Starting intermediate programming with uneven lift progress?

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

I am doing SSLP and have a question about when to switch to The Bridge or other Intermediate Programming when my progress for lifts is uneven.

I am a male, 5’ 10" , 175lbs, currently doing GOMAD to get to 200lbs. I am 2 months into SSLP but my presses have stalled while my Squats and Deadlifts are still progressing. I thought my presses might have stalled from form, so I re-read the press and bench chapters of Starting Strength, dropped 10lb from each (thinking I needed to adjust to the form changes) and stalled when I reached the same numbers. Press 115 and Bench 190. For comparison squat is 255 and going up 5lb each workout and Deadlift is 335 and going up 5lb.

Is it common for bench and press to finish novice gains this early, or at this weight ratio? If my bench and press are actually done with the NLP, do you have any recommendations on whether I should switch everything to the bridge now, continue NLP to get my squat and deadlifts up while press and bench stay stalled for a bit, or can I do intermediate programming for only my presses now? Thanks for any input!

2

It is common for this to happen, yes. You’re also still underweight and that may be contributing to your problem. Your numbers aren’t terribly asymmetrical either.

I think you need to move to more intermediate programming for your bench and press and also read Practical Programming, as this is discussed in detail there.

3

Thanks for the input! Getting practical programming now.