Starting Strength has taken me at 37 yrs old 6'0 from 188lbs to 230lbs body weight. Squat 195-395, Bench 165-250, Deadlift 175-420. All are PR's for 5 reps. During this same time frame I have had a significant promotion and raise at work. Coincidence, I think not. I feel better, look better, have more confidence, have better work ethic and harder to kill in general! Thank you Rip!

I’ve made more progress in 1 month of training using Starting Strength, then I have in 4 years of “hypertrophy routines.” Rip really knows his stuff!

You said a grown man doesn't weigh less than 200, and I was way off, so I took your advice and started stuffing my face with cake like you do. A few months later (today), I finally hit my goal of 200, but it turns out I had the scale set to kg. I fucked up big time Mark, what do I do?

I am noticing this effect of people seeing me differently, after training steadily for 6 or 7 months. Women speaking to me who don't normally speak. " Good to see you." That kind of thing.

63 year old - I'm 60 days into the Novice program and have significantly improved my gains. I can relate.. I walk more erect, have more confidence, look better in my cloths, I AM STRONGER, 115 initial squat, 2 days ago completed a PR 185 squat and had more in the tank (stay the course grasshoppa) . This also has a profound effect on how I project myself now in public. I sit up straighter, my nipples are harder. LOL.. People notice the little things about me and actually mention it. To me, these aesthetics make me even more enthusiastic to continue the SS program. I continue to read the book and carry one in my gym bag, even have one in the shitter as reading material now.. I'm self taught SS novice. I don't have a SS or Affiliate in New Orleans area but went to Austin and had an semi-private coaching evaluation with Jarrod and he gave me the rundown. He pushed me back about 25 pounds on all my exercises and showed me where I can improve. Thanks Rip and Jarrod. THIS process works and YES this is the bigger picture.

This is so true. I am 43 now. I was 39 when I started lifting weights regularly. I got my squat up to 300s, dead to 400 and bench over 240. In my 20s, and 30s, I had recurring lower back pain. I'd bent over to pick up a pencil and my back would go out for a week. Weight training improves all aspects of your life. Including the bed!

Rip, you are 100% correct on the social hierarchy stuff. I have been a professional business coach for over two decades and its only in the last year or so, inspired by you and your teams content, that I have added in strength training to my work with my clients. The results have been astounding. The confidence of my clients because of their absolute knowledge of the fact that they are significantly stronger and the resulting social respect they receive has resulted in massive change in their business results. My first client to test this out just had his best year ever and worked far less than any other year of his multi-decade career as a financial advisor. What you are offering is a complete game changer for professionals and I can't thank you enough for your persistence and endurance in the face of pervasive and insidious resistance. PS - love comments from the haters

As a kid who went from 5'9" and 120lbs to 195lbs over 4 years, I can say that it does more for your mental health than any counseling you can ever get. Love you guys.

Physical strength builds personal confidence.. I suspect that’s always been the case

I'm 47 years old and began the SS program in November 2019... and in about 4 months went from a body weight of 185 lbs at 6'4" to 225 lbs maintaining around 13% body fat at the same time because I drank a gallon of milk every day. I definitely get looked at differently in public or when I enter a room because of my new posture and size. My lower back pain and sciatica are gone, and it doesn't hurt to twist in bed or get out of bed anymore (I had a lumber laminectomy at L5/S1 11 years ago. But the Haters will still Hate! Thanks for all you do, RIPP!

I am one of the people who has noticed being treated very differently before and after years of training under the bar for sure. I am quite certain that it's a combination of factors. There is the primordial, intimidation factor driven respect for a male of a certain size, particularly when that size comes from lean tissue and not just fat. There's also the change in self-perception that Rip mentioned that slowly develops. Sort of a quiet confidence. This is one of those things that I think some non-training people have naturally, but that those of us who don't inherently have it can gain some through training.

Rip’s really opened my eyes up to the strength-training world. For so long I’ve focused on training muscle groups rather than movement patterns. I feel a lot happier training movement patterns now vs training isolated muscles before.

I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of chasing aesthetics in place of strength, and my ego has inflated because of it. The whole process hasn’t felt right psychologically and has left me with a duality of imbalances, pains, and overall a false sense of strength. This podcast came at the right time for me, and I thank God and you for it. Time to own up to my true levels of strength and progress forward incrementally and naturally towards gaining true strength.

