Want To Advance From Stronglifts 5x5

[Charlie]

I have been doing SL 5x5 for a while now. My stats are
Bodyweight: 79kg
Height: 6'0
Squat: 110kg 5x5
Bench: 82.5kg 5x5
Deadlift: 130kg 1x5
BB Rows: 70kg 5x5

First question: should I be progressing to another program?

I want to engage in a new program that is focused on strength still but will also give me muslce mass. Please don't direct me to a BB forum or website as I value the opinion of you guys much more than that of meatheads over at other places.

So, my main goals are to not only be strong, but to also look strong. People are usually impressed by what I lift because of I don't really look that strong, so I really want to balance the equation out so my size gains match my strength.

Thanks guys.

[holvoetn]

How many times did you have to deload on squat ? (not stall, DELOAD)
If less then 2, continue for a while. You can milk this out some more.
After this you will never be making progress anymore on a session-basis, at best it will become weekly.

From your stats (you're a bit taller then me but a lot lighter, probably your bf% is way lower ) I also think you can go on using SL 5x5, especially on squat and deadlift.

[Sam277]

IMO you should move to a split style program when stronglifts is too much.

Eg, 5/3/1 is a 4 day split based around 4 main exercises with complementory accessory exercsises.

[holvoetn]

IMO you should move to a split style program when stronglifts is too much.

Eg, 5/3/1 is a 4 day split based around 4 main exercises with complementory accessory exercsises.

And only squat once a week, maybe twice if you add it as assistance for deadlift and missing potential quick gains ?

After a while, linear progress doesn't work so well. You want to do this for as long as you can. And I mean, resetting and running at your records, changing some exercises, rep ranges, whatever, just keep trying to get some linear progress as you want to milk this kind of progression for all it's worth. After a while it will become pretty obvious this doesn't work for you any more. Welcome to periodization.

First try to get the max out of SL5x5 Beginner.

[Kingace]

If I were you I'd switch to starting strength (3x5) to try and squeeze out any final beginner gains. Try and get to a 1.5xbw squat and 2xbw deadlift for 3x5.

[holvoetn]

If I were you I'd switch to starting strength (3x5) to try and squeeze out any final beginner gains. Try and get to a 1.5xbw squat and 2xbw deadlift for 3x5.

Fully agree.
Scaling down to 3x5 can be a solution if 5x5 becomes too taxing.