Quick weight-lifting question...

8X3 = 5X5 pretty much. This rep scheme will take a little bit longer, but you'll end up in good form and you can use the same weight that you use with 5X5. 8X3/5X5 @80%+ allows for Myofibrillar Hypertrophy when performed with a calorie surplus. 3X3-5 @90%+ goes for maximal strength over size. The higher reps <80% (IE: 3X8-15) leads to sarcoplasmic Hypertrophy when performed with a calorie surplus. The higher reps have much more emphasis on size over strength though. After you decide what you want; you can then design a basic strength/hypertrophy program using the rep range you prefer the most. Weight and Rep manipulation is the key to whatever goal you want.

WORKOUT A: (Quad-Dominant + Horizontal Push/Pull)
Barbell Squats
Dumbbell/Barbell Bench Bress
Dumbbell/Barbell Bent-Over-Rows

WORKOUT B: (Hip-Dominant + Vertical Push/Pull)
Barbell Deadlifts
Weighted Dips
Weighted Chins

 

1-3 reps for strength.....3-6 reps for mass.......6 and over for definition....

 

3x3 or 5x5 seems to be working quite nicely for me.

 

:thumbsup

 

If you're going for a pure strength (3X3 program), I would recommend throwing in 3X50-Yard Dumbbell Farmers walk at the end of one of the days. It did wonders for me when I was in a strength phase.