Beginner Template W4 stall

Hey docs,

I’m currently on W4.2 of the Beginner Template and my squat and deadlift have stalled when compared to W4, while my presses have increased. However I believe the stalls are due to interruptions in my schedule, which included having to shift the entire week W4.2 a day earlier, which resulted in me feeling “under-recovered” from W4D3’s deadlift PR, where I would normally have two full days to recover.

I feel like the correct course of action here would be to complete W4.3 next week, looking for 1-5% increases in e1RMS, then either move on or continue depending on the increases. Would you recommend this or should I just move on?

Hello! It sounds like you might be referring to just ONE week of repeated weights on your squat and DL, and if that is the case, you can certainly complete week 4.3 and see if you can add weight again. If you’re talking about not being able to push your e1rm up for a couple of week, then you would want to move on to the next phase now.

Thanks Leah. When you say a couple is there a specific number? I was thinking of moving on once I stall or regress over a two week period. For example if, say, W4.4’s lifts are lower than W4.3’s, and then W4.5 still does not match W4.3 then I would move on after W4.5.

Is this reasonable?

Yes, that is reasonable! I would not assigned a specific number as there are a few variables that could be considered, but when you see a clear sign of a stall or regression in two or more lifts, we’d have you move on. Your plan sounds good!