139 reviews for 5/3/1 for Beginners
5/3/1 for Beginners is a popular variation of the 5/3/1 training methodology for beginners and novice lifters to dramatically increase their strength on the squat, bench, deadlift, and overhead press.
Be sure to check out 5/3/1 Forever book, which collects Jim's thinking on 5/3/1 with his latest training methods and over 50 training templates. Go to www.jimwendler.com to learn more.
5/3/1 for Beginners is free on Boostcamp App. You can also find other 5/3/1 templates like 5/3/1 Boring But Big and 5/3/1 Building the Monolith in app format for free on Boostcamp.
Read the 5/3/1 program guide below.
Liam M.
Man, 352 weeks complete
1 year of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Simple and easy to follow for someone just getting back into weightlifting! Worked as expected to reignite my interest in the gym!
Man
2 weeks complete
7 years of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Simple and effective. Nothing fancy in the movements, just get in there and get the work done.
Joe T.
Man, 532 weeks complete
Less than expected strength gains
Less than expected muscle gains
It's good but I'm an old fella and I'm not backing this up with great nutrition so I'll have to get that going. Great to have the guidance and ability to collect details of each session. All good.
Nathaniel H.
Man2 weeks complete
3 years of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
I needed to get moving again and this worked great. I was able to ease back into it and gradually progress without much soreness.
Darrel G.
Man, 492 weeks complete
3 years of prior experience
Less than expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Not enough of a muscle gain but feel tighter and walk with a little bit of an arch. Takes more than 60 minutes just for the two exercises you suggest. Would like to add more on the arms may incorporate that next wk
Kristel H.
Woman, 302 weeks complete
1 year of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Utilize the switching order of the exercises as needed
Glen P.
Man, 622 weeks complete
3 years of prior experience
More than expected strength gains
More than expected muscle gains
Great program it keeps pushing me forward
Isaac
Man, 212 weeks complete
2 years of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Great program takes the thinking out of my lifting for the most part
Richard R.
Man, 402 weeks complete
1 year of prior experience
More than expected strength gains
More than expected muscle gains
I'm finishing my first cylce with this program after taking several years away from weightlifting. It's easy to follow and takes around an hour to complete with 1 minute recovery between sets. Set conservative maxes to start, you'll know if you need to adjust them after the first week. Also, plan your auxiliary lifts beforehand to save time at the gym. Bench increased 25 lbs, squat and deadlift 35 lbs, and overhead press 15 lbs. I lost 5 lbs and noticed my pants are a bit looser than when I started. I think most of the gains have been due to getting back to proper form and retraining my body to perform the movements. I'm optimistic gains will continue just at a slower pace during my second cycle.
Ryan J.
Man1 week complete
8 years of prior experience
As expected strength gains
As expected muscle gains
Far from a beginner - but a great way back into training the big lifts after an extended period of time focussing on other training styles.