Rippetoe/Starting Strength Questions Answered Here

[Amu]

There are a few things to consider. First look at your numbers. Are your lifts at an intermediate poundage, give or take a little bit?

Yes, I hit the intermediate category about one week ago.

Second, how's the diet and rest coming?

Rest as been good. I've recently cut down on whey/casein supplements and moved onto milk. I haven't had casein (in powder form) before bed recently.

My workouts haven't been consistent lately. Although I must mention that all my lifts stalled before this period.

Third, how many resets have you completed and how many deloads?

I've resetted squats twice. I haven't formally resetted the others, although I was forced to lay off workouts due to family and my other lifts didn't go up.

Fourth, which lifts have stalled

My squat has stalled big time (Can't break PR after two resets). My mili press, bench, and dead are also stalled.

and have you made some of the suggested tweaks, like substituting front squats on heavy deadlift days?

No, I haven't.

Many people are eager to move on to something like 5x5 since they view it as a type of progress in an of itself, to leave a beginner program behind. But in reality, weight is added to your lifts more slowly on 5x5 than on SS if you are running both programs as prescribed, assuming you're on the right program for your developmental stage.

From your questions it seems like I can squeeze more out of SS and don't need to move on yet.

I know you've been very active in this thread, but barring a phenomenal memory and without combing over your posts for a couple of hours, Dave is probably not going to be able to answer this one for you because that much information is something only you have. :-/

Yes, you're right.

[Amu]

I would really like to know if Amu is stalling on all the exercises or just one.

My squat seems to be stalled for good. The others still have potential.

Generally speaking, I think most people want to move on too quick.

Yes, I think I need to try a deload instead.

[usmustek]

Is this program "balanced"?

[Dave76]

My squat seems to be stalled for good. The others still have potential.

Yes, I think I need to try a deload instead.

I think you need front squats or light back squats on Wednesdays.

[Dave76]

Is this program "balanced"?

Have you read the sticky?

[usmustek]

Have you read the sticky?

Sure, I did. Didnt see anywhere telling this program is balanced!? But I may have missed it somewhere...

[Dave76]

Sure, I did. Didnt see anywhere telling this program is balanced!? But I may have missed it somewhere...

I was just wondering why you asked the question. The exercise selection speaks for itself. Maybe I need to know your definition of "balanced".

[crppleman51]

i had knee surgery(a bit of cartilage trimmed on my right knee) about 3 weeks ago

should i worry about this program messing with my knee?

my doc says i can lift in a month or so but with all the heavy squatting 3X a week etc...

[usmustek]

I was just wondering why you asked the question. The exercise selection speaks for itself. Maybe I need to know your definition of "balanced".

By "balanced", I meant does this program gives your body equal developement (i.e good posture). Cause some people's posture is a result of improper training, they do more push exercises than pull, ending with a bad posture.

[Dave76]

By "balanced", I meant does this program gives your body equal developement (i.e good posture). Cause some people's posture is a result of improper training, they do more push exercises than pull, ending with a bad posture.

Ok, now I understand your question. Yes, the program is balanced. The program was designed for athletes to get better in their chosen sport. Athletes don't get better if you design a program that causes poor posture.

[Dave76]

i had knee surgery(a bit of cartilage trimmed on my right knee) about 3 weeks ago

should i worry about this program messing with my knee?

my doc says i can lift in a month or so but with all the heavy squatting 3X a week etc...

If you squat with proper form, it actually strengthens the knee. If you doctor says you can squat at all, then you can squat 3X per week. Start out light and build up your strength.

[vicjg]

By "balanced", I meant does this program gives your body equal developement (i.e good posture). Cause some people's posture is a result of improper training, they do more push exercises than pull, ending with a bad posture.

Of course.

Correctly done squats (at least to parallel) & deads will work your posterior side just as much as your front.