I remember last summer when me, my father in law and wife were on a mountain trip, we walked with heavy backpacks on our backs and walked straight uphil for nearly two hours, both my wife and father in law were completely destroyed afterwards but me, being strong from barbell training, didn't feel anything and was ahead of them all the time. I even had to carry my father in law's backpack because out of the three, his was the heaviest. Just another example of how being strong is litteraly the most important thing in the world, first and foremost. I'm not accustomed to walk in terrain like that, and I usually don't walk alot nor do I do alot of outdoor exercise, yet my years of barbell training made me handle that trip with ease, and when we got home I hit the gym, lol

The last segment of this video was so powerful. I’ve only followed this channel for a few weeks and I have already seen the benefits of y’all’s program and I’m self teaching. I’m 56 and everyone is noticing especially my wife. Using the “bar” to build a better self is the best thing anyone of any age can do for “self”. Thanks, guys.

Excellent. This is exactly what the late, great Dr Mel Siff kept saying 20 years ago. "Train movements, not muscles!"

You are soooooo on point with this. I went through this process over the last 3 years and it has taught me waaaaay more than just weight lifting. I talk more confidently, I know how to learn other things like music, etc. You absolutely nail this on the head.

This program & meditation is saving my life.

Thanks, Rip for articulating some of the benefits one receives from strength and barbell training, outside of physical. I was aware of many of them in my life as I've applied Starting Strength, but it was cool to hear many of them all in one place and be able to affirm them to myself as you talked about them. when discussing the fact that adding small incremental amounts to a workload and looking back it's amazing what can be accomplished. It was almost spiritual for me, so thanks for the inspiration. "And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

The intro fills me with energy. Always welcome if it's been crap week or day depending on how many shows I watch. Thank you Mark and crew =)

This video almost made me tear up! the section at 34:30 talking about the psychological results... that's exactly what it did for me! I was small and weak my whole school career. This is why Rip's book and getting under a barbell is probably the best thing I've ever done for myself.

I started lifting weights at age 20. The typical male-beginner routine: chest/tri's, next day back/bi's (be sure to alternate days so you don't "overtrain.") Still, though, being able to handle and control weights that, a month prior, I could not lift off the rack gave me confidence and it showed me that I had never had confidence before that. As a kid, I could draw pretty well and I was pretty good at the less-athletic aspects of breakdancing. It felt good to know that I was better than most people at my school at these things, BUT these things came pretty naturally to me, so they never gave me a feeling of accomplishment. I've skipped reps and I've bitched-out on sets and I never once felt good about it. My tendency used to be to bitch-out on things when they got really difficult. For me, it took lifting weights to really notice that was a pattern for me. Once I realized I did that (a lot), I was like "fuck that" and I changed. I was embarrassed because I knew that if I was just learning this about myself, everyone else around me already knew it. I always wanted to be someone who, when I said I was going to do something or when I said that I had done something, no one doubted it. I realized then that I was full of shit and that everyone knew that I was full of shit. I started bettering who I was IN THE WEIGHT ROOM. Whats funny is, the difference between cheating it and doing it right was about an additional 10-15 mins each workout. Without effort, the new standard I was holding myself to in the gym bled over into my life outside the gym. Even if you do bitch-out, stall, have mental blocks that you think are plateaus, or whatever, the barbell will never deny you the opportunity to redeem yourself. I am loved by some and I am hated by some but I'm not full of shit.

100% true about people reacting toward you differently when you get bigger and stronger. When I got my lifts up and gained a bunch of weight, people in the office changed the way they listened to me, the girls started giggling at my jokes (annoying sometimes when I wasn't even joking), young guys started just wanting to come into my office and hang out (weird at first, but then I realized they liked being around me, asking advice, etc.) and I started getting promoted. All this within a one year period. Can't say for sure it's all due to the lifting, but surely in part it is. Like Rip says, people just instinctively react differently to a big, strong guy. Actually, thinking back on it, I remember being a teenager idolizing my uncle because he was a big strong guy, and as a young man having that admiration toward bigger, stronger, more confident men. Surely this kind of thing is in our tribal DNA.

