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Praetorian 5x5
Beginner–IntermediateFree

Praetorian 5x5

Unleash your inner warrior with Praetorian 5x5: a 12-week journey to strength and power, tailored for everyday athletes in your garage gym.

Will P.
Will P.· Jan 2026
4athletes running this program
Free on iOS & Android

Overview

Length
12 weeks
Days / week
3 days
Level
Beginner, Intermediate
Goal
Athletics, Muscle, Strength
Equipment
Garage Gym
Session length
60 min
**Praetorian 5x5** is a comprehensive 12-week program designed for beginners and novices looking to build strength and muscle through a proven 5x5 training method. With 36 workouts scheduled over the duration, each session focuses on foundational lifts such as squats, deadlifts, and incline bench presses, ensuring you develop a solid base in athletics, bodybuilding, and powerlifting. Expect to spend about 60 minutes per workout in your garage gym, using minimal equipment to maximize efficiency and results. Get ready to challenge yourself and achieve your fitness goals with this structured and effective training plan! Training tips: Start with just an empty barbell for all main 5x5 lifts. Then add only 5lbs each workout to your lifts. If you have any background in lifting, the feel free to start with 95 lbs for the deadlift. I know this is too light but just trust the process. The main lifts will feel like a warmup for weeks/months, but starting light will help you build the habit of showing up to the gym and going through these movements. You will become a lifter and you won’t get discouraged by missing a ton of lifts or crushing your CNS with too heavy training. By the time you’ve run through this program twice, you will be moving some serious weights. Trust the process, build a lasting fitness habit, and develop flawless technique. The gains will follow. If you fail to reach you 5x5 prescribed reps in a workout then use the same weight in the next workout when you perform that lift. If you fail three workouts in a row at that weight, then drop the weight by 10% and keep running the program. For the accessory work, stay within the rep range and only add weight once you hit all reps for the top rep range for all sets of the exercise. Then add 5lbs and start back at the bottom rep range and work your way back up again. Have fun, get strong, and get a good pump. Eat plenty of Whole Foods and prioritize protein. Walk 8,000 steps per day and rest 2 days between weeks. If you miss a workout then don’t panic. Hop back on the program and pick up where you left off. Virtus tecum sit!

Who it's for

Beginners new to structured strength training
Athletes focused on gaining both size and strength
Athletes who can train 3 days per week
Athletes who train in a garage gym (barbell, rack, and basic free weights)

Muscle engagement

Front
Back
Upper Back
11.3%
Abs
10.9%
Triceps
10.9%
Front Delts
9.9%
Glutes
8.9%
Hamstrings
8.2%
Quadriceps
7.5%
Lats
7.5%
Middle Delts
5.5%
Chest
5.5%
Biceps
4.1%
Rear Delts
3.8%
Adductors
3.4%
Forearms
2.4%
Lower Back
0.3%
Week 1 Workouts
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)55 reps
2Overhead Press (Barbell)55 reps
3Deadlift (Barbell)15 reps
4Dip (Bodyweight)36–10 reps
5Wide Grip Lat Pulldown38–12 reps
6Rear Delt Fly (Dumbbell)315–25 reps
7Bicep Curl (Barbell)38–12 reps
8Leg Raise (Captain's Chair)38–15 reps
9Pull Through (Cable)210–15 reps
10Ab Wheel26–10 reps
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)55 reps
2Incline Bench Press (Barbell)55 reps
3Barbell Row55 reps
4Pull-Up (Bodyweight)36–10 reps
5Tricep Pushdown (Cable)310–15 reps
6Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)312–20 reps
7Cable Crunch310–15 reps
8Face Pull215–25 reps
9Farmer's Walk (Weighted)21 min
#ExerciseSetsReps
1Squat (Barbell)55 reps
2Incline Bench Press (Barbell)55 reps
3Barbell Row55 reps
4Pull-Up (Bodyweight)36–10 reps
5Tricep Pushdown (Cable)310–15 reps
6Lateral Raise (Dumbbell)312–20 reps
7Cable Crunch310–15 reps
8Face Pull215–25 reps
9Farmer's Walk (Weighted)21 min

Weeks 2–12 are in the app

Download Boostcamp to follow the full program with auto-progression and built-in coaching notes.

Common questions

Yes, Praetorian 5x5 is completely free to follow on Boostcamp. Download the app on iOS or Android, find the program, and start your first workout immediately. All 12 weeks are fully unlocked.

This program is built around a garage gym. Make sure you have consistent access before starting, since the progression model assumes you can perform the same movements week over week.

Each session typically takes around 60 minutes to complete. That estimate covers your working sets but doesn't account for warm-up or rest between sets, so budget a little extra time when you're first learning the movements.

Praetorian 5x5 is structured around 3 training days per week, with rest days built in to allow for recovery. The Boostcamp app lets you reschedule sessions if your week doesn't go to plan.

The program runs for 12 weeks. The structure is designed so that each week builds on the last, with weights, volume, or intensity progressively increasing as you go.

Praetorian 5x5 is available inside the Boostcamp app, free on iOS and Android. Once you download the app, you can search for the program by name. The app tracks all your sets and weights automatically, so you always know exactly what to do next session.

Get started

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