Should I switch to intermediate Strength cycle?

[jeremie]

I recently just finished my first beginner strength cycle and am wondering if I should switch to intermediate next cycle. I weight 163 lbs. Here's my progress:

Grips successfully completed 10s/5s @ 6 reps, in the same order as the workout, on the RPTC
IMR 1.5 pad (3F pocket under the crimp) : 25 [started -15]
ME (2nd rail, closest to the middle) : 20 [started 0]
M Pinch : -55 [started -90]
MR 1 pad (just below IMR below) : -10 [started -40]
LE (1st rail, closest to the middle) : 15 [started 0]
Wide pinch : -50 [started -90]
Sloper : 20 [started 10]
MRP 2Pad : -20 [started -25]


I very much enjoyed this cycle and especially noticed how much more comfortable I was with using MR and MRP grips on the rock. I also did 10 hangboard workouts since I kept on making progress, and didn't feel like switching cycles as I hadn't plateaued yet. Loving the gains due to this hangboarding! I feel the difference on the rock a lot!

I think the book recommends switching to intermediate between 1-3 cycles. Thoughts? I'm leaning towards switching to intermediate.

Thanks!

P.S. Not sure if this is relevant, but I've only injured a finger once this year back in April, mild A2 pulley strain on right ring finger. Fully healed after about a month, was mostly due to too much indoor bouldering without sufficient rest and a tweaky pocket move. That was also before I started training and following this program. I'm more aware of overuse now.

[jetjackson]

At the moment you're training a lot of grips - 8 grips total. If you want to go to intermediate next season, perhaps drop off 2 grips, as the volume is going to more than double if you go from 1 set of 6 reps to sets of 7/6 on each grip, plus the reduction in rest between reps. Given that, I'd start on those grips at the point where you are finishing your last hangboard workout at your PR on the beginner cycle, and then in your season after that you can go for new PRs on the intermediate workout.

This way your not increasing every single variable in the hangboard workout. I wouldn't worry about the lack of PRs in terms of weight in the next cycle, because technically everything is a volume PR and I think you will still see gains from that flowing through to the climbing. Just my thoughts anyway.

[Charlie S]

I'd vouch for another season in the beginner workout. Make sure those tendons are ready for the work.