Reg Park's 5x5 Routine - Get Stronger And Gain Muscle Mass

The rule that we can learn from old-school bodybuilders is: to gain more muscle mass you have to get stronger. If you want to get stronger and bigger you might consider trying Reg Park's 5x5 workout routine. It is great workout routine for size and strength,  that many classic bodybuilders used to build their powerful physique and they were much stronger than bodybuilders today.

Old school bodybuilders also spent most of their time in the gym doing compound exercises and lifting heavy weights, which recruited more muscle fibers, and it is better for muscle growth. In order to only get stronger with this routine, you shouldn't be in caloric surplus which you need if you want to gain muscle mass and strength with this workout program.

Exercises that Reg Park used to do in his training were squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and power cleans. Reg Park believed that training to failure is a mistake, he believed in gradual progression for gains that last longer. The aim of his workout routine is to do 5 sets of 5 reps with the proper weight and if you can do more than 5 reps with that weight then increase the weight on every training day. But, don't increase the weight if you can't lift it for five sets of five reps. First two sets in Reg Park's workout routine were warm ups and last three were primary work sets. For an example, if you lift 200 pounds on bench press it will look like this:

1 Set - 5 Reps with 160 pounds

2 Set - 5 Reps, 180 pounds

3 Set - 5 Reps, 200 pounds

4 Set - 5 Reps, 200 pounds

5 Set - 5 Reps, 200 pounds

First two sets are great for building confidence and last three sets are the real deal. If you can lift more weight in last three sets, it is time to put 5 pounds more on each set. That is the point of Reg Park's progression, more strength with every training day which results in more muscle mass.

Reg Park's Workout Routine was split into three phases.

5x5 Workout Original Routine by Reg Park:

1st Phase:

EXERCISE	SETS	REPS
Back Extension	3	10
Back Squat	5	5
Bench Press	5	5
Deadlift	5	5

Three days per week for three months then start with phase 2.

2nd Phase:

EXERCISE	SETS	REPS
Back Extension	3	10
Front Squats	5	5
Back Squats	5	5
Bench Press	5	5
Military Press	5	5
Deadlift	5	5
Calf Raise	5	25

Train three day per week before starting the last phase.

3rd Phase:

EXERCISE	SETS	REPS
Back Extension	4	10
Front Squat	5	5
Back Squat	5	5
Bench Press	5	5
Bent Over Row	5	5
Deadlift	5	5
Behind Neck Press	5	5
Barbell Curl	5	5
Triceps Extension	5	5
Calf Raise	5	20

As in first two phases, train three times a week for three months and you are done with Reg Park's 5x5 Workout Routine. Write down your progression every time.

The Ultimate Muscle-Building Workout Routine - Build Muscle Mass Fast

Are you curious about how to gain more muscle mass and what is the best way to get it? If your answer is yes, then continue reading this article, don't just skip to the workout program.

TRAINING IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR MUSCLE BUILDING, BUT NOT AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR DIET

By following the right workout routine, you can gain muscle even if you train just two or three times for a week. Also, eating 8 meals a day as many Fitness instructors advises is not necessary, I had good results in lean muscle growth with only 4 – 5 meals and 2 of that meals are consumed in shakes so I have 3 big meals and two good protein shakes for a day and all of that differs from day to day. 

The most important things you need to know in order to build muscle mass is to consume all nutrients that are necessary for muscle growth, consume more calories than you burn and stimulate your muscles to grow by lifting harder and harder whenever you are able to. That is called a progressive overload and it is the best way to force your body to grow.



You can split all nutrients into 10 small meals, or you can eat 5 bigger meals that consist of all nutrients that muscles require to grow, that doesn't make such a big difference. You will grow as long as you force your muscles to grow with progressive overload and feed them will enough calories and nutrients that your muscles need for growth.

ALSO READ:


How to Gain Muscle Mass - 5 Principles of Muscle Hypertrophy

Just focus on lifting heavy with compound movements and consume a lot of proteins, carbs, and fats, have a good night sleep and you will gain lean muscle mass. By following these tips you will gain at least one pound of lean muscle every week and that is enough. Gaining one pound of lean muscle every week will lead you to gain 4 pounds of lean muscles for a month and so on, keep calculating. 

Nobody can gain 10 pounds of lean muscle for a week or even for a month without using anabolic steroids and just by proper training and nutrition plan. So, focus on little gains every week and try to eat clean and train hard.

The Muscle Building Workout Routine:

Monday:  (Push Workout)

Exercise	Reps	Sets
Incline Bench Press	8-10	4
Military Press	8-10	4
Bench Press for Triceps	8-12	4
Dumbbell Flies	10-12	4
Dips (Chest)	12	4
Seated Shoulder Press	10-12	4
Triceps Overhead Press	10-12	4

Wednesday: (Pull Workout)

Exercise	Reps	Sets
Dead Lift	8	4
Bent-Over Row	8-12	4
Chin Up	12	4
Biceps Curls	8-12	4
Bent-Over Laterals	10-12	4
Hammer Curls	10-12	4
Lat Pulldowns on Machine	10-12	4

Friday: (Legs Workout)

Exercise	Reps	Sets
Barbell Squat	6-8	4
Dumbbell Lunges	12	4
Leg Press	12	4
Lying Leg Curls	12	3
Leg Extensions	15	3
Standing Calf Raises	12	4

This Workout Program for Mass is created as Push, Pull and Legs split and it is great for hypertrophy (muscle growth). Try this workout routine for one month and you will see results in strength and muscle mass.