Why are some of the beginner program so stuck on 5 reps? It doesn't make any sense. A general principle of training is to start with less intense exercises and increase intensity. Obviously, you can use light weight for 5 reps, but why? Why would you do that?

It's interesting, because if you look at what any successful coaches of actual sports tasked with long term development of athletes -> they use higher repetition ranges for beginners.

This holds true in the entire soviet sports science model. Interestingly, when long time american coach and expert on soviet training methods explains where the 5x5 method came from: to paraphrase: "I knew the coach. I asked him. He said "it just sounded good"".

We don't want to just jerk off to superior soviet sport science, so lets look succesful american coaches in a variety sports. Charlie Francis believed in using body building methods for beginners to build the athletic frame. Chris Sommer, former? head of the American Junior National Gymnastics team heavily relies on bodybuilding methods with high rep ranges for beginners (many sets, high reps, low rest periods, moderate tempo, stretching inbetween sets). Seriously, do the Gymnastics Body program - you will get an incredible pump. Dave Tate, former powerlifter recommends similar high repetition training for beginners.

So, how well memed did you get /fit/? I get pretty well memed when I first came here ~10 years ago.

It's not that it doesn't work, anything with any kind of reasoning will work when it comes to strength training. But, why? Why settle for something that is inferior.