Comancheria

I just want you to know that you have done a terrible thing--getting me interested in all this Starting Strength nonsense. I have robbed my grandchildren's educational funds to purchase every book you and your partners in crime have written--started watching all the videos (may take a lifetime at my age--thanks!) and bought into the novice masters' program hook, line, sinker, and dead minnow for bait.

I made the mistake of buying a dinky little sorta-rack that nearly falls over when I re-rack my massive work squat of 80 pounds. (Did I mention, I'm an older-than-dirt novice with a bad knee?) So I found myself standing in Dick's, trying to choose between two much more substantial racks--made by separate companies. And they were probably OK for where I will get anytime soon. But for whatever reason, whenever I talked with the store clerk for the "Fitness Department", whenever he walked over from the fishing department, it was clear he didn't know his butt from a hole in the ground with regard to the equipment or its use.

So just two days ago, as I was getting ready to pick between the two, I happened across the videos you did about the SS rack and bench, respectively. Yesterday, as soon as they opened, I was on the phone with Eric at Texas Strength Systems in San Antonio, and today, I pulled the trigger and ordered:

• The Starting Strength Power Rack
• An extra set of bolts
• The Starting Strength Bench
• The SS Weight Tree (Hey, you might as well have stuff that matches.)
• The SS Deadlift Jack
• And an extra bar (the 1,200 pound rated model so I can do dips)

So now, I suspect I will hear you over my shoulder, shaking with anxiety over whether your rack will stand up to the pressure I am putting on it!

But seriously, I want to tell you how much I appreciate the incentive you have created in at least this one old fart to get up off the couch and put down the donuts. I admit to having had a hard time wanting to keep combining cardio (on the Concept II) and incorporating weight loss with strength gain. But now, I have abandoned the former and am two weeks into the program – and loving it.

Comancheria

Thanks, Rip. I would love to. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the next session in lovely, downtown Wichita Falls, but your staff tells me there will possibly be another one at the home location in the Spring. So perhaps then. Best regards, and congratulations on a great profession. Just remember what our former President said: "You didn't build that business – someone had to help you."

Oso Rojo

Russ, tell the grand kids to look to their parents for college money, Grandpa is getting strong!

Andersgj

My neck has always been susceptible to becoming painfully stiff, the Levator Scapula (as far as I know and can feel) tighten up until i have a very limited range of motion when turning my head from side to side. It is painful, it sucks, and takes 7-10 days to clear up by itself.

However, if i do power cleans and do enough weight and reps to get a slight DOMS the next day, my neck will be completely good the next day.

Have you got any insight on why this works so well and why I need to get a slight DOMS for it to work?

I know you really don't approve of training just to achieve DOMS, but it works for me and power cleans are the only exercise I ever do this with. My personal theory is that it is the same mechanism as pin firing, that the slight inflammation associated with DOMS clears up and takes care of the stiff neck as well since it is right next to the traps.