5x5 Workout - Madcow & Reg Park Reviews

Madcow default math is off.

LocalRocks

The system doesn't properly calculate the weight for each set in accordance with the rules of the program you choose. You can make manual adjustments to get it in the vicinity of the correct progression from set to set, workout to workout and week to week, but a big part of the draw to any app is the assumption that it's going to do what's on the tin--in this case, know the basic mathematical progression of the program and use your 5RM to calculate what you should lift for each set. From the very first lift, it's clear the app wasn't built to do that, which is to say that it's not all clear what it's good for.

Madcow calculations are wrong

Chileconjefe

I downloaded this to track my progress with Madcow. Immediately after I enter my 5 rep maxes I go to start my squat set and the amounts it wants me to do are not near what they should be based off my 5RM. Not sure about other exercises, but the day 1 squat has wrong percentages. App has potential, but is completely useless to me right now.

Percentages off

Fedor..

Madcow is wrong, had you matching your 5x5 in week 12 instead of 4. No option for advanced lifters. It might be a good app if it did what it said it would.

Exercise #3 Missing ‘repeat’ option

ARose2011

For exercises #1&2, if I can’t lift the heaviest weight, a message pops up asking me if I want to increase next time or repeat next time. For exercise #3 this message never pops up. It goes straight the to “workout completed” message even if I had lowered my weights or couldn’t complete the rep. As a result my suggested deadlift weights have progressed 10-15 lbs beyond what I am currently able to lift and I am having to alter my weights every time. Add the functionality for the ‘increase or repeat’ messaging on exercise #3.

It needs to be tweaked... a lot

BPipez

The app doesn’t really follow the Madcow spreadsheet very well. The percentages and weights can be off by anywhere from 10-35 lbs depending on the exercise. When you try to adjust to the correct weights it, will switch it back to the wrong weight sometimes if your screen dims or if you check the plate calculator. Another issue is that there isn’t a feature for de-loading, whether that comes from plateaus or failure to complete the set. While I do like being able to track my progress, I think the app should be able to sync up with either the health tracker on the phone or another app such as My Fitness Buddy. The app needs to be revamped or updated or tweaked in a major way.

4 weeks in

jaysundiego

After upgrading to pro and using it for four weeks for Madcow, it’s ok. I’d like these fixes: 1. After your screen locks on iPhone the app restarts, you navigate three screens to get back to your workout. Annoying when you finish a set and have to keep finding where you were at. 2. You can’t use the plate calculator when the rest timer is running. That’s when you need it, between sets. 3. I tried to login from a different phone with no luck. I previously used SL 5x5 pro

Makes it easy to add weight training

older man John

I don’t use this program as my only form of exercise but use it to supplement my overall training goals. This is not the best powerlifting program, but, it can get you to be consistent with your training. Throw in a couple of AMRAP sets at the end of your bench or squats and set the number of weeks for the cycle at 4 or 6. This will allow you to reset your 5 rep Max’s and make some great gains. Also, bench each time, do not miss your bench on the middle workout each week

Autoplay ads on a workout app? Really?

Mmmmmiiiiikkkkkeee

App has autoplay video ads that force stop music. These are always awful but if there was ever an app to never use them it’s a workout app where 90% of people are going to be playing music. Calculations are also broken for madcow and doesn’t track properly on the last lift of the day if you don’t complete and want to stick on the same weight for the next week.

Link with Apple Health

3U1

As a longtime user of StrongLifts 5X5 I wanted to add some variety to my workouts. The app seems to be good for incorporating variations of 5x5. I would like to see the ability to link with apple health as I generally use my Apple Watch for tracking certain data points such as workout time and calories.

Madcow template is incorrect

Jedi Eli

The Madcow template is terrible. The percentages are not correct and doesn’t follow the logic of an intermediate program.

5x5 Workout - Madcow & Reg Park Reviews – Page 3