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Strong Enough? Thoughts from Thirty Years of Barbell Training
There are lots of things about weight training in general and barbell exercise in particular that can only be learned by spending way too many hours in the gym. And honestly, unless you're a gym owner, this is a really weird way to spend 75 hours a week. Mark Rippetoe has been in the fitness industry since 1978 and has owned a black-iron gym since 1984. He knows things about lifting weights and training for performance that most other coaches and professionals have never had the chance to learn. This book of essays offers a glimpse into the depths of experience made possible through many years under the bar, and many more years spent helping others under the bar.
204 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published November 28, 2007
73 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Mark Rippetoe
9 books204 followersMark Rippetoe is an American strength training coach and author. He has published a number of books and peer-reviewed articles. He has a BSc in geology with a minor in anthropology, but no degree in exercise science. He has several decades of experience as a strength coach, is a former powerlifter, and is currently a gym owner.
Rippetoe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he now resides. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in petroleum geology from Midwestern State University, where he met his mentor Bill Starr in 1979. He competed in powerlifting from 1979 to 1988, winning the Greater Texas Classic in 1981. He bought Anderson's Gym in 1984, which later became the Wichita Falls Athletic Club. He collaborated with Glenn Pendlay, international-level Olympic lifting coach and Professor Lon Kilgore, who established the USA Weightlifting Regional Development Center in Wichita Falls. Over the next 30 years, he used the gym to test and refine his training program that would maximize strength gains, ultimately resulting in the Starting Strength program.
Rippetoe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he now resides. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in petroleum geology from Midwestern State University, where he met his mentor Bill Starr in 1979. He competed in powerlifting from 1979 to 1988, winning the Greater Texas Classic in 1981. He bought Anderson's Gym in 1984, which later became the Wichita Falls Athletic Club. He collaborated with Glenn Pendlay, international-level Olympic lifting coach and Professor Lon Kilgore, who established the USA Weightlifting Regional Development Center in Wichita Falls. Over the next 30 years, he used the gym to test and refine his training program that would maximize strength gains, ultimately resulting in the Starting Strength program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 11, 2010
Absolutely brilliant, crucial reading for anyone involved, or even just merely curious about, fitness. A collection of Coach Rip's essays, mostly pulled from the CrossFit Journal, near as I can tell, detailing his thoughts on specific weight training exercises, as well as the overall "industry" and fashions plaguing it. A must read for weight lifters, endurance athletes, medical doctors who dispense 'training advice' free of charge, and anyone considering getting in shape for the first or second time.
Coach Rip's approach is no-nonsense. No Silly BS (his words), just those things that have been proven to work. Will you cut fat in 7 minutes a day? Probably not. Will the abRocket do what it claims? Not likely. Will lifting weights, real weights, make a definite difference in your physique? Guaranteed.
Coach Rip's approach is no-nonsense. No Silly BS (his words), just those things that have been proven to work. Will you cut fat in 7 minutes a day? Probably not. Will the abRocket do what it claims? Not likely. Will lifting weights, real weights, make a definite difference in your physique? Guaranteed.
November 25, 2012
Not a lot of new stuff if you've read "Starting Strength", but a fun read. The author has lots of entertaining opinions and isn't afraid to express them.
On running: "Anything you can do for an uninterrupted 2 hours can't be that hard, in terms of the amount of force required. It produces endurance adaptations at the cellular level, changes that are actually detrimental to strength. Long, slow distance destroys muscle mass, beats the hell out of your knees and hips, and takes way too long."
"If I had to choose between looking like a marathon runner or having a heart attack, I'd take the heart attack. How running 26.2 miles at one time ever got to be associated with a Good Thing just beats the absolute hell out of me."
On mainstream gym: "If you're trying to relax after a strenuous day in the cubicle, go ahead and do your yoga class, finish up with some seated alternate 3 lb. dumbbell presses on a balance ball, and have yourself a nice smoothie."
Squats: "Anyone who says that full squats are "bad for the knees" has, with that statement, demonstrated conclusively that they are not entitled to an opinion about the matter."
Deadlifts: "They affect the body in a systemic way, producing sufficient stress that a hormonal response is produced to facilitate recovery and adaptation. They are very hard. They produce psychological toughness when trained correctly. And absolutely no one has ever gotten as brutally, ungodly strong as they possibly can without doing them."
"Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general."
On running: "Anything you can do for an uninterrupted 2 hours can't be that hard, in terms of the amount of force required. It produces endurance adaptations at the cellular level, changes that are actually detrimental to strength. Long, slow distance destroys muscle mass, beats the hell out of your knees and hips, and takes way too long."
"If I had to choose between looking like a marathon runner or having a heart attack, I'd take the heart attack. How running 26.2 miles at one time ever got to be associated with a Good Thing just beats the absolute hell out of me."
On mainstream gym: "If you're trying to relax after a strenuous day in the cubicle, go ahead and do your yoga class, finish up with some seated alternate 3 lb. dumbbell presses on a balance ball, and have yourself a nice smoothie."
Squats: "Anyone who says that full squats are "bad for the knees" has, with that statement, demonstrated conclusively that they are not entitled to an opinion about the matter."
Deadlifts: "They affect the body in a systemic way, producing sufficient stress that a hormonal response is produced to facilitate recovery and adaptation. They are very hard. They produce psychological toughness when trained correctly. And absolutely no one has ever gotten as brutally, ungodly strong as they possibly can without doing them."
"Strong people are harder to kill than weak people, and more useful in general."
April 1, 2014
It's impossible to train Starting Strength and not grow fond of Coach Rip. It's a solid method, makes incredible sense and the mindset around it spreads into the rest of your life. It’ll spread into your work, into your morality, into your entire being.
A quote that should give you an idea what it's about:
"The problem is complex, and the solution is simple. It is incumbent on you, yes You, to educate yourself to a sufficient extent that you are in a position to evaluate information issued from a position of authority. You are supposed to be able to recognize silly bullshit when you hear it. And I'm sorry if it's hard to have to think all the time, but the consequences of placing your responsibility to do so in the hands of others can result in a closet full of Thigh Masters, which will make it necessary to find somewhere else to hang your shirts — like on your Bowflex."
A quote that should give you an idea what it's about:
"The problem is complex, and the solution is simple. It is incumbent on you, yes You, to educate yourself to a sufficient extent that you are in a position to evaluate information issued from a position of authority. You are supposed to be able to recognize silly bullshit when you hear it. And I'm sorry if it's hard to have to think all the time, but the consequences of placing your responsibility to do so in the hands of others can result in a closet full of Thigh Masters, which will make it necessary to find somewhere else to hang your shirts — like on your Bowflex."
December 28, 2019
Strong Enough? is by the author of Starting Strength, which got me into powerlifting back in college. It's a quick read and I recommend the audio version as it is narrated by Rippetoe himself in his hearty southern drawl. He certainly does not fail to preach about proper lifting form at every turn but the book is more about life perspectives of an iron hardened lifter and coach. Most memorable parts were about lifting at an advanced age, how he does it to fight back death and how at this point stopping would be dreadful; and how squats are a cure against the epidemic of modern living in constant avoidance of discomfort. His pitch is how are you ever going to be prepared for life's inevitable difficulties if you never train your grit? And what better way to do so than squatting some heavy-ass weights? So stop being a little bitch and get under the bah.
April 1, 2016
Being the author of several classics in the training industry, Rippetoe is entitled to talk a little about his opinions. This is where he gets to let off some steam about all the silly Bosu Balls and Miracle Fat Loss Pills as well as share a few insights into what it means, in his estimation, to be human and to truly thrive.
The format allows more of his personality (read: funny) to come through than some of his more technical work and that makes reading it a pure joy. If you're a fan of Ripp, read it. If you're not, this one might just convert you.
The format allows more of his personality (read: funny) to come through than some of his more technical work and that makes reading it a pure joy. If you're a fan of Ripp, read it. If you're not, this one might just convert you.
October 7, 2023
Great book on strength sports and lifting weights. Like the subtitle suggests, this book is like a podcast with Mark Rippetoe's take on all things barbell. I listened to this on audible with Mark narrating the audiobook. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments with Mark's narration, and it was the best thing about this audiobook.
I don't think I learned anything that would improve my powerlifting numbers, but it was a fun listen.
I don't think I learned anything that would improve my powerlifting numbers, but it was a fun listen.
