How should i adjust my 5x5 program?

[jerome simpson]

So i'm trying out Bill Starr's Intermediate 5x5 program, and had something interesting happen. Bench has always been the lift where i thought i'd progressed well and had hit a plateau, so i wasn't expecting any more big gains and was thinking probably 10 lbs a month following the program. Before getting on the strict program, i'd been lifting 5x5 to get used to the low reps. Two weeks ago i started the strict program, and today i did the Friday routine which is reps of 5,5,5,5,3,8.

Well, squats went as scheduled even though i was still feeling weak from a hard Monday (overdid it, overtrained, did more than the program against my better judgement, the light wed just prolonged it), then i did bench. I was feeling real strong, and when i got to the set of 3 at 210 lbs, i did 6, and felt like i could do 8. Then i went down to 170 (program said to do 155), and did 15 reps rather than the 8. Could have squeezed a bit more if i pushed it.

So, somehow i've had a big jump in bench this week, and feel that i'm a few weeks ahead of the program. Seems like i should do starting strength with this jump rather than the intermediate program.

My question is, should i recalculate my bench now, stick to the program, or go off the reservation and do something completely different? All other lift weight progressions are working fine at this point. 5'9", 180.

Thanks.

 

[NoFatChicks91]

I think since you already started it, stick with it through the whole thing. The way I see it is that it will let your body get used to this routine. Then when you finish the program, change everything up. Go for 8-10 reps some days, and maybe even 10-12.

I get the best results by switching up my reps. I had been doing 8-10 range before I started doing 5x5, and I can feel the muscle confusion. I'm making huge strength gains each week. But I will plateau eventually, and I'll switch up my entire routine.

 

[zedhed]

You will get better results in the long run if you stick to the program. If you recalc now your prolly gonna need to reset back down in a few weeks.