What routine next?

[Boost777]

What's up guys. I have just gotten into the powerlifting part of weights and just came off my first westside routine. I have to say I like it a lot, all of my lifts went up and I feel good. I was thinking about trying something else though, the bodybuilder in me feels like I need more of a mix. Also, I feel that one of my weakpoints in delts, and I was looking for a routine that doesn't neglect them as much as westside does. So does anyone have a routine that is more for both strength and size? I have done bb splits in the past, (upper lower, or push pull legs) but want something for both.

Current Stats RAW

Bench 295
Deadlift 450
Squat 375

Thanks.

[sborg]

Smolov and eating. Your stats are pretty close to mine, and I'm doing Smolov to get my squat up to 405. After that, find a good bench routine and do the Coan-Phillipi (sp?) deadlift routine. You'll be the strongest mofo on your block.

Or, you could be a coward and choose not to do Smolov.

[Danimal]

Why change anything if you made gains? I don't understand why people think it's necessary to change their routine, especially when it's working. If you want more bodybuilding type activity, add some higher rep assistance.

[rickhussey]

Westside isn't a rigid template like a lot of people think. The whole point of westside training is to make it your own. Train your weaknesses. If Westside is working for you then why stop? If you want to add in some shoulder work...than go ahead. Read some of the training logs on Elitefts.com. Nearly every lifter has adapted westside to their own weaknesses, needs, abilities, and training goals (raw/equipped).

I agree with Danimal: add some higher rep assistance

[Radok]

Just choose overhead presses for your bench assistance for a while, and boost you shoulder strength in the 10-12 rep range. That'll widen your shoulders for you while still helping your benching ability to some extent.

[Boost777]

Well the problem I had with westside is it didn't really do much for my bench, up went 10lbs in 2 months as opposed to 50lbs in SLDL, 60lbs in GM, 25lbs in Front Squat ect. I feel like my lower body is getting stronger while my upper body is lagging behind. For that reason I wanted to try something else where my body might respond better. Any suggestions for a routine? I was thinking of trying a 5x5 since I have yet to try that, any success stories with that?

[BIGMANL]

look up the Kennelly Method, awesome program

[Danimal]

You can't expect to gain as much on bench as you do on squat if your squat was low to begin with. 10lbs gain on bench in 2 months is pretty darn good, I'd take that. How long have you been lifting? Gaining what you did has less to do with the routine than it does with your experience level. Beginners will make great gains, as you get more experienced it gets harder.

[RipStone]

You can't expect to gain as much on bench as you do on squat if your squat was low to begin with. 10lbs gain on bench in 2 months is pretty darn good, I'd take that. How long have you been lifting? Gaining what you did has less to do with the routine than it does with your experience level. Beginners will make great gains, as you get more experienced it gets harder.

I agree. Your gains with bench are fine.

However, you could try switching out DE bench for RE bench. A lot of people seem to do very well with this slight modification of the standard Westside template. Check out this article by Jim Wendler...

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/repetition_work.htm