For those that completed the Starting Strength routine

[paulxcook]

How long did you continue the program? Rippetoe is vague on how long it's "supposed" to last, I believe the basic idea is that I should continue until I stop making progress, then add some accessory exercises, continue til I stop making progress again, maybe add a few more exercises.... Should I consider switching to a more intermediate program one my progress stops a 3rd time?

 

[sherwinz28]

I never stopped gaining on the starting strength routine. BUT I did have lots of joint problems afterwards so I could only do the routine for about 2.5 months or so. After that my joints were killing me...my knees and elbows mainly, as well as my lower back. This routine definately puts some muscle and strength on you though. I gained about 15 lbs...I'm pretty sure it wasn't all muscle. I'll probably start this routine again but this time I'll be taking a joint supplement daily to see if it helps.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: sherwinz28
I never stopped gaining on the starting strength routine. BUT I did have lots of joint problems afterwards so I could only do the routine for about 2.5 months or so. After that my joints were killing me...my knees and elbows mainly, as well as my lower back. This routine definately puts some muscle and strength on you though. I gained about 15 lbs...I'm pretty sure it wasn't all muscle. I'll probably start this routine again but this time I'll be taking a joint supplement daily to see if it helps.

Was joint pain from all the squats?

 

[spamsk8r]

If I recall correctly I believe it's recommended as a 6 week program that you can repeat as many times as you like (but I might be wrong about that). If you're not making gains any more, first thing to check would be diet (if you're not eating enough you will stall much faster), then possibly looking into intermediate programs. After all, it's called Starting Strength

 

[KoolDrew]

How long did you continue the program?

Until I stopped making gains.

Really you should try to milk the Starting Strength routine for all it's worth, only getting more complex when it is absolutely necessary. If you happen to stall on a specific exercise, then just drop the weight down and work your way back up trying to move past the point where you stalled. This is given you haven't been slacking off and that's not the reason for you stalling. After doing this a few times, it's probably time to make a few adjustments. You can start by just adding dips/chins etc. Eventually you will want to adjust the program so it doesn't have three heavy squatting days though, as you probably won't be able to handle it at that point. Something along the lines of Bill Starr's 5x5 routine would be perfect or simply adjusting the base routine to include Front Squats in on Wednesdays as opposed to back squats would work as well.

 

[crt1530]

People give up on this program way too easily. Rippetoe has his trainees stay on this basic program for nine months (people who started having never touched a barbell before). You should order some washers so you can microload. Eventually, the 5lb increases will become too much. Go to McMaster-Carr and order one pack of part number 91081A046. This is a pack of eight stainless steel washers that each weigh 10oz and have a 2" inner diameter (currently $11.94 + shipping). This way, you can add 1.25lbs to the bar at a time and continue making linear progress once the 5lb jumps become too much. It might seem silly to add 1.25lbs to the bar, but if you added 1.25lbs every workout for a year on this program, you would add 97.5lbs to your press and bench press and 195lbs to your squat (it's usually not necessary to use microloading on the deadlift).

Here's a PDF on general guidelines for assessing your strength levels and choosing the type of programming that is likely appropriate.

 

[Jinru]

I spent 5 months on Rippetoe before I changed to my current split (push/pull) routine. By the end of Starting Strength I was stalling on all my lifts and through the last month I was barely able to increased the weights by 5lbs. I think my diet and sleep played a large role from lack of consistency and school work, compared to how dedicated I was when I first started, but I did put on about 25lbs and all my lifts increased dramatically. I plan on doing MadCow's 5x5 soon.

 

[paulxcook]

I'm not quitting it anytime soon. The first month seems to have flown by pretty quickly, and I've definitely gotten stronger. I will admit the squats are starting to take their toll, but that may just be due to me adding too much weight too fast. Thanks for the input guys, I just wanted to get an idea of how long I should expect to continue SS. I knew I'd have to get the washers or something similar eventually.

 

[TallBill]

Just do it untill you feel like its time to move on. There is no "right" answer.You could do starting strength untill you die and you'll still be doing better then not lifting at all!

 

[BigPoppa]

I just don't see it as possible to stall out on the program. I think most people just like to change their programs too often. If you ever truly stalled out, you probably just weren't eating enough to continue gains. The only changes I could see have pretty much been mentioned. Don't back squat heavy 3x a week. Could do back/front/back or heavy/med/speed. Maybe increase volume a bit to 5x5 over time.

I guess I should say you won't stall out with only a year or two using it. But theres no need for extreme measures like German Volume Training or Westside when you don't have the base to go off of.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: BigPoppa
I just don't see it as possible to stall out on the program. I think most people just like to change their programs too often. If you ever truly stalled out, you probably just weren't eating enough to continue gains. The only changes I could see have pretty much been mentioned. Don't back squat heavy 3x a week. Could do back/front/back or heavy/med/speed. Maybe increase volume a bit to 5x5 over time.

I guess I should say you won't stall out with only a year or two using it. But theres no need for extreme measures like German Volume Training or Westside when you don't have the base to go off of.

You have to stall eventually or you'd be a world record holder!

 

[BigPoppa]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: BigPoppa
I just don't see it as possible to stall out on the program. I think most people just like to change their programs too often. If you ever truly stalled out, you probably just weren't eating enough to continue gains. The only changes I could see have pretty much been mentioned. Don't back squat heavy 3x a week. Could do back/front/back or heavy/med/speed. Maybe increase volume a bit to 5x5 over time.

I guess I should say you won't stall out with only a year or two using it. But theres no need for extreme measures like German Volume Training or Westside when you don't have the base to go off of.

You have to stall eventually or you'd be a world record holder!

Well thats what my second paragraph covers. Starting Strength should last most novices I would say at least 1-2 years with the proper minimal tweaking. Build the base with SS then move on to more specific routines for hypertrophy or strength (or a combination of the two).