Moving onto the Texas Method.

[sonnymack]

Mark,

I took up strength training earlier this year and I seriously enjoy it. Thanks for all the advice in SS.

I am 6'1" and 242 lbs. Before I started training I was 209lbs. I started on an empty bar and used the SS backing off techniques when I stalled. I'm still progressing on the deadlift, press, bench and BBR, but I finally stalled on the squat for the 4th or 5th time, and couldn't get past that point. 3x5 didn't seem enough to push me on and I couldn't recover from 5x5 by the next session. At this point, my lifts were:

Squat - 253lb 5x5
Deadlift - 330lb 1x5
Press - 121lb 5x5
Bench - 187lb 5x5
BBR - 182lb 5x5

In accordance with your advice from PP (thanks again) I have decided to formulate my own Texas method template, and I thought I'd ask you what you thought. I like the functional element of strength: I ain't interested in shiny guns and a six-pack (unless it's Guinness), so I want to use pull/chin-ups and dips for assistance if possible. I've used the assistance element from Madcow for inspiration.

Monday:
5x5 Squat
5x5 Bench/Press
5x5 BBR/3x8 Power Cleans
3x10 Hypers
3x10 Weighted sit-ups

Wednesday:
3x5 Squat @ 80%
5x5 Press/Bench
3x5 BBR @ 80%
Sit-ups

Friday:
1/2/3 Squat
1/2/3 Bench/Press
5x1 Deadlift
3xDips/ 3xWeighted Dips
3xChins/Pulls/ 3xWeighted Chins/Pulls

If I'm ever in Texas I owe you a beer.

Chris.

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you insist on doing barbell rows, this is fine. But there are more productive exercises. Why don't you break down and learn how to snatch?

[sonnymack]

What's been holding me back from power cleans and power snatches is the gyms that I can reach to train in. All of the gyms near where I am now are mirror-walled places filled with shaven-chested beauties prancing around in vests. There is a squat rack, but its an afterthought, and is cluttered by leg extension/curl machines and a pec-deck. It has no bumper plates. And inspite of all the shiny muscles on display, I'm the biggest deadlifter in the place - at 330lb after 5 months, that's tragic.
I will look for a better gym and be back in touch if that's alright with you for some technique pointers for the power clean and snatch. Is it alright if I upload some videos of my present technique?. I have SS so I have the resources for the clean: Where would you recommend getting information about the snatch?

Thanks again.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The clever person can adapt the power clean teaching progression to the snatch quite easily. But you may have to build a home gym or buy some stuff with some friends if you can't find a decent place to train.

[sonnymack]

We'll moving house soon (twins on the way) and I intend to buy one with a garage and weld up my own rack.
Thanks for the advice. I'll work on alternating the power clean and the snatch on Monday in the 8x3 format, and I'll alternate front and overhead squats on the Wednesday to reinforce technique. When I've got the techniques down I'll post vids.
Keep up the good work.