texas vs 5x5

[shielja]

what do u prefer and why? i should also mention im planning on starting weight lifting again for the first time in a few months after recovering from a broken ankle but prior to that was using more of what you would describe as a "bodybuilding" routine, doing compound lifts and isolation excercises. any tips what would be best for me???

 

[milano]

5x5 is a rep and set scheme, not a program.

 

[squatsquatsquat]

What Milano said. Also, it depends on how strong you are and your background. Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe and the Stronglifts 5x5 are good places to start. If you're at an intermediate level, however, you could try a program like Texas. There are many other programs to choose from, however, so do a little research before you choose one. If you haven't read the FAQ here, it has some good info on different programs. Hope that helps.

 

[Madmick]

5x5 is a rep and set scheme, not a program.

True, but Madcow's 5x5 has become a very common format for the scheme. Ultimately, Texas Method and 5x5 share their roots in Bill Starr's Only the Strongest Shall Survive, I believe.

 

[CRZA]

Ive done madcow 5x5 and texas method(doing now).
Madcow 5x5
Pros:
- Squatting 3xweek
- good results, the first time I went till the 12th week, and gained around 10kg on squats, 10kg on bench and 20kg on deadlifts
- ramping up to 5 reps, and not doing sets across
Cons:
- Pretty demanding towards the end
- Recovery day (2nd day) is not really a recovery day as in texas, since your doing 5RM deadlifts
- Little variety

I would suggest that if your not used to squat 3 times a week, start a little lower than recommended, I got burned out quickly and didnt progress untill I decided to lower the weight.

Texas Method:
Pros:
- Recovery day is sweet and short
- Your working up to new PRs each week
- Alot of variety, if you want. The program is based around volume, recovery and intensity day. You can do any exercises as you please here, as long as you squat and deadlift

Cons:
- volume day is hard
- have not experienced any more so far.

I would advice you to do madcow 5x5 first, for as long as you can, then go into texas after your finished. Thats also how Mehdi adviced it over at strongslifts also. The madcow template is very straight forward, so you know exaclty what you are doing each workout, therefore it is more suitable for the less experienced. On texas you have to figure more stuff out yourself, so it helps to have experience from a program like madcow.
EDIT: I used this: 5x5 Calculator as a template for the routine

 

[shielja]

Ive done madcow 5x5 and texas method(doing now).
Madcow 5x5
Pros:
- Squatting 3xweek
- good results, the first time I went till the 12th week, and gained around 10kg on squats, 10kg on bench and 20kg on deadlifts
- ramping up to 5 reps, and not doing sets across
Cons:
- Pretty demanding towards the end
- Recovery day (2nd day) is not really a recovery day as in texas, since your doing 5RM deadlifts
- Little variety

I would suggest that if your not used to squat 3 times a week, start a little lower than recommended, I got burned out quickly and didnt progress untill I decided to lower the weight.

Texas Method:
Pros:
- Recovery day is sweet and short
- Your working up to new PRs each week
- Alot of variety, if you want. The program is based around volume, recovery and intensity day. You can do any exercises as you please here, as long as you squat and deadlift

Cons:
- volume day is hard
- have not experienced any more so far.

I would advice you to do madcow 5x5 first, for as long as you can, then go into texas after your finished. Thats also how Mehdi adviced it over at strongslifts also. The madcow template is very straight forward, so you know exaclty what you are doing each workout, therefore it is more suitable for the less experienced. On texas you have to figure more stuff out yourself, so it helps to have experience from a program like madcow.
EDIT: I used this: 5x5 Calculator as a template for the routine

cheers man this has been a great help, going to start this on monday once ive worked out my figures for the calculator.

 

[CRZA]

cool, no problem at all. read this while your at it; all you need to know about madcow:
Bill Starr 5x5 - Madcow Intermediate or Linear Version
good luck =D