Both parties in the discussion have a lot of my respect. Titanheart, are you a lifter, and if so, of what kind? There aren't many here, so my curiosity is piqued. I wasn't sure if you arrived here from the AoM side of the Rippetoe side. Just curious.
I came across both separately. About 5 years ago I was 34 and had a heart valve replaced. Something went wonky in the surgery and now I have memory loss and seizures, not that I am complaining, I am after all still alive. For a while I was pretty depressed, mostly about not being able to work, I found AoM while looking for gift ideas one Christmas and I will say that it was a huge help (as was my lovely wife) in pulling my head out of my... well helping me get back on my feet. As part of getting myself back on my feet I wanted to get my strength back. Research led me to Starting Strength and I read the book and e-mailed a little with Rip, who is an awesome guy.
A friend who is a Master Carpenter helped me build a rack and I have some cheap weights. I started at 65 lbs across the bar a few months back and am now up to 140 squat, 100 bench, and 200 something on the deadlift, I'm not certain on the deadlift as I have all of my plates on the bar and added a 20 and 35 lb kettle bell to it when I ran out of plates. Hopefully soon I can pick up some more plates lol. I can't do the press as my apartment ceiling is to low.
That's a powerful story. I hope the iron helps bring you more and more benefits. I appreciate AoM in a classic manly sense, but my awareness of Starting Strength comes from my pursuit of better lifting, trying to stay healthy, lift properly and be well rounded. I started lifting when I had my second son, as a way to relieve stress, and realized it made me a better person. I'm addicted to the process of lifting and the small little improvements it has brought. Pains and problems I have had, I've been able to rid myself of through balanced training. That's my background. I focus on the big three but do OHP as a regular part of my routine. I've hit double body weight squat and deadlift, 1.5 bench and .75 body weight on OHP. The initial goals I set for myself two years ago, so I'm in the process of revaluation and planning new goals. I'm also a technique junkie and a huge lifting nerd (so long as it focuses on the main lifts I know well....for instance, I couldn't tell you anything about bicep training).
I love your approach to deads regarding amount of weight. Just keep piling it on! On pressing, with a low, you could effectively press in the "take a knee" position or even on both knees. A landline press might also prove effective for low ceilings as the bar and your body are angled. Just thinking out loud. Anytime you want to talk lifting, I'm always game! Only know a few other guys who have the same passion so these aren't discussions I get to have frequently.
Thanks for replying. I hope your lifting continues to go well!
Awesome man! I hadn't thought about pressing from the knee, that may be perfect. I worked a bar for chins into my rack design, so my current goal is to be able to start doing those as a supplemental. Man I can't wait for the day I can do double body weight anything! You are the man!
I would love to get Starting Strength certified one day and open a good gym here in Knoxville.
Do you do anything with your diet to supplement your lifting?
Thanks for the kind words. I can be a little obsessive about some things and lifting is one of those things. It's awesome that you've got your own rack and home set up. I think the OHP from the knee is good because you can't cheat the movement with hip assistance, however if you combined with land mine press where you can overload and use "strategic assistance" (deliberate cheating) those two could be a winning combination. Just noting what I might do in those circumstances.
For diet...I eat a lot. I struggle to get enough protein but I'm using tuna packets to supplement and I think that helps. I just try to be very hydrated and not carb depleted for any upper body day. I have heard (and my experience corroborates) that benching and OHPing well requires these things. I have found that some BCAAs before and after I lift helps with stamina and recovery. Lots of different options there but nothing fancy is needed. Also, when I'm sweating a lot in I try to take extra Magnesuim and zinc as that seems to help facilitate recovery and prevent cramping. Honestly? I'm not a great source for solid diet advice since I'm figuring this part out as I go. I tend to specialize more in technique, fixing imbalanced and the physical aspect of training because this is the aspect of training in which I have been most Interested. This year my focus is on getting the diet consistent, keeping track of calories and protein/carb/fat intake.
I'm 35 and I've been lifting seriously for three years with a year before that of just figuring things out and learning what to do. I don't train with anyone since we move a lot and my family time is a higher priority...makes it tough to meet with training partners. I do use a LOT of online/YouTube assistance. If you had specific questions I'd be glad to share the sources that I have found to be helpful.
Tell me more about the Starting Strength certification, I wasnt aware there was such a thing. That seems like a certification I could have confidence and take seriously. Also, it's very cool that Rippetoe has corresponded with you and is a quality guy away from the camera (not that I have any reason to doubt that).
As I understand it they do seminars and training so that "trainers" can get certified by Rip and use the Starting Strength name. Seems to be more based on technique and mechanics than performance. Have a look here. http://startingstrength.org/">http://startingstrength.org/
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Chet_Manly 8 years, 10 months ago
Both parties in the discussion have a lot of my respect. Titanheart, are you a lifter, and if so, of what kind? There aren't many here, so my curiosity is piqued. I wasn't sure if you arrived here from the AoM side of the Rippetoe side. Just curious.
