I’m coming from a powerlifting background and just dipping my toes in here. In powerlifting, the point is to lift heavy weight. You do this by utilizing as quick a tempo as you can to take advantage of the stretch reflex. I’m trying to break the habit of doing this now with higher rep, bodybuilding type movements tat target individual muscles. In the interest of building time under tension. I have been using a 2-3 second eccentric on most exercises and trying to feel the mind muscle connection. I hope that’s what I’m supposed to be doing.

My question is this: For those of you who implement heavier compounds a the beginning of a workout to build overall strength, say sets of 5 on squats for example, do you use a slow or fast tempo?

I can see arguments in both directions. Using the fast tempo allows you more of a chance to get stronger, which will ultimately benefit your ability to lift more weight at higher rep ranges too. But it doesn’t give you as much time under tension as going more slowly would. Your leg extensions, etc later in the workout done at a slower tempo later in the workout would have to take care of that.