Read
February 18, 2015Mark Rippetoe sounds like a stubborn tough guy at times, with a somewhat condescending view about sports other than traditional weightlifting. But attitude aside, this book is undeniably funny and inspiring, casual readers might need a quick pictorial intro to weightlifting before diving into the text, and runners should start with the last article, it captured the spirit of this book which is really not so different from running, or other endeavors in life: the human body is not designed for "comfort", it thrives in a rigorous training plan and periodical challenges. This is something to live by even as we step past our prime into old age.
March 8, 2011
I loved this book. There's so much crap out there in terms of strength training. This book is the real stuff, from someone who knows, and has the writing skill to put the information forward. If you want to read some material that'll tell you how strength training actually works, read Rippetoe's stuff. Highly recommended. No "silly BS" as Rip would say.
January 19, 2012
First few chapters (on the deadlift, squat, and press) were the best and most informative. The rest is the usual, "everyone is wrong but me" stuff that you get in books like this.
April 7, 2017
Funny and informative. And the last essay is downright inspiring.
March 27, 2019
Excellent intro to the barbell strength training genre. Rippletoe has a great sense of humour that features well throughout the book. Absolutely a no bullshit kind of guy.
Topics of discussion:
- The slow lifts: deadlift, squat, bench, and overhead press should be staples of every athlete’s training regime. Compound movements develop functional strength. Executed properly, they create supermen and women.
- A chapter each dedicated to the squat, overhead press, deadlift, bench press, and power clean. The mechanics and common mistakes are laid out.
- The disconnect in the fitness industry between functional strength, health, and appearance. The benefits of ‘being fit’ are sold almost exclusively on appearance, when the appearance is an epiphenomenon of being strong (and lean). You can train for strength by increasing your 1, 3 or 5RM, but you can’t train for a V-look, or chiseled abs or a great ass. Those goals are qualitative, not quantitative. No one gets any of those things by being a weakling. Train for strength (muscle) and the looks come as a byproduct.
- A chapter on the differences in training between men and women. Thoroughly enlightening given the current craze about transgender M-2-F athletes dominating women’s sports at the expense of natural-born women.
- Chapter on training as an older person (50+ years of age). Your testosterone will be less than half of what it was in your teenage years. Your ability to recover is far less due to fractured sleep and more existential worry. None of this means you shouldn’t lift, only that you need to be more careful (and pick whether you’d rather be sore from lifting, or decrepit from being sedentary).
My favourite chapter was titled ‘Silly Bullshit’, on the various kinds nonsense that people believe, and that medical and sports academic professionals are likely to sound off about.
Topics of discussion:
- The slow lifts: deadlift, squat, bench, and overhead press should be staples of every athlete’s training regime. Compound movements develop functional strength. Executed properly, they create supermen and women.
- A chapter each dedicated to the squat, overhead press, deadlift, bench press, and power clean. The mechanics and common mistakes are laid out.
- The disconnect in the fitness industry between functional strength, health, and appearance. The benefits of ‘being fit’ are sold almost exclusively on appearance, when the appearance is an epiphenomenon of being strong (and lean). You can train for strength by increasing your 1, 3 or 5RM, but you can’t train for a V-look, or chiseled abs or a great ass. Those goals are qualitative, not quantitative. No one gets any of those things by being a weakling. Train for strength (muscle) and the looks come as a byproduct.
- A chapter on the differences in training between men and women. Thoroughly enlightening given the current craze about transgender M-2-F athletes dominating women’s sports at the expense of natural-born women.
- Chapter on training as an older person (50+ years of age). Your testosterone will be less than half of what it was in your teenage years. Your ability to recover is far less due to fractured sleep and more existential worry. None of this means you shouldn’t lift, only that you need to be more careful (and pick whether you’d rather be sore from lifting, or decrepit from being sedentary).
My favourite chapter was titled ‘Silly Bullshit’, on the various kinds nonsense that people believe, and that medical and sports academic professionals are likely to sound off about.
September 23, 2019
This book is a fun and quick read and is composed of some of Mark Rippetoe's essays.
It mainly speaks to people who already strength train.
If you do, reading it may feel like "yeah, I belong to this club". This is my situation.
If you don't, the message may feel a bit aggressive - especially the fun and sarcastic tirades against the fitness industry and the generalized BS it is so fond of propagating.
