Any point in doing SS at this stage?

[CitizenKane]

I've been reading a lot about Rippetoe and this routine, etc. and I'm really interested in it. I know SS is designed for beginners, but I've been training since February of this year. (Been doing a Push/Pull routine for the most part, training primarily for hypertrophy, and I've seen really good gains).

So would there be much benefit in starting SS at this stage in my training?

My lifts are as follows:
Deadlift - 160kg
Bench - 105kg
Squat - 90kg

Bodyweight - 97kg

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[bblazer]

Yes.

Do it twice.

Then go on to Wendler's 5/3/1.

Then Madcow's 5x5.

At this point you should have a good base.

B-

 

[Tblock1]

One question: How do you deadlift 160kg but only squats 90kg? Need to emphasize that squat and bring it up to like 140 kg to be consistent with your other lifts.

 

[ceo]

Yes.

Do it twice.

Then go on to Wendler's 5/3/1.

Then Madcow's 5x5.

At this point you should have a good base.

B-

Do this! ^^^^

You are still a beginner. You still have much to learn about everything. Just follow bblazer's advice and you'll have a great foundation in a couple years.

 

[the_alcatraz]

Yes.

Do it twice.

Then go on to Wendler's 5/3/1.

Then Madcow's 5x5.

At this point you should have a good base.

B-

Do you feel doing Wendler's before the Madcow as opposed to doing it the other way around makes a big difference?

 

[bblazer]

Do you feel doing Wendler's before the Madcow as opposed to doing it the other way around makes a big difference?

Yes. For a beginner/novice.

5/3/1 is much more simple to understand, and does something that Madcow doesn't do - it takes ego into account and forces you to put it to the side.

B-

 

[CitizenKane]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I don't know why my squat is so poor compared to my other lifts, but it's probably to do with the fact that I have pretty bad knees (always have) and perhaps this has affected me psychologically, made me afraid to push for heavy weights, etc. I'm not the kind of guy to make excuses, but that's simply the reason, not an excuse.

My only question about SS though, (far be it from me to question Rippetoe but here goes!) is as follows - my biceps have always tended to lag behind my other body parts in terms of mass, and correct me if I'm wrong but the only time the biceps will ever get worked on SS is from the Deads, and even then you're only doing one set of them. Will my bicep development suffer as a result of this? Bearing in mind my primary goal is hypertrophy.

 

[the_alcatraz]

Yes. For a beginner/novice.

5/3/1 is much more simple to understand, and does something that Madcow doesn't do - it takes ego into account and forces you to put it to the side.

B-

I like the ego bit.

 

[bblazer]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I don't know why my squat is so poor compared to my other lifts, but it's probably to do with the fact that I have pretty bad knees (always have) and perhaps this has affected me psychologically, made me afraid to push for heavy weights, etc. I'm not the kind of guy to make excuses, but that's simply the reason, not an excuse.

My only question about SS though, (far be it from me to question Rippetoe but here goes!) is as follows - my biceps have always tended to lag behind my other body parts in terms of mass, and correct me if I'm wrong but the only time the biceps will ever get worked on SS is from the Deads, and even then you're only doing one set of them. Will my bicep development suffer as a result of this? Bearing in mind my primary goal is hypertrophy.

Biceps are like ornaments on a christmas tree.

Build a base first - sculpt later.

B-

 

[ceo]

Biceps are like ornaments on a christmas tree.

Build a base first - sculpt later.

B-

Again bblazer is spot on.

As far as "weak" or "lagging" bodyparts...I say you should wait until you have at least 3 to 3.5 lbs of bodyweight per inch of height (fairly lean like 15% or less) before worrying about bringing up any lagging bodyparts.