Strength training, I’m new. But very curious.

[NovaFlex]

As a follow up to this; my strength is going up. And the growth I’m getting is a very solid, dense and protruding muscle. My shoulders are growing much better than ever before.
Is this growth solely thanks to the testosterone I’m blasting? Most seem to say I shouldn’t be building much size while strength training.

You can 100% gain size and strength simultaneously. You’re not going to min/max one or the other, but you can make great gains in both by focusing on hypertrophy for accessories and lower reps for the big 3 / compounds.

what do your shoulder workouts look like? I’d almost 100% attribute the initial growth to a high amount of AAS, though, since shoulders and traps have a lot of receptors…personally, mine blew up within 6-8 weeks of my blast. They’re my biggest body part now, besides my back.

 

[Tazz1]

I think the beauty of 5x5 is its simplicity for new lifters. I started with no experience and did 5x5, 3x5, then 3x3. After 18 months my squat was 305, deadlift 365, and bench was 270 (all 3x3). Without a trainer or anything, just at home.

I think if it was more complicated I wouldn’t have been able to pay as much attention to things like form, diet, sleep etc.

I agree, it’s a great routine for newbies to get going without being an overwhelming routine

 

[Test_Subject]

I agree, it’s a great routine for newbies to get going without being an overwhelming routine

Eh. It’s an adequate routine that’s easy to follow.

Greyskull Linear Progression is a much better program if you enjoy simplicity.

 

[OmL]

You can 100% gain size and strength simultaneously. You’re not going to min/max one or the other, but you can make great gains in both by focusing on hypertrophy for accessories and lower reps for the big 3 / compounds.

what do your shoulder workouts look like? I’d almost 100% attribute the initial growth to a high amount of AAS, though, since shoulders and traps have a lot of receptors…personally, mine blew up within 6-8 weeks of my blast. They’re my biggest body part now, besides my back.

Would you believe, my dedicated shoulder lift is a seated military press. They’re also hit during chest and back days, but my main shoulder compound movement is this.

 

[NovaFlex]

Would you believe, my dedicated shoulder lift is a seated military press. They’re also hit during chest and back days, but my main shoulder compound movement is this.

For sure. That’s what I’ve been doing a lot of lately. + Viking presses. I’d definitely add more tho…shoulders are important.

 

[Test_Subject]

For sure. That’s what I’ve been doing a lot of lately. + Viking presses. I’d definitely add more tho…shoulders are important.

I’d argue that if strength is your goal, standing OHP is almost crucial.

Z presses are pretty fantastic, too.

 

[Ridethelightningbarefoot]

Keep your shoulder and upper back work frequent. Makes a huge difference with every lift. I use strength system by the guy who trained hafthor. I pay a little bit of money but I get form checks and emailing.

 

[NovaFlex]

I’d argue that if strength is your goal, standing OHP is almost crucial.

Z presses are pretty fantastic, too.

100%. Especially strict. I’ve found tho, that if I supplement my OHP with Viking presses or seated presses, that it actually goes up long term. I feel I get more actual delt recruitment from the rigidity of the Viking press.

I learned this on accident cos my crisping is low in my basement and I kept hitting it doing OHP. Did seated for a while, went back to standing and it was stronger.

 

[NovaFlex]

Keep your shoulder and upper back work frequent. Makes a huge difference with every lift. I use strength system by the guy who trained hafthor. I pay a little bit of money but I get form checks and emailing.

This can’t be overstated. 1-2 back movements every single session when I’m a strength phase.