A success story!

[SeanL]

no question Mark, just wanted to share a happy story.

About 2 years ago we had a "kid" start hanging around our crew wanting to lift. He had a great attitude so we put him on SS and let him load, etc. while just hanging around. After about 3 months he was packing up to go to university and we all chipped in and bought him a copy of SS and PP and encouraged him to stay the course and not get sidetracked.

Long story short, I ran into him at the gym today. He's home for a few weeks before heading back to school. This "kid", using nothing more than those 2 books and his own determination, has gained 60 lbs and is putting up seriously impressive numbers. In the ballpark of 350+/500/500 for his working sets!

Considering that 90+% of the kids that ask for advice are still doing partial movements on the machines and eating like debutantes, I was extremely gratified to see what he accomplished. I wish I could claim credit for the programming, but I'm just happy to see a young'un doing it the right way.

Thought this might give you a smile.

P.S.-recently re-purchased and read PP. This book is one of the rare ones that gets better and more informative with each reading. laying my experience over your's and Mr. Kilgore's work is a continuing education of the best kind. I don't know if I would have been as smart as the "kid" when I started lifting, but I wish your books were around back then. As it is, I wish I could lay unfriendly hands on certain magazine publishers...

[Mark Rippetoe]

Always good to hear about a 500 squat. Tell him I'll buy the beer.

[SeanL]

I'm sure if you're ever in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL he'll take you up on that