Mark Rippetoe's Starting Strength Routine:
*note the dip/chin isnt in the original program
Here is a routine from Mark Rippetoe’s book called “Starting Strength”. You can buy the book at www.startingstrength.com. It includes endless useful info that all beginners should learn. But as for the program he suggests, his clients that he gives it to on AVERAGE gain 30-40 pounds in about 6 months or so which is amazing gains.
The program is as follows:
You alternate Workout A and Workout B every other day, 3 times a week. So you could either do Mon, Wed, Fri or Tues, Thurs. and Sat. Depending on what works best for you.
Example:
Week 1:
Monday - Workout A
Wednesday -Workout B
Friday - Workout A
Week 2:
Monday - Workout B
Wednesday - Workout A
Friday - Workout B
Etc.
For the actual workouts read below:
Note: This doesn’t include warm-up sets
**Means this is OPTIONAL**
Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift
**2x8 Dips (if you cant do these or no assist machine then do Decline Dumbbell Bench Press with your hands Facing each other)
Workout B
3x5 Squat
3x5 Standing military press
3x5 Pendlay or Bent Rows (or power cleans)
**2x8 Chin-ups (recommended mainly if doing the cleans)
Assistance work:
Most people cant get it through there head that compound lifts also work your arms Plenty and always Insist on direct arm work. As quoted by Madcow2, “Don't **** with this. Every bodybuilder seems to have Attention Deficit Disorder and an overwhelming desire to customize everything.” If you are one of these people note that you have the option of doing the dips and chins which give PLENTY of arm work. Abdominal work is fine to do also if needed.
I recommend weighted decline sit-ups and/or Hanging Leg Raises at 2x8-10.
Weight:
As for the weight, make sure that you use the SAME weight throughout the sets. For example if I do the first set if Squats with 200lbs then I do the other 2 sets of squats with 200lbs.
Every week make it a goal to increase each of your lifts by 2.5%. Meaning if I lifted 100lbs for my Bench Week 1 then Week 2 I would try for 102.5lbs. If I did 200lb Squats Week 1 I would try for 205lbs in Week 2. Sometimes you will be able to do more but don’t mess with your form just to lift more.
Warm-up Sets:
Before all your working sets it is best to do a few warm-up sets. Specifically for your first lift. You don’t have to do the whole thing for the other lifts but definitely the first.
What you do is you ramp your weight up to your working sets.
For example:
2x5xbar (sets x reps x weight)
1x5x85
1x3x125
1x2x155
And the working set weight would be 175.
If you are lifting your working sets under 150 I would cut out the 3rd warmup set of 1x5 because it wont be needed.
The Lifts:
**Used references and quotes from Madcow2 and Bodybuilding.com**
Barbell Squat: These should be full range Olympic style squats. Use the full range of your body - that means as low as you can go which for almost everyone is past parallel. If the top of your thighs aren't at least parallel it's for sh!t. If you think this is bad for your knees going low, you and whoever told you that are relying on an old wives tale. Anyone who knows the human body will tell you that below parallel is MUCH safer on the knees whereas parallel and above put all the sheer right on them and doesn’t allow proper transfer of the load to the rest of your body (this is how your body was designed).
Rest a barbell on the upper portion of your back, not your neck. Firmly grip the bar with your hands almost twice your shoulder width apart. Position your feet about shoulder width apart and your toes should be pointing just a little outward with your knees in the same direction. Keep your back as straight as possible and your chin up, bend your knees and slowly lower your hips straight down until your THIGHS ARE AT LEAST PARALLEL TO THE FLOOR. Once you reach the bottom position, press the weight up back to the starting position.
Video: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2003/barbellsquat.wvx
To be honest ATG (Ass to the Grass) squats work the best IMO. What you do is you go ALL the way down until your hamstrings touch your calves and keep the same Olympic squat form.
Barbell Deadlift: Each rep is deweighted fully on the floor. No touch and go. This is called the 'dead'lift because the weight is 'dead' on the ground. You can touch and go warm ups but that's it.
This is a very complicated exercise so here is bodybuilding.com’s detailed instructions on this lift.
Flat Barbell Bench Press: Lie on a flat bench and firmly position your feet flat on the floor a little more than shoulder width apart. Keep your back flat on the bench! Using a grip broader than shoulder width, hold the barbell above your body, then lower slowly to the middle of your chest. Without bouncing the weight off your chest, drive the barbell up over the middle of your chest until your arms are straight and your elbows are locked. Lower the bar down slowly.
Standing Barbell Military Press: Standing overhead presses. Supporting weight overhead is a fundamental exercise and stimulates the whole body.
