Weight gain is a feature of the novice progression if it's done properly. What is your actual question?
Hi Rip, my understanding of being a novice means that as a lifter gains weight, the novice phase can be drawn out longer. For example, a 160 lb man bulking to 300 lbs, his novice progression will last longer than a man going from 160 to 200 lbs. Is that correct? Thanks.
Weight gain is a feature of the novice progression if it's done properly. What is your actual question?
ehcundiff's question is as follows:
"Is the novice phase duration for a given individual determined or influenced by the weight of that individual?"
The heart of the question is whether additional weight gain extends the novice phase.
If the proper weight gain is not realized, the novice progression is truncated. If it occurs according to the pattern described in the books and various articles, such as A Clarification | Mark Rippetoe , it will not be truncated. If it occurs during a period of time dedicated to becoming morbidly obese, it will probably be extended a short while longer.