[danadd9]

Yeah I'm doing one too.
Height: Around 5'10". Thought I was 5'11".
Weight: 'bout 65kg.

Starting weights:
Squat (ATG): 50kg
Bench: 45kg
Deadlift: 60kg.


Current PB's (24th October 2012) after like 7(?) months of training, not including the big-ass breaks:
Squat: 112.5kg or something for sets of 3 Idk
Bench: 75kgx5 (close-grip)
Deadlift: 177.5kgx1
Overhead Press: 57.5kgx1
Push press: 65kgx1
Current weight roughly: 70kg.
Basically I suck at everything except the deadlift.

[danadd9]

Workout B.
Squat (ATG): 55kg
Press: Form deteriorated at 32.5kg (which I did for 2 sets) but backed off to 30kg for my starting weight where I was slightly more comfortable.
Clean: Just 30kg to get the bar high enough. Started with hang cleans, then a couple of full cleans.

Comments:-
Squat: Most of the trouble was getting the pins to a suitable height. Not a real problem squatting; my ass/legs were still sore from Monday's session though. I ****ing hope I'm not the only one who started their sessions with sore legs when they ran SS.
Press: Not bad. Getting used to stance, grip an' all that.
Clean: Not fully confident with cleans. Wrists are flexible enough, I just need practice.
Whatevs.

[danadd9]

Got a question for anyone that reads this:
Is there a preferred position for the elbows during the squat?
Rip says keep them back, Wendler says try to push them down.
Just wonderin.

[Smack]

(Original post by danadd9)
Got a question for anyone that reads this:
Is there a preferred position for the elbows during the squat?
Rip says keep them back, Wendler says try to push them down.
Just wonderin.

I like them back because it creates a "shelf" made of the upper back's musculature for the bar to rest on. I used to do elbows down and my wrists were carrying much of the bar's weight, giving me wrist and elbow problems, something that is not uncommon amongst those who keep their elbows down.

[danadd9]

(Original post by Smack)
I like them back because it creates a "shelf" made of the upper back's musculature for the bar to rest on. I used to do elbows down and my wrists were carrying much of the bar's weight, giving me wrist and elbow problems, something that is not uncommon amongst those who keep their elbows down.

Oh alright, I'm glad I stuck with Rip's directions then.
Did you run SS or a similar routine when you started out?

[Smack]

(Original post by danadd9)
Oh alright, I'm glad I stuck with Rip's directions then.
Did you run SS or a similar routine when you started out?

Yes, I ran SS, check out my log.

[danadd9]

Workout A.
Squat: 60kg
Bench: 47.5kg
Deadrift: 67.5kg

Comments:-
Squat: Alright. Hurt my leg somehow while I was warming up on the treadmill, which made squatting a little harder. Think my shoes might be holding me back as well. Maybe I'll give barefoot a try next time. That, or I'm just being a pussy.
Bench: Not bad. Took more effort to push out the last rep or two on the final set.
Deadrift: Good. Grip behaved. I might even say this felt easier than the 60kg deadlift from Monday. Should consider form, though. I might be using my back too soon.
I feel like I didn't work hard enough today because I'm not as tired as I was on Monday.

(Original post by Smack)
Yes, I ran SS, check out my log.

N'awww even your starting numbers put me in the dust .
I haven't read a lot of the thread, but was there a reason you replaced the cleans with rows?

[Smack]

(Original post by danadd9)
N'awww even your starting numbers put me in the dust .
I haven't read a lot of the thread, but was there a reason you replaced the cleans with rows?

Those weren't my real "starting" numbers, though, rather my come back from a year and a half lay-off numbers. Form was also pretty poor, and believe me it is much better to start out using the correct form even if it initially handicaps your training numbers because eventually you will pay for it via muscle imbalances or an injury.

I replaced cleans with rows because at the time I didn't have the book and just did the bb.com version.

I also do genuinely think that rows are a better addition than cleans for people who are lifting for muscle gain or powerlifting. I get Rip's arguments for the clean and it is a fantastic exercise but in my experience it is only good for making you good at cleans, and since I won't ever be a weightlifter it's sort of irrelevant to me.

Also regarding shoes, get some weightlifting shoes or go barefoot. Don't lift in running shoes or tennis shoes or anything like that.

[Motorbiker]

(Original post by danadd9)
Comments:-
Squat: Alright. Hurt my leg somehow while I was warming up on the treadmill, which made squatting a little harder. Think my shoes might be holding me back as well. Maybe I'll give barefoot a try next time. That, or I'm just being a pussy.
Bench: Not bad. Took more effort to push out the last rep or two on the final set.
Deadrift: Good. Grip behaved. I might even say this felt easier than the 60kg deadlift from Monday. Should consider form, though. I might be using my back too soon.
I feel like I didn't work hard enough today because I'm not as tired as I was on Monday.

Dunno but i wouldn't run in the same shoes i'd lift in. I'd lift in flat shoes or barefoot and run in tall bouncy shoes. Just use low weightlifting sets as a warm up. That's what i do...

Get something like converse of old skate type shoes with a flat base instead of running shoes/trainers...

With Deadlifts. It's better to get a video up now of your form when at a low weight so you can fix it before you start getting heavy as that's when you can injure yourself with bad form.

Also, i started Starting Strength this time last year with similiar numbers to you. Expect to be pushing 100/60/120+ before like Easter tbh. Can't remember my speed but if you check out my blog it could give you a rough idea of how quick you can expect to progress.