Raise barbell to your chest with your hands shoulder width apart. Lock your legs and hips. Keep your elbows in, slightly under your bar. Press bar to arm's length overhead. Lower to your upper chest or chin (depending on what is comfortable).
Bent Barbell Row: Raise barbell to your chest with your hands shoulder width apart. Lock your legs and hips. Keep your elbows in, slightly under your bar. Press bar to arm's length overhead. Lower to your upper chest or chin (depending on what is comfortable).
Power Clean:http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/OlympicLifts/PowerClean.html
Chin-Up: Hold the chin-up bar with a supinated grip (palms facing you) with your hands about 6 to 8 inches apart. Pull yourself up and try to touch either your chin or upper chest to the bar. Return slowly to the starting position. Do NOT swing back and forth! Using this grip works more of your biceps than your back or lats.
Dip: Using the parallel bars, grip the handles and push yourself up to your starting position. With elbows close to body and hips straight, lower body until shoulders are slightly stretched. Push body up in same posture and repeat. You can bend and cross your legs or keep them straight.
The Diet:
If you are bulking, which is what people usually do on this program, you need to be eating like there is no tomorrow. 3000-4000 calories a day. Make sure you get 1 to 2 x your bodyweight in protein (in grams) and more than that in carbs. Mark Rippetoe also suggests that you drink up to a gallon of milk a day and plenty of water.
Your bulk could be clean but its hard to do so. I suggest just going all out and getting any protein you can get your hands on. For example lean grilled chicken and egg whites is best but if you want to gain that muscle fast then ground beef, steaks, whole eggs, cheeses etc is great. Eat a lot of oats, pasta, wheat bread, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna, etc.
Make sure you get a huge breakfast. Mark recommends 4 huge meals a day with breakfast being the largest. Make sure all your meals have plenty of both carbs and protein! Also look into getting a PWO shake for post workout to get some carbs DIRECTLY into your system when your done lifting. Then an hour later eat a meal. Its also good to eat a snack before bed. Just remember to get big you need to eat big because eating is 90% of your muscle gains.
Quote:
1. What are ATG Squats?
ATG is short of Ass To Grass. It means a full squat. Go as low as you can go.
Squat depth is extremely important and makes a huge difference in your development. Going deeper is more uncomfortable and difficult, but by far more beneficial. Not only does greater depth require greater muscle fiber recruitment, which means greater overall training benefits, but the degree of squat depth strongly influences the loading of the different hip and torso extensor muscles and stabilizers.
[kethnaab]
Hamstring flexibility and structure will ultimately decide how low you can go without your lower back rounding under (which is VERY bad bad bad). Each person's structure will differ, so what is "ATG" to one may not be ATG to another. Ultimately, you cannot control your structure, but you CAN control your flexibility, so ensure adequate hamstring flexibility to maximize benefits, range of motion, and safety.
2. I've got large legs already. Do I really need to squat?
Yes. You need to squat. Squating will stimulate growth in the whole body given that the leg muscles are so big. If you take the squats out, then this isn't Starting Strength anymore.
Still not convinced? Read this
3. I work out at home. I don't have a squat rack. How can I do this routine?
You need to be able to squat. This is the single most important thing in the program. Get a part time job to make enough to buy a squat/power rack or gym membership.
Without someplace to squat you absolutely cannot do this program.
There is also an alternative if you've already got a bench. Did you consider grabbing the barbell from the back of your bench? You may need to re-arrange your home gym, but you may well be able to squat from behind your bench setup.
4. Do I need a belt?
No. You shouldn't need a belt. A belt will take away from the natural 'core' belt that we're all equiped with. If you wear a belt, you'll become more reliant on this and your core muscles will not get a workout.
Later in your training, you may need to use a belt, but for now, part of "Starting Strength" includes "Starting your Core Strength" to prepare you for your further training.
5. I know this is mainly for building strength and mass. Can I do it while I cut?
[kethnaab]
Newcomers can frequently add muscle so rapidly that, with a clean diet, they will lose bodyfat as if they were cutting. Also note, cutting typically involves an abundance of cardio, which will be VERY detrimental to gains. Younger fellows especially will probably be able to get away with zero cardio while on this program, and will notice a substantial fat loss.
[Ripstone]
Cutting is more about changing your nutrition plan, not your lifting routine. One is going to find it very difficult(if not near impossible) to gain size on a cut, however strength gains on a cut can(and should) occur. In order to gain size you need to a) eat a caloirc surplus, which during a cut one is obviously not doing b) progess in the weight you use, which "Starting Strength" will take care of.
