Is squatting 3 times a week overdoing it?

paulig

I've been following this program for the last couple of months http://www.startingstrength.net/workouts/

Have to say I'm very happy with it and have put on about a stone of lean body mass. I'm wondering though if squatting on all 3 workout days is excessive? I find the squats pretty tough going and often still have tightness in the legs by my second session of the week.

I've been considering switching the middle squat session (Wednesday) for something upper body like lateral pulldown?

Anyone have an opinion on this?

J-Fit

Possibly. Doing it never agreed with my knees but many people do it with no problems. As is so often the answer.......it depends.

podge57

How long have you been following this program, and are you still adding weight each workout?

Also, are you having trouble completing the sets, or is it just that you are recovering much slower?

fullback4glin

paulig wrote: »

I've been following this program for the last couple of months http://www.startingstrength.net/workouts/

I find the squats pretty tough going and often still have tightness in the legs by my second session of the week.

Make sure you're eating plenty and getting at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It's essential for recovery.

Brian?

Are you getting stronger? If the answer is yes I'd keep at it.

The Guvnor

For me it would definitely be overkill but as was said if your knees are fine and you are progressing then stick with it. However there might be a better program out there for you which would illicit even better gains.

paulig

To answer your questions guys I've been at it since the new year. Not completely uninterrupted though as I have been sick and the odd blinding hangover has gotten in the way.

I'm still seeing gains in both weight and strength (reps achieved and weight lifted). I've always been "struggling" to complete sets but that's the way it should be as I see it!

As someone who has NEVER been able to gain weight I'm really astounded at how well this has gone, I guess from what you guys are saying the answer to my question is probably to keep doing what I'm doing until the weight/strength gains stop, at which point it might be worth considering dropping the squats to twice a week?

One point I would make is that I've made very little progress on the bench press (maybe only a 5kg increase), but I'd been benching before I ever started this program whereas the other exercises are new to me, which has me wondering if my upper body is progressing as it should be.

Brian?

paulig wrote: »

To answer you're questions guys I've been at it since the new year. Not completely uninterrupted though as I have been sick and the odd blinding hangover has gotten in the way.

I'm still seeing gains in both weight and strength (reps achieved and weight lifted). I've always been "struggling" to complete sets but that's the way it should be as I see it!

As someone who has NEVER been able to gain weight I'm really astounded at how well this has gone, I guess from what you guys are saying the answer to my question is probably to keep doing what I'm doing until the weight/strength gains stop, at which point it might be worth considering dropping the squats to twice a week?

Sounds like you're delighted with the results, so keep at it.

All your questions should be answered here:

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Program

I think this is the real answer:

How long should I stay on this program?

"Until it stops working" is the often frustrating response I have given on several occasions.

As is stated further into the FAQ, there are 2 resets for the squat and perhaps 1 for the deadlift that will be done before it's time to move on. You will probably reset the press and bench a few times before it is time to change programs. As long as the squat and deadlift are still moving up, however, there is no need to change programming. If you need to do a "bigtime reset" as described below, or if you are stalling on multiple exercises at once, and you've done The Advanced Novice Program then it is time to move on.

If you do everything outlined in this FAQ you could stay on the program as little as 3-4 months or as long as 8-9 months. Do your best to stay on it for 9 months if you can. Seriously, do the math and tell me how much 9 months is in terms of weight added to the bar! Yeah, Bob.

d'Oracle

paulig wrote: »

One point I would make is that I've made very little progress on the bench press (maybe only a 5kg increase), but I'd been benching before I ever started this program whereas the other exercises are new to me, which has me wondering if my upper body is progressing as it should be.

Could be loads of reasons why your Bench specifically isn't moving, you could be loading it too much. There is a forum on www.startingstrength.com.
Its a Q&A with Rippetoe.
I advise you to search the forum rather than posting the question though.
Rip will probably just tell you to do the programme.

If you are only on 3 months then you probably should not be thinking about dropping the squat.