June 30, 2025
Something Edition
On Starting Strength
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Combat Effectiveness –
Rip is joined in the studio by Drew Estell of Baer Solutions for a discussion of combat effectiveness, firearm training, and related topics. -
Physical Culture and Strength Training by Mark Rippetoe –
Bodybuilding – Physique Competition – is what the general public thinks we do here at Starting Strength. And lots of people who should know better think the same thing. The image of a tanned… -
How to Set up the Bench Press when Training Kids –
Rusty Holcomb explains adjustments coaches can make for leg and arm length so that kids can properly set up for a strong, stable bench press. Proper handoffs and solid foot contact are critical aspects for finding and holding the correct position during the lift. -
Upper Body Specialization: Who, What, When by Chase Lindley –
There is a lot of talk on when and how to start specializing the upper body movements. The question of “When can I do ‘X’ exercise like ‘Y’ lifter does?” consumes a new lifter’s brain… -
The Stiff-Legged Deadlift –
Mark Rippetoe and Chase Lindley demonstrate the correct execution of the stiff-legged deadlift. - Weekend Archives:
Risk Assessment John F Musser –
A weak fat person whose goal is to be strong and lean has to make the right decision countless times a day to avoid the habits that got him fat and kept him weak. A strong person has to make the right choices… - Weekend Archives:
The Difference Between Ignorant and Stupid by Mark Rippetoe –
It is not always apparent, and is often poorly understood. Stated succinctly, stupid is not your fault – you were born that way. You’re just dumb. You can’t learn. Ignorance means you just don’t know…
In the Trenches
Meet Report
The 14th Annual Charm City Strongwoman Contest was a success!! Fivex3 Training raised over $12,000 for the Ulman House/Ulman Foundation. Next year is year 15 and we will be bringing back our very first contest from 2012 for the anniversary celebration.
Left, Heavyweight Open Winner, Anna Silbaugh, puts up 80lbs with the Circus Dumbbell for reps. Right, Heavyweight Novice winner Alyssa Zagar, carries the 185 Husafell Stone over 300 feet. [photo courtesy of Fivex3 Training]
Middleweight Open winner, Jessica Lewis, attempts to deadlift the 6th rung of the Lever Deadlift (close to 500lbs). Only one competitor picked the last rung up – HW Open winner, Anna Silbaugh. [photo courtesy of Fivex3 Training]
Get Involved
Best of the Week
Mark Bell interviews Rippetoe
Best of the Forum
Head Pressure and Side Effects When Lifting
Roman Messali
Hello, Mr. Rippetoe. I’m 15 and I started your program just three months ago and I have to say I’ve been making a lot of progress. However, recently, I’ve noticed that during lifts I can get a lot of head pressure, red eyes, a flushed face, and even feeling like I need to throw up sometimes during reps. To clarify, today I went in and, while squatting, my vision became a little blurry and my eyes became noticeably bloodshot. Later, while bracing for the press, I even felt like I blanked out for half a second, as though I was to pass out, though, then again, I’ve never passed out so I wouldn’t be able to tell you what that feels like. Point is, during many of my lifts I get visibly red, my eyes become bloodshot, the pressure in my head increases a lot, and sometimes I even feel somewhat nauseous from these. I’m not overweight and don’t have any health problems, though I have been fairly inactive and unathletic, never being very interested by sports. This doesn’t happen every day so I’m wondering if it doesn’t have to do with my gym’s temperature, which, for some reason, the heater is still on. I was also wondering if this could be happening due to somewhat shallow breaths so next time I go I’ll make sure to take deeper, larger breaths. Thank you!
Mark Rippetoe
Take your big breath and hold it with your mouth open. I’ll bet you’re trying to hold it in your mouth now, which causes all kids of bad problems.
Roman Messali
Thank you for responding! I’m still a little confused though on what you mean. I’ve browsed around some more and seen people saying to hold the breath in your lungs and not your mouth, but how would I go about blocking the air in with my mouth open?
Mark Rippetoe
Try it. You can learn.
JFord
Think about taking a hard shit.
You are welcome.
Soule
He’s 15, doc. He’s never had to struggle with grown man hard shit problems.
JFord
Lol. Then I got nothin’.
Credit : Source Post
