Need some advice...

[bubs]

So, I've been lifting for about 7-8 months now, going 3 times a week religiously. Started with the Bill Starr 5x5 in the FAQ, then tried out the push/pull/squat (unsuccessfully, b/c my strength kept going down every week when i did this), maybe a couple weeks of 10x10s, then the routine in Starting Strength.

Results have been all right. I had trouble squatting 135 for 10 reps in the beginning and now can do a set of 5 with 205-215, no problem, and even did 275x2 with a belt (don't laugh i know it's not much). But i've been stuck here for a while, i just can't do 225 for 5x5 comfortably.

Also it's important to note that my speed (coming up from the squat) is a lot slower than i wish it was. It seems like the speed's almost the same at 175 and 225. I just don't have any explosiveness.

so basically, help! I've looked at Rippetoe's advanced novice and intermediate chapters in practical programming. Should I do the Texas method or the intermediate bill starr method, or what? 20-rep squats? i have chicken legs and although i'm not a bodybuilder wouldn't mind chunkier legs.

Also I'm going to go to an oly-lifting gym, mainly to learn the movements cause i've never done it before. and i thought it would be a good idea to learn this more complicated exercises properly. If I go 2-3 times a week, could I still incorporate a 5x5ish routine on the other days? I'm supposing it'll be okay because the oly-lifting will probably be done with really lightweight for a long time.

Any help appreciated!

 

[MatterOverMind]

How's your diet? Are you getting enough rest?

 

[bubs]

I'm definitely getting enough rest. 8-9 hours.

As for diet, I've really lately cut down on the carbs. No potatoes, try to avoid white rice, no bread, etc. But I eat as much as I can throughout the day, lots of meat, fish, fruits, veggies, nuts. Although I still feel hungry all the time.

 

[bubs]

Did i just answer my own question right now?

Do I need lots of carbs? I don't really do endurance type things.

 

[bubs]

I mean, I still eat some carbs, but only after lifting and stuff.

 

[Prokofievian]

I mean, I still eat some carbs, but only after lifting and stuff.

You need carbs. Yay for Oly-lifting! If I were you I'd give 'er on the Oly lifting, and give the power-lifting stuff a bit of a rest. It's important to develop all attributes of strength, being maximal, explosive, and speed strength. Excessive development of one, will inhibit the other, but managed development of all the attributes will help you acheive higher success in all of them.

 

[Mark Limbaga]

You need to de-load your CNS. try doing EDT for about 8 weeks then re test your 5rm

 

[DEVILsSON]

Let me ask you why you deviated from the 5x5 in the FAQ? One problem many new lifters have is jumping from program to program....constantly trying to find another more glitzy program....find 1 program that works and work your butt off for a year....most people do not need all this unnecessary periodization complications or program jumping.....unless you're an lite athlete you can pick a program and if you're making gains then stick with it...

You need carbs...period...a lot....i mean a lot...i'd guess 3-4:1 ratio of carbs to protein in fact...just dont make them garbage....complex carbohydrates generally are far superior....and although they are a bit harder to get down...(extra fiber, nutrients...you know all the healthy things about healthy food)...but forcing yourself to eat more is half the battle in building strength and muscle...

Dont forget about your healthy fat intake...I bet you can probably double it and still will probably be under what you may need...

Also make sure your form is good...you may have went up in weight but you may have also started squatting higher...as many newbies tend to do...

 

[Mark Limbaga]

Let me ask you why you deviated from the 5x5 in the FAQ? One problem many new lifters have is jumping from program to program....constantly trying to find another more glitzy program....find 1 program that works and work your butt off for a year....most people do not need all this unnecessary periodization complications or program jumping.....unless you're an lite athlete you can pick a program and if you're making gains then stick with it...

You need carbs...period...a lot....i mean a lot...i'd guess 3-4:1 ratio of carbs to protein in fact...just dont make them garbage....complex carbohydrates generally are far superior....and although they are a bit harder to get down...(extra fiber, nutrients...you know all the healthy things about healthy food)...but forcing yourself to eat more is half the battle in building strength and muscle...

Dont forget about your healthy fat intake...I bet you can probably double it and still will probably be under what you may need...

Also make sure your form is good...you may have went up in weight but you may have also started squatting higher...as many newbies tend to do...

Most people have some gym ADD and always think they need some sort of fancy routine to get them the results but forget that the basics will get them there faster.