Jim Stoppani's Full-Body 5x5s

Even the most tried-and-true training techniques can use a tweak every now and then. The classic 5x5 scheme is no exception. This scheme has always produced impressive results in the gym, and now I'm helping it evolve for even greater gains.

The 5x5 protocol has been around for at least half a century, pioneered by iconic bodybuilder "Reg" Park, a three-time Mr. Universe in the 1950s and '60s, and Arnold Schwarzenegger's boyhood idol. The protocol is exactly what it sounds like: 5 sets of 5 reps on a given exercise. The 5-rep count is something of a "tweener" because it falls within the well-established 8-12-rep range ideal for building size, and the 1-3-rep range favored by powerlifters for maximizing pure strength.

You might well ask, "Are sets of 5 reps better for size or strength?" After sifting through anecdotal and empirical research, my answer is unequivocally that it helps both. When you follow my version of 5x5s, you'll be promoting muscle building even more.

My Twist...

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