Starting Strength vs Bill Starr 5x5

[Tosa]

Thanks for the clarification. I was under the impression that periodization was a longer term thing. e.g. strength block, power block, conditioning block. Obviously an area I need to learn more about.

That would be block periodization. There are many other kinds of periodization, and it's often something people seem confused about.

There's a Mp3 of a roundtable of a number of people discussing Periodization (Includes Rippetoe, Staley, Pavel, and others I can't recall at the moment) that was shared by Xtrainer a while back. I suggest giving it a listen. Here's a link: Event: March 19 4 PM Pacific

Obviously not everything you need to know, but a good start, and the audio form in convenient (I listened to it while walking the dog and doing dishes).

 

[DrBdan]

Thanks for the audio link Tosa.

 

[Endo]

Yep, periodization is fluctuating intensities and volumes, as Tosa stated. It can be long term in blocks, or short term such as weeks or even days. Anything that fluctuates basically.

 

[NinjaBlack]

I started with Bill Starr 5x5 and plateaued almost all lifts in about 6-7 weeks. I really enjoyed the program though. I think it's rough trying to add 4-5 lbs to a lift every week for 12 weeks, I don't see how that can work for everyone. I've never done SS but I've never heard a single negative thing about it so I would go with that.

 

[Endo]

There are negative things about SS, you just don't hear about them as often because there aren't many. And the few there are, are not significant enough to take note over the positives.

SS will eventually lead you to overtraining. Simply put; you can only keep up heavy weights 3x a week for so long, before periodization is necessary. Its also pretty easy to stall on SS, but it really depends on how you individually respond to SS.

I stalled a couple times and restarted a couple times to see how things would change. If anything my form got better and better every time, but I still stalled and over-trained as I got back up to higher numbers. Although.... the negatives don't outweigh the positives of SS; you just gotta be careful as you get to the higher weights and really put thought into your level of advancement in terms of training level, and make sure you eat. That's the bottom line with any program.

IMO SS is an excellent program for anyone who's basically walking off the street or is new to major compounds, but if you're at bodyweight for reps on your lifts, or close to it, it probably isn't the best routine to choose.

 

[Justice 4 All]

I'm doing Starting Strength, and would highly recommend it to a beginner.

SS will eventually lead you to overtraining.

What are the symptoms of overtraining?