What do you think?
Rate this book
Beyond 5/3/1: Simple Training for Extraordinary Results
This is a new chapter in training. Beyond 5/3/1 has all the tools you need to push the boundaries of strength, intensity, frequency and the quest for a new personal record.Beyond 5/3/1 will allow you to expand your training program to fit your goals and training style. This book has new templates and variations for every lifter that is looking for an edge. This book pushes the 5/3/1 program in every direction with one goal - to get stronger.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
314 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 28, 2020
This book is incredibly well reviewed and came highly recommended to me from a strength and conditioning coach who I have great respect for. However, many of the ideas in here seem to fly in the face of all the muscle growth and strength research that has come out in the past couple decades.
I think the problem is that first I read a strength training textbook (Scientific Principles of Strength Training by Dr Israetel and Dr Hoffmann), and then I subscribed to a strength training research review (MASS, by Eric Helms, PhD, and Greg Nuckols), and THEN I read this book. So I'm reading through it and realizin that it's just not scientifically correct… at all.
Now, don't get me wrong. This program has certainly proven itself effective by how many people it's helped. I don't doubt that it works. But most popular strength programs work. I don't want to read about a strength program that simply works, I want to read about the strength program that works better than any of the others. I want to find the BEST strength program. I'm not confident that this is the best strength program.
If you're into the science of lifting, you probably won't enjoy this book. I didn't.
If you want a simple program that works, I think you'll like it. I think it will help you gain strength.
If you want to learn about strength training, I think this is an essential read. I didn't like it, but I'm glad I read it.
I think the problem is that first I read a strength training textbook (Scientific Principles of Strength Training by Dr Israetel and Dr Hoffmann), and then I subscribed to a strength training research review (MASS, by Eric Helms, PhD, and Greg Nuckols), and THEN I read this book. So I'm reading through it and realizin that it's just not scientifically correct… at all.
Now, don't get me wrong. This program has certainly proven itself effective by how many people it's helped. I don't doubt that it works. But most popular strength programs work. I don't want to read about a strength program that simply works, I want to read about the strength program that works better than any of the others. I want to find the BEST strength program. I'm not confident that this is the best strength program.
If you're into the science of lifting, you probably won't enjoy this book. I didn't.
If you want a simple program that works, I think you'll like it. I think it will help you gain strength.
If you want to learn about strength training, I think this is an essential read. I didn't like it, but I'm glad I read it.
September 3, 2023
Beyond serves to expand on the original 5/3/1 program with a myriad of different templates. And that’s all. If you’ve read the original 5/3/1, there is little new information here to be gained. There are a couple of new concepts, First Set Last, Joker sets, etc. but those are buried under pages after pages of templates with little changes between them. One could spend the rest of their life going through these templates, but I’d have to ask why?
Nevertheless, the book was enjoyable and Wendler’s charm comes out and drew me in. He reminds me of a “gym bro” that I never had. Some of the things he say or nonsense, he may say others that are offensive, but still he has words of wisdom to gain. Only those who are brave enough, or as Wendler may put it, “man enough” should read this book or be satisfied with an average complacent life.
Nevertheless, the book was enjoyable and Wendler’s charm comes out and drew me in. He reminds me of a “gym bro” that I never had. Some of the things he say or nonsense, he may say others that are offensive, but still he has words of wisdom to gain. Only those who are brave enough, or as Wendler may put it, “man enough” should read this book or be satisfied with an average complacent life.
February 14, 2021
Book is nearly unreadable on kindle addition due to layout issues.
Save yourself $10
Take your 1RM, 90% is your training max.
Workouts have a main base exercise, Press,Bench,Squat, Dead
week 1 70% sets of 5
week 2 80% sets of 3
week 3 set of 5 at 65%, 3 at 75%, 1 at 90%
week 4 deload at 50-60%
The book then has multiple 5/3/1 variations, which is just running the basic 5/3/1 above and then doing whatever else you want every day. 10 sets of 10? Sure, pyramid singles up past your 1rm? 30 minutes of sled pulling? Sure
That being said, I have heard great things about 5/3/1 and plan on running it myself, however the book does little more than explain 5/3/1 and then gives the 50 different accessory exercises you could run along side it.
