Week 3 - first stall OHP

spritey86

Hello,
I am new to stronglifts and totally addicted. Still finding it intimidating in the free weights section with all the men but just getting on with it.

Yesterday was extremely busy in the free weights and i felt very self conscious. It really didn't help that I hit my first stall - 25KG overhead press. I feel really pathetic for failing so soon on the program but not going to dwell on it. I am just glad my first failure wasnt with squats!
I did my first set with poor form on the last 2 reps, the following 4 were sets of 3 - i could do no more than 3 reps even after long rest periods.

My questions at this point:
1. Was it right of me to continue to complete sets the way I did?
2. At what point do i deload if I repeat my 3 rep sets?
3. generally on the point of deloading, will the app automatically tell me to deload at an appropriate point?
4. Is there anything I can do to support the OHP to aid progression?

Thanks for your time.

canadianlbs

i've rarely seen even men loading up much more than 25's for their overhead press. and those are the guys who flop straight down onto the bench afterwards and rep out 240 while flat on their backs. so take some perspective from that. i think of ohp as one of my 'good' lifts where the form comes pretty naturally, and i'm still seeing 60 as a weight i can 'sometimes' do, after months. it's just a flat-out tough lift and 50 pounds is pretty impressive iyam.

idk anything about dealing with your stalls in the sl system, but for what it's worth: i still remember my strongest ohp performances happened when i was doing negative pullups and chins for my consistent accessory work. those negatives have a way of getting you right in the lats and the obliques that seems to translate like crazy into the press.

kimiuzzell

Yes, the app will tell you when to deload. Keep going. You'll get there, one rep at a time!

And remember, it doesn't matter how many times you stick with a weight....you don't have to increase every single session just because the app tells you to. Even if you get all 5x5 you can stick with that weight for a couple of sessions to focus on form etc if you want.

ZRx4

I've disabled the auto add weight, in settings. I've stalled on OHP too. Been at 55 for a couple weeks. I refuse to deload and just keep at it, until I feel ready to move up.

spritey86

thanks for the feedback guys. Really helpful stuff Cant wait to try it again. My shoulders have been sore since that workout. Hopefully improvements will be made, if not, i will keep at it.