Uncle Rip- I am commenting here to verify, based on my own experience and that of many men I have helped train, that the psychological impact of increased physical strength is profound. I used to be homeless and horribly addicted to drugs and alcohol. Just as soon as I quit blaming the rest of the world for my own problems and stopped feeling sorry for myself, I cleaned up and started lifting weights according to the Starting Strength method. I now stand up strait with my shoulders back and squat 365, press 185 and pull over 400lbs off the ground. I walk like I own the day and am told as much by friends and family and strangers alike. I went from being a pathetic and useless drain on society to an effective, competent and respected individual who helps other former street trash like myself get their shit together and find something inside themselves to strive for and be proud of. Pushing my limits to better my numbers has taught me to push my limits to better my life. Something I say literally in the gym and metaphorically for all aspects of life- Grab something heavy and lift it. Thanks Uncle Rip, ya ole fat fuck

A wonderful podcast video. I have used NLP method. It works and is continuing to work. Thank you Mr. Rippetoe.

I started the program 3 months ago after recovering from two lateral inguinal hernias. I since then have doubled my squat and dead lift. The psychological benifit cannot be overstated, i went from feeling broken to formidable. Im stronger than my coworkers at my job when this time last year i needed them to help me with anything physical. Thanks Rip and starting strength team these podcasts make it so i cant wait to get under the bar

As a young kid who has always been thin mental changes do absolutely happen with the accumulation of strength. When I could consistently deadlift in the 300s and bench 225 and began to press and squat frequently the way I physically interacted with the world changed. You can move shit at work when you need to and everything becomes easier. Plus, you are also just not beat up as much after work. On another token: thank you Mark for everything I very much look up to you sir.

People absolutely treat you differently when you present yourself in a strong and confident way. The best way to get strong and confident: Get under the goddamn barbell and earn some testicular fortitude.

46:15 - it's true. i'm 36. started lifting at 28 and i remember how differently i was treated. i dont think it's just that i look different and stronger, it's that i feel quietly confident and radiate that out and people pick it up. i stand tall because i've earned it; i've stood up on that hard 5th rep when i wanted to quit and that voice in my head said "you can give up, it's hard, no one would blame you." it's so easy to quit then, and fighting that feeling and standing up through the squat is something nobody can ever take from you once it happens. this changes a man and changes how people look at him.

As a skinny person my entire life who began doing SS in my late 30s, I can absolutely attest to the augmentation that it has done to my psychological well being, and how I’m perceived by my environment.

Rip, this was the most important radio episode I've heard because you talked about the essence of Starting Strength, the purpose, the distinctive difference. It really helped me understand. Although I have heard you speak of various aspects of this, but putting it all together in one place it was really great! Regarding your thoughts about older people being affected by an SS program, I'd suggest it's similar to the teenager. Old guys are challenged by the doubts that come with declining skills and abilities. PROGRESS fills young and old with hope and confidence. Whereas old guys know a lot about life, the problem is they don't know what to think about bodies that no longer deliver. As a 67 yr old man my muscle mass has declined to 38 lbs. On a 205 lb body, that's not great. My leg strength is so poor a "lunge" is difficult to perform. Inspired by you I have registered for the upcoming Portland SS gym. In the meantime I have been working on my barbell squat. Moved from 65 lbs last week to 105 today. Today my quads are weak and sore, which cheers me enormously. To paraphrase Robert Duval in Apocalypse Now, "I love the feel of muscle soreness. It feels like VICTORY!"

After getting up to 200lbs and lean, I know that people respect me more and I know that I have a physical presence compared to when I was 125lbs. When you're 200 and stand up straight, it's harder for people to turn you into a doormat.

Absolutely true! Based on my personal experience, my confidence level increased dramatically after my strength increased!

Rip is correct again on this one; I am no case of superhuman performance but I have reaped the rewards of strength training to a great extent simply by consistently adding weight to the bar. I have gotten stronger and look better, but more importantly: the quality increases in self-confidence, posture, self-discipline, the way I carry myself, and the way I interact with others have far outweighed any physical changes that have occurred from this model.

Rip, learning a lot on your channel...please mic the staff when the side bar conversations start. There are important points I think the community is missing from your off mic team. Thank ya brother, keep up the good work!!

