"Full body workout" program?

I'm planning on switching things up from my current 4-day split to a full body workout. My question is, are the major compounds enough for strength/size gains? For example, I hear bench referred to as a strength builder, but flies as a size builder.

The major compounds I know are: Squat, Deadlift, Flat Bench, Seated Row, Shoulder Press, and Lat Pulldowns. Is a solid full-body workout just those exercises 3x8? I feel like that couldn't possibly work my muscles as hard as, say, my current chest/tri day, which would include flat/incline/flies/dips/whatever else I do on that day.

I've tried Googling for things like the Rippetoe 5x5 but the only things I found seemed too complex with all kinds of set/rep changes and weight % calculations for each set. And after all that, I still don't know what 5x5 refers to...5 sets of 5 exercises? Or 5 sets of 5 reps?

I've tried Googling for things like the Rippetoe 5x5 but the only things I found seemed too complex with all kinds of set/rep changes and weight % calculations for each set. And after all that, I still don't know what 5x5 refers to...5 sets of 5 exercises? Or 5 sets of 5 reps?

Monday
Squat 5x5
Bench 5x5
Barbell Row 5x5
Assistance:If you have extra time and want to push out something extra 2 sets of weighted hypers and 4 sets of weighted sit-ups

Wednesday
Squat 5x5 a little lighter than the other days.
Incline or Military 5x5
Deadlift 5x5
Assistance: If you have extra time and want to push out something extra 3 sets of sit-ups

Friday
Squat 5x5
Bench 5X5
Barbell Row 5x5
Assistance:If you have extra time and want to push out something extra 3 sets of weighted dips (5-8 reps), 3 sets of barbell curls and 3 sets of triceps extensions (8 reps)


If i were you I would rock the 5x5 work out plan and just simplify it. I used it for a little longer than 6 months and it was great. Don't worry about the numbers. Just keep everything recorded so that the next week you go in you are lifting a little heavier than the week before, even if by the slightest margin. And if you can only do four reps on the fourth set and 3 reps on the fifth set that means you're right where you should be with weight.

3 sets of 5 just doesn't seem like it will wear me out. I'll give it a try today and see how I feel after.

it will if you do enough weight

Tried this out this morning and you are all correct. I upped my weight from my 3x8 sets and I feel pretty good about my workout. I think I will stick with this for a while and see what happens.

if you can complete all the sets, you're supposed to up the weight something like 2.5% each workout

when you hit the point where you can't finish the last set (or two, maybe), try the same weight next workout, and if you don't finish, then drop it 10%, and go from there