Problems Lifting Heavy All the Time

[Justin]

Coach Rippetoe,

I've been following your program for about four months and have made significant strength gains. Thank you for answering questions on this forum.

The issue i'm having is I have to take a break from the program about every 30 days and use lighter weights higher reps in order to allow my joints and tendons to recover. I've taken lots of motrin, fish oil, and glucosimine; however, after a few weeks at heavy weights my elbows and shoulders hurt to the point that they prevent me from doing the exercises. At that point, I take a few days off and then use higer reps lower weight until my body heals and then I return to the regular linear progression program.

It seems that all the exercises put signigicant strain on my elbows and shoulders, but low bar back squats are the worst. I've started using the high bar position because I can do the other exercises longer before having to take a layoff.

Have you ever seen a problem like this before? Any recommendations?

I'm 25 and healthy. I know working out has its pains, but this pain is keeping me from progressing.
Here are my current numbers:

BW 210
HT 6'0
Squat: 285x5x3
BP: 235x5x3
Deadlift: 350x5
Press: 145x5x3
PC: 145x3x5

Thanks,
Justin

[Mark Rippetoe]

We don't usually have these problems, because good form places no real stress on healthy joints. I think you have either technique or recovery problems, and both can be fixed. You have been on the program 4 months, but every 30 days you have had to stop to deload for a few workouts, meaning that you have interrupted your progress at least 3 times in 4 months. This sounds like you are not following the progression correctly, and in addition to technique and recovery, the whole program is fucked up. But I may be wrong. Do you have the books?

[Justin]

Yes, I've read all three books. I've been actually doing a linear progression for four months, but I have twice had to stop and go to more of a "bodybuilding" routine with lighter weights to specifically allow my elbow tendonitus heal.

I'm in Iraq and conduct patrols daily in high temps, so my recovery is a little difficult. But, i'm able to eat a lot and do GOMAD.

As for form, I received your approval on my squat video a few weeks ago, i'll post a press video soon as that is the other exercise that causes me a lot of joint/tendon strain.

Thanks again,

Justin

[Mark Rippetoe]

I think your recovery situation must be the problem, rest-wise. If you are taking small-enough jumps, that has to be the issue. We'll fix it when you get back.