Can I start The Bridge™ without first completing an LP?

[DorianStarbuck]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

Due to multiple factors, I still have not completed an LP program, and I'm not confident that I'll be able to do so anytime soon, as the weights have started getting really heavy to me, and I'm not confident in my form for several lifts, though I've been doing them now for more than a year. Coaching will not be an option for me until later this year, though I intend to take advantage of BM Group Programming as soon as I get my garage gym finished.

Is it advisable to begin The Bridge without first having completed an LP program? I'm really excited about the program, and would love the variety, but I don't want to unnecessarily complicate my workout if it won't be beneficial to do so.

My primary goals at this point is to get strong without gaining a tremendous amount of fat.

[XTanuki]

I'll take a poke at this one -- there's not really a reason you can't start The Bridge. The NLP exists as a way to optimize how long it takes to get through novice gains and to a point where adaptations slow down. If you can add 5 lb every workout, why wouldn't you? If you switch to The Bridge or some other programming early, you are simply sacrificing time -- not taking advantage of your body's ability to adapt quickly to faster loading of the bar.

If I read your question correctly, it looks like you've been trying to grind LP for a year? You should go ahead and switch to the bridge ASAP if that's the case because by now you've wasted too much time running into the same wall over and over again.

[keithf]

If you've been doing an LP for over a year then you should move on to The Bridge for sure.

[DorianStarbuck]

I'll take a poke at this one -- there's not really a reason you can't start The Bridge. The NLP exists as a way to optimize how long it takes to get through novice gains and to a point where adaptations slow down. If you can add 5 lb every workout, why wouldn't you? If you switch to The Bridge or some other programming early, you are simply sacrificing time -- not taking advantage of your body's ability to adapt quickly to faster loading of the bar.

If I read your question correctly, it looks like you've been trying to grind LP for a year? You should go ahead and switch to the bridge ASAP if that's the case because by now you've wasted too much time running into the same wall over and over again.

I gave the wrong impression. I've halted and restarted lots of times over the course of the year, but I have gotten more than once to the point at which I couldn't add 5 lbs anymore to several of the lifts.

I think I'll give The Bridge a try. Thanks much for the input!

[MitchellCole]

If you aren't able to add weight each workout w/o doing 10/10 grinders, then you definitely need new programming. The Bridge is probably a reasonable next step. Even if you are already doing more volume than a typical LP, the exercise variations could be novel enough to drive progress and set you up for other intermediate programs.