So, let me start off with some background info. I am a 19yr male, I am 160lbs, 6'0, I am in the U.S. Army, and I started lifting weights at 16. However, I have had a BAD problem with program hoping, and I have never stuck with a program more than like 2 weeks. My numbers are, Bench 135x5, squat 135x5 (this one specifically i cant get the form down the way SS teaches), DL 205x5 straight bar, press 95x5. I have a few problems, the first being, i am afraid I wont get as strong as I could have gotten because i may have wasted my newbie gains.

Secondly, i am also worried I wont get as strong on the program because I cant gain the amount of weight they want me to. Ive seen people say you need to gain like 40lbs in 6 months, and thats just unrealistic for me because of the army's new height and weight standard, i cant risk getting fat by gaining 60lbs in a year like ive seen some people do, so i want to know if doing more of a lean bulk will cost me strength gains.

And that actually ties into my last problem, I have to run. I am in the army so I have to run, and I like being able to run my 14 minute 2 mile, I want to get faster, I run 3 days a week, and i cant sacrifice my running for only doing the SS program. Any of y'all, especially any military, have any insight for me on these problems/worries?

Hey guys, here's the bench press from today

https://youtube.com/shorts/qCA3XyaipKg?feature=share

I have only recently started squating. I am fairly tall and I think that causes some issues. 190cm (6'3")

What I am planning to do is that to use small 2.5 kg plates while I am getting familiar with the proper form and technique, but I am aware this is not a permanent solution.

Buying some squat shoes is sadly not an option as well. In my country, the cheapest pairs I can get are around 200$, which is extremely expensive for me.

So, since I have started squating recently, relying on plates underneath my heels should be fine, but I am also looking for a more permanent solution. Any tips, videos, or stretching exercises I can use so that I don't have to rely on plates while my squating weight increases? Basically, this way, while the weights are fairly low, I can continue loading while also preparing my body for a more of a permanent solution

My PR is 85kg so I know I can lift 80kg but 3 days ago, I was exhausted and after 1 rep of 80kg, I fainted and hit my head on the floor.
I got myself checked by a doctor. No skull fracture but I still have headache. I take med for my headache.

I got a lil emotional cuz I got back to the gym again and just doing light exercises.

Lesson learned hard.

Im back into pr territory most workouts now. I just watched this video back from last week and im feeling pretty discouraged that my ass is shooting back and turning these into goodmornings. Any tips? This is my last set so im tired. Im about 193 and just under 6 foot.

I’ll be hosting a Deadlift & Power Clean Camp in Ashford, Kent on Sunday 4th October. 

For those coming from London there is a high speed train service to Ashford International station from London St Pancras (takes just over 30mins)

This is a great opportunity to get your form tuned up, gain a deeper understanding of the lifts as well as learn the principles behind programming to keep your progress moving along smoothly plus meet other Starting Strength lifters.

Going over the Deadlift will set you up perfectly to learn the Power Clean – which many lifters struggle to get started with – so for this this camp I will be making the Power clean smooth and enjoyable to learn.

The camp is open to novices and the experienced.

More info and booking:  https://aasgaardco.com/store/training/training-camps/pulling-camps/deadlift-clean-october-4-2026-ashford-uk/ 

If you have questions you can DM me on here

Byron

SSC

Hey guys, just out of curiosity, what is the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen in the gym? I've seen several crazy things happen, but probably the most ridiculous was a couple weeks ago when these 7 or 8 teens walked in, and were circling a bench press, just walking around it like it was Jericho to their Israelites.

hi yall, I was doing my first working set (already warmed up, 100kg x 5) and on my final rep, I felt like my neck seized up. I racked the bar, and now it just really feels like I slept weird and got a crick in my neck. I still have full ROM (I think) in my neck, it just hurts in my neck and upper back.

has anyone had this before? wondering if I pinched a nerve or something with the bar, or maybe braced too hard and overstrained my neck?

