How to Customize Sets & Reps

Stronglifts makes it possible to customize how many sets and reps you do, as well as the type of sets and reps.

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Go to Programs > Sets/Reps
3. Tap an exercise
4. Change the sets/reps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are straight sets?

Straight sets use the same weight on every set.

For example, 5x5 225lb. You do five sets of five reps with 225lb. Like this:

• Set 1: 5x225lb
• Set 2: 5x225lb
• Set 3: 5x225lb
• Set 4: 5x225lb
• Set 5: 5x225lb

Stronglifts 5x5 uses straight sets. They limit how heavy you can go. If you take the first set to failure, you can't lift the same weight again for four more sets. You would have to lower the weight to avoid failing reps. Straight sets are helpful for less experienced lifters as they prevent going too heavy too soon. This keeps the focus on learning proper form which is more important when starting out.

What are ramp sets?

Ramp sets use progressively heavier sets using the same number of reps.

For example: 5x5 225lb ramp sets with a 10% set interval would look like this:

• Set 1: 5x135lb
• Set 2: 5x155lb
• Set 3: 5x185lb
• Set 4: 5x205lb
• Set 5: 5x225lb

Madcow 5x5 uses ramp sets. You can lift about 10% more weight because you only need to do one heavy set. This is not a good idea for less skilled lifters. Their form is more likely to break down when lifting weights closer to their max. But it allows more experienced lifters to train at a higher intensity because the heaviest set doesn't need to be repeated. It's psychologically also easier to approach a workout when you know you only need to have to do one heavy set.

What are top/back-off sets?

Top/back-off sets use one heavy set followed by several lighter sets.

For example, 5x5 225lb with 10% back-off would look like this:

• Set 1: 5x225lb
• Set 2: 5x200lb
• Set 3: 5x200lb
• Set 4: 5x200lb
• Set 5: 5x200lb

Top/back-off sets allow you to lift the heaviest weights. Unlike straight sets, you don't need to repeat the same heavy set for five sets. There's also no pre-fatigue like with ramp sets from doing gradually heavier sets before the top set. You warm up, do the top set, then lower the weight for the back-off sets.

Top/back-off sets are not recommended for new lifters because they shouldn't lift close to their max when starting out as that will result in their form breaking down. But they're great for the more experienced lifters to train at a higher intensity without the mental and physical fatigue of lifting the same heavy weight for five sets.

For more info, please read the complete guide on top/back-off sets.

How to apply the same sets & reps to several exercises at once?

You can quickly apply the same sets & reps to several exercises like this...

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Go to Programs > Workouts
3. Tap an exercise
4. Tap Copy Settings
5. Select the sets/reps and the exercises you want it to be copied to.

How do I remove a set?

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Tap Start Workout
3. Tap/hold a set
4. Select "remove set"

Please note that if you remove a set, you are changing the program. Say you do workout A Squats 5x5 225lb. You only do 4x5 225lb and decide to remove the last set. The next time you do workout A you will get 4x5 and not 5x5. You will need to add the set again if you want to go back to 5x5.

If you want to skip a set, simply leave it blank. Only log the 4x5 you did, and skip the last set. The next time you do workout A you will then get 5x5 again and the weight won't increase. The only time you should remove a set if you want to make a permanent change to your program.

How do I add a set?

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Tap Start Workout
3. Tap the + button behind the last set
4. If you don't see the + button, slide left on the set circles

Here too, adding a set will change the program. The next time you do that same workout, you will get the extra set. You will need to remove that set using the steps described above.

How do I reset to the default sets and reps?

You can reset all the pre-built Stronglifts programs to the default settings like this:

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Go to Programs
3. Reset the program to defaults
   1. iOS: tap the program, go through the screens again
   2. Android: tap the 3 dots next to the program, select setup, go through the screens again

This will reset the program back to the default settings. You should select the template and assistance work that you want (or skip the assistance). The weights will resume where you left off if you skip the "change weights" screen.

How do I set different sets & reps for the same exercise in different workouts?

Let's say you have two workouts A and B. In workout A you want to do Squats for 5x5. In workout B you want to do the same Squats but for 3x10. Here's how to set this up:

1. Open Stronglifts
2. Go to Programs > Sets & Reps
3. Tap the Squats in workout A and change the Sets & Reps to 5x5
4. Tap the Squats in workout B and change the Sets & Reps to 3x10

The sets & reps will now be different in each workout that you do Squats.