So if a noob stalls on a compound exercise, which is the best remedy...

Ive stalled on seated db military press, barely improved in 6 weeks from when i started the routine.
I figured there are two remedies, right now im using 16's for 3x8, but when i go for 3x9 i keep ending up doing 2x9 and 1x7 or 1x8 due to failure. Rest is 1.30 mins in between first 2 sets and 2 min rest before last set.
 
Do i:
 
1. Increase rest time to 2.30 mins or maybe 3 min in between all sets, making me more likely to get 3x9.
 
2. Use 18 or 20kg db's and do 4x5 sets and go from there.
 
Thanks

Plenty of ways you could go about trying to break the plateu but my approach would be simple enough...

Do your 3x8 and add in a drop set...

so after your final set drop on the 3x8 have 45 seconds rest and then pick up the 12.5kg's and do 15... immediately after that, put your 12.5's back and switch to tens and do 20 reps with the 10kg dumbells....
Embrace the burn.

Then in a few weeks try your 3x9/10 again.


Bet you manage it.....

Let me know if you give it a go! 

I always find that shoulder pressing is usually one of the first big lifts to stall, especially if youre training them after chest. If youre still gaining on your other lifts then it most likely isnt down to diet.We will assume your form is correct as well.
 
I had similar problem with the same lift. Could always get the first set of 8, but 2nd and third set would end up like 5, then 4. I found myself compromising for to get extra reps. Tried going to failure on the first set but that left me with even less reps on the remaining 2 sets.
 
The way I over came this problem was similar to the way sawdust has explained (only I train more frequently so I keep the volume low). Start your set with the weight your currently lifting, lets says its 20kg per dumbell. Do your first set to failure and make a note of the number of reps. Have a rest period like you would normally, then pick up the 17.5kg dumbells. Do your set and aim for the same number of reps as the first set, but concentrate on form and make the work harder if you must (slower negative, longer pause at top etc) so that you just about make the number of reps your aiming for. Do the same again now with the 15kgs. If you reached your target reps the up the weight next session and follow the same procedure. In fact at one point I applied this method to all my lifts and made very good progress.

I've found a good way of breaking through plateaus over the years is to do less reps and add more weight.If you're doing 3 sets of 8 with 16s then try 3 sets of 6 with 20s.I would bet that after a few weeks of getting used to this higher weight the 16s would seem light if you went back to them and you'd no doubt beat the 8 you could do before.

Much easier to add a small amount of weight than add an extra rep.  The problem with dumbbells is they usually go up in 2.5 kg increments (5 kg total) which can be too much to add each week.
 
If you're on say 16's and you can do 3x8, jumping to 18's may be too much.  But you might be able to do say 1x8 (18) then 2x8 (16).  Then next week 2x8 (18) then 1x8 (16) and so on....
 
You could also reduce the rest time by say 20 secs on the weight you can already achieve.
 
I also do Cleg's approach.  Say if I can manage 3x8 (16's) but 18's are too much I might do 3x6 (16's) next week.  So you're effectively easing off for a week (deloading) but then you still add weight each week until 3x6 becomes a struggle.  At which point you hopefully find 3x8 (18's) a doddle.
 
Another point is if you are failing to make the reps on two or more consecutive weeks then you need to alter the rep range or deload IMO.  But before you do that have a week where you get plenty of rest and increase your calories.  That may get you through a sticking point.
 
I don't rate drop sets and training to failure too often (or at all) I think they are unnecessarily and can increase fatigue especially if you're natural.....