Thank you for this talk. Sent this to my two sons. One a crane operator the other a college baseball player. They each can get something out of this. Me too

As requested, Rip is right. I am 5’7” at 150 pounds. I have been lifting for a long time, but most of it was improper “exercise” and not real training. I have a low body fat percentage (12%) and very narrow joints with relatively aesthetic proportions. Before I started lifting, I was 125lbs. I’m not big by any real metric compared to the average height or weight of men, but I am frequently guessed at weighing around 190 pounds. The simple fact is, people get out of my way now when I’m walking toward a door instead of standing basically directly in my way. I am a polite and courteous individual, but there is a subliminal aspect of intimidation and respect that was never there when I was smaller. I am by no way means strong presently. My max squat is 300, max bench 180, overhead press 135, deadlift 400. Using formulas on the Internet and stuff, my maximum mass potential is way less than what people think I weigh now (around 170 at 12% BF). Thanks SS crew for what y’all do.

Really enjoyed this podcast. Made my journey to and from work here in the pissing UK rain more pleasurable

Thank you Rip. Helps and motivates a lot. I am still a little worried about hurting myself by increasing the weight too fast. 46 years, deadlift 220x5, squat 200x5x5x5, press 110x5x5x5. I am a bit worried that my small bone structure might suffer from too much ambition. I guess I'll just have to focus on form and small weight increments like 2.5 or 5 lbs. Thank you for your work, Sir!

@47:00 - Spot on, the fact that you consistently achieve PBs almost every workout improves mental health.

46:00 - bit late to the party but i can confirm that. Twice even. Introverted guy, used to be really shy (btw. being introverted and being shy are 2 different things; especially for young introverts it often goes hand in hand but its not the same thing), socially awkward, all that kind of stuff and then i started doing martial arts and experienced this effect and later on i moved on into strength training and experienced this effect again. If you have experience in fighting other guys in hand-to-hand-combat it shows in the way you move and in the way you approach your environment. Same goes for strength, for the fact alone that strength is a critical component in fighting aswell (obviously). And the lifts teach you good form in everyday life aswell. If you are used to lifting your posture will improve too. You' ll have your shoulders retracted and not hanging, etc. simply because you learned that thats the way to do it. In other words you know how to produce force effectively and ppl instinctively can tell that you know. I went from a really shy kid who had troubles talking to ppl (especially girls; when i was in puberty just the thought of talking to a girl was scary as hell to me) to a guy that walks lonely into a place he has never been before, looking around and, instinctivly knowing: "I could beat up everybody in here if need be. Probably several simultaneously." - not that i am seeking trouble or anything or that i even think this consciously. Its subconscious. Its an instinct. I just know it, at the back of my head or rather at the back of my spine. And, just as improtant: Everybody in the place knows this too. And that is really really powerful in terms of social standing. And if you dont know what i am talking about chances are your social standing is pretty low. (talking about guys btw. for women this works a bit differently).

I started at Starting Strength in Katy. At the same time saw a therapist. After a few weeks, she noticed a dramatic positive improvement, and was giving herself a Pat on the back. I’m thinking every time I put 5-10 pounds on the bar, I win. I have been successful 3 times per week. My body feels it, as well in my mind. I felt like she was taking credit for my improvement, when the gym was far more effective at improving my mindset.

When your physical strength goes up its absolutely true your Perceives differently I noticed it and I still notice it every day I go to work

100% agreed. I started the NLP at 47 after having been a US Marine for six years back in my 20's. After I got my squat and deadlift over 405, my press over 150, and bench over 250, I was a different person than I was two years previous with a beginning squat of 125, deadlift of 135, press of 75 and bench at 90. I see the world differently, I see other people differently, and I know that other people see me differently even though I am still a 50 something guy with a bit of a belly. The only thing I have to compare these differences is the kind of physical and psychological changes that I experienced after completing boot camp. Four years later after getting my squat and deadlift over 500 lbs, the changes continue. I have Rip and Starting Strength to thank. Screw the haters, those ignorant, mouth-breathing morons are too weak to do the program and realize the benefits.

Wallet size and muscle size is the key way of how men can be perceived as either nobodys or alphas.

