(30min)
What 5-5-5-5-5 mean? Understanding different weightlifting prescriptions

5-5-5-5-5, 3-3-3-3-3, etc.

In this classic CrossFit prescription, you will both hit a max, as well as get volume in.  For this workout, we want to hit the given number of challenging sets while building to a max.  We consider "challenging" to be anything above 80% of your given max/repetition max for the day.  In the video example, the day’s workup was 95-135-165-185-200, with 200 lbs being the day’s max.  Since 95lbs and 135lbs are less than 80% of 200, we would not consider those challenging sets.  So the athlete would still have to complete 2 more challenging sets to complete the day’s volume.  We recommend dropping 10% off the bar for those final sets so you can reinforce good technique and finish with some "near perfect" sets.

Conversely, if the athlete has hit 95-135-165-175-185-195-205 and found that 205 was the heaviest they could go, then they would be done for the day, since 165, 175, 185, and 195 are all within 80% of 205.  As for which of these workups would be more ideal, reference this video on working up to a max.

https://youtu.be/sXFjchWQ4uE