Is it OK to set my bench up as 3x5?

[Mouse]

Hello
This question has probably been asked in the pass but here goes,
First I'll give you some info before my question. I have been lifting for about a year now, not following SL but my workouts were pretty much based around the 5x5 principal. I went a year without a squat rack, a solid program and direction in my workouts. A month ago I bought a rack and decided to start SL from the beginning so I could have some actual structure and direction in my workouts. I started with weights that I found pretty "easy" to correct any problems with my form. After 5 weeks now my lifts are BENCH 195 SQUAT 245 DEAD 290 OP 120. But here is the problem and question. I have been stuck at 190 -195 on my bench for two weeks and I have stalled at this weight before in the past , so today I changed my bench to 3x5 and I was able to jump to 205 ( it was still hard as hell though) So my long drawn out question is, is it OK to set my bench up as 3x5 without screwing the whole program. I am a pretty tall guy and I think I will always struggle with my bench, I am hoping this is a way to improve it and keep moving forward instead of constantly stalling.
Thanks,

[Glutenbob]

at those weights, I would switch to 3 x 5 for all exercises. Its better to do either one program or the other, I wouldn't mix up programs.

5 x 5 gets too taxing and the time spent in the gym skyrockets when you get to those weights. At least in my experience.

[reckoner]

at those weights, I would switch to 3 x 5 for all exercises. Its better to do either one program or the other, I wouldn't mix up programs.

5 x 5 gets too taxing and the time spent in the gym skyrockets when you get to those weights. At least in my experience.

Thanks for the reply. My only concern is that I feel I can still progress on all my lifts on 5x5 except my bench. I have a lot to learn about this program (5x5)
Are my lifts getting to the weight where I need to switch to 3x5 to advance properly?

[Bman1]

I don't think there is any problem going to 3x5 on just one lift while staying at 5x5 for the others. It is still the same basic concept of linear progression and will allow you to get a bit heavier on that lift before fully switching over to a more advanced program.

[Glutenbob]

Are my lifts getting to the weight where I need to switch to 3x5 to advance properly?

Nobody can really answer that question, but yourself.

Here are a few things to go by

1. Do you feel like you havent recovered on your second or third workout of the week?
2. Do your weighted exercises (Squat, Bench, Rows/Squat, Overhead Press, Deadlifts) take more than an hour and a half to do?

If you answer yes to either of those, then its a god indication that the extra volume is hindering your gains. I would switch to 3 x 5 at this point.

[jww38]

Also do you feel like your weights are within your lifting ability, but you can get only 3-4 x 5 but not 5x5 due to fatigue?
And is your bench recovery affecting your OHP and vice versa?

This is why I am going to try 3x5 for a while.

[reckoner]

Thanks for the answers guys. I am going to set my bench and OHP at 3x5 for a while and see how things go.

[Shoke]

at those weights, I would switch to 3 x 5 for all exercises. Its better to do either one program or the other, I wouldn't mix up programs.

5 x 5 gets too taxing and the time spent in the gym skyrockets when you get to those weights. At least in my experience.

yeah i'm doing 3x5 for all my main lifts too in order to save time at the gym...doing 2 extra sets for all the lifts adds at almost 25 more minutes at the gym since you have to rest longer at the end. If you have plenty of time to workout however, by all means go for 5x5 .....most people just don't have time for that luxury.