IOL Strength and Conditioning

I would never have guessed the authors could better their work in Starting Strength (First Edition), never. Yet that’s exactly what they did — this new edition is outstanding and I highly recommended it.

In fact, I’d even recommend it to people who already own the original book, except those people don’t need the recommendation; they were already in the pre-order line waiting for publication. Congratulations to Mark and Lon on making such a contribution to our collective training library.

And so begins our book discussion for January, and I suspect one we’ll be talking about pretty much forever after that: the new edition of Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, by Mark Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore.

Notes the Startingstrength.com website, “Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training is the new expanded version of the book that has been called “the best and most useful of fitness books.” It picks up where Starting Strength: A Simple and Practical Guide for Coaching Beginners leaves off. With all new graphics and more than 750 illustrations, a more detailed analysis of the five most important exercises in the weight room, and a new chapter dealing with the most important assistance exercises, Basic Barbell Training offers the most complete examination in print of the most effective way to exercise.”

You can preview the Starting Strength sections here in pdf format.

Join the discussion! Grab the book here: Starting Strength, 2nd Edition, $29.95.

The above link is direct to the authors’ publishing company selling at the same price as Amazon.com. Take the extra minute to order it from them direct; they make an extra 60% retail over wholesale, which they deserve for writing this outstanding and much-needed contribution to barbell training instruction.

In Powerlifting USA, October 2007, publisher Mike Lambert writes:

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training by Mark Rippetoe and Lon Kilgore is now out in a 2nd edition. Unlike some 2nd edition books, which merely include a new preface in the way of revision, this is a majorly substantial update and expansion of what was a great tome to begin with. The material in the original, 2005 edition is included, but there are lots of new graphics and additional chapters of valuable material beyond the initial release.

Another subtle, but important difference, is that the focus of the book has been altered, from being coach-focused to being lifter-focused. Throughout the book, there’s an encyclopedia of practical tips you can put into your training program — right now — and see improvement almost immediately, and — significantly — you will understand why it helped you. This attitude, which is reflective of the broad experience and insight of the authors, will serve this book’s readers for years to come.

Five key exercises are covered, squat, bench, deadlift, press and power clean, as well as assistance exercises. For each, there is in depth explanation of rules, recommended equipment, and the elemental points of proper lift performance.

Some of the graphics are simply the best we’ve ever seen when it comes to illuminating the real essence of a given lift. (one example: a clever “yin-yang” representation of the relationship between the power clean and the deadlift… another example is the photo series showing the value of squatting with a board in front of your shin).

If you have the first edition, you won’t be sorry you got the 2nd. If you get the 2nd edition, you’ll wish you hadn’t gone 3 years without the first one. ~ Mike Lambert, Powerlifting USA

We’ve begun our Starting Strength discussion, where you’ll find in-depth conversations about squat form, deadlifting, pressing and assistance lifts, and we invite you to read or contribute to the collection.

After we’ve read and discussed the book at length, the authors will be joining us for a Q&A at the end of the month to clear up any confusion or, in the unlikely event we get everything sorted out (yeah, right), to simply add to the conversation.

Those with the first edition who choose not to order the second will have no problem joining the discussion. The second edition expands on the first; if there are differences between the two, those will be interesting threads as we uncover them.

Again, the two important links are:

Grab the book here: Starting Strength, 2nd Edition, $29.95

Join the discussion: IronOnline Starting Strength discussion.