Bodyweight/height/lifts?
Member
Coaching Teen Lifters Through Plateaus/Drug use in modern society
Hi Rip –
I started training my son in the powerlifts six years ago (he was 10 at the time). He has set dozens of raw powerlifting records in multiple weight classes, and uses his speed & strength to his advantage in high school sports, but recently his strength gains – and deadlift in particular -- seem to be stalling at age 16 -- a time when he should be getting stronger almost from just looking at the weights.
So I’m trying to help my intermediate/advanced teen lifter return to rapid progression. And I'm trying to determine whether attending your 3-day Starting Strength program is the best use of my money/time to improve my ability to coach my son. He’s been training on a 5/3/1 template since age 12.
What successes have you had with Starting Strength helping intermediate/advanced lifters move beyond plateaus?
Thanks!
Last edited by Mark Rippetoe; 05-02-2015 at 11:39 AM. Reason: Clarification/topic drift update
TMPHBITEU
Bodyweight/height/lifts?
Member
5'9" 145 lean build age 16Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe
Lifts: 335/210/405
Lifts 9 months ago: 308/180/385 @132
Other stats:
Kneeling 12# med ball throw: 25 feet
Standing broad jump: Just under 9 feet
Pullups: 21 strict (competition)
Primary assistance exercises: 2/3/4 bd press, pause squats
Other plyo/assistance: med ball throws, box jumps, kneeling long jumps, power cleans, farmer's walk
Athlete also trains in springboard diving 4-5x a week.
TMPHBITEU
At 5'9" and 145, he's at least 40 pounds underweight, even for a 16-year-old. Why? Whose brilliant idea is this?
Member
Initial thoughts:
He's underweight.
I would say severely.
Is springboard diving the influence on keeping body weight low?
What sports does he compete in which allow him to use his speed and strength to his advantage?
4-5x/week for [anything other than lifting] plus powerlifting inspired training seems exhausting.
Member
Your point about gaining weight to get bigger and stronger is well taken. He's where he is now weight-wise because 1) naturally lean build; 2) Concerta use for ADHD acts as an appetite suppressant; 3) he wrestled in middle school and was on a competition taekwondo team ages 10-14, both focused on keeping bodyweight low for competition. When I retired from the military two years ago, I was able to spend more time focused on his training and diet, and he has gained 20 lbs. in the last 18 months.
TMPHBITEU
He would have gained 20 pounds in the last 18 months accidentally, had wrestling and other psychological encumbrances not handicapped him. Poor kid. He's got some hurdles. I hope you are not one of them.
TMPHBITEU
Because that's what they do. A time-honored tradition of fucking kids up.
Member
Concerta is an amphetamine. If you bought it on the street, it would be a terrible, dangerous, illegal drug commonly called "speed." When I was a kid, we called them "diet pills." For a reason.
Today, college kids "abuse" them to lose weight, stay skinny, or pull all-nighters. Just as we did with the more common - and illegal - diet pills.
Member
Being taller than your opponent comes with obvious reach and leverage advantages.
I wrestled in high school 135 @ 5'11, and was a 3x state medalist. I graduated college at 150 @ 6'0", fighting Muay Thai (undefeated in amateur competition). After a year of training thanks to Starting Strength, I was 209 lbs. After another year and some change later, I'm at 220 and last week I squatted 500x5.
Knowing what I know now, I'd rather be strong as a bull and an average height for my weight class.
Posting Permissions