Is my progress so far normal? I am not increasing much on bench press.

[speedpigeon]

I'm 20, 5'7 and 8 stone 9 and have been lifting weights for about 2 1/2 months. I was just barely 8 stone before i started lifting, but i would attribute the weight gain to medication i have been taking. I am taking advantage of the weight gain because lack of it turned me off lifting before.

I usually work with what i can, at home. I picked up serious mass and take 1 scoop before and after. I know it looks and tastes like **** but it must be working(if you have a better suggestion, let me know). For example.

I was mostly focusing on strength training for most of this, so 5x5. Heavy weights and less reps, more rest. Let me know how far i can get with this.


--
Bench went from 30kg(5x5) to 35kg(5x5).. very slow. I can notice the 30kg is fairly easy now, and i can feel the 35kg is getting easier. But it still seems slow, in over a month, you'd think i'd be benching a lot more. I make sure my form is good, bar all the way down to the chest, up, pause and back down again. I do feel i am lifting 100 tons near the end of the last 2 sets but this is what i want. I hear people should naturally be able to lift their body weight.

Sitting dumbell curl, i have increased from 12.5kg(5x12) to 17.5kg(5x5) on right arm. The left arm is significantly weaker, i can barely do a 5x5 on left arm on 15kg and it's a huge struggle, but i manage it. If i am having a bad day, i'll usually take out the 15kg for right arm too.


Next up, dips on a pair of 2 scaffolding holders. 5x5, my shoulders/triceps get a burst of pain right after i release all tension and finish the set, but it rapidly subsides. I figure this is normal?

Next, i'll see how many chinups i can do. Not many, mostly 5-6 in a row, then very little. I have been finding these hard.

finally, I have been trying to get some size/burn on my arms. I know strength training doesn't give you sore arms, but i thought i would throw in 5x12 of 15kg barbell curls.


Is this enough to get me any progress? So far i have noticed definition on my upper body but i would expect that after 2 months, coming to 3 months, i should definitely be benching more, at least 5x40kg, but right now 40kg is a little intimidating for me. I could probably do a few but i'd need someone nearby, thanks.

[davisj3537]

You'd have done much better using a proper routine. Go look at the sticky threads in the workout program section and pick one.