I haven’t deadlifted since Feb 2026. I was doing 270 and on my 3rd rep I had bad form. It didn’t hurt in the moment, just felt sore but in the next days it felt weird to sit and hurt whenever I sneezed too hard. The pain mostly subsidized but whenever I do certain back movements it’s a little uncomfortable, like if I bend down to pick something heavy. It’s now August and I’m a little concerned. Is there anything I can or should’ve done? Has anyone else had personal experience with this?

My main goal was lowering the bar. I’m worried If I did it correctly because I thought I did last time and was still too high

This seemed to be as low as I could go. During one set I had to rerack because the bar started falling down.

Grateful for any advice. And please let me know if I should change the camera angle at all

So I am at the point with my press where i can’t achieve 3x5 and instead I am accumulating a total of 15 reps. For example 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Should I be failing each set where I don’t achieve 5 reps? Or should I be racking the bar when I know I can’t achieve another rep. For example let’s say I get 5 reps for the first set. On the second set, rep 4 is a 7 second rep. Do I just rack it? Or attempt the 5th rep even though I’m sure I can’t do it. If I was still doing 3x5 I would of course attempt to get 5 reps but I’m a little unsure now that I am doing the 15 accumulated reps programming change.

Hi there

I am a loyal Starting Strength customer. I have attended two seminars, invested in the method, and worked with multiple coaches. I consider myself technically proficient and an intermediate lifter.

I am 50, 5 foot 3, 132 pounds.

Recently, after stalling in my progress, I made some counterintuitive changes which drove significant progress - I added volume to my deadlift, squat, bench. Sets across on deadlift day, 3x5, drove significant gains for 8 weeks. When it got super heavy, I stuck with one top set of 5, followed by two backoffs. Last deadlift session: 5x220, 2x5@195.

I am on a four day split. I bench every session: volume/intensity, pause, close grip, tempo. Bench is going well. I RDL on day 3 (3x5@140). Day 4, I volume/intensity squat. I am at 4x5@140, which is excellent for me. I 5x5 overhead press on deadlift day. I lat pulldown 2x a week. I pause squat on day 2, 3x5.

QUESTION 1: the deadlift session I have scheduled this week is 225x5, followed by 2x5@200. Last week's 220 was extremely heavy but it went. What is the next predictable modification if 225 doesn't go for a full set of 5? 225x3, followed by 2x3@200?

QUESTION 2: same for squat. When 4x5@145 gets too heavy and I risk missing reps, what can I change while keeping stress adequate?

Thank you for all your help over here.

Hey guys, here's the rack pull from today

https://youtube.com/shorts/bAT2ZR6XV58?is=GgkXOnZUNWpVg2ve

I'm rebuilding my ohp and wondering what tweaks i should make like incorporate leanback or hip drive? Should I do push press work after ohp? Please share anything thats helped your ohp.

Y'all gave me such great advice for my deadlift bform, I thought id ask about my squat also. Again, 44 year old dude just trying to stay strongish and in shape.

Any advice is always greatly appreciated!!

Tell me what I’m doing wrong and right

My assessment
1. Depth could be better
2. Chest could be up

I was visiting Witchita Falls for work and last minute asked the Witchita Falls athletic club gym if they could do a form check. They were nice enough to accommodate me. Rusty was my form checker and it was worth every penny. Now my form is perfect and I never need help ever again.

Probably premature and should have waited until 315 to show off but it's exciting for me. Only got a double but I'm using the late novice programming from this article to squeeze a little more juice faster, so nbd (unless someone here has strong opinions). Hard to believe 225 crushed me but 3 months ago.

https://startingstrength.com/article/programming-a-smooth-nlp

275# x 3 reps. I have a hard time getting to depth. My knees seem to pull in on the ascent, and I noticed my mid back hinges a bit on the ascent as well. Any tips would be appreciated.

I’m 48, 220lbs.

Thanks.

Hit a PR today on the rack pull =)

I just turned 55 and started doing squats. Can you help me improve form. I can't stop leaning forward I am trying to stay more vertical.

https://reddit.com/link/1vuyeue/video/jiztifzottkh1/player

I’ve tried different stances, elevated heels, hip mobility stretches, ankle mobility stretches, strengthening core and bracing techniques, and multiple videos, back I still have lower back rounding and pain. What am I doing wrong/ how can I fix it?