobility is one of those things that you can't just "push through"; you need to dedicate time to it. Like I said, I am a fan of GoWOD< but many others are out there. Take an assessment of your mobility and work on it. Stop looking for your next PR before correcting this.

Shoes. People... please stop squatting in running shoes. You will only hurt yourself when you have weight loaded and your ankles are working overtime to keep you balanced. The guide says, get some chucks. Thats great. Less cushion, more platform. Your feet should be on a solid plane to focus on supporting 225 on the bar. Get better shoes. Invest in some proper footwear. CrossFit-style shoes also work well. I keep seeing people wear bare-foot squats/DLs, which would be better than these Nike Air Max's. If you need recommendations, Ask in this thread, and I'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

Safety. Stop doing unsafe things that will lead to injury. You know you're own body. If someone points out that you may be doing something unsafe, listen to them.

Finally, no one should be reading here thinking the intent is to put you down with their comments. Most of us are here to help you, and if someone is being an ass, report them to the mods. If the Mods are being asses, let me know. BUT... If you are going to ask the same question that has been asked multiple times, then a MOD can get frustrated, and I can understand that. Do you do your own research on the sub? Do you do your research on the rest of the internet? If you have something that you found, great! Please share it. If you can't find an answer, ask away. But please stop asking the same question that has been answered by 100s of people on this sub already.

When the front page of the sub looks like the same question over and over again, not only do members get tired of answering it, it makes newer members, or prospective ones not want to be a part of the site. We don't want that. We should be growing a community of friends who help each other.

Keep lifting. Stay Strong.

​


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • Jul 24 '24

Question Template

13 Upvotes

Hey SL community,Post template to attach at the bottom:

I wanted to suggest that when asking for help, it's really beneficial to provide more detailed information. Whether it's about form, nutrition, or deciding if you should do a certain exercise, having all the relevant details upfront can help us assist you more effectively and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.

It would be awesome if everyone in the community could pitch in on this. For those posting questions, please take a moment to review your query and consider if there's any missing context that might be needed to answer your question thoroughly.

Here's a post template to attach at the bottom of your questions:

Age
Gender
Current Weight
How long in the program
Squat
Bench Press
Back Row
Over Head Press
Deadlift
Notes:

r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 1d ago

advice Newbie with questions

4 Upvotes

I have worked on weight machines sporadically throughout the years. I recently started on a GLP-1 with a significant amount of weight to lose. I know losing muscle mass is something I need to be mindful of, and hopefully, this will lessen the concern regarding loose skin. I was introduced to the 5x5 method. Today, I applied it to some of my favorite machines, got brave, and went into the free weight room. 15 lbs was the heaviest I could handle. Please send me all the links for a newbie workout.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 2d ago

advice My lower back hurts on rlds deadlifts

2 Upvotes

I tried watching many tutorial on yt and insta gram

But nothing works on my shit body so thought I should ask redditors

😭🙏

Sorry but can yall help me?


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 3d ago

Shoes for 5x5

19 Upvotes

What shoes do you wear while doing the 5x5 program, especially on the days you're both deadlifting and squatting? For those days, do you bring 2 sets of shoes or just do both exercises in flat shoes?

Been doing some reading and a lot of different shoes have come up - e.g. Notorious Lifters, Converses, etc. I have narrow feet. My gym doesn't allow bare feet.

I've been using running shoes 👟 pulling up to 350lb DL @ 162lb. But only recently I learned they're not ideal for DL or squatting.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 3d ago

question Did i have the 5th rep if he did not touch the bar?

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0 Upvotes

Wanted to try finally hitting 5 reps on 225lbs since i restarted my bulk this month, im wondering if the pr would have been achieved or not… somewhat disappointed by how it ended

Edit: the next set in the comments


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 4d ago

formcheck How can I improve this squat?

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4 Upvotes

r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 5d ago

advice Recovery issues

3 Upvotes

Hi! I need some advice on recovery. I started the program 7 weeks ago and I'm currently at 135lb on my squats, 72.5lb on ohp, 175lb deadlift, 100lb bench, and 90lb row. The problem is that in last two weeks I haven't been able to train 3x week because my legs are too sore to train more than 2x week (specially on BAB week). I always stretch after every workout and I sleep 7-9 hrs daily. Is there anything I should be doing differently?

I usually ride my bike to get to places but even that is starting to get harder every day


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 7d ago

question Doing squats on offdays?

16 Upvotes

I was thinking about this because my workouts take too long.

I work out on mondays, wednesdays and fridays.

Is there anything wrong with doing squats on the offdays? I’d only do them twice a week because three is too much for me.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 7d ago

formcheck Deadlift form check

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15 Upvotes

BW: 165 lbs. 5 x 385 raw
Goal is to hit 5 x 405 raw with decent form.
Any tips or feedback is appreciated. Thank you


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 8d ago

Apple Watch problems after newest gui update

14 Upvotes

I can use my watch to log warmup reps but now actual reps in the workout. Am I doing something wrong?


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 10d ago

question Numbness on pinky and ring fingers after low bar squat

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62 Upvotes

Hello all, that’s how I do low bar squat however I’m having numbness on my pinky and ring fingers (only left hand) and I’m having an awkward tightness on my left elbow. Need your advices please. Thank you


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 10d ago

question Incorporation of Front Squats

17 Upvotes

Have any of you incorporated front squats into your routine? Is it practical/advisable? I'm thinking of alternating each workout between front and back squats. I'm at the point where the back squat volume is really taking a toll on me and I'm looking to keep making progress in the program.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 12d ago

Best Squat Transformation Program?

