You’ve completed your novice linear progression — now what?
In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo joins Ray Gillenwater to explain what to do after the Starting Strength Program. They discuss how to recognize when it’s time to move beyond novice programming, how to make changes reluctantly, and how to think about stress, recovery, and adaptation at the intermediate stage.
Nick breaks down how to adjust each of the major barbell lifts — squat, press, deadlift, and bench press — and shares the guiding principles for making small, effective programming changes that keep you progressing longer.
“Programming changes are made because you have to, not because you want to.”
“Everything you do in the gym should still be driving a force production stress.”
🗓️ Note: This episode originally aired on the Starting Strength Gyms Podcast on September 11, 2023.
00:00 – Introduction: Revisiting the fundamentals of novice programming
03:00 – Why programming changes should be made reluctantly
06:30 – When to add a light day for the squat
10:00 – The first step beyond novice linear progression
14:00 – Transitioning to intermediate programming
18:00 – Understanding stress, recovery, and adaptation
24:00 – Identifying “too much” vs “not enough” stress
35:00 – Deadlift progression from novice to intermediate
52:00 – Bench press and press programming adjustments
1:02:00 – Managing stress across the whole week
1:07:00 – Becoming your own coach vs hiring one
🔗 Brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms
🎧 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
📩 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com
Connect With #startingstrengthgyms
Instagram: startingstrengthgyms
Facebook: startingstrengthgyms
LinkedIn: starting-strength-gyms
🔗 Book your free 30-min session: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Own a Gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Train at a gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Coach at a gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Shop for apparel: https://store.startingstrengthgyms.co...
#startingstrengthgyms #startingstrength #strengthtraining #fitness
You’ve completed your novice linear progression — now what?
In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo joins Ray Gillenwater to explain what to do after the Starting Strength Program. They discuss how to recognize when it’s time to move beyond novice programming, how to make changes reluctantly, and how to think about stress, recovery, and adaptation at the intermediate stage.
Nick breaks down how to adjust each of the major barbell lifts — squat, press, deadlift, and bench press — and shares the guiding principles for making small, effective programming changes that keep you progressing longer.
“Programming changes are made because you have to, not because you want to.”
“Everything you do in the gym should still be driving a force production stress.”
🗓️ Note: This episode originally aired on the Starting Strength Gyms Podcast on September 11, 2023.
00:00 – Introduction: Revisiting the fundamentals of novice programming
03:00 – Why programming changes should be made reluctantly
06:30 – When to add a light day for the squat
10:00 – The first step beyond novice linear progression
14:00 – Transitioning to intermediate programming
18:00 – Understanding stress, recovery, and adaptation
24:00 – Identifying “too much” vs “not enough” stress
35:00 – Deadlift progression from novice to intermediate
52:00 – Bench press and press programming adjustments
1:02:00 – Managing stress across the whole week
1:07:00 – Becoming your own coach vs hiring one
🔗 Brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms
🎧 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
📩 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com
Connect With #startingstrengthgyms
Instagram: startingstrengthgyms
Facebook: startingstrengthgyms
LinkedIn: starting-strength-gyms
🔗 Book your free 30-min session: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Own a Gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Train at a gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Coach at a gym: https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/...
🔗 Shop for apparel: https://store.startingstrengthgyms.co...
#startingstrengthgyms #startingstrength #strengthtraining #fitness