Thank you for the reply! I am not really sure if I am still having noob gains. I think I am because this is the first time I have tried the big compound body movements in a power lifting program. Here are my numbers so far:

My starting numbers for my 1 rep maxes: Bench Press: 145lbs, Squat: 205lbs, and Dead Lift: 230lbs.

Here are my current numbers after 5 weeks: Bench Press: 175lbs, Squat: 215lbs, and Dead Lift: 240lbs.

I started lifting weights for the first time last year and was doing more isolated muscle type lifts with higher reps (8-12) I probably did a 12 week plan twice. I wasn't 100% religious with it but tried my best to get the workouts in (~85%).

I will take a look at the madcow program. Thanks again!

If you've started 5/3/1 then you should just stick with it for a while. I would honestly suggest doing it for six-months before considering a switch. When you first start 5/3/1, you will be able to crank out a ton of reps, even on the 5/3/1+ week, however; over time that will diminish and you will be close to working near your true 1RM and that's FINE. There's no problem with only doing 1 rep on the 5/3/1 week. Then once that becomes too much, then you do a reset using 90% of your new 1RM. Make sure you read the book and if you have read the book, read it again. I find new little nuggets of information every time I read his book. Also, make sure your assistance exercises are good and support getting stronger in the main movements. Dips, chin-ups, dumbbell rows, good mornings, romanian deadlifts, back hyperextensions, are all very important in getting stronger in those lifts as well. Some may say "well beginners don't need to do them." But lifters like Jim Wendler and Louis Simmons would say to do them and they've forgotten more about lifting then most people on these boards will ever know.

I'm not saying that MC5x5 is a bad method by any means, I actually liked the full-body workout but it is definitely not better or worse than 5/3/1 and being that 5/3/1 gets so much attention and support within advanced lifting circles; I would say it's a pretty good method. Since you've started 5/3/1, just stick with it. It's easy to get into a habit of program jumping when you hit a wall and that's not a good habit to get into. Jim also has a 5/3/1 full-body template in his book as well if you're interested in that, but stick with his general philosophy for now.

If you've started 5/3/1 then you should just stick with it for a while. I would honestly suggest doing it for six-months before considering a switch. When you first start 5/3/1, you will be able to crank out a ton of reps, even on the 5/3/1+ week, however; over time that will diminish and you will be close to working near your true 1RM and that's FINE. There's no problem with only doing 1 rep on the 5/3/1 week. Then once that becomes too much, then you do a reset using 90% of your new 1RM. Make sure you read the book and if you have read the book, read it again. I find new little nuggets of information every time I read his book. Also, make sure your assistance exercises are good and support getting stronger in the main movements. Dips, chin-ups, dumbbell rows, good mornings, romanian deadlifts, back hyperextensions, are all very important in getting stronger in those lifts as well. Some may say "well beginners don't need to do them." But lifters like Jim Wendler and Louis Simmons would say to do them and they've forgotten more about lifting then most people on these boards will ever know.

I'm not saying that MC5x5 is a bad method by any means, I actually liked the full-body workout but it is definitely not better or worse than 5/3/1 and being that 5/3/1 gets so much attention and support within advanced lifting circles; I would say it's a pretty good method. Since you've started 5/3/1, just stick with it. It's easy to get into a habit of program jumping when you hit a wall and that's not a good habit to get into. Jim also has a 5/3/1 full-body template in his book as well if you're interested in that, but stick with his general philosophy for now.

Thanks for the reply! I do think that I will stick to 5/3/1 for a while as I only just started it and have only been doing it about 2 months. To be honest, I don't really like the full-body style of workouts as I don't think it is enough rest for me. With respect to assistance exercieses, the first month I did more varied assistance exercises, but this last month I was doing the "Big but boring" type of template. I think after I finish out this phase I will go back to the more varied assistance exercises.

Thanks again.

Your lifts already look strong, so you're doing well. Unfortunately because you've progressing nicely you're going to start hitting walls faster. I did MC5x5 for a while and if you not familiar with the method, it's a 12-week cycle. The first time I went through 10 weeks before I needed to reset, then 8 weeks, and then 6 weeks before having to reset. Progression definitely slows and can be very frustrating.

There's nothing wrong with the Big But Boring template, especially if you like it. If you have the 2nd edition Jim writes about what I believe he called "one big assistance" movement which I liked a lot too. Just find a way to use the program that you enjoy. If you're following what he says to do then there's no real wrong way of using 5/3/1. Try and keep your head-up through the "walls" and reset when needed.