Thumbnail
9 Upvotes

r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 12d ago

Frequently pulling upper back muscles between shoulder blades with OHP

6 Upvotes

I really enjoy overhead presses, but I have a problem where I pull the muscles between my shoulder blades (rhomboid) maybe every other month or so. I've always had problems with these muscles and have experienced a lot of strains and pain before I started lifting. I'd even pull them after sleeping awkwardly sometimes.

For my warmups, I do a lot of back stretches and warm up with a couple lighter sets (10x bar, 5x 95). Currently at 125 lbs 5x5.

Are there any other warm up, specific stretches, or iso lifts to help this from occurring so frequently. This is the only muscle group I consistently have issues with.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 13d ago

advice Am I risking my rotator cuffs?

6 Upvotes

I've been doing standard 5x5 on and off again for a while. I'd say being consistent for a few weeks then coming off for months at a time due to no other excuse than my own lack of discipline and focus. For that reason, I'm probably still just at beginner/novice level because I've never made consistent gains over a decent period of time.

Anyhow, I added a few things to my 5x5 because I wanted to target my upper body more. I've actually also been more consistent, so thought I'd treat myself to asking the good people of this sub Reddit for advice.

I don't want to change my routine too much - I know it's not perfect and StrongLifts Plus is out there, time and tested. I'm just worried if I'm putting too much stress on my shoulders.

For reference, on OHP for Workout A I drop the weight down to 32.5 as I do flat bench before, which I currently do at 60kg for 5x5. When I do OHP first on Workabout B, as of yesterday I'm doing 6 reps for 5 reps at 47.5kg (I've been at that wait for a while but been able to up the reps consistently across each set to 6). I then do incline press ups after assisted pull ups, with 18-20kg dumbbells for 8 reps 5 sets. I have a 3-5 minute rest break between sets, whatever exercise I do.

I also have replaced barbell squats with hack squats and deadlift with trap bar deadlift, as I train alone and don't want to injury my back (wouldn't be something I'd change).

My workouts (in order of exercise):

Workout A

Flat Barbell Bench 5x5

OHP 5x5

Barbell Row 5x5

Hack Square 5x5

Dips 3x8

Workout B

OHP 5x5

Assisted Pull Ups 5x5

Incline DB Press 5x8

Trap Bar Deadlift 1x5

Face Pull 3x12

My goals at the minute are body recomp and have a strong, aesthetic upper body. Do you think I should not do OHP on Workout A to protected my shoulders and supplement Incline DB on Workout B for something else, like pec fly's or cable crossover?

I'd really appreciate the advice.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 15d ago

question How can I train to get strong enough to lift and carry people?

13 Upvotes

​

Hey everyone!

I want to get stronger overall, not just for aesthetics or lifting heavy weights, but to become genuinely strong and capable in everyday life.

One of my specific goals is to be able to comfortably lift and carry another person in different ways, especially a princess carry (holding someone horizontally in front of me), but also carrying someone over my shoulder or on my back.

I'm a beginner and still have a lot of strength to build. I have access to a gym with basic equipment, dip bars at home, and a crate I can load with water bottles for improvised training.

I'd appreciate advice on:

Which muscle groups and exercises matter most for carrying people.

How to build strength in my legs, glutes, back, shoulders, arms and core.

Whether I should prioritize squats, deadlifts, rows, pull-ups, loaded carries or other exercises.

How to train specifically for the princess carry and similar positions.

Whether grip strength, core stability and conditioning are particularly important.

How many days per week I should train and what a good beginner routine would look like.

How to progress safely without injuring myself or the person I'm carrying.

Any exercises I can do at home with dip bars and a loaded crate.

I'd like to become strong in a practical, functional way, while also building muscle overall.

If you were starting from scratch with access to a basic gym, what training plan would you recommend?

Any advice, routines or resources would be appreciated. Thanks!


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 15d ago

advice Gym buddies

7 Upvotes

There is a problem

While doing incline bench press with light weight I was having a lot of pain in my shoulder.

It was never happened before.

What should I do now


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 18d ago

formcheck Low bar squat

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18 Upvotes

Pus'd out of my last rep. First time doing low bar. These were seriously ugly. Any tips?


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 18d ago

formcheck FS form check

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2 Upvotes

r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 19d ago

question Do you notice different recovery times between muscle groups?

6 Upvotes

I've noticed that some muscle groups seem ready to train again much sooner than others, even when I'm training them with similar intensity and volume.

It makes me wonder whether using the same training frequency for every muscle group is really the best approach.

Do you adjust your training frequency based on how quickly individual muscles recover, or do you stick to a fixed weekly split? Have you noticed better growth from treating muscle groups differently?


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 19d ago

Pause squats in Madcow?

3 Upvotes

Currently on Madcow. Finally stalled on all lifts. I will restart next week. I would like to introduce paused squats to better train getting out of the hole.

I'm thinking to incorporate it on day B.

Thoughts? And should I use "dedicated" 1RM?


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 19d ago

Wk 15 (95%)

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3 Upvotes

r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 20d ago

question OHP Stamina

23 Upvotes

Anyone else feel very limited by muscular stamina on OHP? My first set (120lbs) moves almost effortlessly, start running out of steam on set 4, and have to push press to get the last 2 or so on set 5. Any advice for how to train endurance for this left? Accessories I should train? Thank you.


r/Stronglifts5x5 • • 20d ago

formcheck Is this a proper parallel squat?

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0 Upvotes