Icf 5x5 vs stronglifts. That being said, keep up the deficit but if you are having trouble with the volume then go down to 3x5. ICF vs SL 5x5. ICF is exactly the same as Stronglifts, except for the addition of accessory exercises. Apr 19, 2014 · Due to popular demand, we’ll be focusing our attention on Jason Blaha’s Ice Cream Fitness 5×5. If you're new, pick one, do it until it stops working (which will likely be in 2-4 months time) then move onto something else. If you are not eating to grow, don't bother with ICF. Stronglifts vs ICF vs Fierce 5 I've been doing the Stronglifts routine for three weeks now (starting week no. Stronglifts? (X-Post /r/gainit) So I started Starting Strength about 2 weeks ago, and I am really enjoying it compared to the 'bro splits' I was doing before with a friend. I'll be progressing with the main lifts using the SL progression plan (5x5 until 2 deloads, then 3x5 until 2 deloads, then madcow). Ice cream fitness is just Strong Lifts with body building accessories. I was attracted to it because it looked like it maximized strength progression and I like compound movements much more than isolation exercises. . I read about Ice Cream Fitness (ICF) after starting, but after looking at reviews, felt that ICF would be more time intensive than I could afford. Through diet and cardio I managed to downsize to 70kg in about 6 months. We’ll consider how it compares to Mehdi’s StrongLifts 5×5 and Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength. The biggest advantages of Stronglifts 5x5 are its simplicity and effectiveness. I personally like ICF for a 5x5 because it has more volume, a more rounded routine, and a greater focus on aesthetics. Aug 9, 2016 · I seriously recommend starting with Stronglifts 5x5 to perfect the form for the compound lifts, and then switching to ICF. Do Stronglifts 5x5 for the first few weeks, just to establish a routine. The biggest disadvantages of Stronglifts 5x5 are its lack of specificity and marketing. His biggest complaint seemed to be how strenuous the last two sets were nearing the end of the program, and he believes that 3x5 would have produced the same strength gains. 4 on Monday). ICF is basically stronglifts but it throws it all at you at once and imo has to much going on initially. Starting Strength vs. If you have the extra time and can handle the volume, and are eating to grow, do ICF. Were I to have enough time to devote 2 hours/workout 3-4 days/week, this would be a good routine and likely provide great hypertrophy. Oct 5, 2020 · Learn the differences between Starting Strength and StrongLifts 5x5, and how those differences will affect how much muscle mass you gain. It's a program similar to Stronglifts 5x5, but with some extra isolation exercises added on. Strong lifts? Hi I recently started ICF 5x5 after having fuckarounditis for about 2 years and I've also started to eat about 3500 calories a day. However, I feel like the three exercises that I do make my workout very short, and time is not an issue for me (Summer, not much to do really). Consistency is way more important at the beginning stages, and it's much easier to make time/not make excuses if you're starting out slow. I think ICF is a Stronglifts rip off with too much extra exercises added on and stupid programming. The results are solid with little injury risk. Ice cream fitness vs. This guy recently did a review on ICF 5x5. The simplistic way to describe it is SL 5x5 is more for power and strength, ICF is geared more for bodybuilding and looks (although both will get you looks, strength, and power) We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Meet Jason Blaha — originator of this 5×5 program. Oct 25, 2025 · I don't know much about ICF 5x5, but out of SS and SL, it doesn't really matter. Ice Cream Fitness. Learn everything about how the program works to maximize your results and achieve your fitness goals. Personally, I have done the program from 2014 to 2015 as an entry to the world of strength after running three marathons for consecutive years. Stronglifts 5x5 is one of the cookie-cutter programs with a linear progression that is designed especially for beginners who want to work with a barbell. I'll probably bulk for 12 more weeks on ICF 5x5, and then cut for 12 weeks using the ICF cut routine, and then move on to a hypertrophy routine. ICF 5x5 VS. You will get daily feedback on your progress and you exactly know where you stand. Regardless which one you which don't worry to much about the accessory work and focus on the compound lifts nail those down because every workout you'll do after ICF/SL whether its for power or aesthetics will have these lifts as a major Ice cream fitness (ICF) 5x5 review - 4 months progress About me: In october 2013 I was 18 years old, 175cm (5ft9) and weighed 106kg (233lb). Once your noob gains run out and you move to weekly progression, your training can include more accessory work. I'm 18 and 5'9 at 147 lbs and I'm wondering if ICF is actually better than stronglifts for gaining or not? Stronglifts 5×5: The Complete Guide to Building Strength and Muscle Discover the ultimate resource for Stronglifts 5×5, the proven strength training program to help you build strength and muscle.