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I have a little rant. Ok, so I don't really rant so call it a vexation or general concern. Here is the basic crux:

You need to know how to do the damn exercises, having practiced them and achieved a certain amount of skill and confidence, before you attempt to put them in a fancy-ass sexy program. If you don't know how to do something in a 5x5 or whatever else you are doing see if you can substitue something you do know how to do. Otherwise, show a little patience and common sense and make sure you have it down before trying to set records on it. You can't learn how to do a proper row in the midst of a balls to the wall strength program, let alone a deadlift.

Start at the beginning. I see so many questions and problems with basic form and technique and I try to help but I REALLY can't help much within the context of a strict programming environment. Nobody really can. You can't get someone past theri form problems when their biggest goal is to add 10 lbs to the lift rather than to get the lift right.

For many things, it is perfectly feasible to throw in some practice for new lifts in the midst of a program without disrupting things too much. But for the big lifts you really need to dedicate some time to it.
That is all.

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If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.

Well said. It's a pet peeve of mine too actually.

Thanks, Boris, it was actually your squat rx, combined with some recent posts, that reminded me how much this needed to be said...and how exasperating it can be

Good points made. I hope my post about power cleans was not the spark for this, but yeah, this is true stuff.

No, no. It wasn't one person. It was a very widespread thing and it had nothing to do with you whatsoever, Cradler. There is way too much emphasis on programming before basic learning. Hell, it's even built into the most common advice: "Pick a program".

Double post here for a question (this might be proving your point but here goes): I was reading Matt Reynold's article about increasing your raw bench, and it said your elbows should be 45 degrees from your chest. I'm paranoid about injuries and for a long time I've benched with my elbows pretty much flush with my sides, not even 45 degrees at all. Am I losing anything on the lift this way? I've seen gains in strength and size in all the right places, but if 45 degrees is superior to basically flush then I want to fix that.

edit - haha, reading your post makes me wonder... instead of automatically saying "read the stickies and do rippetoe's SS" to every beginner, maybe the default answer should be "learn perfect form and THEN do rippetoe's SS!" i wonder how many people would skip the first part and do the second?

It's not like you need someone to take a protractor and measure out 45 degrees. But I agree, usually, around 45 degrees or so will be about right. Maybe a little less but probably not more. But to tell the truth, Cradler, the question suprises me cause I can't bench at all with my arms tucked against my side accept with db's. Not only does it cause discomfort in my shoulders but I my wrists won't turn enough in that position, so it hurts the wrists as well as the elbows. It doesn't seem like a natural way to do it. But what's very important is the the angle is maintained thoughout. You may find the angle drifting out during the lift or even worse just plain flailing around. You gotta keep the elbows tucked solid, but no, "tucked" does not mean completely against you sides. I think you probably would find it better to bring em out.

I agree with you on the beginner's thing. To be frank, if you had Coach Rippetoe coaching you it may be different but I think people would be better off with more "freedom" to learn outside of the restricted environment of a very static program. This doesn't mean you aren't getting better and progressing but that the emphasis starts more on learning basic technique rather than on the fastest possible progression. I will keep saying that I don't believe that the fastest possible progression is always necessarily the best way to go.

I don't think most will do it. They will come asking for a program. If you ask them if they know all the lifts they will get insulted, as if bench press technique is handed out at birth or something, and then they will proceed to have problems but be unwilling to compromise in any way in their quest to be "strong and big".

HAHAHA!

Here's a typical internet exchange I used to have with people (before Squat Rx - thankfully, I've had a lot less since):

MeatHead: My squat has plateaued at XYZ pounds. What should I do?
Me: How is your technique?
MeatHead: Oh, my technique is good. JohnnyBigThighs taught me how to squat so I know I'm good. What routine should I do?
Me: ...

The thing is that form ALWAYS needs work. ESPECIALLY if you are getting stronger and pushing heavier and heavier weights. Working on form doesn't mean you have to stop lifting heavy, but if aren't paying regular attention to form, it's probably going to deteriorate.

Think about any elite athlete; a sprinter, a swimmer, an Olympic weightlifter, whomever - they all train brutally hard, but they are constantly monitoring and tweaking technique. They don't get to a certain level and then say "Ok, my form's good. I don't need to work on that anymore."

I am having a really hard time visualizing that, maybe its monday and its early, but that makes no sense to me at all. how can your elbo be at 45 degree angles from your chest?

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I don't do this for my family, my friends, women, accolades, pride, or ego. I do it for me and no one else, its just part of who I am.

its because its monday and its early

maybe 45 degrees is too precise but generally elbows tucked in. yeah thats around 45 degress, matt.

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