If you like the strong personality of Mark and his snide remarks, you will probably enjoy this book. If you don't, it probably won't happen.
Since I do, and it was (a bit) informative and (a lot of) fun, I give it a 5/5.
Also, I have listened to some of his podcast interviews, and at times could imagine his voice pronouncing the words written in the book.
OBS: For a more technical discussion, you should probably also read Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training
It mainly speaks to people who already strength train.
If you do, reading it may feel like "yeah, I belong to this club". This is my situation.
If you don't, the message may feel a bit aggressive - especially the fun and sarcastic tirades against the fitness industry and the generalized BS it is so fond of propagating.
If you like the strong personality of Mark and his snide remarks, you will probably enjoy this book. If you don't, it probably won't happen.
Since I do, and it was (a bit) informative and (a lot of) fun, I give it a 5/5.
Also, I have listened to some of his podcast interviews, and at times could imagine his voice pronouncing the words written in the book.
OBS: For a more technical discussion, you should probably also read Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training
February 19, 2020
One of the words I hate is 'fit.' I do not know what this means and supposed to mean. What does it mean by 'fit'? If one person looks 'fit' what does it mean? Above all, why should 'fit' be a goal for personal health?
If 'fit' means being non-obesity status, it might be better to cut a bunch of sugar and processed carb. (Seems like this is another stretch goal for most of the people nowadays) Then what's the goal for training (or exercise)?
Rippetoe has a simple answer: Strength. He also provides a clear definition of strength: the ability to generate force against a resistance. Once we get this definition, lots of things are clearer and navigating the world with a full of SB ("Silly Bullshit") such as 'core', 'wellness', 'endurance' and etc...
The very straight forward manner and speaking from his own experience, this is a book for anyone who's tired of "SB" everywhere, whether you are interested in building the strength or not. Now I just need to get back to my gym routine...
If 'fit' means being non-obesity status, it might be better to cut a bunch of sugar and processed carb. (Seems like this is another stretch goal for most of the people nowadays) Then what's the goal for training (or exercise)?
Rippetoe has a simple answer: Strength. He also provides a clear definition of strength: the ability to generate force against a resistance. Once we get this definition, lots of things are clearer and navigating the world with a full of SB ("Silly Bullshit") such as 'core', 'wellness', 'endurance' and etc...
The very straight forward manner and speaking from his own experience, this is a book for anyone who's tired of "SB" everywhere, whether you are interested in building the strength or not. Now I just need to get back to my gym routine...
April 23, 2019
I've read it right after reading the Starting Strength (SS) and I am glad I did as it recaps some of the technical aspects of the lifts but not in such great details as in SS.
If you are new to lifting (I am) then read SS first. But there is more than that.
Here the style is more conversational and less dry and Coach Rippetoe covers some of the topics often misunderstood and that misunderstanding obviously touches him deeply: barbells for women, elderly and kids, barbells for modern Western world sedentary citizens, barbells and sports.
It was an interesting and entertaining read and his second book did not disappoint. How could it? His language would make even a TV set instruction an entertaining read. I'll be sure to come back.
If you are new to lifting (I am) then read SS first. But there is more than that.
Here the style is more conversational and less dry and Coach Rippetoe covers some of the topics often misunderstood and that misunderstanding obviously touches him deeply: barbells for women, elderly and kids, barbells for modern Western world sedentary citizens, barbells and sports.
It was an interesting and entertaining read and his second book did not disappoint. How could it? His language would make even a TV set instruction an entertaining read. I'll be sure to come back.
December 10, 2018
An eclectic mix of essays. Major themes include "old man rants at cloud about corrupt fitness establishment and doctors who don't know what they're talking about", quite technical discussions of body mechanics for the lifts from Starting Strength, and some rather personal philosophy. The review of proper form was useful, but I think I enjoyed the philosophy and Rip's humor the most. The essay on training in old age was deeply affecting; though I'm a young fellow, my folks are master's athletes, and I hear the same thoughts from them, that sure it hurts but it's only going to hurt worse if they quit. Never expected to hear Rip say he was afraid of anything; very human, very honest.
November 3, 2024
Based on the title, "Thoughts from Thirty Years of Barbell Training," I was expecting to find lessons learned and we only get that once when Rippetoe describes himself at age 18 at the gym, being humbled by his coaching from Bill Starr. AND THAT'S IT.