In order to gain strength you need to:
a) progress in the weight you use, which again "Starting Strength" should accomplish.
b) become more neurually efficent
c) obviously progress in the weight you use.
However, you DO NOT need to eat a caloric surplus to gain strength, it just makes it easier to gain strength if you do eat at a calories surplus, but again you DO NOT need to do so.
6. My arms are small, and there isn't any direct work for the arms. Can I add in some curls?
Your arms will still get worked through every day through the Bent Over rows (or PowerCleans) and with pressing and pulling motions.
Do NOT add any arm work for AT LEAST the first 2-3 weeks. At this point in time, you can add in dips and chins on alternating workouts, 2 sets of 8 reps (Add weight if needed).
As your workload increases, you can add a 3rd set and more weight to keep your repetitions at 5 reps per set
Note: According to the book Starting Strength, this additional work is not included.
7. It seems like I'd have this all done within 10 minutes of walking into the gym. Is that all there is to this program?
Yes. That's it, but you need to take into account that there are warm up sets. Overall, this workout should take you around 45 mins to complete, which is ample for a workout.
The amount of time you spend lifting really doesn't matter all that much. All the matters is if you are progressing in the weight you use as often as possible(ie; adding weight to the bar, which is the goal of "Starting Strength").
8. I keep hearing different opinions of how to progress. Do I need to increase EVERY workout?
That's right. The intention is that you start light. You should be able to add 2.5% of each lift every workout. However, if you feel it was heavy for you then do the same weight next time. It's recommended that you do this only to a maximum of 3 workouts in succession. If you're still having trouble, then you'll need to reset for this weight.
[kethnaab]
Keep in mind that adding repetitions is also progress. If you try 100 lbs and get 5, 5, and 3 repetitions on your 3 sets, then next workout, you try 100 again. As long as you get 5, 5, and 4 (or 5), then you are progressing. Adding weight to the squat on a weekly basis is a must, however. There should be no reason to go 2 consecutive weeks using the same weight.
9. Why is there only 1 set of 5 for deadlift? Surely that's wrong
No. Again, these are the working sets and don't include warm ups. Deadlifts are a very intense exercise for the body, and is ample in conjuction with the squats being done.
Trust the program as it is. Mark Rippetoe has the knowledge to create it. Have faith and trust that it will work for you.
10. What is a good rest interval?
As for the rest interval, Rippetoe suggests 1-2 minutes for the worksets, with no rest needed for warmups You can take up to 3 minutes for the heavy sets, depending on how you feel.
11. I think I hurt myself doing the squats. The bone at the top of my neck is sore
[kethnaab]
1) Use the closest grip on the bar you can use comfortably. This forces your upper back, delts and traps to tighten up and support the bar better.
2) Make sure your elbows are BEHIND the bar, not underneath the bar. This takes strain off your wrists and helps ensure your delts, traps and upper back muscles are flexing nice and tight during the squat.
3) Do NOT NOT NOT look up! This is ridiculous! This forces your upper body to lean forward slightly as it will naturally put the bar off center. Just look forward, i.e. neck in a "neural" position. If you were to stick a grapefruit underneath your chin and hold it there for the duration of the squat, your upper back and neck would maintain proper alignment. You'd also look liike a jackass, but that's beside the point.
12. What angle rows are we talking about here, is 45 degress ok that is what I usually do with bent over rows.
[kethnaab] ideally, rows will be done with your body parallel to the floor.
Go here and wade through to the bottom where I describe (and post a nifty pic) of how to do the row properly (known as "Pendlay rows" or "JS Rows"
13. So, if i do the Rippetoe's program, and eat a lot of protein and all those calories, wouldn't I get fat, instead of gain muscle? all those calories kind of a lot.
As commonly seen, "Lifting builds strength, eating builds muscle". If you ate all those calories while you sat on the couch and didn't lift weights, then yes. However, given the workload of this program it will assist with building muscle
Age and, of course, metabolic rate, play a role. Typically, a skinny teenager will be able to eat anything and everything he sees, as long as he is lifting with this program. The eating will fully support the training. Chubby teens or older people will obviously need to cut back a bit on the caloric info, and as mentioned earlier in the cutting question, a clean-eating trainee can gain a significant amount of strength and muscle mass while burning bodyfat, and cardio won't necessarily be required.
14. How long do I do this program?
You continue doing it until you stop progressing.
