re: OT Workout crew: What am I doing wrong?

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Not to mention that 3-5 would be for strength

Anything less than five is power...

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No. The 5/3/1 is a strength building routine

How does power differ from strength? Power is built from the type of lifts you do.... You're trying to move weight in a rapid manner like with cleans.

Anything less than 5 is a strength oriented routine. If you're doing them quickly, that would be power.

Doing low reps is the definition of building strength. You're trying to move the heaviest weight possible

LINK

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The easiest way to do this is to adhere to a specific rep scheme. Naturally, when performing fewer reps, your muscle will be under tension for a shorter period of time and the weight will be closer to your maximum (and therefore building strength through neuromuscular training). On the other side, when completing a higher amount of reps your muscles will be under tension for longer, and the weight will need to a be a little further from your maximum to allow for the higher volume (and therefore building size through metabolic training). Here are the rep guidelines to follow for your specific training goals:

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Primarily training for strength is a goal that has few cons, especially if you are mostly satisfied with your current size. You can still gain small amounts of size, and you can vastly increase your strength in a short period of time if you train and recover properly. Be wary though. High intensity strength training is very taxing on the central nervous system, and overtraining can occur easily. If you want to train for strength, employ set/rep schemes such as 5x5, 6x4, 8x3 with high rest periods in between sets. Lift within 85% of your 1RM at 5 reps, and increase the percentage as you decrease reps.

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And while they aren't perfect rules or explanations, it covers the basic principles

For those that train purely for stength what is your motivation? Do you you just not really care about aesthetics? I always wondered this seeing guys in the gym whose strength is very impressive but they are basically fat with a big arms.

you are asking what are the benefits of gaining muscle?

so you're asking why there are fat guys in the gym with big arms?

look at my ribs mate, do i look fat?

Wow. A picture from what eight years ago? That picture looks very serious doesn't it?

I don't want to derail everyone from giving Lester a hard time, but I have a question.

I've been working on weight gain, using IIFYM and totalling about 3,000 calories a day. Not seeing the results I was hoping for after a few months.

Obviously the answer is increase the caloric intake, but I have been eating clean and I can't imagine bumping up another 500-1,000 calories a day with the foods I'm eating. Not to mention the cost per week for me to go to the grocery store.

So what would the workout gurus here recommend stocking up on in the kitchen? TIA

just put some hemp seeds in your smoothie

Current diet is flexible, but again falls into IIFYM. I'm currently at 120g fat, 320g carbs, 160g protein. The carbs is what is tough because I'm doing my best to eat as many "good" carbs as I can over "bad" carbs.

Gained five pounds over the last 6 months.

And here's where I'm sure everyone will hate on me, but I'm in the gym 5-6 days a week doing crossfit. Yes I know many people will say stop doing that and do something else, but for my personality and fitness knowledge, it works for me. And by works for me, I mean it is the only program I've ever found that I actually enjoy and will commit to long term. When im in the gym on my own I am the first to admit I feel a little lost. I used to run as well (did the Boston marathon last year. Yeah, subtle brag but that shite hurt so I earned it ) but that tends to get cut out during the winter in New England.

I've always had a fast metabolism. There are pros and cons to it, so not complaining but it is a hurdle for me.

I'm 5'11" currently 158 lbs. BMI last it was checked is at 15.2%.