5/3/1 for Beginners | Workout Programs | Boostcamp App (2024)

5/3/1 for Beginners Program Guide


5/3/1 FOR BEGINNERS APP INSTRUCTIONS

Setting your Training Max

During app program onboarding, enter your Training Max (TM), which is ~90% of your current 1 Rep Max (1RM).

If you don't know your 1RM, use the built-in 1RM calculator in Boostcamp App to estimate your 1RM. Be conservative with choosing your starting weights to ensure long-term progress.

Using 5/3/1 on Boostcamp

Each program cycle lasts 3 weeks, with increasing intensity each week. 5/3/1 for Beginners is designed to be done for multiple cycles as long as you are able to make strength gains. You an run this program for multiple months.

Adjusting your Training Max

Once complete the 3 weeks, input new TM to start a new cycle. Generally speaking, below are the recommended increases to your TM for each new cycle:

• Squat +10 lb / 5 kg
• Deadlift +10 lb / 5 kg
• Bench +5 lb / 2.5 kg
• Overhead Press +5 lb / 2.5 kg

For the full 5/3/1 for Beginners program guide, click here.


5/3/1 WORKOUT SCHEDULE

Day 1 (Monday)
Squat – 5/3/1, 5x5
Bench – 5/3/1, 5x5
Accessories

Day 2 (Wednesday)
Deadlift – 5/3/1, 5x5
Press – 5/3/1, 5x5
Accessories

Friday
Bench – 5/3/1, 5x5
Squat – 5/3/1, 5x5
Accessories

See below for more detailed 531 workout details.


5/3/1 for Beginners ACCESSORIES

Each day perform 1 exercise from each category below. Perform 50-100 total reps total, with your preferred rep and set schemes (example: 8x10, 6x12, 5x15, 4x20). If you're too weak to get all the reps, then simply choose a 2nd movement to complete the total reps (example: chin-ups/pull-ups, DB bench/machine press).

The 3 categories to choose from are: push, pull and single leg/core.

Push: dips, push-ups, DB bench/incline/machine press, triceps extensions/pushdowns

Pull: chin-ups/pull-ups, inverted rows, rows (DB/BB/machine), face-pulls, band pull-aparts, lat pulldown, curls

Single Leg/Core: any abdominal work, back raises, reverse hyperextensions, lunges, step-ups, Bulgarian one-leg squats, KB snatches, swings


5/3/1 for Beginners for FAQ

What is 5/3/1 for Beginners?

The 5/3/1 workout template tailored for beginner lifters who are relatively new to barbell strength training. 531 for Beginners will help you rapidly increase strength in the big 4 compound movements–squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press–and help you build muscular size along the way.

Who is 5/3/1 for Beginners for?

531 for Beginners is for beginner to novice lifters who want to follow Jim Wendler's famous 5/3/1 training method, but isn't advanced enough yet for his intermediate templates. To follow this program, you should ideally already know how to perform the compound lifts with decent form. If you're a complete beginner, check out the Greg Nuckols Beginner Program on Boostcamp.

Why do 5/3/1 for Beginners?

531 for Beginners is incredibly effective for building strength and size, especially for beginners who are just starting out. There's no fluff in the program; there's no guessing as to whether the program has worked or not. You'll be stronger, bigger, and more technically proficient in the compound lifts at the end 531.

How to do 5/3/1 for Beginners?

You can do 5/3/1 for Beginners for free on Boostcamp App, with 1RM onboarding, auto weight progressions, exercise demos, and progress tracking. Or you can search on Google for a spreadsheet.

Which 5/3/1 workout program is right for me?

5/3/1 for Beginners progresses faster than other 531 templates (i.e. your maxes are increased on a 3 week basis with no planned deloads). This is because beginner and novice lifters can make gains faster than intermediate and advanced lifters. If you're still under 1 year of consistent barbell training, 5/3/1 for Beginners is for you.

How to eat on 5/3/1 for Beginners?

You should ideally be eating at a calorie surplus while on 531 for Beginners. This will allow you to make the fastest strength and size gains. Aim to eat a high protein diet comprised primarily of whole nutritious foods.

5/3/1 for Beginners reviews and results

You can find 531 for Beginners reviews below or on Reddit r/weightroom. It is a popular programs that many lifters have used to gain size and strength.

531 Workout App on Boostcamp

5/3/1 for Beginners app is free on Boostcamp, the last lifting app you'll ever need. Boostcamp is not affiliated with Jim Wendler. For more info on Jim Wendler's training philosophy, be sure to visit www.jimwendler.com for his free writing, books, and store.

5/3/1 for Beginners | Workout Programs | Boostcamp App (2024)

FAQs

5/3/1 for Beginners | Workout Programs | Boostcamp App? ›

What is 5/3/1 for Beginners? The 5/3/1 workout template tailored for beginner lifters who are relatively new to barbell strength training. 531 for Beginners will help you rapidly increase strength in the big 4 compound movements–squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press–and help you build muscular size along the way.