[danadd9]

(Original post by MHorman)
Dunno but i wouldn't run in the same shoes i'd lift in. I'd lift in flat shoes or barefoot and run in tall bouncy shoes. Just use low weightlifting sets as a warm up. That's what i do...

Get something like converse of old skate type shoes with a flat base instead of running shoes/trainers...

With Deadlifts. It's better to get a video up now of your form when at a low weight so you can fix it before you start getting heavy as that's when you can injure yourself with bad form.

Also, i started Starting Strength this time last year with similiar numbers to you. Expect to be pushing 100/60/120+ before like Easter tbh. Can't remember my speed but if you check out my blog it could give you a rough idea of how quick you can expect to progress.

Up to this point I've been using an old (kinda flat) pair of Airwalk skate shoes. It might just be that they're worn out, I dunno.

Form - I don't own a camera (or even a phone that shoots videos - technophobe), so I can't post anything of me lifting. So far I've read through SS, Rippetoe's article/instructional videos on deadlift technique, and MANY YouTube videos of powerlifters (and some guys on here) going through the lift and seeing how they use a certain part of their body at what point.
Do you think it'll help if I ask someone else at the gym (a couple of them deadlift here) to watch my form?

Yeah I've looked through your SS blog a couple of times. Did the rows/pull ups help your other lifts?

[Motorbiker]

(Original post by danadd9)
Up to this point I've been using an old (kinda flat) pair of Airwalk skate shoes. It might just be that they're worn out, I dunno.

Form - I don't own a camera (or even a phone that shoots videos - technophobe), so I can't post anything of me lifting. So far I've read through SS, Rippetoe's article/instructional videos on deadlift technique, and MANY YouTube videos of powerlifters (and some guys on here) going through the lift and seeing how they use a certain part of their body at what point.
Do you think it'll help if I ask someone else at the gym (a couple of them deadlift here) to watch my form?

Yeah I've looked through your SS blog a couple of times. Did the rows/pull ups help your other lifts?

I'm using a pair of airwalks atm and would not reccomend running in them to warm up, just start with the empty bar and work up from there like 20*5,40*5, 60*3 then a workset of 70*3*5 ish.

Dpends on who there is at the gym, for every person that knows stuff there are a lot of useless people but it's easy to tell with deadlift if the person is doing it alright.

Urm, i dunno tbh because it's hard to tell what causes things but i enjoy the rows. Swapped to Dumbell Rows after a while as i couldn't ever do barbell rows consistently the same so the numbers were a bit meaningless after a while.

[ibysaiyan]

subd

[danadd9]

Thanks for the advice guise.

Week 2 - workout B.
(Not gonna post warm-up/cool down sets btw.)
Squat: 3x5 - 65kg
Press: 3x5 - 32.5kg
Clean: 2x4, 1x3, 1x2 - 32.5kg
Pullups: 6 (wide grip), 5 (narrow grip), 4 ("").

Comments:-
Squat: Fine. No soreness or pain beforehand, everything was fine. Went barefoot for the last set which felt better - might do this for future squats/deadlifts. Thought about doing the press barefoot as well since you need a firm base - does anyone press barefoot?
Press: Pretty easy. Getting used to form now.
Clean: Not bad. Probably should put more effort into the movement in the future.
Pullups: I dunno. Had to grind out the last two-or-so reps in each set. Form was good though, no kipping.
Cool workout in all.
Got my first bits of broscience/advice today as well which was funny. Why I shouldn't tilt my head when I'm pressing, why squatting deep is bad for your knees - all that lovely stuff. Nice guy though.

[Smack]

What do you mean when you say tilt your head during pressing?

Regarding feet, barefoot is better than running or tennis shoes. But weightlifting shoes are better still.

[danadd9]

(Original post by Smack)
What do you mean when you say tilt your head during pressing?

Regarding feet, barefoot is better than running or tennis shoes. But weightlifting shoes are better still.

I mean moving your upper portion back slightly to clear the bar past the chin and over the head.

Okay. Can I get them in a sports shop or will I have to look online?

[Smack]

That's fine, you obviously need to lay back a bit in order for the bar to not smack you on the chin.

I don't know of any sports shops that sell them, you'll probably have to look online. I'd recommend the Adidas Power Perfect IIs.

[danadd9]

(Original post by Smack)
That's fine, you obviously need to lay back a bit in order for the bar to not smack you on the chin.

I don't know of any sports shops that sell them, you'll probably have to look online. I'd recommend the Adidas Power Perfect IIs.

Alright cool, I might get them for my upcoming birthday...
Open question here: should I up my deadlift tomorrow by 15lbs, or aim higher?
I'd like to make a clear line between my squat and deadlift but Rip says to up your weight around 15lbs each time, so I don't wanna be over-ambitious.

[Smack]

Just add how ever much you think you can. Don't over complicate this.

[danadd9]

I'll aim for 20~lbs tomorrow and see what happens.
Okay last non-trivial question: the lowest single weight my gym has is 2.5lbs (the smaller ones were nicked apparently).
What should I do when my progress slows and I can only manage an increase of 2.5lbs on, say, the press?
There are rules against bringing your own weights and stuff as well.

[Smack]

Keep going up until you stall, then reset. Micro plates aren't crucial and make little different in the grand scheme of things. If you can add a rep each time then you are still getting stronger, too.