5 x 5, or 3 x 8 for mass?

I'm currently on Stronglifts 5 x 5 and have seen some gains on my chest, back, and traps, although delts seem to be a bit lagging.
 
I'm looking to add mass, and most things I read seem to point to 5x5 being mainly for strength, whereas 3x8 is aimed at mass building.
 
I know everyone will react to training differently, but is the above true in general, and if I did switch to 3x8 is it likely that I would still be using the same weight, and increasing it each workout as Stronglifts recommends?

stephec


I'm currently on Stronglifts 5 x 5 and have seen some gains on my chest, back, and traps, although delts seem to be a bit lagging.

I'm looking to add mass, and most things I read seem to point to 5x5 being mainly for strength, whereas 3x8 is aimed at mass building.

I know everyone will react to training differently, but is the above true in general, and if I did switch to 3x8 is it likely that I would still be using the same weight, and increasing it each workout as Stronglifts recommends?

I'd suspect you'd struggle to do 3x8 at the same weight for a little while, I suspect some of that is physical and some psychological as your body and mind have got used to resting after 5 reps.

like eggs says you will struggle to do the same weight but this is irrelevant as you are doing more reps. If you are training for mass i.e body building I think the best rep range is 6-12. Pick a weight you can do at least 3 sets of 6, each session try and do more reps in roughly the same time. When you can do 3 sets of 12 increase the weight. I also add a power set to the start of a muscle group when training and this will be in the 3-5 rep range 4-5 sets. So one lot of power sets, 2 lots of muscle 6-12 sets and then I might finish with a burn set per major muscle group, seems to be working for me at the min.

Don't believe in just using 1 set/rep range.
Use 5x5, 3x8 and 3x12.

Gains take time and dont come on over night.
If your training at 5x5 stick with it, the gains will come in both strength and size.
Don't expect too much too soon, train hard, make sure your diet is in check and results will come.

Too many people seem to think a set/rep range is geared more towards something than another. Mass, Strength, Endurance. The best thing you can do is to try them out, some people find great size gains from doing 8x1 or something, some 5x5, 4x6, 6-12. Some even get good gains from 12-15, 15-20. 
 
Like I say, you gotta find what works for you mate. Personally, routines like Stronglifts, have a lot of versatility, so adding in an isolation or 2 after the workout for lagging parts, wouldn't harm anyone. IMO.