Is Starting Strength passe?

Calliope610

I need help from my lifting ladies, please! So after a 4 month sabbatical from SL5x5 due to frustration with my squat form (I lean forward too much, can't "get" the hip drive motion), I went to the gym (Anytime Fitness - I live in a small rural town - ATF is the only good option) this morning. They have a new "trainer" - one I hear is into barbell/dumbell lifting instead of the machines for strength training. I'm like, awesome, someone who can teach me what I need to know. I show him my squat ala Rippetoe (feet shoulder width apart & at 30degree angle, thumb over grip, bar on the scapular shelf, etc). And he says I'm doing it all wrong. Feet should be hip width (I know, minor detail), bar on the traps, thumb around the bar grip - everything counter to Starting Strength and Rippetoe (I don't even know if he knew who Mark Rippetoe is). So my question is, is Mark Rippetoe and his Starting Strength teaching passe now? Am I just stuck on some old school, antiquated techniques? Cause I really want to do this right and do it well. I just get so confused. Your comments please.

rlw911

I'm still a noobie, so not an expert by any means, but when trying to decide which program to follow, Starting Strength/Rippetoe came highly recommended by tons of people on MFP. I haven't bought the book, but I use Rippetoe's videos for form information. Based on my extremely small knowledge base, I'd say the problem lies with your trainer.

cats847

No, it's not passe. Rippetoe continues to be a highly respected authority in the lifting world.

lwoodroff

sounds like he was trying to teach you high bar squat, which is a different type of squat.

I like SS as it seems to be well based on what works best from an anatomical and strength point of view, while reducing injury likelihood.

The book has a free sample that includes the whole of the squat chapter on kindle (or emulator for your phone).

neandermagnon

the thing about feet hip width is not correct (it's okay to do squats that way, but there's nothing at all wrong with a wider stance). this is a bugbear of mine because I can't do squats at all with that narrow a stance, because I fall backwards (well I can get part way down but beyond a certain point I fall on my *kitten*). As far as I can tell (researching biomechanics etc) this is due to my shins being slightly too short compared to my femurs, so my centre of gravity does not stay over my feet because the hips move back further relative to the knees. (and it's not ankle flexibility as some say, I tested that hypothesis recently and hurt my ankle through over-flexing it so not trying that again, plus I've compared my shin angles with that of other people (i.e. those who have longer shins than me which is nearly everyone) and my ankles are just as flexed as people with longer shins are when they're doing squats) ....different people have different body proportions and it sometimes requires minor adjustments in form for some people). This is corrected by a wider stance, because it limits how far back the hips can go. Raised heels also correct it (the only way I can do pistol squats is if my heels are on a block, because you can't widen your stance while standing on one leg lol)

Also I've been able to *kitten* to grass squat my whole life, never had to relearn how to do it, and I've always naturally squatted with a wide stance. It's only when people come along and say you ***have to*** squat with your feet close together (and they never say why, like if your legs are going to fall off if you squat with a wider stance) that I've ever had a problem. And pistol squats, and shooting the duck in ice hockey training (like a pistol squat while skating along) - I just can't for the life of me get my centre of gravity to stay over my feet for those. But I can do a pistol squat while on tiptoes, because that imitates having a longer shin.

Anyway there are quite a few examples of where form will vary from one individual to another, and squat stance is one of them, i.e. varying the width and how far your toes point out. Find a stance that's comfortable, where you can get below parallel and maintain good form through the lift (and without falling on your *kitten*).

I'd trust Rippetoe a lot more than some two-bit trainer in some gym somewhere. He knows anatomy and biomechanics and he's not a famous weight lifting instructor for no reason.

Leadfoot_Lewis

I'd trust Rippetoe a lot more than some two-bit trainer in some gym somewhere. He knows anatomy and biomechanics and he's not a famous weight lifting instructor for no reason.

LOL - Exactly!

Sounds like all the trainer knows is high squat, which is different than a low squat (uses less posterior chain, bar on traps, back more vertical, etc.)

redheaddee

No, it's not passe. Rippetoe continues to be a highly respected authority in the lifting world.

This. It may be "passe" or "boring", but good form based on physiology and all that science stuff seems classic to me. Rippetoe is my go-to guy for sure.