44:59 You asked for backup, and here it is. You are absolutely right. I'm not that old but it is easier to conduct important busness with people you've never met when you've got a 500 deadlift vs a skinny kid who can't deadlift 250.

That Irish guy, you know who, what was his name again? - "Roberto"

great video !

Doing the linear progression at 36 years old made me grow 4 centimeters, about 1,5 inches, taller. I tell that to people and they tell me it’s not possible. All I know is I’ve always been measured to 190 cm before as an adult and now I’m 194. Starting strength sorted out my rather pronounced anterior pelvic tilt. Posture is good.

thanks mark for everything

Rip, I lost 30kg and gained a whole bunch of strength. I started with a 70kg deadlift and a year and a half later my deadlift is 230kg. Back when I was really unhealthy and overweight people were nice to me but didn’t respect me. Now people are even more nice to me and treat me with respect based upon my body composition change. I’m unsure as to why humans behave this way and I’m still trying to figure this out myself but it’s nice. So I completely understand how barbell training changes a person and how people perceive you.

I am going to unsubscribe from all fitness channels, delete all fitness apps, throw all fitness books to the bin and memorize this video.

You have to be strong to look strong, it's that simple. So full body programs like this are the way to go, especially if your goal is to increase muscle mass.

Our society is in the advanced stages of losing all physical capabilities. Hard physical work will teach you humility and confidence. It will teach you to set goals for yourself and balance your mind

Very good information

Best. Intro. Ever.

The psych community is well aware of the correlation between training and self esteem, etc. This is not a new concept. Love the books and videos Rip. Keep them coming!

45:28 very true. It changes you for the best

If it's attention one wants. Aesthetics is the way to go💖

Hey Rip, after a layoff I started lifting again, following all lifts per their description as best as I can, but I think there is something missing- a coach and his coaching eye and it bothers me, because I'm not sure if I can do the lifts correctly without it, as I often ended up tweaking back or so in past. My question is, are you or any SSC considering SS camps to take place somewhere in central Europe? Germany, Poland, Czech republic etc., or any Europe countries at all? I know there was one camp in the UK in the past, so maybe there? Apart from that, great stuff you guys are doing and I hope the word of the Blue Book will continue spreading. SS was the first program I was doing systematically, and even with the fuck ups I ended up doing on the way, it worked and works better than anything else I had been doing before. And one last thing, why don't you want to be on Joe Rogan's show? You were on Louder with Crowder, what's the difference there? Would definitely help spreading the word about SS- but maybe you don't need it.

When Ripp is not trolling he always makes a lot of sense when he speaks

I have been using Starting Strength philosophy for three months now. I modified it to my lifestyle; I don't eat a lot and I can't afford expending most of my energy in the gym or my day to day activities will suffer, so I freeze the weight for three turns for an exercise. This has the added benefit of giving joints and and ligaments time to recover and grow to handle the extra stress caused by more powerful muscles. My busted knee, shoulder, and elbows haven't flared up or exhibited any pain since I began exercising this way regularly. Looking forward to my one year mark.

Thank you👏👏👏

How much of a chance is there of injuring yourself with a failed squat attempt (lifting alone but in squat rack)? If you're on that 4th rep of set 3 & and your body is screaming it can't do a 5th rep, do you listen to it and walk away with 4 reps and a goal to hit 5 reps with that weight next work out or walk away with 4 reps and a hernia or some other injury? Or is the risk of injury low if spotter pins are set high enough?

Squats are scarey... I'm always terrified to go for a 5 reps PR. That's why I hate this program and abslutely love it.

Also 8:30 that's got to be a direct firing at Matt and Scott lol. Funny.

spot on

Hahahaha!!! Needed the laugh! Thank you:))

In the last few minutes, you touched upon grooming. I know this is random and extremely off topic, but can you touch on that? I'm reaching the age where my eyebrows and nose hair are becoming things I actually need to manage.

Calves, the Greek philoshper! :'D

Rip was in rare form in this video...💯

I am 5 10, 180. 27 YO Bench 165 press 110 squat 230 dead 275. Only been doing starting strength for 3 and a bit weeks now though I have been to the gym since early 26 so about a year and a half doing random "exercise". I remember running into an old female friend recently, and boy I had ego boosted that day and I quote "wow you've gotten so big". NGL that sticks with me. Generally as well among my male peers I have been getting more respect and more opportunity career wise by working out with other strong males.

