resetting & transition to advanced novice

[banderbe]

Hi Coach,

I got my squat up to 270 and then "stopped doing starting strength" because I dropped calories to lose a little fat. I dropped volume down as well, doing only one set of each exercise at each workout, but maintaining intensity.

I did that for one month and then when I was ready to start increasing strength again, I reset all my lifts by 10% and began increasing linearly again at each workout. Also I went back to eating big (3600kcal / day, 200+ grams of protein)

Now I reached 265 on the squat again on Monday. I failed the last rep of the third set, so today I tried again with 265, and this time I missed the last rep in the second set, and the last two reps in the last set. So it appears I am regressing somewhat. I also missed the last rep of my overhead press today. I feel I am nearing the end of my beginners phase.

Reading PPST, I see that I am in the second scenario you describe on p. 160. If I reset my weights again by 10% and lower the volume as described, when should I introduce the 'advanced novice' modifications you describe? Do I wait until I am back at the weight I stalled at, or do I begin with the advanced novice routine as soon as I drop 10% from the lifts?

Also I asked this on another thread but to save you the trouble if you see this post first, does the advanced novice modifications leave the squat at three sets, or five like a more intermediate routine?

Thanks!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Go ahead and do it now. Leave the works sets at 3 across.