I agree 100%. I hate it when people call it a beginner workout and cast it aside. I know some huge guys that have done the Rippetoe program. You're just doing heavy compound lifts. They are the best for gaining size and strength. Too often I see small people or big people that are just getting back into the gym doing about 20 different isolation exercises. They would be better off just doing the heavy compound lifts and cutting the time in half that they spend in the gym. Doing leg extensions, calve raises, leg curls, weighted lunges, crunches, and glute ham raises are not as good as doing one good squat workout IMO.