I’m doing Madcow’s 5x5 program. It says I can add pull-up’s to Wensday’s workout if I want. I really haven’t done many pull-ups in my life, so it seems like it could benefit me. Do I already get enough arm workout from the basic 5x5 program, or should I add pull-ups on wensday? Would 2x8 be good if I did?
Add the pull ups. They work your back more then your arms. I like doing at least four sets, pull up grip, chin up grip, baseball grip both sides. 2x8 is a start. Add sets/reps as you get stronger.
i think you should add another set since you will lose a few reps on the second set. chins should be the primary bicep builder and curls are secondary
[quote]fisch wrote:
I’m doing Madcow’s 5x5 program. It says I can add pull-up’s to Wensday’s workout if I want. I really haven’t done many pull-ups in my life, so it seems like it could benefit me. Do I already get enough arm workout from the basic 5x5 program, or should I add pull-ups on wensday? Would 2x8 be good if I did?[/quote]
You don’t get enough direct arm work with the basic program. The main idea is to keep it simple for the start. If you’re past getting the lifts down, then by all means do some arm isolation.
IMO, chins are better then pull-ups for arm development. Personally, I would do barbell curls and then concentration curls.
[quote]eremesu wrote:
chins should be the primary bicep builder and curls are secondary[/quote]
LOL
Why laugh ? bodyweight chinups (no extra weight yet) made my biceps explode in development compared to copious amounts of curls and pulldowns
i would not trust any program that was built around curls
If you want developed biceps you will have to perform some form of curl. Though chins and pull ups are amazing exercises and should be a staple in most routines the biceps acts as a secondary agonist to the lats and receives less stimulation.
Though, supersetting chin ups with any form of curl where the elbows are behind the body is amazing.
[quote]eremesu wrote:
i would not trust any program that was built around curls[/quote]
LOL!
[quote]eremesu wrote:
i would not trust any program that was built around curls[/quote]
I would not listen to somebody who is 160 pounds, personally.
Nobody said to build a program around curls, but no successful bodybuilder has avoided bicep curls.
I don’t get why doing curls, if you so choose is such a big deal. If you want to look balenced, you need isolations. DO you need more isolations then compounds? Probably not. But doing a few sets of curls after chinning and rowing is probably the best thing you can do for your back/bicep development.
Mr. popular get’s this, most of you do too. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.
He is asking if he should do pull ups, i did not check the program, but i imagine it says five sets of standing barbell curls, five sets of hammer curls, ect.
I added some heavy hammer curls today after my chins, since it does not stress my weakened forearm bone
[quote]eremesu wrote:
He is asking if he should do pull ups, i did not check the program, but i imagine it says five sets of standing barbell curls, five sets of hammer curls, ect.
I added some heavy hammer curls today after my chins, since it does not stress my weakened forearm bone[/quote]
Um, Madcows is based on Squats, deads, bench, snatch, shrugs, and rows.
[quote]eremesu wrote:
i did not check the program[/quote]
I suggest that you do. It would prevent questions showing your lack of knowledge.