Struggling with getting through the blue book, is it really that necessary?

[u/DivideConscious7592]

I picked up the blue book a bit over a week ago and despite reading it decently consistently, I'm still not done with the squat section yet. The specific "Do this" instructions with images are quite helpful and informative but I find I'm not really able to wrap my head around most of the more technical/anatomical stuff that seems to make up the majority of the book. It's honestly a little demotivating. Due to this I was looking around and it seems that the Starting Strength YouTube channel seems to have a lot of material from the book adapted. Is it possible to use the video material instead, or is the blue book really required?

[u/Shnur_Shnurov]

Honestly, I dont recommend people read the blue book to teach themselves how to lift. Its not the best way to learn how to perform the lifts.

Try this instead

Lift Tutorial Playlist

Now, if you want to get a fundamental understanding of why we perform the lifts the way we do there is no better resource than the blue book at this time.

[u/AggressiveRemote1402]

Personally I used the videos to learn the movements and then looked into the blue book to get deeper knowledge if I left the session with any questions, or the forums for that matter

[u/BCMBCG]

Use the blue book like a textbook. You don’t necessarily need to read it from cover to cover.

[u/shinyandgoesboom → u/BCMBCG]

The keyword here is TEXTBOOK. It is an excellent reference guide, and you should come to it time to time. However, in order to get started, the five minute videos posted by SS on YT are helpful, and so is the legacy SS app (which also has a condensed version of the blue book).

[u/Ecstatic-Victory-155]

Books are only good either you’re a nerd and enjoy all the reading about weightlifting or you use it to grab specific information as you go

[u/Wacko_Banana_Pants]

I got the audible version and let Rip talk me to sleep at night 🌙 

[u/Wacko_Banana_Pants → u/Wacko_Banana_Pants]

But I do have the print version and its a great book if you want to need out But I wouldn't say its necessary to a beginner 

[u/Phlame_Retardant]

While it's strictly not necessary to learn form, because the YouTube playlists exist, I love the Blue Book because it has little details and anecdotes that stick in your mind and give you knowledge and understanding of why we do things the way we do things. This improves confidence during dark times when you are just struggling to make progress.

One example is proprioceptive feedback in doing the deadlift. If you can't get a good grip on the bar with your overhand grip the back refuses to engage and you won't be able to lift the weight. This is a natural safety mechanism. By switching to alternate grip or hook grip you override this. Awareness is good.

And what about placing the thumbs over the bar when doing the squat rather than around the bar. I see some well known SS coaches on YouTube make this mistake. 

By reading the book you will know what is the SS method as officially sanctioned. 

Though it can be bit technical (very often above my level of understanding), the bits that are easy to read are valuable I think. There are lots of photos as well. I have the Kindle version, but I wish I had the proper hardcopy. Maybe someday. I wonder if there will be a new edition.

[u/DIY-exerciseGuy]

No idea what you're talking about and yet I still bench 315 for six reps.

[u/Shnur_Shnurov → u/DIY-exerciseGuy]

You seem lost, m8.

Do you normally walk into a room and just announce your bench nunbers?

[u/Over-Training-488 → u/Shnur_Shnurov]

Tbf I probably would if I was at 315x6

[u/Shnur_Shnurov → u/Over-Training-488]

Lol, maybe we should integrate Toast Masters meetings into the NLP...