15. I know my 5RM for each of the exercises. Do I just start with that?
No. It's intended that you start light, and that you shouldn't even KNOW your 5RM. If you do, then you can safely start with 70% of your 5RM, and start progressing from there. Yes. It will seem light, but you'll be lifting your 5RM (and more) before long as you're adding every workout
16. I'm not in the US. How can I buy the book?
You can try www.amazon.com. I'm in Australia (Short One), and I've been informed and seen that the cost to Australia isn't too bad. 11.98USD (as of 20-Jun-2006) for one book. Cheaper if you buy more than 1 book
18. Is doing cardio ok with this program?
It's fine to do moderate cardio with this program.
Note: Beginners will build enough muscle with a clean diet that that fat will be burnt with minimal to no cardio.
19. I see lots of people saying PR!!! what does PR stand for?
Personal Record.
20. Is taking creatine and an NO ok with this routine? such as cellmass and NO-xplode?
It's fine but it likely won't make much difference. The most important thing is to be eating a lot of quality nutritious food. Diet is the big factor, supplements are a very small factor and not at all necessary.
21. Is it ok if I do militaries seated?. I have a low ceiling and I'll punch a hole in the ceiling if I do.
It is recommended that you do them standing up as it will give your core a workout as well stablizing.
However, if doing them outside/elsewhere is not an option then doing them seated is better than not doing them at all. If you have to do them seated be mindfull of your form so that you don't turn it into an incline press
22. Do I have to do the workouts on Mon, Wed, Fri?
The requirement is 3 nonconsecutive days each week. The exact days are up to you.
You don't have to do it on Mon, Wed, Fri. You can do Tue, Thu, Sat, as long as you're having at LEAST 1 day rest between each workout. If you can't manage this, then the program is not right for you at this point in time.
23. My calves are lagging. What exercise can I do to bring them up?
If you're not already doing the Power Cleans with this routine, you may wish to consider doing them, as doing PowerCleans properly encourages the use of the calves
Squats will work your calves too, and as all pro is quick to point out. "Have you ever seen a powerlifter with small calves?"
I started the program this week, and am looking forward to the strength gains that are bound to come.
A couple of things I've learned sofar:
Warmups:
It's always a good idea to do a warmup that closely resembles what you're about to do for the main part of your workout session. In this case, the strength session, we want to start off with bodyweight or lightweight excercises that mimick the excercises that are about to come, and work up to our 50-90% max. This is not set in stone, if you want to do burpees, pullups and squat-jumps as your warmup feel free to do so.
Most people however, including BlessedSamurai (to name a familiar name ) and other strength and conditioning coaches, do something similar this:
1x8 Bar
1x6 50%
1x4 70%
1x2 90%
3x5 100% (Work Set)
Rest periods:
Keep the rest periods between 60-120 seconds, you can get away with 60 seconds or less when the weights are still light. As the weight increases you might want to add to the rest times aswell. I'm with Chad Waterbury on this when he says keep the rest periods low for strength and muscle gains.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chad Waterbury
I define short rest periods as any time less than two minutes between sets. The antiquated 3-5 minute rest periods recommended in every ****** newsstand muscle mag made me incredulous. As it turned out, my instincts were right on target.
My empirical evidence has shown that short rest periods will lead to a great hypertrophy response. In other words, five sets of ten reps with 60 second rest periods will induce more hypertrophy than five sets of ten reps with three minute rest periods. An even better option is to utilize short rest periods with low-rep (1-5 repetition) training parameters. This is precisely what 50% of my ABBH program is based on.
If you keep the rest periods short, you’ll stay more focused. In addition, you’ll keep the nervous system revved up, and you’ll get out of the gym quicker. For certain trainees who only seek maximal strength increases, shorter rest periods are still possible by alternating between opposing muscle groups (antagonist training).
Bottom line: If you seek hypertrophy, keep your rest periods under two minutes. It’s preferable to utilize a 60-90 second range when training more than six sets at a load greater than 80% of your 1RM.
Extra excercises: (Accessory Work)
Again, the accessory work isn't set in stone, but it's a good bet to add chins and dips with a set/rep range that you're comfortable with. I'm using 3x3 for pullups and adding 1 rep every week, I'm also doing GTG for pullups on a daily basis so I kept the workload low.
The program calls for either Rows or Snatches, you might want to do both, so here's what another forum member did:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tad_T
Workout 1
Core lifts
Squats = warmup then 3 x 5
Bench = warmup then 3 x 5
Deadlift = warmup then 1 x 5
Accessory Work
Dips = 3 sets
Pendlay rows = warmup then 3 x 5
Abs = 3 sets
Workout 2
Core lifts
Squats = warmup then 3 x 5
Overhead press = warmup then 3 x 5
Power clean = warmup then 3 x 5
Accessory work
Pullups = 3 sets
Abs = 3 sets
― carne asada, Thursday, 25 October 2012 13:12 (eleven years ago) link
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