Starting Strength Experiences

[BlackTigers]

intimidating = hard to most people.

Also if you think a really good set of squats or deads is easy you are probably doing them wrong.

I didn't say they were easy?

Shit, half the time I turn purple I've even forced a nose bleed once grinding a rep out. Not easy at all, but if you like doing them, they aren't a chore anymore.

 

[alkemyst]

well that is hard to most people 🙂

 

[Deeko]

You talk about Arnold's program and how its high rep - it is. I've read a few of his books (including his mammoth Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding). He definitely advocates a higher rep count, as he should - its bodybuilding. However, as you yourself pointed out, it includes the powerlifts. I actually am in full agreeance with you that for a beginner, a proper bodybuilding routine - one that also includes the big lifts - can see great results. That's how I started.

However, you talk about easy vs hard and all of that. Have you done a 20RM squat set? Its "light". Its "easy". That is, until you get past the 12th rep and your body is screaming at you...and you've still got 8 more to go.

The low rep sets are more intimidating, yes....but personally, give me a 1RM before a 5RM, and give me a 5RM before a 20RM, any day, in terms of how easy or stressful the set is.

 

[rasczak]

@ brikis, so I got the book. you were correct I did not know as much as I thought I did. I stand corrected. I've been reading up on it and now I am pumped even more so for the program. so much so that I am going to forgo my current work gym membership for a gym membership at the local rec with proper equipment. (10 dollars cheaper too i might add 🙂)

 

[brikis98]

@ brikis, so I got the book. you were correct I did not know as much as I thought I did. I stand corrected. I've been reading up on it and now I am pumped even more so for the program. so much so that I am going to forgo my current work gym membership for a gym membership at the local rec with proper equipment. (10 dollars cheaper too i might add 🙂)

Great to hear. Now go do some squats.

 

[BlackTigers]

You talk about Arnold's program and how its high rep - it is. I've read a few of his books (including his mammoth Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding). He definitely advocates a higher rep count, as he should - its bodybuilding. However, as you yourself pointed out, it includes the powerlifts. I actually am in full agreeance with you that for a beginner, a proper bodybuilding routine - one that also includes the big lifts - can see great results. That's how I started.

However, you talk about easy vs hard and all of that. Have you done a 20RM squat set? Its "light". Its "easy". That is, until you get past the 12th rep and your body is screaming at you...and you've still got 8 more to go.

The low rep sets are more intimidating, yes....but personally, give me a 1RM before a 5RM, and give me a 5RM before a 20RM, any day, in terms of how easy or stressful the set is.

I did one widowmaker (20 rep squat) and literally....felt like death was imminent.

 

[brikis98]

I did one widowmaker (20 rep squat) and literally....felt like death was imminent.

Yea, "death is imminent" is a pretty good description of 20 rep squats. I've done a lot of hard workouts in my life, but 20 rep squats were pretty much the only ones I ever dreaded. And I didn't even do the full "20 rep squat routine", I just did one set of 20 rep squats every week or two at the start of my Wednesday workout. I started at 205lbs and added 5-10lbs each time I got through all 20 reps. It wasn't long before Wednesday became the most feared day of the week for me. I'd literally be nervous before the workout and come up with any excuse I could to skip it. I eventually made it up to 300x20, at which point it was draining me so much mentally and physically (I'd be sore for 3-4 days after) that I stopped doing 20 rep squats entirely. I still shudder a bit when I think of them, though to be fair, they did have some nice benefits, including seriously increasing my mental and physical toughness.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

body for life all the way

 

[alkemyst]

squats were yesterday, still sticking to 6 and higher on the reps; my next with be my 4th leg workout only.

Ramped up to 195x6...going to start at 175x12 next workout and shoot for 215x6. My first workout I didn't break 155lbs I think.

Gotta wake these muscles up 🙂 Stiff Legged Deads with 175lbs for reps. Arm is still feeling great, I hope I can lose the arm guard soon.

 

[BlackTigers]

squats were yesterday, still sticking to 6 and higher on the reps; my next with be my 4th leg workout only.

Ramped up to 195x6...going to start at 175x12 next workout and shoot for 215x6. My first workout I didn't break 155lbs I think.

Gotta wake these muscles up 🙂 Stiff Legged Deads with 175lbs for reps. Arm is still feeling great, I hope I can lose the arm guard soon.

I figured you'd squat more....

Haven't lifted in a while??

 

[alkemyst]

4 years.

 

[BlackTigers]

4 years.

That'll do it.