Starting strength question

[MikeMadden96]

For my sets, should I break reps if I can or add weight for the next set and get 5 reps? On squat today I had 235 3x5 but went 245x6 on my last set and bench was 235x5 also but kept 235 for the first 2 sets but got 8 reps on the last.

[Nosje]

stick to the program that's not what the program tells you to do so don't do it.

[Pokarface]

For my sets, should I break reps if I can or add weight for the next set and get 5 reps? On squat today I had 235 3x5 but went 245x6 on my last set and bench was 235x5 also but kept 235 for the first 2 sets but got 8 reps on the last.

If you still have gas on your tank after 5 reps during your workout weight, you should increase the weight. I did SS while bulking.
By they way, Powerlifting squats, bp, and even sumo deadlifts are very different from the ones taught in the SS program

At first you'll notice nooB gains that's why you might be experiencing this happening to you, but after that, it'll be easier to determine you real 3 x 5

[DiggersNick21]

For my sets, should I break reps if I can or add weight for the next set and get 5 reps? On squat today I had 235 3x5 but went 245x6 on my last set and bench was 235x5 also but kept 235 for the first 2 sets but got 8 reps on the last.

Are you going below parallel? I am just curious because every guy supposedly doing SS at my gym does quarter squats then comes over to me and tells me he went from squatting 130 pounds to squatting 300 pounds, yet I literally just saw them do knee bends and not single squat was done.

Also how is SS working out for you. How is your deadlift progressing? Is it enough deadlifting 1x5, seems weird that it is so low, especially when Reg Parks, Bill star and all the other oldiess had more deadlift work and SS is supposedly a re-do of bills old ideas for a new generation.

[MikeMadden96]

why wouldn't I go for more reps or weight if I can? But yeah Diggers, most reps are below parallel when I ask my brother to let me know. I just started it because of back pain so it's my first week of feeling good. We'll see how it goes, I expect good things now that I'm about 100%..knock on wood

[Wmdrake93]

stick to the program that's not what the program tells you to do so don't do it.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. Blindly following a program is a good way to push yourself too hard and cause an injury. On a round of Madcow a year or so back, I had to take a 6 month break because I didn't want to cop out on my programs deadlift demands.

OP: since your issue is the weight being too light rather than too heavy, it gets a little iffy. On 531, I go to failure on 3 and 1 days. When I was doing starting strength, though, I found it way too easy to add weight on when the bar was too light, ultimately leading to me having to deload after a few days of pushing too hard.

In the end, I'd say add a bit of weight, but proceed with caution. Work on mastering that form, and be the guy at the gym who ACTUALLY squats. But remember it's better to hit an easy set of 5 when you COULD work to 8 than to break your body trying to hit a much heavier 5. Go slow, go steady, and listen to your body.

I hope this helped at all -- best of luck; hope you find all the gains you want and more.

[Nosje]

oh lawd please.

[Jasonk282]

Are you going below parallel? I am just curious because every guy supposedly doing SS at my gym does quarter squats then comes over to me and tells me he went from squatting 130 pounds to squatting 300 pounds, yet I literally just saw them do knee bends and not single squat was done.

Also how is SS working out for you. How is your deadlift progressing? Is it enough deadlifting 1x5, seems weird that it is so low, especially when Reg Parks, Bill star and all the other oldiess had more deadlift work and SS is supposedly a re-do of bills old ideas for a new generation.

You do understand that with deadlifts you don;t just load up the bar and pull that weight...you perform 3-4 warm up sets beofre you hit your working weight for that top set.

Deadlift
135 x 5 x 2
185 x 5 x 1
225 x 3 x 1
275 x 2 x 1
315 x 5 x 1 <--Work Set

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Program

[hydraulicglutes]

Stick to the program. You won't stall out as quickly if you follow the standard progression as opposed to making bigger jumps whenever you feel like it.

[isaku900]

there's a whole section of failures who suck at life on rip's forum, and the answer to why they failed and suck is YNDTP.

so do the program. as written.

[InspecktaDeck]

is this a roll bread?

[MikeMadden96]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. Blindly following a program is a good way to push yourself too hard and cause an injury. On a round of Madcow a year or so back, I had to take a 6 month break because I didn't want to cop out on my programs deadlift demands.

OP: since your issue is the weight being too light rather than too heavy, it gets a little iffy. On 531, I go to failure on 3 and 1 days. When I was doing starting strength, though, I found it way too easy to add weight on when the bar was too light, ultimately leading to me having to deload after a few days of pushing too hard.

In the end, I'd say add a bit of weight, but proceed with caution. Work on mastering that form, and be the guy at the gym who ACTUALLY squats. But remember it's better to hit an easy set of 5 when you COULD work to 8 than to break your body trying to hit a much heavier 5. Go slow, go steady, and listen to your body.

I hope this helped at all -- best of luck; hope you find all the gains you want and more.

Thanks this did help, more than some of the others. I'll see how it goes with me personally since everyone is different. If I'm having a good squat day, I'll go for another rep or 5 more pounds, not like as soon as I do what's not on the program I'm back to square 1. I'll definitely be cautious though because I don't want to hit a sticking point

[hammerfelt]

Do not add reps. You are not lifting for the moment, you are lifting for long term.

Adding more reps now will hinder your gains later.

The program is designed to cause stress. The stress is more weight on the bar than the last time the same lift was performed. You want this to last as long as possible as these will be the best gains you will ever make.

[isaku900]

Thanks this did help, more than some of the others. I'll see how it goes with me personally since everyone is different. If I'm having a good squat day, I'll go for another rep or 5 more pounds, not like as soon as I do what's not on the program I'm back to square 1. I'll definitely be cautious though because I don't want to hit a sticking point

...so ignore any advice that doesn't fit what you had already decided to do?

got it.

/thread