164 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.

4.35 / 5

Art H.

Man, 39
23 days ago

2 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

No modifications

GREAT. GRAND.

Brian M.

Man, 41
a month ago

2 weeks complete

1 year of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Worked great for me

Lawrence

Man, 45
a month ago

2 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Great program, used this to get back into lifting adter 5 years cyclung

Anonymous

Man
2 months ago

2 weeks complete

8 years of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

More than expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

The only additions to this program that I added were a set of triceps on bench day and a set of biceps on deadlift day. Great results. Really enjoy the simplicity of this program and the short amount of time in the gym.

Pierre F.

Man, 45
3 months ago

2 weeks complete

5 years of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Like the progression seems to be adding good strength 💪

Mitchell R.

Man, 22
3 months ago

2 weeks complete

1 year of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

No modifications

Had sweet gains while being inconsistent af, great program

TJ D.

Man, 26
3 months ago

2 weeks complete

2 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

No modifications

Structure and clear set target/goal for the day. Helps with long term consistency for many good reasons.

Chris A.

Man, 34
3 months ago

2 weeks complete

3 years of prior experience

More than expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

The only changes that I made was instead of doing the 5 x 5 I did five sets of 10 at the end of my 321 

Michael A.

Man, 20
3 months ago

2 weeks complete

3 years of prior experience

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

after running the first time through i feel a little beat up. make sure your recovery is on point and you take the plus sets seriously.

Moore M.

Woman, 15
4 months ago

2 weeks complete

As expected strength gains

As expected muscle gains

Marginal modifications

Didn’t like how there isn’t much variety of options/workouts