Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition

by Mark Rippetoe

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771	8	28,869	(4.32)	4
"Now, after four more years of testing and adjustment with thousands of athletes in seminars all over the country, this third edition expands and improves on the previous teaching methods and biomechanical analysis. No other book on barbell training ever written provides the detailed instruction on every aspect of the basic barbell exercises found in SS:BBT3. And while the methods for implementing barbell training detailed in the book are primarily aimed at young athletes, they have been successfully applied to everyone: young and old, male and female, fit and flabby, sick and healthy, weak and already strong. Many people all over the world have used the simple biological principle of stress/recovery/adaptation on which this method is based to improve their performance, their appearance, and their quality of life. SS:BBT3 is your complete guide to developing strength -- the foundation of athletic performance and the key to long-term health" -- Publisher description.… (more)

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Practical Programming for Strength Training by Mark Rippetoe (dkmoore)
dkmoore: Additional coverage of the theoretical background for why the program in Starting Strength works, as well as information that will help you adjust the program as you get more advanced as a novice and when you are ready to move on to intermediate level strength programming.… (more)

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This is pretty much the go-to reference for safe, efficient practice of the "big four" barbell compound exercises. The level of detail to which the author analyses and describes the bio-mechanics of each basic movement (squat, deadlift, overhead press and bench press) is amazing. If you ever wanted to read 150 pages about how to squat with a barbell, this is your guide. While I don't think that this is the best way of learning to perform the movements (stick to online videos for that), as a deep-dive into the why's of each movement this guide is amazing. Anyone with an interest in strength training should try to read this at least once. (

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ropable | Aug 20, 2023 |

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and started me on the path of strength training through compound lifts. I've even evangelized it to others, including both friends and parents. One of the best quotes of the book, which I still reflect on when demotivated to go to the gym: "A weak man is not as happy as that same man would be if he were strong."

The reason I give 4 stars, though, is due to the author's way of communicating his belief system; many times in the book, Rippetoe will dismiss alternative exercises or forms of performing an exercise out-of-hand, without providing any reasoning, only harsh words. Such discussion may come off as authoritative to some, but it can feel a bit like promoting intellectual insulation. (

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rsanek | Dec 26, 2020 |

This is a terrible book with great advice in it. Skip to the chapter on motivation and programming first, and then skim each of the exercise sections for "things to make sure you don't do wrong." Easy. Done. (

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isovector | Dec 13, 2020 |

This is a very good book for those interested in getting stronger. Mark Rippetoe has many years of experience in strength training and power lifting as a competitive powerlifter, coach, and teacher. He passes on his knowledge in this book using a no nonsense style. Starting Strength focuses on 5 basic compound exercises that are the core to his program. Each barbell core exercise is presented in detail, including how to learn and perform each exercise correctly, common pitfalls and how to correct them, and a detailed analysis of the muscles involved. There are also sections on useful assistance exercises, equipment, and how to put the exercises together into a good program based on age and experience. The book is very technical, but it is knowledge everyone should know if they want to get stronger. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on safety. This is one of the best books on strength training that I have come across. I will refer to this book often. (

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Skinraa | Aug 14, 2018 |

This was very, very technical. I'm thinking rather than reading it in e-book form, I need to buy the hard copy so I can make notes and bookmarks to reference while working out. (

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jimocracy | Apr 18, 2015 |

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"Now, after four more years of testing and adjustment with thousands of athletes in seminars all over the country, this third edition expands and improves on the previous teaching methods and biomechanical analysis. No other book on barbell training ever written provides the detailed instruction on every aspect of the basic barbell exercises found in SS:BBT3. And while the methods for implementing barbell training detailed in the book are primarily aimed at young athletes, they have been successfully applied to everyone: young and old, male and female, fit and flabby, sick and healthy, weak and already strong. Many people all over the world have used the simple biological principle of stress/recovery/adaptation on which this method is based to improve their performance, their appearance, and their quality of life. SS:BBT3 is your complete guide to developing strength -- the foundation of athletic performance and the key to long-term health" -- Publisher description.

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