Is there an app for 5 3 1? ›

Wendler 531 calculator 5/3/1 app to plan log and track your Jim Wendler's power lifting 5/3/1 and beyond 5/3/1 workout program. No more fiddling around with printed spreadsheets at the gym. Enter your current 1 rep max and the app will calculate and manage your Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 progression and workout program.

Does 5 3 1 work for beginners? ›

Overall, the 5/3/1 for beginners program is a great place to start your journey. It helps get you used to heavy lifts and really make yourself familiar with some of the things in the gym.

What is the 531 progression for beginners? ›

After you complete a four-week cycle, you increase the weight of your TM for all four core lifts and restart the process. Like other progression programs, your goal for progression is: Add 5 lbs for upper body exercises (bench press and overhead press) Add 10 lbs for lower body exercises (squat and deadlift).

Does 5 3 have an app? ›

You can download the Fifth Third mobile banking app from the App Store or Google Play store on any supported Android or iOS device. If you're already registered, you can log in to the mobile app with the same username and password credentials you use to access their online account.

Is 5-3-1 good for advanced lifters? ›

Advanced lifters can benefit from its long term training focus. 5/3/1 is built around cycles. Each cycle consists of 4 weeks. Each week you will be training either 3 or 4 days per week.

How long is the 531 program for beginners? ›

Be conservative with choosing your starting weights to ensure long-term progress. Each program cycle lasts 3 weeks, with increasing intensity each week. 5/3/1 for Beginners is designed to be done for multiple cycles as long as you are able to make strength gains.

What equipment is needed for 5-3-1? ›

Four is better than three because four lifts make up the routine: the barbell squat, barbell bench press, barbell deadlift, and barbell overhead press. For every 5/3/1 workout, you'll choose one of the four exercises as your main lift and keep alternating them. You'll also do some assistance work (more on this later!).

Is 531 progressive overload? ›

Use a weight that's a percentage of the 90% of the 1RM. Use this 90% base number for the table below to calculate your programme numbers. Progressive overload: the heart of the 5/3/1 method uses the principle of progressive overload with the goal of gradually increasing reps over time.

Is 531 better than 5x5? ›

5/3/1 is probably best for more experienced lifters, and atheletes who participate at high levels in a strength or power sports. Both programs have a lot of similarities and both work well. I think 5/3/1 is probably best after a very solid foundation of lifting experience.

Why is 531 so effective? ›

5/3/1 is appropriate for more intermediate lifters because the change in work over the 3 weeks represents a sustainable split. The rate of increase is every 3 week wave, which provides enough time to recover and grow as a lifter works through those varied percentage ranges.

What is first set last in 531? ›

One facet of the 5-3-1 program I've delved deeper into this past year is the “First Set Last” concept. In FSL, the first working set (65%, 70%, or 75%) of the workout is repeated as supplemental work with the same or a slight variation of the main lift.

What are the cons of 531? ›

And even though 5/3/1 allows for rep maxes, it is much harder to add one rep per week than it is to add ~2-5lbs/1-2kg per week. One of the biggest criticisms of 5/3/1 is the lack of overall frequency for the powerlifts. You perform each lift only once per week.

What are the best accessory exercises for 531? ›

Once you've completed your prescribed sets and reps for each of these movements, you perform your assistance work.
  • Chin ups/Pull ups: ...
  • Best Wendler Assistance: Dips. ...
  • Assistance for Chicken Legs: Front Squats. ...
  • A Word about Conditioning. ...
  • Closing Thoughts.
Feb 10, 2024

What is the 5 3 1 formula? ›

To determine 1st week of 5/3/1 lifting program: Determine your one-repetition maximum (1RM). Multiply the 1RM value by 0.65 for the first set, 0.75 for the second set, and 0.85 for the third set to calculate the weights you will lift.

What is 5 3 1 for size and strength? ›

The big lifts: The 5/3/1 method uses the squat, deadlift, bench press and overhead press barbell moves. Weekly programme: 4 sessions a week, each session focussing on one of the lifts. Reps and sets: You'll be completing 3 sets of varying reps of 5, 3 and 1 for the chosen exercise over the 4 weeks.

What is Smart 321 app? ›

The Samsung 321 app uses reverse geocoding to detect the user's current city to list all barangays, displaying the contact details accordingly for convenience.

What is the 5 3 1 protocol? ›

The 5/3/1 method is a four-week cycle that requires four workouts per week. Each workout session centers on one core lift: the bench press, squat, deadlift, or shoulder press. The rep scheme is as follows: Week one: For each workout, perform three sets of five reps (three x five) of one lifting exercise.

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