Reply
Titanheart 8 years, 10 months ago
I came across both separately. About 5 years ago I was 34 and had a heart valve replaced. Something went wonky in the surgery and now I have memory loss and seizures, not that I am complaining, I am after all still alive. For a while I was pretty depressed, mostly about not being able to work, I found AoM while looking for gift ideas one Christmas and I will say that it was a huge help (as was my lovely wife) in pulling my head out of my... well helping me get back on my feet. As part of getting myself back on my feet I wanted to get my strength back. Research led me to Starting Strength and I read the book and e-mailed a little with Rip, who is an awesome guy.
A friend who is a Master Carpenter helped me build a rack and I have some cheap weights. I started at 65 lbs across the bar a few months back and am now up to 140 squat, 100 bench, and 200 something on the deadlift, I'm not certain on the deadlift as I have all of my plates on the bar and added a 20 and 35 lb kettle bell to it when I ran out of plates. Hopefully soon I can pick up some more plates lol. I can't do the press as my apartment ceiling is to low.
How bout you?
Reply
Chet_Manly 8 years, 10 months ago
That's a powerful story. I hope the iron helps bring you more and more benefits. I appreciate AoM in a classic manly sense, but my awareness of Starting Strength comes from my pursuit of better lifting, trying to stay healthy, lift properly and be well rounded. I started lifting when I had my second son, as a way to relieve stress, and realized it made me a better person. I'm addicted to the process of lifting and the small little improvements it has brought. Pains and problems I have had, I've been able to rid myself of through balanced training. That's my background. I focus on the big three but do OHP as a regular part of my routine. I've hit double body weight squat and deadlift, 1.5 bench and .75 body weight on OHP. The initial goals I set for myself two years ago, so I'm in the process of revaluation and planning new goals. I'm also a technique junkie and a huge lifting nerd (so long as it focuses on the main lifts I know well....for instance, I couldn't tell you anything about bicep training).
I love your approach to deads regarding amount of weight. Just keep piling it on! On pressing, with a low, you could effectively press in the "take a knee" position or even on both knees. A landline press might also prove effective for low ceilings as the bar and your body are angled. Just thinking out loud. Anytime you want to talk lifting, I'm always game! Only know a few other guys who have the same passion so these aren't discussions I get to have frequently.
Thanks for replying. I hope your lifting continues to go well!
Reply
Titanheart 8 years, 10 months ago
Awesome man! I hadn't thought about pressing from the knee, that may be perfect. I worked a bar for chins into my rack design, so my current goal is to be able to start doing those as a supplemental. Man I can't wait for the day I can do double body weight anything! You are the man!
I would love to get Starting Strength certified one day and open a good gym here in Knoxville.
Do you do anything with your diet to supplement your lifting?
Reply
Chet_Manly 8 years, 10 months ago
Thanks for the kind words. I can be a little obsessive about some things and lifting is one of those things. It's awesome that you've got your own rack and home set up.
I think the OHP from the knee is good because you can't cheat the movement with hip assistance, however if you combined with land mine press where you can overload and use "strategic assistance" (deliberate cheating) those two could be a winning combination. Just noting what I might do in those circumstances.
For diet...I eat a lot. I struggle to get enough protein but I'm using tuna packets to supplement and I think that helps. I just try to be very hydrated and not carb depleted for any upper body day. I have heard (and my experience corroborates) that benching and OHPing well requires these things. I have found that some BCAAs before and after I lift helps with stamina and recovery. Lots of different options there but nothing fancy is needed. Also, when I'm sweating a lot in I try to take extra Magnesuim and zinc as that seems to help facilitate recovery and prevent cramping. Honestly? I'm not a great source for solid diet advice since I'm figuring this part out as I go. I tend to specialize more in technique, fixing imbalanced and the physical aspect of training because this is the aspect of training in which I have been most Interested. This year my focus is on getting the diet consistent, keeping track of calories and protein/carb/fat intake.
I'm 35 and I've been lifting seriously for three years with a year before that of just figuring things out and learning what to do. I don't train with anyone since we move a lot and my family time is a higher priority...makes it tough to meet with training partners. I do use a LOT of online/YouTube assistance. If you had specific questions I'd be glad to share the sources that I have found to be helpful.
Tell me more about the Starting Strength certification, I wasnt aware there was such a thing. That seems like a certification I could have confidence and take seriously. Also, it's very cool that Rippetoe has corresponded with you and is a quality guy away from the camera (not that I have any reason to doubt that).
Reply
Titanheart 8 years, 10 months ago
As I understand it they do seminars and training so that "trainers" can get certified by Rip and use the Starting Strength name. Seems to be more based on technique and mechanics than performance. Have a look here. http://startingstrength.org/">http://startingstrength.org/
Reply
Chet_Manly 8 years, 10 months ago
Cool, thanks!
Reply