80 reviews for 5/3/1 Building the Monolith

5/3/1 Building the Monolith (BtM) was created by Jim Wendler, world renowned powerlifter and coach. BtM is designed for advanced athletes with many years of consistent training under their belt.

To learn more about Jim's famous 5/3/1 training philosophy, be sure to check out his 5/3/1 Forever book, which collects all of Jim's thinking on 5/3/1 training methods. Go to www.jimwendler.com to learn more.

5/3/1 BBB is free on Boostcamp App. Also check out 5/3/1 for Beginners or 5/3/1 Boring But Big, which are also free on Boostcamp.

Read the full 5/3/1 program guide below.

4.34 / 5

JackedRN

Man, 51
a day ago

3 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

50 year old trying 5/3/1 for first time. Not a bad program. Like the volume. Only changes were home gym type changes otherwise leave it intact.

Owen F.

Man, 38
6 days ago

5 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

More than expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Great

Erko Kiuru

Man, 38
a month ago

3 weeks complete

2 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

More than expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Very good program

Chris S.

Man, 35
a month ago

3 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Swap out face pulls

Stefan H.

Man
2 months ago

3 weeks complete

6 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

More than expected muscle gains

Significant modifications

Second run of Bram, swapped out bench for more overhead pressing, zercher's instead of regular squats and swapped one set of face pulls with rows. The volume and intensity on the accessories with this program is great to make some good improvement on both conditioning and muscle.

Jacob Lockwood

Man, 46
2 months ago

3 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

No modifications

Great program absolutely recommend just keep grinding through and you'll see results

Tim H.

Man, 50
2 months ago

5 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Good program to run every now and then to change things up and break plateaus. I'll probably run it again in 3 to 6 months.

Michael B.

Man, 46
3 months ago

3 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

No modifications

I felt like this is a good program if you want to level up you strength. You really have to go all in and bust your ass. Eat right and get rest.

Man, 41
3 months ago

4 weeks complete

3 years of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

More than expected muscle gains

No modifications

One of the more challenging programs I've tried. 100 chin ups/ dips were difficult but I got better at it. Will transition to another 5/3/1 program after 6 weeks. Make sure to eat in a surplus.

iheb mrabet

Man, 27
4 months ago

3 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

Less than expected strength gains

Less than expected muscle gains

No modifications

This Program is not fit for Powerlifting, it has high reps, this is calisthenics or CrossFit program not for powerlifting