Save yourself $10
Take your 1RM, 90% is your training max.
Workouts have a main base exercise, Press,Bench,Squat, Dead
week 1 70% sets of 5
week 2 80% sets of 3
week 3 set of 5 at 65%, 3 at 75%, 1 at 90%
week 4 deload at 50-60%
The book then has multiple 5/3/1 variations, which is just running the basic 5/3/1 above and then doing whatever else you want every day. 10 sets of 10? Sure, pyramid singles up past your 1rm? 30 minutes of sled pulling? Sure
That being said, I have heard great things about 5/3/1 and plan on running it myself, however the book does little more than explain 5/3/1 and then gives the 50 different accessory exercises you could run along side it.
January 1, 2025
It's a pretty solid conservative percentage-based block training program. It's relatively adaptable and a "set it and forget it" sort of approach to training, good for intermediates and those who don't want to think too much about their training. He's dogmatic to a fault and doesn't really give you the tools to tweak your own training without kinda throwing his hands up in the air and saying, "This is America and I ain't your dad do what you want" so if you're looking for a good resource to teach you how to program for yourself or other athletes this isn't going to get you there but if you just want 12-24 months of straightforward programming there are worse options.
June 19, 2017
Another great strength training book to reference for the intermediates of the 5/3/1 program. You will definitely need to read his first book "5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System for Raw Strength" so you know the basics of the program.
September 24, 2019
No nonsense workout protocol
The author has a no nonsense approach, which is refreshing compared with the self proclaimed gurus on the internet.
Various templates are provided. Their usage is explained and the justification of their inclusion in the book.
The author has a no nonsense approach, which is refreshing compared with the self proclaimed gurus on the internet.
Various templates are provided. Their usage is explained and the justification of their inclusion in the book.
December 18, 2017
Quick afternoon read. Will revisit for actual training later. Still got some great ideas out of it.
November 5, 2019
Great book
Best program I’ve ever done, and I can actually stick with it. I will continue to train 5 3 1.
Best program I’ve ever done, and I can actually stick with it. I will continue to train 5 3 1.
August 26, 2021
This is a huge improvement on the classic 5/3/1 training methodology.
September 5, 2022
Excellent book! If 5/3/1 wasn't enough for you, there are a bunch of additional programs here for you to try out - all based around the 5/3/1 principles!
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
January 4, 2023
Great content; terribly organized.
December 20, 2023
How to make 531 turn into anything.
February 17, 2024
My scientific review:
Lift numbers go way up, book good
Lift numbers go way up, book good
April 18, 2021
5/3/1 - My training plan for 10+ years
5/3/1 has been the base of my training for over a decade now. Using Jim’s plans, I’ve hit PRs and been able to continue training even when life had other ideas. I also appreciate how Jim addresses many of the mental aspects of training, and dispels much of the fitness industry nonsense. If you like to train hard and have a life, 5/3/1 may be for you.
5/3/1 has been the base of my training for over a decade now. Using Jim’s plans, I’ve hit PRs and been able to continue training even when life had other ideas. I also appreciate how Jim addresses many of the mental aspects of training, and dispels much of the fitness industry nonsense. If you like to train hard and have a life, 5/3/1 may be for you.
March 13, 2017
5/3/1 + Boring But Big is a successful recipe
If you're looking for a simple, no nonsense approach to picking up heavy things and putting them down on a regular basis…This is your book.
If you're looking for a simple, no nonsense approach to picking up heavy things and putting them down on a regular basis…This is your book.
November 4, 2024
Wendler has always been clear that 5/3/1 is a philosophy rather than rules with the core tenants being: emphasis multi joint movements; start too light; progress slowly and Set PRs. This has nothing to do with the sets, reps and percentages of these programs.
Since the original some changes have been made. Wendler seems to prefer 3/5/1 (swapping weeks 1&2), not setting a rep max on week 2; going for two cycles before deloading; adding in back off sets (on some programs) aka first set last; building up to a 1rm for the day (on some programs) aka joker sets.
