Compacted plants?

Your plants look good. I find that growth is usually slow in the beginning. The sprout will emerge. Then set it's first pair of true leaves and then they often take a pause for 5-7 days. Then after the pause they grow at a moderate rate until they have set 4 or 5 nodes. Then after that the growth rate often speeds up. I avoid tying plants up unless it is absolutely necessary. If I do I tie them, I will tie very loosely and have a fan blowing gently over them so they get bumped around which helps force the plant grow a stronger stem.