The Starting Strength Series of Interviews: Marty Gallagher, again.

[Mark Rippetoe]

http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/sss_mg3

A continuation of our conversation from a few months back, recorded when Ed was here last month. Not really an interview, more like us just chewing the fat.

[Calvo]

Awesome. Thanks, Rip and Marty!


I wonder if the Internet might be able to do some good for strength training after all. Get some of that small fish in a big pond effect when you come home from your mediocre commercial gym where 5-6 guys squat over 315 and see Igor Gagin hit 850x5 in belt and wraps on Youtube with a couple of bored gopniks hanging around in the background. (Or even see genetically ordinary dudes on this site making much better progress than you are.). Just a thought.

[williamlexcrawford]

Excellent job on the interview Rip! It was really enjoyable and informative.

[Jonathan Vechet]

Great interview/fat chewing , Rip.

Just thought I'd through my 2 cents in as a former military member (been out almost 4 years).

I wasn't a tier 1 operative, I was basic a Marine Corps infantry rifleman. I agree that extra strength would have been very useful, but they shouldn't neglect body weight movements; though making them weighted would be more realistic; ie. pulling oneself over a wall in full battle rattle.

Endurance is also important, but only (I believe) to the extent of prolonging the use of strength. Strength (in the current context) is pointless if you burn out after a few minutes.

Marty mentioned how the tier 1 guys are pretty much OFP (own fucking program) when it comes to PT, but most of the basic infantry guys are stuck doing whatever their platoon/company commander says. So going outside the box is a little more difficult.

And, believe it or don't, a lot of PT falls on the individual (basic infantry wise). I've been all to familiar with spending my free time chain smoking, playing video games, and developing a drinking problem. Some guys would go to the gym during their off time, but they were not the majority. Not sure how much of that has changed in the past 4 years, but I have no doubt that much of it has remained.

How would you go about programming strength for those that have a schedule they can't anticipate? There

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think a basic linear strength progression should be a part of boot camp, when the schedule can be anticipated, and basic strength standards for the deadlift and press should apply throughout a military career. Meeting them would be the responsibility of the individual, having learned in boot camp how to do it.

[Jonathan Vechet]

I think a basic linear strength progression should be a part of boot camp, when the schedule can be anticipated, and basic strength standards for the deadlift and press should apply throughout a military career. Meeting them would be the responsibility of the individual, having learned in boot camp how to do it.

Linear progression should absolutely be apart of boot camp (recruit training), but convincing the brass would be no easy task.

And individual responsibility is, without a doubt, a contributing factor to one's personal development. But a lot of the basic infantry didn't get there through a series a well made decisions. I've seen a lot of fat asses and scrawny guys (was scrawny myself) slip through the cracks.

And why specifically the deadlift and press? If sacrifices should be made, would the deadlift and press supersede the squat and bench press in a military environment? If so, why?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Because they are easy to judge and easy to learn. Did the bar lock out? No depth questions, and they are representative of total body strength.

[GHK]

From a UK Military perspective. Battle PT was aimed at the majority, but when it came to specialised units, most would work out as it makes their life easier in the field, (train hard. fight easy).

But Squatting 500lbs does not really help if your heart and lungs were not in order. We were strong, some stronger than others due to natural DNA, but the strange thing was when we had a photo taken of us us, it was as if we were all from the same mold (then), hititng about 75-90kgs lean and strong. On one exercise, I had about 150lbs all up, tabbing (walking and no vehicles) into position. 150lbs was broken down into 100lbs Bergen, 30lbs Ops vest, rilfe 10lbs. This was a normal exercise. I did not do any Regimental PT, we done our own thing, as if we were not fit it was a RTU. Best motivation.

However, sadly, the majority of non speclised guys follow the same training regime they did before they joined.. bugger all except Troop, Regt PT.

One thing for sure is the difference between US and UK military training. From my experience, the US guys in general were more upper body, the UK were more heart and lungs battle PT.

Introducing linear strength training, I think is a great idea, but it would need to be balanced with heart and lungs battle PT, and introducing into Boot camp is also great as it sows the seads of the guys that never heard of it and did not see the benefits of having big Chesticles with the ladies on a Friday Night.

[wal]

I don't know much about power lifting, I could write what I know on the back of a postage stamp, (especially after that interview) however in my humble judgment the numbers you gave in regard to your best lifting stats to Marty Gallagher sounded pretty damn good to me, yes sir pretty damn good. I would be proud to have those numbers.

[Corrie]

Your talks with Marty have been the most fascinating videos you've posted in my opinion. His breadth of knowledge of the history of weightlifting, his experience coaching some of the most talented lifters in the world and his great memory of the records and dates makes him the ideal person for these sit downs. It's amazing how much I've learned just from the 2 previous interviews. Thanks!!