Stupid Starting Strength Question

G-Money

So I've been doing the starting strength programme and so far it's been ok. I'm probably not lifting as heavy as I could, but it's going ok.

My question is, is starting strength enough of a weights workout? Literally I'm only doing the weights from starting strength:

First day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Presses - 3 x 5
Deadlife - 1 x 5

Second Day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Power Clean - 3 x 5
Military Press - 3 x 5

That's it, that's the only weights I'm doing. Is that enough combined with cardio and a decent diet?

BobbyOLeary

grandmaster wrote: »

So I've been doing the starting strength programme and so far it's been ok. I'm probably not lifting as heavy as I could, but it's going ok.

My question is, is starting strength enough of a weights workout? Literally I'm only doing the weights from starting strength:

First day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Presses - 3 x 5
Deadlife - 1 x 5

Second Day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Power Clean - 3 x 5
Military Press - 3 x 5

That's it, that's the only weights I'm doing. Is that enough combined with cardio and a decent diet?

I presume you're doing that 3 times a week? e.g. Week 1 will be something like this:

Monday: First Day

Wednesday: Second Day

Friday: First Day

As the weight increases you'll find it's enough for you. If I recall correctly though you're not doing backsquats and replacing them with goblet squats instead? This is an issue that comes up with SS a lot, do the program as is and you'll get the results. Also, if your results aren't what you want I'll wager that your diet isn't as good as you think it is.

bigstar

when your lifting heavy enough itll feel enough.

i would say do some rowing/upper back work though. i find SS missed that.

d'Oracle

I'm not sure if you are back squatting yet.

But, when I started it, I probably went a bit light from the start.
I felt ok after doing most workouts after I started getting the hang of the lifts.

Then they got heavy.
I wasn't thinking "is it was enough" anymore after that.

thrive4life

can someone point me to this program, it might come in handy next yr if things go to plan,

gary

d'Oracle

thrive4life wrote: »

can someone point me to this program, it might come in handy next yr if things go to plan,

gary

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/Starting_Strength_Wiki

There is also a book.
It is highly advisable that you buy or borrow the book.

thrive4life

i amazoned that book and doest look like easy to come by,

ill try and keep up the searching. .

Jonny303

used starting strength myself last year and liked it. always ment to ask, why only the 1 set of deads? im not disagreeing with the workout as results show it works, just whats the idea of only the 1 set

Sangre

3x5 squats and deadlifts on the same day, potentially twice in one week, is very demanding on the muscles, nervous system and your mental status.

discombobulate

Jonny303 wrote: »

used starting strength myself last year and liked it. always ment to ask, why only the 1 set of deads? im not disagreeing with the workout as results show it works, just whats the idea of only the 1 set

Its only one set of working weight deads but say if you were on 120kg you could do something like 80, 95, 110 to warm up which would hit you well. I couldn't imagine doing 5 sets at my max at the moment it sould be torture.

As for being enough. I was thinking the same until the past couple of weeks when i've started to struggle going up. I do things like dips, chins, push ups as extras now if I have time.

BobbyOLeary

Jonny303 wrote: »

used starting strength myself last year and liked it. always ment to ask, why only the 1 set of deads? im not disagreeing with the workout as results show it works, just whats the idea of only the 1 set

The easiest way to explain the reason is for you to do 3x5 in both the Squat and Deadlift in one day and report back how you feel over the next two days. Not trying to be smart, Sangre was spot on with the physical demand reason. 3x5 of both big lifts once you're shifting decent weight will be too much for you to recover in time for the next workout. Personally, my body rebels in a big way if I do more than one set of deads. Foam rolling or not it mangles me up.

Frogdog

grandmaster wrote: »

So I've been doing the starting strength programme and so far it's been ok. I'm probably not lifting as heavy as I could, but it's going ok.

My question is, is starting strength enough of a weights workout? Literally I'm only doing the weights from starting strength:

First day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Presses - 3 x 5
Deadlife - 1 x 5

Second Day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Power Clean - 3 x 5
Military Press - 3 x 5

That's it, that's the only weights I'm doing. Is that enough combined with cardio and a decent diet?

Cardio? Cardio is not recommended in Starting Strength. Couple of reasons:

1. Cardio eats muscle
2. Your body needs to recover fully from a heavy weights session.

A good diet? I hope by a good diet you mean in excess of 500 calories over your maintenance calories daily? And this is to include burgers, kebabs, full fat milk etc. so that your body can increase in size and your muscles have all the protein and other nutrients necessary to recover and grow?

d'Oracle

Frogdog wrote: »

1. Cardio eats muscle

I think that is a bit of an exaggeration.

Cardio is ignored by starting strength, cos its a strength training programme.

Mjollnir

grandmaster wrote: »

So I've been doing the starting strength programme and so far it's been ok. I'm probably not lifting as heavy as I could, but it's going ok.

My question is, is starting strength enough of a weights workout? Literally I'm only doing the weights from starting strength:

First day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Presses - 3 x 5
Deadlife - 1 x 5

Second Day:
Squats - 3 x 5
Power Clean - 3 x 5
Military Press - 3 x 5

That's it, that's the only weights I'm doing. Is that enough combined with cardio and a decent diet?

That sounds fine, commendable even, for building a basic strength foundation. I'd recommend waiting between 6-7 days between each different day, and considering periodization as well. I know, it's counterintuitive, but as crazy as it sounds, "Train less, get more" actually works very well.

I first head about it in my early 20's from a Clarence Bass, and he's (and I, for myself) has spent a lifetime proving it works. While he's most well known for ripped, he's always been a pure strength athlete.

www.cbass.com