Texas Method

hmmm, 3 months is very little IMO. Should have shot for 6 months at least. I ended up with a 365 squat, I still had plenty left in the tank though. I still did more squats afterwards, and 365 went up easy. I do remember getting stuck at 225 squat for a long time. I just kept working at 225 for some time. You will get stuck and have to workout with the same weight sometimes I did SS for over 8 months. If I increased 5lbs on my squat every time, and deloaded a couple times I would still have a 500+lb squat. Thats not possible. Stick with 185, squat deeper, and take less break between sets (this is what helped me break free from 225) I have to admit thats when I started eating a lot more, so that helped me progress also. If you said yourself that your not eating or sleeping enough then that's probably your problem.

I'm no pro but thats just my experience with the routine. If you get the Texas Method book. Rip said for my weight (200lb range I think) I should have a 155lb press, 225lb bench, 301lb squat, 351 dead, and 217 power clean before I consider myself an intermediate. Whats your weight by any chance?

Originally Posted by Brian999

If you get the Texas Method book. Rip said for my weight (200lb range I think) I should have a 155lb press, 225lb bench, 301lb squat, 351 dead, and 217 power clean before I consider myself an intermediate. Whats your weight by any chance?

Im also sure that Rip said that he wished he had never put those ranges in and that later versions of the book do not include those numbers anymore. The numbers are so generic that noone should really pay atention to it. For example, i am close to a 301lb squat, over a 351 dead but i still have a 150 pound bench. Would that mean i still have to spend months and months on SS until i reach 225 bench, even though i have stalled on my squat and dead?

The only way that you will know you should move to TM is when you stall on SS, not by numbers in a book.

Originally Posted by LuNalicious

The only way that you will know you should move to TM is when you stall on SS, not by numbers in a book.

I see what your saying and yes there generic but before I would change my routine from SS I'd see whats wrong. The OP clearly said he didn't sleep enough, and his diet wasn't the best. If I had a 185lb squat and wont progress there would definetly be something wrong. Heck If I would have done that I'd be through over 4 routines by now.

Originally Posted by Brian999

I see what your saying and yes there generic but before I would change my routine from SS I'd see whats wrong. The OP clearly said he didn't sleep enough, and his diet wasn't the best. If I had a 185lb squat and wont progress there would definetly be something wrong. Heck If I would have done that I'd be through over 4 routines by now.

I definitely agree with that. That is also the reason why it says in the book you should take a close look at all the variables and deload, instead of switching programs. I was just pointing out that even if you are off from the numbers, you could still benefit from moving on to TM, considering all other variables are decent.

I weight about 175 lbs.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I will go back to and stick with SS for a good bit longer. I will push harder and go deeper on my squats. All my other lifts have been progressing decently, besides my SOP (this has slowed down a bit). So I will stick with SS and work with the same weight if need be on my squats until I push through the plateau.

I really think diet, sleep, and stress is effecting my progress on certain lifts.

I actually really like the simplicity of SS and have tried to recommend it to friends. I just got excited thinking about trying TM, something that was a tad different as well as had some different rep ranges.

Thanks for the help, I'll really dig my heels into SS for a while longer.

One last question, is there a point weight wise where you should start thinking about using a weight belt when squatting? Or is it all personal preference?

Originally Posted by depotman

One last question, is there a point weight wise where you should start thinking about using a weight belt when squatting? Or is it all personal preference?

i use a belt only when i do doubles or singles. It's more a psicological matter for me, i don't lift so heavy to need a belt. But it helps me to feel safer, so I use it.

I never use a belt...but I rarely go below 5 reps.

[quote=depotman;2236584]I just got excited thinking about trying TM, something that was a tad different as well as had some different rep ranges./QUOTE]

I do have to say that what you are mentioning is important as well. Im sure you can still make gains from SS if you work hard, but actually being excited about going to the gym is important as well.

I have followed SS for about 4-5 months and done a slight variation for another 1-2 months. At the end i dreaded going to the gym and i started making excuses so i would not have to go. I switched programs, from SS to 5/3/1, and im so excited again that it is hard to not do back to back sessions. Im happier in life in general and i work even harder because im happy with what im actually doing in the gym.

If you find that your dreading your sessions, why not switch to something more exciting. I understand that you have to build the base with something like SS, but i feel that a program that you actually like to follow, will give you better gains.

Just something to think about.

One more questions Zen. If I wanted to do dips Can I add them to intensity day? Or would that be too much volume? I really only want to do them to hammer the tris. My triceps have always been the weakest thats why I think my bench is not as good as my other lifts. If that would be too much volume, can I throw in some pushdowns instead?

Originally Posted by Brian999

One more questions Zen. If I wanted to do dips Can I add them to intensity day? Or would that be too much volume? I really only want to do them to hammer the tris. My triceps have always been the weakest thats why I think my bench is not as good as my other lifts. If that would be too much volume, can I throw in some pushdowns instead?

It all depends if you will be recovered for the coming Volume pressing. Try it out for a week and see what happens... Id lean to the side of not adding them in but its worth a try.