Mini-Book Review: Starting Strength by Rippetoe

[Jim Ouini]

First off, I had no idea who Rippetoe or Pendlay or any of these guys were 6 months ago. Luckily, MC2's incessant pimping ( ) of these guys have led to me to many an interesting read, and so when I heard Rippetoe had a new book out I went ahead and ordered it.

The book is pretty hefty, around 250 pages or so, printed on quality paper with tons of photo's, diagrams and drawings used to illustrate proper form, lifting mechanics, anatomy and so forth. I like the 'good' and 'bad' comparison pictures that are used quite frequently, except I recognized myself a bit too often in the 'bad' lol

The info is written in an informal style which makes it easy to read, and presented from a coaching perspective, he even tells you what to yell at the kid when he screws up

A separate chapter, each about 40-50 pgs, on the following lifts: squat, bench, dead, press, power clean. Each lift is broken down in excruciating detail - grip, foot placement, unracking the bar, lowering the bar, lifting the bar etc etc.

I really only read the squat and dead portion of the book, and glanced through the others. On squat he advocates ~shoulder width and 30 degree foot angle. Of course he describes below parallel squat, although I wouldn't call it ATF. In fact he says its really only for super flexible kids (so that made me happy ).

And dead is conventional only. I love those drawings he has of the knee and hip angle during the different portions of the lift.

Anyway, since most of the board is heavy into the big 3, I thought I'd share I don't know if it'll change your world but if you like lifting I recommend it.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

 

[lavi]

thanks for the review! it looks like an awesome book. i wish i weren't such a cheap bastard, otherwise id have quite a few training books to read over the summer! how much does it cost?

 

[Jim Ouini]

It's 25$ or so. Maybe $30 with shipping but well worth it.

http://startingstrength.com/home.html

I like to read training books too, and I certainly have my share of bad ones that I've paid more than $30 for lol.

 

[JL_204]

Thanks for the review. Im gonna pick that one up.

The only training book I have is Arnold's. I dont really care for it, kind of a waste of money IMO.

 

[blut wump]

I think the Arnie book is only worthwhile if you like to look at pics of the big man. I bought a copy about twenty years ago, maybe more, and it was good motivation at the time. It got me started on floor and core work.

I guess I ought to buy Rippetoe's book. I owe him enough from the changes he's made to my training over the past six months via madcow but if I follow that line of reasoning, I'll have to go plat as well.

I was just looking at his accompanying poster on the squat. It's very much an Oly squat rather than a power squat. I think the outline drawing could get a bit lower if it tried.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Doesn't Arnold describe some insane squatting session where he and Franco or somebody would get a keg of beer, load up a squat rack with 500lbs in the back of a truck and drive out to the forest where they'd squat and drink beer all afternoon? Might've been some other book.

One inconsistency I thought was odd in Rippetoe's book was he encouraged everyone to get oly shoes but then said 10lb plates under the feet were 'OK' for awhile but not recommended as a substitute for flexibility. I've never worn oly shoes so maybe I don't know the difference.

 

[blut wump]

I remembered it as 225 or 250 but could well be wrong. It all sounds a bit perverse to me: taking women out to the forest and then squatting until you puke. Hmm, they'd have run for home faster than you could write 'aphrodisiac' in carrots.

I tried propping up my heels when I first started squatting. Decided I didn't like it and never did it again. It was so long ago, though, that I can't remember the difference. I think it's time for the ankle stretches.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I remembered it as 225 or 250 but could well be wrong. It all sounds a bit perverse to me: taking women out to the forest and then squatting until you puke. Hmm, they'd have run for home faster than you could write 'aphrodisiac' in carrots.

Hmm maybe it was 250 in weights, 250 in women...It has been awhile.