June 10, 2024
Marrow Edition
On Starting Strength
In the Trenches
Karin Nelson squats during a Starting Strength Seminar practical session held at WFAC this past weekend. [photo courtesy of Nick Delgadillo]
Rip and girl puppy take a break during the Starting Strength Seminar. [photo courtesy of Nick Delgadillo]
During the train-the-trainers portion of the Coaching Workshop this past Saturday, Stephen Lucio points out the correct eye position in the deadlift to his lifter. [photo courtesy of Inna Koppel]
During the Workshop for Personal Trainers last weekend, John Smith coaches his lifter through the five steps of the deadlift. [photo courtesy of Inna Koppel]
With chest up, shoulders back, and long, straight arms, Nate Brochstein locks out a deadlift at Starting Strength Atlanta. Like most, Nate has quickly surpassed the modest lifts he aspired to before he started his novice linear progression. [photo courtesy of Adam Martin]
Joe is so tall that the team at Starting Strength Cincinnati struggled to keep his head in frame for his deadlift PR. [photo courtesy of Luke Schroeder]
During a visit to Starting Strength Atlanta, Matt Lovette (right), owner of Starting Strength Charlotte, helps teach new Atlanta member Jake Mars the 5 step method for the deadlift. The Charlotte gym will open in 2024. [photo courtesy of Adam Martin]
Get Involved
Best of the Week
Is there a way to do more deadlifts?
mathgainer
Is there any way to minimize the amount of “CNS fatigue” that occurs when doing deadlifts?I heard that the fatigue is due to how much cortisol is released and that it can be made worse when you consume caffeine or pre workout before your sessions.I am not sure how true this is but I am interested in ways it can be minimized. For example, I have noticed that vitamin C is recommended if you do weight training because it reduces cortisol?
Mark Rippetoe
“Is there any way to minimize the amount of “CNS fatigue” that occurs when doing deadlifts?”Use very light weights.“I heard that the fatigue is due to how much cortisol is released and that it can be made worse when you consume caffeine or pre workout before your sessions.”I have heard that the earth is actually flat. And they can’t say it if it isn’t true.“I am not sure how true this is but I am interested in ways it can be minimized.”It’s obviously true, because, as I’ve explained, they can’t say it if it isn’t true.“For example, I have noticed that vitamin C is recommended if you do weight training because it reduces cortisol?”Must be true, so take some Vitamin C.
Best of the Forum
Squat recovery after failing at limit
bwilldur
Squats to failure and feel like dog shit 3 days later.Age 33, started @ 145 BW and 135 lb squat, after 12 weeks 175 lb BW.Doing 3 sets of 5 as prescribed. Was getting gassed after 260x5x3 and added a light Wednesday. 275 and 280 were a huge struggle but I got them. 15 minute rests between sets.At 285 I failed the 5th rep on the first set. I pushed on the weight with everything I had for a few seconds before going to the safety bars.I’m surprised to have failed on the first set, but me and the wife were making babies 20 minutes prior.I’m happy with my rate of weight gain, but I will increase protein.Not sure what to do for programming. I tried to lift 255 on Friday after failing at 285 to finish my volume for the day. My body felt like dog shit, no energy. Went down to 225 to finish the sets.I came in Monday at 255 and was planning to climb back up in 10 lb jumps and today felt like garbage too. Is this a reasonable approach, is there a better alternative?I don’t think I had enough respect for how much a squat failure takes out of you.
