3 weeks into SS, hip joint pain while squatting

[mike552]

Hello Mark,

I have just completed my 3rd week into starting strength and i am having pain in my hip joints and lower back, this is making it very difficult to squat. I am doing the Practical Programming Novice Program.

My stats:

Age: 18
Height: 5'8
Weight: 145lbs
bf%: 9-10

I have been steadily adding 2.5kg/5.5lbs to my squat, bench press, press, and deadlift. I am completing all reps with good form and they are heavy enough to challenge me.

I started out at 80kg/176lbs squat and now i am doing 102.5kg/225lbs squat. On my last 2 workouts i started having pain in my hip joints, they "click" when i rotate them and when i started to squat on wednesday i started having pain. On friday i couldnt squat, as soon as i lifted the weight off the hooks my hip joints and lower back felt weak, i did one rep then i couldnt do any more. The weight is ok, my muscles can lift it, its just my hip joints and lower back start to hurt. This pain goes away a few hours after my work out and comes back when i start to squat again even with 45lbs added to the bar.

What should i do? should i stop squatting for a while? And what should i do to prevent this in the future?

Thank you.

[Mark Rippetoe]

In addition to the fact that you're not doing the program, you're not eating enough. I just know, don't ask me how. As far as your back situation is concerned, without seeing your form I can't say but chances are good that your cursory reading of the program indicates a rather lax approach to the technique as well. I'd read the squat chapter again, drop the weight, and start again with better form.

Or it could be a kidney/prostate infection. Dunno.

[JLascek]

In a week and a half I had a 16 year old kid go from 190 to 200 pounds. You aren't eating enough, and you aren't trying to eat enough.