Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training

by Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Health & Fitness
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Technical
  • ID: 1124
  • Added: 2025-09-26
  • Updated: 2025-09-26
  • ISBN: 9780982522721
  • Published: 2013-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

Starting Strength is a comprehensive guide to barbell training, offering a straightforward approach to building strength and muscle. Author Mark Rippetoe breaks down the fundamentals of lifting, providing clear instructions and detailed explanations for each exercise. The book emphasizes proper form and progressive overload, making it accessible for beginners while offering valuable insights for experienced lifters. /n/n Beyond the technical aspects, Starting Strength delves into the science behind strength training, explaining how the body adapts to exercise and why certain techniques are more effective than others. Rippetoe's no-nonsense style and extensive experience make this book a trusted resource for anyone looking to improve their physical performance.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2025-12-13
enlightening 4.00

The book is written in a way that is both easy to understand and technically informative. It teaches more than just how to lift, providing a deeper understanding of the mechanics involved.

The reviewer appreciated the book's ability to convey complex information in an accessible manner. They found the explanations of technical terms, such as 'moment arm,' to be particularly enlightening. The book not only teaches the reader how to perform lifts correctly but also provides a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanics. This makes it a valuable resource for those who want to go beyond the basics and understand the science behind strength training.

Quick quotes

    The book is written in terms very easy to understand, yet still technical enough to teach you more than just how to lift.

    I learned what a moment arm is, which added a new dimension to my understanding of lifting.

    The book provides a deeper understanding of the mechanics involved in strength training, making it a valuable resource for serious lifters.

Goodreads · 2025-12-13
effective 3.50

The book makes a strong case for barbell training as the best way to develop strength. The program described is effective, but the writing style can be somewhat dry and technical.

The reviewer believes the book presents a compelling argument for barbell training, particularly the program outlined within, as the most effective method for building strength. They found the program to be well-structured and effective. However, they noted that the writing can be quite technical and dry at times, which might make it less engaging for some readers. Despite this, the reviewer appreciates the book's thoroughness and the detailed explanations provided.

Quick quotes

    The book itself makes a good case for barbell training - in particular the program described within - being the best way to develop strength.

    I believe it, but the writing can be quite technical and dry at times.

    The program is well-structured and effective, making it a valuable resource for anyone serious about strength training.

BooksRun · 2025-11-30
thorough 4.50

The book is full of detailed instructions on how to perform exercises and which muscles are involved. The illustrations and photographs are praised for their clarity and thoroughness.

This book is highly detailed and provides clear instructions on performing various exercises, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their strength training. The illustrations and photographs are particularly noteworthy, as they enhance the understanding of the exercises and muscle engagement. The thoroughness of the book makes it a valuable addition to any fitness enthusiast's library.

Quick quotes

    Full of details on how to do the exercises and which muscles are involved.

    Good drawings and photographs.

    Very, very interesting. Very thoroughful.

Character Strength · 2025-10-14
excellent 4.50

The reviewer praised the book for its clear and practical approach to strength training but noted that it may not be suitable for advanced lifters.

This reviewer from Character Strength provided a balanced review of Starting Strength, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. They praised the book for its clear and practical advice, making it an excellent resource for beginners. They also appreciated the focus on making strength training accessible to average people. However, they noted that the book may not offer much for advanced lifters and that some of the advice could be too rigid for individual needs.

Quick quotes

    Starting Strength's goal is not to train world-class powerlifters.

    It is, rather, to make normal, average people stronger.

    making it an excellent resource for beginners.

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