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The book and service provided was better than expexted. Could be recommended to others. Excellent.
Unless you are a professional strength coach, this book is going to be one heavy read. and the description of the dip doesn't tell the trainee whether the scapulae should be depressed &/or retracted during a rep. The book is over-padded with irrelevancies. One is reminded of Socrates, who after reading Heraclitus, said: "What I understand is splendid; and I think what I don't understand is so too- but it would take a Delian diver to get to the bottom of it."The book is as well organized as the Keystone Cops on parade. Either get the excellent companion DVD, or seek out the Aasgaard posters on the big lifts (now O/P), or get a copyof Stuart McRobert's weight-training technique handbook. The text meanders from one technical point to the next, with the occasional practical interlude. You'll need a degree in kinesiology to wade through this stuff. In addition, two good exercises aren't prompted in this book: 1) the push-up with feet elevated and wearing a weighted vest (or even chains) and hands gripping dumbells;2) the supine ("inverted") row with feet elevated and wearing a weighted vest.All the useful info the trainee needs to read could be condensed into about 30 pages.
And regarding the so-called humour in this book, either Webster's definition differs from the OED, or the writers should leave the humour to Ambrose Bierce and W.C.Fields.The book leaves a whole lot of questions unanswered. For example, on p.145 the trainee demonstrating the deadlift has a hyper-extended neck; is that correct. So, what's the trainee to do. McRobert's book has flaws but at least it's addressed to the trainee, rather than the trainer.
There are other methods out there that work well, but none that I've seen is so simple and common sense as the Starting Strength method.For the novice lifter (are you squatting 1.5 times you body weight for reps. If you're serious about getting stronger - for whatever reason - this book and the associated wiki are a great place to start. Mark's clear, concise, and practical insights on weight training are the best you're going to find anywhere. If not, you're a novice), following the program is sure to save you from wasting huge amounts of time, money, and experiencing unnecessary pain. All you have to do is pay attention to what Mark is telling you and follow through.
Mark's focus on the basics of strength training really positions you for advanced sport specific activities. Even if you don't know the meaning the context helps.
Covered are the squat, the bench press, the deadlift, the press, and the power clean. Mark Rippetoe provides exhaustive but not exhausing instruction.
The author uses exercise specific terminology about 5% of the time. Each exercise has it's own chapter; exercises are illustrated, explained, given alternatives, and potential problems discussed.
Extra chapters cover assistive exercises and workout programming. If you are an exercise professional then you can get a deeper understanding of the mechanics.
Whether for general health or professional athletics, "Starting Strength" is informative and engaging.
This is an essential book for anybody who is interested in strength and bodybuilding in general. It describes in a meticulous way the big 4 exercises (Squat, Deadlift, Bench Press, Press) and the Power Clean by Coach Rippetoe who is a known authority in this field. Also it has useful tips about other auxiliary exercises. I absolutely recommend it for everyone, especially for beginners who are starting to train in weightlifting.
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