I'm considering doing the SS method. I've been prone to tendonitis (shoulders and knees). Perhaps, I've been doing the general exercises wrong. By doing all lifts as instructed, will it cut down on the knee and shoulder issue? I'm concerned adding heavy weights will exacerbate the issue.

audio is very quiet on podcast compared to youtube, so much so, I can't hear it when played in the car

Rip is right I’m only 45 but people treat me differently than they did prior to me getting my squat to 455 for 5. I treat me differently too

Oh yeah; I'll comment. 71 years old, 5'-6" tall, 165 lb. Never trained before. I've trained on your program for a year and a half. I now think, walk, talk, hold myself erect and state my case like a man who just found out that the advance of years is not only NOT an inevitable swirl down the toilet bowl of deterioration, illness, and both mentally and physical shrinkage, but is in fact pretty fucking simple to fix. Add five pounds, get under the bar. Learn the movement while the weight is light, overcome the fear when it gets heavy because that's what the program that brung you says to do. Overcome that hip problem, that shoulder hitch, that pec that won't relax--all the same way, by getting smarter, eating better, sleeping enough and getting under that damn bar. And yes, people notice. People I know; people I don't. They perceive me much differently than before, not because I've become a Greek God, but because all that overcoming has made me perceive myself much differently than before. It's just another one of those things you want to scream from the rooftops, but you know most folks just will not get it ... So, anyway, thanks for a program that any idiot can follow, young or old, and then, with the passage of time and the addition of plates, he or she can find out they're not an idiot after all, but actually smart enough to find the right method for radically increasing strength, confidence, competence and courage among all the noise of exercise theories that don't accomplish what the people spending money and time pursuing them hope for.

Great open, lol!!!

This really resonated with me. The part about producing strong confident young men that are USEFUL, really hit a note. I wasn't allowed the chance but, by God, I will give the chance to my two young men, aged 9 and 14 currently. I previously thought that Rip was a grumpy, bitter old twat but after seeing several of these broadcasts I realise that sometimes he gets tired of the haters. I say "fuck 'em, Rip" keep teaching young men to be useful and productive. Nothing can be as worthwhile as that, except World Peace, but well...

At about 38:00 min. there were some side comments, which Rip addressed. I could not hear these statements and could only surmise their content by Rip's answer. Please give a mic to anyone who comments if it is deemed important enough to be kept in the podcast (because otherwise it would have been edited out).

33:46-41:49 Please if you have not done this program as written, listen to this section until you memorize it. This may be the best thing that ever happens to you. I am not joking about that either.

9.22. You are not alone

HEEYIP DRAHV. JUST EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

Never sure until you try it.

So why hasn't this episode been uploaded yet?

Is there any additional advice you can give regarding training someone with Bi-lateral total hip replacements?

If someone is taking steriods does that matter? Bc they can do more volume than a normal person

8:26 haha i get it

I am different (better) as a result of linear progression; physically and mentally.

I find that walking into a room of people is much more difficult after starting strength than before. At just 2’6” those doorways are just too bloody small

Gold

❤️❤️❤️

Great video, but can you guys turn up the volume on them? After an hour of listening to Rip talk with my PC at max volume with headphones on I forget and go onto another video. If this keeps up y'all are gonna give me KZfaq PTSD.

How often should we be testing our 1RM on the lifts?

That phenomenon happened to me as a 30 something 135lb female getting stronger...

I don't want to be in the bottom 2%, Rip. I want to be your #1 bottom. Won't you be my bear, Rip?

In the UK, since we were forced to wear “face coverings” , the infection rate increased to more than double! We need to take this infection “on the chin “ and the vulnerable need to protect themselves like any other infection. The Chinese have created many financial crises with COVID 19, and will dominate the world by consuming large businesses at bargain prices.

Every time I finish my third set of 5 and i wasn't shure i could do it. i say"there you go rip I hope your fuckin happy" thank you for looking out for us scrawny guys you like making fun of so much

Ask RIP what he thinks about the bubble gut bodybuilders? Is he fan?

When Rip said "little...dick" and then held up his hands to show the size, my heart broke.

Rip where do I get one of those chocolates