@colmcq your disbelief in this training methodology strains my belief. Have you never heard of powerlifting? sets of 5 reps, adding weight every session (or every week) works for a lot of people to increase strength.

@Stacey Keep at it with the StrongLifts! 5x5 is a perfectly normal and successful training modality. The fact that this guy hasn't heard of it is weird and unusual.

If you're stuck at 5 reps of 35kg, the problem is probably that you're jumping to 40kg. That's 12 pounds! Stronglifts is meant to jump only 2.5 to 5 pounds at a time, especially for women and especially for upper-body lifts. Try small jumps (37.5kg x3 or x5, or even 36kg x5), and I bet you'll be able to keep adding weight for a while.

"5x5 isn't born from any research" omg try supercompensation