This book seems to be a lightly edited collection of blog posts which is 50% workouts based around 5/3/1 which mostly don't have an explanation as to why they've got changes. E.g. 5/3/1 Fatherland and 5/3/1 SVR are right next to each other, Fatherland is incorporating German Volume Training and SVR is a different method of doing a 1rm but there's no clear reason behind doing either other than you like the look of the numbers.
The goals section at least has an intended result to aim for, unlike most of the first few programs. This list of programs probably explains why so many people seem to get confused on the Internet about 5/3/1. When they try adding multiple variations (which the author doesn't recommend) switching exercises and running something completely different I.e. doing the 100reps but taking multiple sets to grt there and going to the gym 4 times per week as per other 5/3/1.
I'm still planning on running Boring But Big at some point and seeing if there's other variations that appeal to me afterwards but u less you buy into the philosophy 100% there's a lifetime worth of programming in the book without guidance to figure out which one you do.
Update 4.11.24 I was rereading because I'm planning on BBB for December and glad I did because I had misunderstood Joker Sets (not always a single rep) but it also seemed a little odd that most of the variations and accessories from the first book don't appear. The author also says he personally tries put all the variations but honestly there are so many and some being half year or full year it doesn't seem like he'd have enough time!
Since the original some changes have been made. Wendler seems to prefer 3/5/1 (swapping weeks 1&2), not setting a rep max on week 2; going for two cycles before deloading; adding in back off sets (on some programs) aka first set last; building up to a 1rm for the day (on some programs) aka joker sets.
This book seems to be a lightly edited collection of blog posts which is 50% workouts based around 5/3/1 which mostly don't have an explanation as to why they've got changes. E.g. 5/3/1 Fatherland and 5/3/1 SVR are right next to each other, Fatherland is incorporating German Volume Training and SVR is a different method of doing a 1rm but there's no clear reason behind doing either other than you like the look of the numbers.
The goals section at least has an intended result to aim for, unlike most of the first few programs. This list of programs probably explains why so many people seem to get confused on the Internet about 5/3/1. When they try adding multiple variations (which the author doesn't recommend) switching exercises and running something completely different I.e. doing the 100reps but taking multiple sets to grt there and going to the gym 4 times per week as per other 5/3/1.
I'm still planning on running Boring But Big at some point and seeing if there's other variations that appeal to me afterwards but u less you buy into the philosophy 100% there's a lifetime worth of programming in the book without guidance to figure out which one you do.
Update 4.11.24 I was rereading because I'm planning on BBB for December and glad I did because I had misunderstood Joker Sets (not always a single rep) but it also seemed a little odd that most of the variations and accessories from the first book don't appear. The author also says he personally tries put all the variations but honestly there are so many and some being half year or full year it doesn't seem like he'd have enough time!
November 27, 2014
Top notch program for intermediates and beyond. Far superior to the original 5/3/1 because there are far more options, something interemediate/advanced lifters need. The joker sets are ingenious and there are plenty of opportunities for the more advanced lifter to customize and tweak the programming even further.
This and Tactical Barbell are my baseline/go-to programs that are 100% reliable. I sometimes play with other programs, but invariably always return to my two old faithfuls.
One caveat. I would not recommend this version if you're a beginner. If you're a beginner start with the original 5/3/1. If you're a 'new' intermediate, also start with the original 5/3/1 first.
Bottom line, if you're past the beginner stage in the strength game, and you're looking for solid programming that WORKS and can be customized to fit your changing goals, then do not hesitate to read this and implement it. You will not be disappointed.
This and Tactical Barbell are my baseline/go-to programs that are 100% reliable. I sometimes play with other programs, but invariably always return to my two old faithfuls.
One caveat. I would not recommend this version if you're a beginner. If you're a beginner start with the original 5/3/1. If you're a 'new' intermediate, also start with the original 5/3/1 first.
Bottom line, if you're past the beginner stage in the strength game, and you're looking for solid programming that WORKS and can be customized to fit your changing goals, then do not hesitate to read this and implement it. You will not be disappointed.