In fact, alternating the overhead press with the bench press leads to a greater "balance" than routines that primarily focus on bench 2x a week and OH's only once, like the 5x5. (or pretty much every other "beach" program that people use)

[saitham]

Ok so doing squats on a smith machine isn't good, than how can i do squats without a squat rack? I tried to put the barbell over my head, but its way to heavy for me to do that

[sirr0bin]

Ok so doing squats on a smith machine isn't good, than how can i do squats without a squat rack? I tried to put the barbell over my head, but its way to heavy for me to do that

You could use some sawhorses or buckets to get the weight off of the ground. Some people who workout at home have to start the exercise from the hole because of equipment limitations.

[Dave76]

good, than how can i do squats without a squat rack?

You have to find something to hold the bar up high enough for you to get under it.

Don't even try to clean and press the bar to get it behind your back. You might get away with it at first but the squat weight will get far too heavy for that.

[irideflatland]

I've been on Rippetoes for 7 months now, I'm kind of disappointed in my progress, and I think I'm going to change programs. Here is my before/after pic thread - http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6358081

These are my current lifting stats (not too great)
Squat: 177.5 (was 185, then I hurt my knee and had to take a month off, and work my way back slowly)
Deadlift: 225 (was 235 before knee injury, but again I had to work back up slowly)
Bench: 147.5
Military press: 100

I can blame the slow leg progress on my knee, but I don't really know why my bench and military are so low.

[Dave76]

I've been on Rippetoes for 7 months now, I'm kind of disappointed in my progress...

I can sure see how you'd be disappointed by only gaining 30 lbs in 6 months while you're hurt.

Good luck with your next program!!!

[vicjg]

I can sure see how you'd be disappointed by only gaining 30 lbs in 6 months while you're hurt.

Good luck with your next program!!!

[uscfootball03]

Can I do DB bench instead of BB?

[saitham]

You have to find something to hold the bar up high enough for you to get under it.

Don't even try to clean and press the bar to get it behind your back. You might get away with it at first but the squat weight will get far too heavy for that.

Yeah I know that, I already said it in my post The weight I can take while squatting on the smith machine is way to heavy for me to lift over my head

[soccergod]

If you squat with proper form, it actually strengthens the knee. If you doctor says you can squat at all, then you can squat 3X per week. Start out light and build up your strength.

good information

[Dave76]

Can I do DB bench instead of BB?

Yes, but you won't be doing Rippetoe's Starting Strength.

[theACEofSPADES]

Can I do DB bench instead of BB?

no

[Sworn_Enemy]

Just a couple questions I didn't see in the sticky.

How much warmup set's should I do? 1-2 for each exercise? Also, about what % should I use(of my 5RM)?

[Dave76]

Just a couple questions I didn't see in the sticky.

How much warmup set's should I do? 1-2 for each exercise? Also, about what % should I use(of my 5RM)?

About half way down the page:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...p#post13263510

[Sworn_Enemy]

About half way down the page:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...p#post13263510

o wow, lots of extra reps, sets. Am I still suppost to wait 1-2 minutes betweet sets or can I use much lower time say like 30-45sec because of such lighter weight?

One last thing. It says on the first page to add weight every workout. Now this is every workout of that week? Like bench 135 monday, then on friday i'd be benching 145? Or it is like bench 135 for that week, then next week I do 145lb?

[irideflatland]

One last thing. It says on the first page to add weight every workout. Now this is every workout of that week? Like bench 135 monday, then on friday i'd be benching 145? Or it is like bench 135 for that week, then next week I do 145lb?

Every workout, not every week.

[Dave76]

o wow, lots of extra reps, sets. Am I still suppost to wait 1-2 minutes betweet sets or can I use much lower time say like 30-45sec because of such lighter weight?

One last thing. It says on the first page to add weight every workout. Now this is every workout of that week? Like bench 135 monday, then on friday i'd be benching 145? Or it is like bench 135 for that week, then next week I do 145lb?

EVERY workout means EVERY workout.

Always rest however long you need to rest. On lighter warmups, I rest for as long as it takes to change the weight on the bar.

[Sworn_Enemy]

K one last one. By re-setting he means to go back to a weight where you can handle it 5/5/5 right?

[sw1rmd85]

K one last one. By re-setting he means to go back to a weight where you can handle it 5/5/5 right?

No: Reset far enough to enable a "running start" -- about 10%.

It's in the sticky