Thinking of a new workout (strength training) [5x5]

RightfulSin

I am wanting to increase my over strength and I have been looking at a couple workouts to achieve this. I am wondering if anybody has any advice, help, or experience with either of these workouts and feels like they can contribute to my decision. Thank you ahead of time for the help/advice. The urls to the workouts I am thinking of doing are as follows:

The 5x5 workout: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/wotw56.htm
The 3x3 workout: http://anabolicminds.com/forum/exercise-science/867-3x3-training.html

Or this different workout to loss fat and then build mass: http://fitnessblackandwhite.com/lose-fat-gain-muscle/

YoSoyTheWalrus

The 5x5 is a bodybuilding workout. It's designed to target specific muscles for hypertrophy. It will make you look better if you already have low body fat but it is not ideal for overall strength gains. I would recommend against it given your stated goal.
The 3x3 is better, incorporating the "Big Three," and simplicity can be a virtue; however it may be overly simple. It doesn't include any upper back or shoulders, for example. If you are choosing between these two workouts then this one is better. You can add some pull ups and overhead presses to it or just go with it as is, if you like.

My general advice is
1) stay away from machines - they will limit the development of your stabilizing muscles and may increase the risk of injury. Stick to free weights.
2) Ask this question again in the SE++ strength training thread. There is a wealth of knowledge there and everyone is pretty nice and supportive.
3) Be patient. You are entering into a long, often difficult and complicated journey, but it will be worth it in the long run.

supabeast

Serious 5x5 workouts can be a real ass kicker. Expect to be sore and hungry around the clock. But its a great way to build muscle and kill time on cold winter days.

hsu

I've been doing 5x5 for about a year. I definitely recommend it, even though I do a whole different routine than your link. Doing heavy weight, big muscle group, compound exercises is definitely the way to go.

My one big tip for lifting is that you should be sweating and out of breath after you finish an exercise. If you manage this, you will get cardio gains, as well as strength gains, by lifting.

For most people, this is pretty simple: shorten your rest time (less than 1 minute between sets), and lift heavier weights (better to not finish your last set, than to easily finish your last set).

Ie, in a 5x5, most of the time it will be only 22-23 reps total, not 25 reps, because you just can't do that last rep, and the whole exercise will be done in 5 minutes. That works out to be 5 seconds per rep, zero rest between reps, and 45 second rest between sets. Notice how you aren't lifting any faster than normal, you are just cutting out the down time.