Starting Strength vs Maximum Strength

Training Beginners
1

Hello everyone,
The thread title says it all, as these are the two programs I’m considering right now. I tried starting strength during the summer for about 6 weeks, suffered a mild lower back injury from squatting, but was able to recover from it and continue to lift with the help of Eric Cressey’s mobility drills. When I stopped doing Starting Strength, my bench was around 3x5 150, my squat was around 185 3x5, and my deadlift was about 1x5 310 (I did these as singles, because I don’t like doing repetitions of deadlifts).

You may wonder, why DID you stop doing starting strength? Well, I was studying abroad in Paris for 2 weeks after a week long excursion in Brittany, so I didn’t really see it as practical (let alone affordable) to pay for visits to a gym. As a result I am not as in shape as I’d like to be right now. Also, I will be busy this upcoming week moving into my apartment near my university, as well as applying to graduate school.

Okay, so there’s my situation/excuses. There are three options that I am considering:
One: Picking up starting strength and sticking with it until I stop making progress and then move on to maximum strength. I’d incorporate mobility work also.
Two: Picking up starting strength again as a 2-3 week preparation phase for maximum strength, and then starting maximum strength. Same thing with mobility work for 2-3 weeks.
Three: Starting Maximum strength right away.

Pros and Cons:
One: The pro of sticking to starting strength until I would no longer be able to make progress is that I would be confident in my ability to complete maximum strength, because as I understand it, when you cease to make progress using the methodology of starting strength, you are no longer a beginner. The con is that the template I am using from starting strength does not include any assistance/isolation work, and I really think my core (abs/lower back) is a huge weak point. This could be solved by incorporating core work into the starting strength, but I don’t know which exercises to use in what combination. If I could get solid solid advice regarding exercise choice that makes this option a lot better.

Two: The pro of doing maximum strength earlier is that I get to use a system that I think more completely addresses performance concerns. This option also gives me some time to get acclimated to the dietary changes necessary for maximum strength. The downside is that I might be giving Starting strength the short shrift by not sticking it out until I am no longer making progress.

Three: I was going to go through pros and cons, but this post is long already and I don’t even like this option, as I am not physically or mentally ready for maximum strength workouts right now.

So now I guess I have narrowed it down to two options, and the question becomes, should I do starting strength until it becomes stale, OR should I use it as an interim period thing to get ready for maximum strength? I am also willing to hear other options that I hadn’t considered and answer more macro questions. If you took the time to read this post, thanks.

2

Maximum Strength is supposed to be outstanding.

I would post this same thread in EC locker room thread. Ask him what he thinks. And be sure to include things like how long you’ve been lifting etc.

3

You will achieve faster growth on Starting Strength, if you’re not already close to maxing out. Since your squat is well short of your deadlift, I’d say you can keep going on SS for at least 4-6 weeks before you get stale. Take the quick gains, then do MS.

Keep doing the deadlifts the way you are. Treat it like a cluster rather than a set. 5 singles will give you the same benefit as a set of 5 and it will be safer as you get to set up properly for each rep.

4

Boyscout:
I will post this again in the EC locker room thread. Either way, I will be doing starting strength for 2-3 weeks, so there will be some time for other members to chime in.

Stuward:
If you are right about the quick gains from starting strength then I think that would be the best course of action for me. However, I am very concerned about the relative weakness of my lower back and abdomen as compared to my legs.

Do you think it would be wise to do some ab/lower back workouts on off days, possibly once or twice a week? I know when I am done doing an SS workout, the last thing I want to do is ab/lower back work. How do you think something like this would work as a core day:

Decline Crunches w/ plate: Heavier weight 8 reps x3 sets
Back Extensions: Heavier weight 8 reps x3 sets
Front Plank 30 sec x3
Side plank 30 sec x2 per side
Ab cycle x1 30 sec of crunches, 30 seconds of bicycle twists, 30 seconds of V-Cs

Let me know what you think.

5

I wouldn’t add a core day. Squats and deadlifts generally provide all the stimulus you need. If you do mon, weds, fri, you can add extra core work after your workout on Friday.

You can do it as a second workout that day if you want. Any more than that could negatively impact your next day’s workout. The core workout you have described looks fine.