Transition to intermediate

[Matt Nieveen]

Male 5’6.25” 185 lbs 32 years old
Squat 340 x 5
Dead 400 x 5
Bench 242.5 x 5
Press 150 x 5
Clean 200 x 3

My last 2 bench sessions, I failed to complete 3 x 5 with 245 on my bench. Per the gray book that would call for a Monday lighter 5 x 5 and a PR Friday set of 5. The examples given are if everything stalled together. Do I only manipulate the bench but keep the same progression on everything else until they also stall? Or do I switch to 4 day split and manipulate everything? Or do I need to back off/build up? Or gain 15 more lbs (assuming this is yes)?

[Satch12879]

Go listen to the podcasts Nick did with Ray, as well as the webcast Nick did solo. There’s also an article Nick did about the transition to intermediate.

[Maybach]

Don't change anything that's working. Don't reduce pressing volume.

[Griffin727]

Male 5’6.25” 185 lbs 32 years old
Squat 340 x 5
Dead 400 x 5
Bench 242.5 x 5
Press 150 x 5
Clean 200 x 3

My last 2 bench sessions, I failed to complete 3 x 5 with 245 on my bench. Per the gray book that would call for a Monday lighter 5 x 5 and a PR Friday set of 5. The examples given are if everything stalled together. Do I only manipulate the bench but keep the same progression on everything else until they also stall? Or do I switch to 4 day split and manipulate everything? Or do I need to back off/build up? Or gain 15 more lbs (assuming this is yes)?

I would do both, get to 200 pounds and run a 4 day split. You could also do a HLM.
Your new goals at 200 need to be
Bench 275 for 5
Squat 405 for 5
Deadlift 465 for 5
Press 170 for 5

You have also hit a point were you will have to pick if you want to be a press focus or bench. Of course this doesn't mean forever. I prefer bench, but if my shoulders start acting ugly (have had surgery) I would press 2x and bench 1x a week.

[Cameron]

I’m also confused about how to program the bench when the other lifts are still progressing.

Is it suitable to micro load and make every second bench session a light bench day?

[Cameron]

I found an answer in this article:

Intermediate Programming for the Upper Body Lifts | Nick Delgadillo

Is it ok to run the compressed Texas Method on one of the upper body lifts and continue with NLP on the other?

[Maybach]

Correct: do not move lifts that are progressing to intermediate to intermediate programming until they need to be. That method works real good for upper body lifts: it's main benefit is it's a good way to increase pressing volume

[Griffin727]

I found an answer in this article:


Intermediate Programming for the Upper Body Lifts | Nick Delgadillo

Is it ok to run the compressed Texas Method on one of the upper body lifts and continue with NLP on the other?

So progess is being halted at bench, but not other lifts I take it. You can program intermediate for 1 lift and be a novice still at another. Example bellow
Monday
Bench 5x5
Squat 3x5
Power clean 5x3

Weds
Squat 3x5 off set 10 precent
Overhead press 4x5
Chin ups 3x to faliure

Friday
Squat 3x5 new pr
Bench 1x5 new pr
Deadlift 1x5 new pr

[Cameron]

Thank you. I’m curious - why is a light squat day included?

[Griffin727]

To practice the neurological pathways. While not adding accumulative stress.