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Starting Strength - Mark Rippetoe (self.redpillbooks)

submitted by [deleted]

Starting strength is one of the best books for a beginner to barbell training to read. It breaks down each of the big six lifts, as well as copious amounts of information on biochemicals, recovery, form, etc in an easy to read format with lots of illustrations.

It is primarily for beginners to barbell training, but I think that anyone who trains with a barbell would benefit from reading it.

PRO:

  • Explains the basic mechanics behind each of the six lifts

  • Has a ton of information on strength related subjects such as recovery, diet, etc

  • Has a lot of illustrations to help demonstrate the points

  • Goes into discussion on the ways one can do an exercise, and the best way to do one, as well as discussion about important small details such as grip, chalk, etc.

CON

  • Can get long. the mechanics of a lift isn't really the most interesting thing in the world, and there is a ton of information packed into the book. I recommend taking it one chapter at a time so as to maximize retention.

  • This isn't really a con, but I had to put it in here because I knew it would come up: I know that a lot of people have problems with his GOMAD (Gallon Of Milk A Day) program to gain weight. You have to understand that this program is aimed at people who have problems gaining weight due to not eating enough in the first place. If you eat enough as it is, fine. GOMAD is one of the best rapid weight gaining programs out there however, and people seem to forget that its main purpose is weight gain.

This is one of the best books a beginner to strength training can read, with copious amounts of information in an easy to read and well illustrated format. I am going to rate this a 4.5/5.


[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (7 children) | Copy Link

One more thing. People sometimes complain that the SS routine will leave your arms underdeveloped, will make you unaesthetic, blah blah blah.

SS is a strength program, that focuses on building a solid core and strong legs. Add some arms accessory work if you really want, but that is not the main goal of the SS routine. SS is a beginner/novice routine that is meant to give you a good strength base, and get you moving big weights as fast as possible. Nothing more, nothing less.

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[–]ThePacketSlinger[M] 0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

Doesn't Ripptoe recommend moving off to a different program after like 16 weeks or something? It's meant as a good start, to build strength so that you can later build muscle faster.

[–]jakeinmn 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Doesn't he say to add accessory work either 3 weeks in or 3 months in?

[–]Flutterbree 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I ran SS for a while, and consider my progress on that to be indicative.

I gained a lot of mass in my legs. I did not gain a great deal of arm mass. However, my arms did increase in strength, and this strength carried over to other high volume programs quite easily. Seeing as its not very common to come out of a 3-6month training program with "huge" arms anyway, I don't think it really gave me any issues.

The best part about SS is that its a full-body workout that concentrates on the heaviest compounds and focuses on advancing those, but after you've done your 3x5 it doesnt seem that some extra pump causes stalling.

[–]Fenrisulfr22 2 points3 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

I am a competitive strength athlete and industry writer that has worked with Mark. A part of my job involves reviewing or editing just about every fitness book that comes out. With a full library (for free) accessible to me, there is a reason I have all three editions of this book at my desk. It is my number one recommendation for a foundation to work off of.

[–]heist_of_saint_graft 0 points1 point  (6 children) | Copy Link

I'm about to start this program. Bought a barbell and weights this week. Never focused on exercising or building strength. That's something TRP inspired me to do.

Can anybody weigh in on GoMaD? I am a skinny guy and don't actually like eating; if I feel too full I want to throw up. (As such I probably consume less than 2000 calories most days). But drinking milk sounds fine. What are the pros / cons of this?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (4 children) | Copy Link

GOMAD is a program to gain weigh FAST. If you have a problem gaining weight, I would recommend you follow it for a few weeks just to break out of a flatline, but not for long as it will make you fat as hell. If you want to follow it, just eat what you normally eat and drink a gallon of milk every day on top. Its that simple.

[–]heist_of_saint_graft 0 points1 point  (3 children) | Copy Link

Will 1 - 2 months of GOMAD make me gain a bunch of fat? After I break the flatline, how do I cut the fat without losing muscle?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

Not really. If you are in skelleton mode, following GOMAD will do you some good. You just do it long enough to start gaining some weight, and then you switch off to a proper diet. I recommend myfitnesspal for tracking that. And if you want to loose weight you simply go on a standard 500 calorie deficit.

[–]heist_of_saint_graft 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Thanks for your responses. Seems entirely reasonable.

[–]SE17Creator 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

A gallon of full fat milk is roughly 2400 Calories. Keep that in mind. Be careful with GOMAD.

[–]Flutterbree 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

Honestly, drinking milk is a good cheap way (depending on how cheap milk is in your country) to get extra calories. But its probably better suited to those people who claim "they cant gain weight"

But a better strategy is to monitor your weight and the strength of your lifts and adjust your diet from there. It also helps to focus on your actual macro intake and make certian you're getting enough protein.

[–]RPSavant 0 points1 point  (0 children) | Copy Link

lol sure feels like /fit in here

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children) | Copy Link

I can highly recommend stronglifts as well, which is a very similar program afaik.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child) | Copy Link

The difference between the two is a matter of volume, with SS calling for 3x5 and SL calling for 5x5.

Edit: scratch that, SL also has a few more exercises in it.

[–]Flutterbree 1 point2 points  (0 children) | Copy Link

Well, when you get stuck on the 5x5 Mehdi says to swap to a 3x5 anyway, so arguably apart from doing rows instead of cleans, they're effectively the same. Like, I challenge you to look at 2 guys who've done both to their logical conclusions and spot the differences. There'll be almost none. At least Rippetoe will look at your form check videos for free.

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