I’ve very inconsistently tried lifting for the last few years, and now I want to focus on getting stronger. All of my lifts have a 1RM of less than 135. I try to keep good form, but any time I get close to even 85% of my max I seem to always have form breakdown or I need to break up a rep set (say 8) into multiple parts (like 5, rerack for 20 s, 3)
What novice strength programs do you recommend, and should I restart with the bar?
First ever program I run was madcow 5x5. Absolutely loved it and made great strength gains. Probably a tad too advanced if your still really new to lifting though.
Pick a program and start with weights you know you can handle with perfect form, whether its sets of 5 or 10. Then just work up from there, nothing wrong with a bit of form break down when the weights get heavy as long as it’s not all the time.
Thanks all for the advice already. Here’s some more context that may be helpful:
I’ve tried for years to lift and get stronger but programs have either been muscle/bro split type or I’ve just been too inconsistent and not giving a program time to breathe.
I’m pretty interested in the 5/3/1 programs but they seem a little more advanced for me at the moment. SS seems like a great, if albeit kind of boring, program. Probably trying to find something that would split the difference.
Did you see that article @RampantBadger posted? It’s my go to program when recommending something to a beginner. Hits all the bases & leaves room for a day to play around with arms & calves or whatever.