The rest of this audiobook explains all the exercises that feels repetitive to Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training. It's almost like this book assumes you're not going to check out his other books. Maybe that was the case. Sometimes Rippetoe is such a Texan macho man that his delivery of problematic opinions is comedic. I don't take him too seriously, and I'm avoiding the forums so that I don't have to engage with the ones who do.
The rest of this audiobook explains all the exercises that feels repetitive to Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training. It's almost like this book assumes you're not going to check out his other books. Maybe that was the case. Sometimes Rippetoe is such a Texan macho man that his delivery of problematic opinions is comedic. I don't take him too seriously, and I'm avoiding the forums so that I don't have to engage with the ones who do.
November 16, 2018
Good information on weight lifting, especially for older lifters, but trying to visualize proper form in a text-only format gives me a headache. Not really sure who the reader is for this book - there are super-basic "the squat won't hurt your knees" sections and highly technical sections on joint angle and torque that only someone who specialized in training weightlifters (or physicists) would find interesting. Anyone who is involved in weight lifting will find sections that are useful and sections that are skippable.
June 22, 2019
My first book of Rip's. Loved it!!
It gets into detailed things like form, which I learned from, and just as it gets too dry he switches it up to keep you engaged. He's got a fun sense of humor and uses it well to make his points. He is educated but not pompous, direct yet expansive.
Only complaint is I'm still confused about his comparisons regarding high school lifting, pro lifting, American lifting, and international lifting. I'm sure there is a clear and concise point there but I didn't feel like he made it.
Other than that single issue, fabulous book!
It gets into detailed things like form, which I learned from, and just as it gets too dry he switches it up to keep you engaged. He's got a fun sense of humor and uses it well to make his points. He is educated but not pompous, direct yet expansive.
Only complaint is I'm still confused about his comparisons regarding high school lifting, pro lifting, American lifting, and international lifting. I'm sure there is a clear and concise point there but I didn't feel like he made it.
Other than that single issue, fabulous book!
September 25, 2017
This book should be read preferably after reading Mark's Magnum Opus, i.e., "Starting Strength". This part memoir, part lifting philosophy book is hilarious in parts, and educational while not being too dry (mostly). There are a lot of opinions, ruminations and thoughts here which will be useful to anyone beginning Starting Strength, or Stronglifts, or any other strength training program focused on major lifts and use of barbells.
A good read, indeed.
A good read, indeed.
January 22, 2023
Sometimes, he makes it feel that only his technique is good, justifying his words with the conjuring of some scientific terms. When Bro science is evoked to justify something which we cannot accept at the face of it--like his comments against endurance--we feel something is amiss. However, I believe this book will surely help someone who wants to achieve strength
January 31, 2024
I thought this book was very informative, truthful, inspiring, helpful and an easy read that I really enjoyed. Each chapter is around 10-20 pages and is easy to follow. When things start to get science based “Rip” brings things back to layman’s terms. If you have an interest in weight lifting, form, technique and strength give this book a shot.
June 29, 2023
Audiobook read by the author. If you have a dry sense of humor this may very well be the most humorous book about strength training out there. If you can't get enough of Rippetoe it's worth the listen. If you suffered through "starting strength" then don't bother cause it wasn't written for you.
December 31, 2017
A must-read for any athlete and anyone who's interested in being healthy and functional.
If you're already a regular at startingstrength.com, then much of the material will be familiar to you.
If you're already a regular at startingstrength.com, then much of the material will be familiar to you.
June 3, 2019
Very good, great reading in the misleading fitness industry today. Recommended. Definitely will read other books by Mark Rippetoe.
January 30, 2020
I'm not, obviously.
August 21, 2020
Very entertaining. Not as dry as Practical Programming, not as life changing as Starting Strength, but very interesting observations and wit.
November 7, 2020
A shorter and less serious version of "starting strength"; read it if you like Mark Rippetoe and his no-nonsense way of looking at things.
December 21, 2020
Always funny, always smart.
January 5, 2021
This will be a bookshelf book that every year or two I reread.
March 5, 2022
Every essay is a nugget of common sense applied to fitness. I wish I would have found Rip 20 years ago so he could have saved me from program hopping and wasting my time doing stupid shit in the gym.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews