What Numbers for Lifts are Normal for Moving to Intermediate?

[LeapingLeibniz]

I'm 5'5" and weigh about 170-175 lbs. My last successful sets were:

Squat 190 lbs for 3x5
Deadlift 275 lbs for 1x5
Bench 180 lbs for 3x5
Press 115 lbs for 3x5

I've totally stalled (missed reps for 3 consecutive workouts) and I am deciding between resetting or moving to an intermediate split. Most people tell me my lifts are too low to be "done" with starting strength, and the numbers I see Rip use in typical examples of teenagers make me feel like a grandma. So my question is, what ARE typical weight ranges for these lifts for someone my height/weight who has pretty much gotten all they can from the novice Starting Strength program? Should I keep trying to get the lifts up or move to split? Thanks.

[Michael Wolf]

The typical numbers are higher than your current numbers, except perhaps for the bench press. When you stall, do a re-set. Make sure your eating and sleeping are in order. How old are you, how much did you weigh when you started the program, and how long ago was that?

[LeapingLeibniz]

I'm a 25 year old male. I started about 5 weeks ago (after doing 3 months of the program before, and then not lifting for over a year). My lifts when I started 5 weeks ago were:

Squat: 95 lbs (after running a lot and sitting and drinking coffee for over a year.... yeah)
Bench: 155 lbs
Deadlift: 165 lbs
Press: 85 lbs

[Michael Wolf]

You've added more weight to the press than the bench press in the 5 weeks? That's odd.

You left out your starting weight.

[LeapingLeibniz]

My starting weight was about 165-170. I started with over 20% body fat, which I still have, so I'm on the tubby side. I increased the press faster for the first few workouts because the 85 felt easy. Tomorrow or the day after I am going to try to get some form videos recorded so I can post them for input.

[Michael Wolf]

With your estimates, it's difficult to really judge here. You say you started 165-170 and are now 170-175. If you started at 165 and are now 175, that would indicate to me that you're at least probably eating enough and that's not the problem, so a form check is in order.

But if you started at 170 and are now, 5 weeks later, still 170 (or even something less silly such as 169-171), then nutrition is likely an issue.

So I need better data, but I'm guessing you aren't eating enough because you're worried about the 20%+ bf. If you're fluffy, you need to eat more judiciously, but shouldn't be running a huge calorie deficit.

[Hollis]

These are your numbers from a post in 2012:

Weight: 205 lbs
Height: 5'6"

Lift: Then ---> Now
Squat: 105 ---> 205 lbs
Bench: 125 ---> 180 lbs
Press: 55 ---> 115 lbs

Sooo... what happened? No, you don't need an intermediate program. Chances are you're not doing the lifts correctly, a video may help. Also, you shrunk an inch. Something is missing from this puzzle.

[Michael Wolf]

Is that an actual quote from a post in 2012? Ya, there's definitely something wrong here.