What level am I in?

[Lucas7474]

I am 18, 6ft at 220lbs and have been training for 1 year consistently. I feel all my lifts has stalled maybe because I was doing a peaking program. My lifts are, Bench 200lbs, Squat 300lbs, Deadlift 300lbs. I want to try a another powerlifting program but they are catergorised on different levels such as novice, beginner, intermediate and Elite. I am not sure which one I am under. What do you powerlifters think?

[WolfRose7]

novice.

[Lucas7474]

But people all say novice strength gains rapidly while I have plateaued.

[ECGordyn]

Try an intermediate program and see how you do.

Your DL is low compared to your squat and bench. That's probably a form issue.

What peaking program were you running?

[Lucas7474]

Try an intermediate program and see how you do.

Your DL is low compared to your squat and bench. That's probably a form issue.

What peaking program were you running?

Ivysaur 4-4-8 I was using. Not sure why my deadlift is so weak. I do have a lateral pelvic tilt, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

[WolfRose7]

Ivysaur 4-4-8 I was using. Not sure why my deadlift is so weak. I do have a lateral pelvic tilt, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

lack of hamstring work maybe, pretty common in cookie cutter programs
Most people respond better to low rep deadlifting as well and ivysaur is fairly high half the time.

If you want a change up I'd recommend either the bridge (3 day) by barbell medicine guys, or candito linear

[guledmully]

It’s kinda interesting Deadlifts are supposed to be 100 pounds more than your squat. Cuz I squat only 225 and deadlift 315. I guess it’s cuz I got long arms. I bench 185 for 4 reps... I haven’t tried my 1 rep max on it. I’m a novice like you but my squat is significantly lower. I bet you could do 405 but a lot of people fear the deadlift.

[utfootball4]

I am 18, 6ft at 220lbs and have been training for 1 year consistently. I feel all my lifts has stalled maybe because I was doing a peaking program. My lifts are, Bench 200lbs, Squat 300lbs, Deadlift 300lbs. I want to try a another powerlifting program but they are catergorised on different levels such as novice, beginner, intermediate and Elite. I am not sure which one I am under. What do you powerlifters think?

Stop fooling yourself - you are a novice and should be doing a true novice program. No matter what we say I know your next stop will be an elite program. Your lifts haven't stalled - try eating and sleeping more.... If you can't bench your bw and squat 2x bw please stay far away from any intermediate program.

[utfootball4]

I am 18, 6ft at 220lbs and have been training for 1 year consistently. I feel all my lifts has stalled maybe because I was doing a peaking program. My lifts are, Bench 200lbs, Squat 300lbs, Deadlift 300lbs. I want to try a another powerlifting program but they are catergorised on different levels such as novice, beginner, intermediate and Elite. I am not sure which one I am under. What do you powerlifters think?

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=454073

Read post 15 - do it 5x5!!!

[Rags85]

Those rankings are generally related to rate of progression rather than absolute strength. An elite person gains strength MUCH slower than an novice. So the rate of progression is super low of an elite program than it is for a novice program. You want to stay on the easiest program possible for as long as you can. Doing anything else will just slow your progression.

With that said, you don't know what you are yet if you only ran a peaking program. I'd recommend finding a novice program you like and go from there. If it becomes too hard to quick then switch to a slower more intermediate program.


Also, don't worry about lift ratios. Everyone is built different. Some people will deadlift a lot more than they squat. Some will squat way more than they deadlift.

[utfootball4]

Those rankings are generally related to rate of progression rather than absolute strength. An elite person gains strength MUCH slower than an novice. So the rate of progression is super low of an elite program than it is for a novice program. You want to stay on the easiest program possible for as long as you can. Doing anything else will just slow your progression.

With that said, you don't know what you are yet if you only ran a peaking program. I'd recommend finding a novice program you like and go from there. If it becomes too hard to quick then switch to a slower more intermediate program.


Also, don't worry about lift ratios. Everyone is built different. Some people will deadlift a lot more than they squat. Some will squat way more than they deadlift.

Sure, don't worry about ratios.... LOL

Don't take a smart bulb to figure out he's a true novice regardless what training program he has done... Where is he at now??? 300 squat and 300 deadlift - very low level numbers.

Don't turn this **** into aerospace engineering!!!

[NattyNoob]

I’m in a similar situation only I just finished my first week (3 days) in the gym since HS 15+ years ago. I’m currently looking for a workout routine based on my 1rm.

Bench 185
Squat 315
Deadlift 405

[utfootball4]

I’m in a similar situation only I just finished my first week (3 days) in the gym since HS 15+ years ago. I’m currently looking for a workout routine based on my 1rm.

Bench 185
Squat 315
Deadlift 405

Anything... Just train like a mad man...

[PhantomMaxx]

I am 18, 6ft at 220lbs and have been training for 1 year consistently. I feel all my lifts has stalled maybe because I was doing a peaking program. My lifts are, Bench 200lbs, Squat 300lbs, Deadlift 300lbs. I want to try a another powerlifting program but they are catergorised on different levels such as novice, beginner, intermediate and Elite. I am not sure which one I am under. What do you powerlifters think?

6ft @220lbs. Either you are carrying a lot of body fat or you are a novice. I wish I was still a novice so I can make gains weekly. Follow a novice linear progression program and focus on your form and the numbers will go up. Why would you do a peak program if you are not peaking for a meet? Slow and steady is how you make real progress. I'll do a 12 or 8 week peak program for a meet to maximize my numbers as my body weight drops.

[VIshvamithra]

Tough to say