Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition Paperback – November 11, 2011

I have been trying to learn how to exercise since I first lost the weight (more than 10 years ago now). I say "trying" because I have lost many, many hours of my life reading "expert" opinions and trying the latest "Muscle and Fitness" workout routine that "guarantees" success. I wish I had found Mark Rippetoe's book years ago.You don't need to read any further; this is well worth the money. My copy has pages flagged, and, for a few months until I was sure I learned the moves, it was with my during my workouts. This will teach you to use a barbell properly and, therefore, get stronger.Mr. Rippetoe will teach how to workout with barbell. He will teach you how to do it properly. I have shelves full of books; all could be traded for this one reference. Yes, I mean it. There is no other reference on the market that even comes close. It is a reference book: detailed drawings and descriptions of even the smallest of details for the major barbell exercises (squat, deadlift, bench press, (overhead) press, power clean). Ripp also included other exercises (dips, deadlift variations, etc.) I appreciate the fact that this book includes the "why" along with the "how." I have books that teach the squat with one or two pictures; as another reviewer points out, the squat chapter is many pages of detail. Even with the science, Ripp's writing style is understandable and often humorous.When I first started using Ripp's program, I modified it slightly (using his other excellent book, Practical Programming), and did not include Power Cleans (since I don't have bumper plates that can be safely dropped on my garage floor). I have tried power cleans at lighter weights (that I don't need to drop); if you can, I recommend power cleans. Sometimes, I incorporate squat jumps into my program for some "power" work; however, I have no idea what Ripp would think of this. He would probably make fun of me, but, hey, I work with what I have.I had been squatting for years; well, I was not doing it right. I was humbled when I realized that my version of a squat was probably just a "half" squat. Also, I realize that the hundreds of pounds that I pushed on the sled (machine leg-press) DOES NOT translate into real squatting strength. I have to admit--squats suck. The machine is much easier. But, the value of the squat cannot be ignored.Even after about 10 years of lifting, I learned something for each lift. Staring at the ceiling, for example, during a bench press, or moving my head/hips forward to lock out the press. These little things make a difference. Everything I knew about the deadlift was probably wrong...It's all over the internet, so you don't need this, but just in case you are curious, here was my first overall plan (based on both Starting Strength and Practical Programming). Note that you squat with every workout, and you alternate the bench press and overhead press. I was deadlifting just once each week. Note that the plan includes squatting, pushing, and pulling each workout. This is not the exact plan as laid out in the book (I altered the pulling exercise layout and removed back extensions):Day 1SquatPressChinsDay 2SquatBenchDeadliftDay 3SquatPressChins/Power CleansDay 4SquatBenchChinsDay 5SquatPressDeadliftDay 6SquatBenchChins/CleansFor example, each time you succeed with your required reps (say, squat 100 lbs. for 3 sets of 5 reps), you increase your weight. Next workout, you would try 105. If you start properly (i.e., LIGHT), you can progress for a while. Sets and reps are usually 3 x 5, but the deadlift was 1 work-set x 5. (You do warmup sets, too). Don't let this simple layout fool you; you will get stronger. Squats are full-body exercises!At this point, I am no longer on this plan--not because it was not working, but because, obviously, at a certain point you can't continue to make 5-pound gains each workout. I am not 18 anymore, and my body just could not try for a Personal Record with each and every workout. I can't say enough about my improvements while on this plan for a few months. Also, I walk, run occasionally, and try to keep up with the young kids during soccer games/practices, so I noticed that I was not recovering (i.e., unable to progress) from the frequent squatting. Ripp does not recommend "cardio" training; he justifies this position with pages of science and life experience as a trainer.After starting with this program, you can consider the "intermediate" plans in Practical Programming (Google "Texas Method" for an example), or try something like Jim Wendler's 5-3-1. I am currently using 5-3-1 because, for me, this program allows for more recovery. Also, I like the fact that Wendler's program is not always working at your max weight (and instead uses a lighter weight with a higher rep-goal). By the way, Wendler (I believe, I don't know him personally), recommends Ripp's program to get started.Honestly, other fitness authors should be embarrassed to sell their works on the same shelf with Ripp's books.

I bought this mainly because I want to understand how to lift without developing improper techniques. Developing and maintaining strength in my later years is important to me. Starting Strength is thorough in its breadth of lifting knowledge, yet easy to understand. There are hundreds of drawings and photos to illustrate proper techniques to further your understanding. Mark Rippetoe has nearly 50 years of strength training under his belt. He knows the do's and the don'ts.

This book is the go to starting reference for anyone that wants to work on basic strength training. If you read this book and take the time to practice and do the lifts properly, you will be better at them than most of the people in your gym.The current trends of fitness are all well and good for what they are, but they simply do not replace good old fashioned barbell work. Barbell work isn't easy, glamorous, or trendy in the modern world of crossfit, yoga, and other designer programs, but it is important to your overall fitness and help protect you against the effects of our sedentary daily lifestyles. Mark Rippetoe's training book is a no nonsense bible on how to do the major compound lifts properly and in a simple progression that will get you to a respectable level of strength in the shortest amount of time possible, if you put in the work and have a proper diet.Mark goes over the basic lifts in exhaustive, scientific detail. The book dedicates around 50 pages to squat and the theory behind it as an example. This book not only tells you how the lifts should be done, it explains why they should be done the way that they are, what happens mechanically when you do them properly and goes over cues and theory on how to make sure you are doing them safely and efficiently. If more personal trainers and gym goers understood the methods and prescriptions in the book, people would get far more out of their lifts and workouts.Using this book earlier in my lifting career, I increase my squat from a set of 5 at 95 pounds to three sets of 5 at 265, took my deadlift from 1 set of 135 for 5 reps to one set of 335 for 5 reps. I also improved my shoulder press and bench press considerably, as well as improving on power cleans and barbell rows (which aren't strictly part of the program, but my gym was weird about people doing power cleans). I ate quite a bit of food and slept a lot as recommended by the program, and ended up improving my strength considerably over the course of a year as the numbers show. I went from 170 pounds at 6'1 to about 205 pounds body weight at the end, and then dialed back to around 195 pounds and was able to squat the 3 sets of 265 and deadlift 335 for one set near the end. I did all this as a 34 year old, so I wasn't quite as indestructible as I was in my teens and twenties, I suspect someone starting earlier than me would progress a bit quicker.Since getting stronger, my health and the ease that I move through my physical environment are much better. Unlocking your potential strength is a wonderful thing and really improves quality of life.Long story short, if you want to get yourself strong and aren't afraid of putting in some work, eating a bit of food, and resting like you mean it, this book will help you in that goal. Even if you don't want to be as strong as possible, the book has a place on your shelf as an instruction manual on how to do the basic barbell lifts. If you follow the instructions, you will not injure yourself with poor form. This is worth it in and of itself too.Get yourself strong, and live a better life.Highest Recommendation.