Any Routine Suggestions?

Im that skinny guy in the gym trying to work hard to look normal…(6 ft 165lbs)heres my routine so if you have any suggestions let me know! im following a 5x5 program

Monday:
Squat 5x5
Bench 5x5
Row 5x5
4 sets wide grip pull ups
4 sets weighted sit ups
3 sets forearm exercise

Wednesday:
Squat 4x5
Incline bench 4x5
Deadlift 4x5
ab workout

Friday:
squat 4x5, 1x3, 1x8
Bench 4x5, 1x3, 1x8
Row 4x5, 1x3, 1x8
3 sets weighted dips
4 sets chin ups
3 sets close grip bench press

Goal: GAIN WEIGHT and MUSCLE MASS!!
Diet: I use FITday to keep track of my food…try to eat as much as i can…I also am taking protein

thanks for the help

Without looking, is it Madcow/Bill Starr? I don’t think anyone is going to argue against this program. Have fun and eat a lot.

I can’t imagine having to worry too much about a program at a weight of 165, especially with your height. I think, just as the TheDudeAbides said, make sure you’re eating a lot.

When you say you try and eat as much as you can, how many calories does that equate to roughly?

im trying to eat at least 3500 calories…I also make sure im getting enough % of protein

Looks like a decent program, as long as you keep your calories high. Read “Massive Eating” by Berardi for calculating your optimal daily intake for muscle mass.

http://www.T-Nation.com/readArticle.do?id=460331

I would suggest doing a different variation of the squat, bench, and row for each workout.

Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work!

[quote]Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work! [/quote]

I disagree with having to do any cardio at all. Unless you play a sport or like to remain active, you shouldn’t really be doing cardio as this will require an addition of calories to remain in a caloric surplus.

OP, your caloric intake seems high enough, although you will have to find out for yourself if 3500 calories is enough for you to gain weight effectively. Don’t be too afraid of putting on some body fat along the way either just be smart and try to gauge how your body reacts to different caloric levels.

[quote]Bedard18 wrote:
Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work!

I disagree with having to do any cardio at all. Unless you play a sport or like to remain active, you shouldn’t really be doing cardio as this will require an addition of calories to remain in a caloric surplus.

OP, your caloric intake seems high enough, although you will have to find out for yourself if 3500 calories is enough for you to gain weight effectively. Don’t be too afraid of putting on some body fat along the way either just be smart and try to gauge how your body reacts to different caloric levels.[/quote]

I disagree with nearly his whole post.

[quote]IronWarrior24 wrote:
Bedard18 wrote:
Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work!

I disagree with having to do any cardio at all. Unless you play a sport or like to remain active, you shouldn’t really be doing cardio as this will require an addition of calories to remain in a caloric surplus.

OP, your caloric intake seems high enough, although you will have to find out for yourself if 3500 calories is enough for you to gain weight effectively. Don’t be too afraid of putting on some body fat along the way either just be smart and try to gauge how your body reacts to different caloric levels.

I disagree with nearly his whole post.[/quote]

Ha! Two things I agree with are “Your program looks pretty good” and “Keep up the good work”.

[quote]TheDudeAbides wrote:
IronWarrior24 wrote:
Bedard18 wrote:
Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work!

I disagree with having to do any cardio at all. Unless you play a sport or like to remain active, you shouldn’t really be doing cardio as this will require an addition of calories to remain in a caloric surplus.

OP, your caloric intake seems high enough, although you will have to find out for yourself if 3500 calories is enough for you to gain weight effectively. Don’t be too afraid of putting on some body fat along the way either just be smart and try to gauge how your body reacts to different caloric levels.

I disagree with nearly his whole post.

Ha! Two things I agree with are “Your program looks pretty good” and “Keep up the good work”.[/quote]

haha
Now that you mention it I guess he did give him a little bit of good advice.

[quote]Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work! [/quote]

Weight: 170
Height: 5’9
Body fat %: 11
Years Training: 12

GTFO, whatever you’ve been doing for the last 12 years clearly hasn’t worked.

[quote]Chicago Hypno wrote:
Your program looks pretty good. However, since you are just starting out, I might suggest trying to train just one body part per week and see how it goes for about 10wks. Get your cardio in but train hard until burn out on each muscle you train.
Keep up the good work! [/quote]

Um yeah, if you’re just here to pimp your hypno business, just save your effort and move along. We’ll remember you.

If you have serious advice I’d at least acknowledge the advice of people who’ve been here for years. To a large degree, every training strategy works. Suggesting a completely random program is confusing and disrespectful.

OP, stick with it! Keep us posted on your progress, your routine is a great way to start gaining, eat and sleep too! You WILL Grow!

thanks for all the advice people…I think my major problem is my eating so I will try to focus on that…I have no problem working hard in the gym I just need to make sure im fueling those muscles…GET SWOLE!!! HAHA

Program looks solid, maybe switch up variations of the major lifts as suggested. Calories look good. Just give it time. Remember PWO nutrition!

I have one in mind. Great for upper body strenghth, and for beginers. If you are interested, send me a PM.

[quote]mingledorff7 wrote:
I have one in mind. Great for upper body strenghth, and for beginers. If you are interested, send me a PM.[/quote]

You’ve done this several times already. Perhaps you could post the program so that more than one person may benefit …?

Its called Critical Bench. Mike Westerdal created it. You can purchace it at his website, www.criticalbench.com. I’ve done it, and it works marvelously.

Its very simple in nature, not as complex as DC, or Westside. Doesn’t require you to have years under the bar eather. Its perfect for beginers who want to gain upper body strength. If you follow the program, and maintain a high, clean diet you will gain 50 lbs to your bench press. Supplements aren’t manditory, but do help-

Mingledorff-

Looks like madcows 5x5… assuming you’re ramping weights. That’s a big part of that program, and failure to do so would result in you burning out. Maybe. Unless you’re a total beginner.

I would recommend dropping the forearm exercises, moving the pullups to thursday for only 3 sets, and drop the chins & close-grip benches on friday. I find the situps hard to do on this program also; don’t over do it.

I’m on the third time doing this program. I’ll be squatting hopefully 385 (365 max currently) by the end.

Yeah I have done some variation lifts…decline bench/dumbell press, stiff leg dead lift…I would like to keep the forearm exercises for hockey and I also play competitive softball…another question though…is it a problem that I dont include shrugs or military/overhead press in my program??