Starting strength feedback

MarvinMartian

Some background first. I'm 6ft 1" and currently 13st. 12lbs. I previously had some success with Stronglifts (Including the chins/pull ups and dips). Really enjoyed the session to session progression and made some solid strength gains. In saying that, my enjoyment really dropped after a few months... I found 3 days a week squating 5x5 really taxing (max i reached was 5x5 of 125kg), I struggled to recover from one session to the next and found myself not looking forward to my workouts, something which I had no issues with at the start. The other lifts weren't as big a problem, it was just the squats that really flogged me. Looking back I think I needed to mix up my program a little and probably reduce the volume.

I took a break from lifting for the past 4 months in order to train for the marathon, but now I really want to get back into it. I'm considering giving Starting Strength a go as the reduced volume will mean I won't platau so early and recovery shouldn't be as big an issue. I'd also like to add a little bit of ancillary work, mainly chins/pullups and dips as my upper body has always lagged behind my lower body in terms of strength. I'll also probably add some met cons periodically.

Is it really worthwhile for me to add the extra work or should I just stick to the program as is? Or is there a more appropriate program for me to start on?

My diet currently is as follows:

Breakfast:
Porridge with banana and shredded cocuonut
Protein shake
Coffee with skim milk

Mid Morning Snack:
Apple + mixed nuts (almonds and walnutts)
Coffee with milk.

Lunch: Large mixed leaves or kale salad with chicken. Alternate toppings of walnuts/almonds, cheddar, asparagus, carrot, avocado, onion, olives. Dressing is olive oil and lemon juice
Coffee with milk.

Snack: Greek yogurt 2% + mixed nuts

Dinner: Typically this is Meat ( beef, chicken, salmon) or eggs, potatoes (sometimes sweet potatoes) and veg (either salad, roasted carrots, parsnips, sprouts etc.)

Above is what I'd have most days, although I do threat myself occasionaly with some pizza or bagel etc. I'd probably have at least 2 "cheat" meals a week. Portion sizes would generally be pretty large, especially with the dinner. On top of that I would also try to eat extra on my training days (generally fruit plus an extra protein shake).

Any feedback would be really appreciated.

hidinginthebush

Now maybe I'm wrong, but if you didn't enjoy squatting so much, but had no problem with the other lifts, could you not just modify strong lifts and do 3×5 on squats or something along those lines? Maybe lighten the load and do 2×12?

I started off on starting strength, but moved on to allpros programme after 6 months because the lack of volume was getting to me. I felt on starting strength, while I wasn't plateauing, I could be doing more. Only doing 3 lifts or so per session I felt I could be putting more in.

Mellor

MarvinMartian wrote: »

I found 3 days a week squating 5x5 really taxing (max i reached was 5x5 of 125kg), I struggled to recover from one session to the next and found myself not looking forward to my workouts, something which I had no issues with at the start.

When you approach that point you are supposed to drop the sets from 3x5 to 3x5. The volume on SS and SL at that point is the same, the only difference are cleans vrs rows, pull ups or not etc.

runawaybishop

You could try madcow variation, or just go into a 5/3/1 routine.