December 6, 2014
Tried the original 531 and didn't do so well on it...tried a program out of this and had far more success. Just finished up tactical barbell program which is another 5 star. I seem to do better with more weekly frequency on the major lifts...which is maybe why my results are so much better with Beyond 531 or TB. Once a week per major lift with the original 531 wasn't the best approach for me. If you're like me and you respond to more frequency/volume...then Beyond 531 will probably work better for you than OG 531.
April 13, 2015
In my opinion this book and Tactical Barbell are the best strength training books currently available on the market, for some of the following reasons;
Effective long term strategies to build strength while avoiding plateaus/stalling.
Flexible - can be scheduled over 2 days, 3 or 4. Assistance lifts or exercises can be added or not depending on your goals.
Workouts are relatively brief
This is a huge improvement over the first 5-3-1. I recommend reading the orginal for context, but using this book for practice instead.
Effective long term strategies to build strength while avoiding plateaus/stalling.
Flexible - can be scheduled over 2 days, 3 or 4. Assistance lifts or exercises can be added or not depending on your goals.
Workouts are relatively brief
This is a huge improvement over the first 5-3-1. I recommend reading the orginal for context, but using this book for practice instead.
January 31, 2016
The original 531 did nothing for me, and I suspect it probably only works well for geared lifters. Thankfully, this one is a hundred times better. The templates in this book provide much needed volume that OG 531 was lacking. I just finished running Tactical Barbell's Base Building Block while using the 75/85 template from this book and I'm very pleased with my strength and conditioning improvements. Awesome combo.
December 8, 2014
My holy grail. Jim really takes the original 5/3/1 to a new level and provides you with extremely effective add-ons and ways to customize your program. There are a variety of new approaches that wi1l keep the serious lifter busy for years. I prefer this to the first 5/3/1, but I think you need to read the original to get a feel for the context of this one.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
September 30, 2015
Wendler's best work in my opinion, far superior to the original 531. I've been using the 70/80 template from this book coupled with Tactical Barbell 2 for conditioning. I wish I had this combo years ago. Both my strength and conditioning are increasing dramatically, and I look and feel like a million bux.
May 3, 2016
One of the best strength programs. Especially for people who are not in their prime or have a lot of injuries. I've always had a hard time exercising restraints on the weights or the intensity I use, so this program is perfect for me. I regret that I didn't find it (and the original 5/3/1) earlier.
November 8, 2018
Beyond 5/3/1 is truly a step-up from Wendler's first book. It contains everything the first one talks about and much more. I recommend this as the first read for anyone interested in the 5/3/1 principle. Nonetheless, the classic version is still worth skimming through!
November 30, 2015
An excellent book and a much needed upgrade to the original 531. I'd put it up there with Tactical Barbell and Tudor Bompa's periodization programs. Effective routines to fit most lifestyles and goals. An easy 5 stars.
December 15, 2015
You won't ever need another lifting book.
Wendler does it again. This time he provides a wealth of programs and variations--for just about anybody. "Make it work," he says. And with this book, you're out of excuses. Super thankful that I came across his work.
Wendler does it again. This time he provides a wealth of programs and variations--for just about anybody. "Make it work," he says. And with this book, you're out of excuses. Super thankful that I came across his work.
May 23, 2016
Offers tons and tons of good information about how to get strong. On the downside, feels like a bunch of forums posts thrown together. Also, I think Jim needs to buy some paper since he's always writing down his programming ideas on dirty napkins and kitchen walls.
January 17, 2017
5/3/1
The 5/3/1 programming method is easy to understand, and is presented in several different variations to fit the lifters goals/time available, and testicular fortitude.
Wendler's writing style and humor are straightforward and unapologetic.
The 5/3/1 programming method is easy to understand, and is presented in several different variations to fit the lifters goals/time available, and testicular fortitude.
Wendler's writing style and humor are straightforward and unapologetic.
July 14, 2013
Excellent book! If 5/3/1 wasn't enough for you, there are a bunch of additional programs here for you to try out - all based around the 5/3/1 principles!
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
October 8, 2013
Literally beyond 5/3/1. Enough programming for the rest of one's life, haha.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews