Session with Starting Strength Coach

[rao00010]

I had my first session with a Starting Strength coach and it was such a good experience that I asked Rip if I could post positive feedback on the forum. He approved it so here it is.

I've been doing Starting Strength for a little while now but hurt myself a few times and wasn't really making good progress. I knew that my form was off and since I've never really been that athletic, I was having difficulty fixing the form on my own. I decided that I needed a coaching session to get things on track and reduce the chances for an injury.

I looked up Starting Strength coaches in North Carolina and the closest one was 3 hours away. Mac Ward and his wife Gillian Mounsey are in Cedar Point, NC, so I emailed Mac and set up an appointment.

It was probably the best 2 hours I've spent in a long time. Mac and his wife are terrific people and Mac spent time going through my squat and fixing my bad habits. It isn't perfect yet but I know what a good squat feels like and what to work on.

I hadn't deadlifted in a long time (I know - NDTFP...) because I hurt my lower back doing it about 8 months ago, likely due to terrible form. Mac insisted that we work on the deadlift and promised me that I wouldn't get hurt. Well, he was right - I worked up to a 225 lb deadlift and it felt great.

If anyone is thinking about going to a SS coach (or even a camp), I think you should do it. There is something valuable in having a qualified eye look at your lifts and give you feedback.

Final comment - Mac is a US Marine, and let me say that as an American, I am glad that he is on our side! The guy is huge.

Thanks again Mac.

Sunil

[Les Hahn]

Mac and Gillian rock! Thanks for posting the write-up.

[PaulBeech]

Do they have a yelp or Google? You should put it in there too. I'd like to get that cert eventually. From what I've read about the details and tests for it i don't think another cert comes close.

[ChessGuy]

That's cool. I need to do the same some day. Maybe I'll get down to Springfield and hit the new SS Gym down there.

[Kim]

Thanks for posting about your experience. We're going to have to try to get out there for a session. I wish that there was a Starting Strength facility in the central part of NC.

[Charlocity2]

That's a ringing endorsement. My son is also a Marine stationed in that area. My son has a bit of a bench bro approach to training so, believe me, I'm trying to find an opportunity and his agreement to spend some time with Mac.

[Iain]

Thanks for posting about your experience. We're going to have to try to get out there for a session. I wish that there was a Starting Strength facility in the central part of NC.

How far are you from Asheville? Tamara is very good also.

[Kim]

How far are you from Asheville? Tamara is very good also.

Asheville is slightly closer. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Mac Ward]

Sunil,

Thank you for the kind words. You were a pleasure to coach, and many gains are in your future. You are always welcome in our gym and in our home.