Switch from novice to intermediate?

[Slavs62]

Should I switch to Texas method?

Here are the answers to your requested questions:
1. 38 year old male
2. Current weight is 229 lbs
3. StrongLifts 5x5 current 5rms are 275 squat, 235 bench, 120 OHP, 330 dead, 185 row
4. Doing this for 3.5 months
5. Starting weight of 242
6. Still adding 5 lbs per workout to all lifts except squats. Squats are 5 lbs/week. Doing a light 80% of 5rm squats on Wednesday.
7. Eating 2400 calories a day
8. 4 minute rest in between sets
9. Started 11/01/2016, 5rms were 175 squat, 155 bench, 55 OHP, 225 dead, 105 row.
10. No cardio or other significant physical exertion.

Thanks.

Chris

[Steve Hill]

Why don't you ask Mehdi?

[Slavs62]

I will, but I read your stuff and would like more than one opinion. Thanks.

[Steve Hill]

You're doing his program, which is, in essence, almost an intermediate program if you look at the volume. This alone should illustrate how little he understands about programming. That and only ~100# of progress (as measured by your squat / DL) in a little over 12 weeks of lifting.

To answer your question: You move to an intermediate program when you have truly stalled in a 3x5 novice linear progression, for any given lift. That has to take into account a variety of factors. I suggest it would be to your benefit to read PPfST, and this article.

As for switching to TM, if you've read anything on this site, you should know that it is not *usually* an Intermediate program we recommend to anyone who's over 30-35 years of age.

[Slavs62]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I will read your suggestions.