Starting Strength Gyms Library

  • Stop the Bar Rolling in Your Press: The Pinch Grip Method

    Stop the Bar Rolling in Your Press: The Pinch Grip Method

    The press becomes unnecessarily difficult when the bar rolls back in your hands, creating mechanical disadvantage and discomfort at heavier weights. Coach Jordan Burnett from Starting Strength Dallas demonstrates the practical “pinch grip” technique that keeps the bar properly positioned over the wrists.

    Rather than constantly fighting to keep your wrists straight, this simple adjustment uses targeted finger pressure to secure the bar exactly where it should be. Even lifters who have struggled with proper bar position can immediately implement this technique to make their press more efficient and effective.

  • From Fearing Frailty to Deadlifting 112 lbs | Stronger Bones, Better Life

    From Fearing Frailty to Deadlifting 112 lbs | Stronger Bones, Better Life

    At 69, Jackie Hogan had never touched a barbell. She was faced with worsening back pain, osteopenia and worried about becoming frail. After watching her best friend’s transformation at Starting Strength Memphis, Jackie decided to try it herself.

    Starting with just 42 pounds, Jackie has more than doubled her deadlift to 112 pounds. Now, she moves her own bench press equipment, climbs ladders confidently, and lifts garden statues without asking for help. All this while addressing her bone health through strength rather than medication.

  • Building Starting Strength Gyms After Years in Manhattan Basements

    Building Starting Strength Gyms After Years in Manhattan Basements

    Brent Carter spent years training clients in windowless Manhattan high-rise gyms until opportunity called him back to Texas. He faced a choice: start small in a garage or commit fully to the Starting Strength Gyms franchise model.

    Despite opening Starting Strength Dallas in 2019 and facing closure just six months later, his gyms are thriving because of the community they created. Today, Brent surrounds himself with humble, determined people tackling difficult but important work together, fulfilling his mission of building stronger communities through effective strength training.

  • Programming the Overhead Press – Novice to Advanced

    One of the most common questions that people have about programming revolves around doing and improving strength in the overhead press. In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick goes deep on the press, why it’s good for you, and how to program it long term.

    Programming the Overhead Press – Novice to Advanced | Stronger is Better Podcast #3
    Programming the Overhead Press – Novice to Advanced on YouTube

    In Episode 3 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo dives deep into press programmingโ€”how to build a strong, pain-free, and consistent overhead press.

    Drawing on years of coaching and real-world experience, Nick explains why the press is uniquely difficult to progress, how to apply the right amount of stress, how to avoid common mistakes, and when to evolve your programming beyond novice LP.

    Whether youโ€™re stuck at a plateau or just want to get jacked shoulders and bombproof joints, this episode gives you a full roadmap.

    If you have topic ideas or questions for the podcast, please submit them to podcast@ssgyms.com.

  • From Google Search to Head Coach

    From Google Search to Head Coach

    Jordan was once a 140-pound guy who was frustrated with fitness advice that went nowhere. One day he Googled “simple strength training program” and found Starting Strength.

    Within months, friends noticed his physical changes and how differently he carried himself. This transformation inspired Jordan to pursue becoming a Coach. His path wasn’t straightforward- he started by coaching friends, then later left his secure desk job and endured the

    limitations of working at big box gyms before finding Starting Strength Dallas. Now, surrounded by Members who feel like family, he’s turned his passion into a profession that rarely feels like work.

  • How Strong Should You Be?

    How should you think about goals when you first start training? Or if you’ve been training for a while, you may be wondering how you stack up or whether you are “strong enough.”

    How Strong Should You Be? | Stronger is Better Podcast #2

    In Episode 2 of theย Stronger Is Betterย podcast, Nick Delgadillo breaks down strength standards into three categories: competitive goals, evaluative benchmarks, and personal targets. He explains why most people have skewed expectations about whatโ€™s possibleโ€”and how to set realistic goals without having to become a powerlifter.

    Nick introduces the widely respected 2/3/4/5 baseline strength goals (200 lb press / 300 lb bench / 400 lb squat / 500 lb deadlift for men) and a proportional set for women. These arenโ€™t elite standardsโ€”theyโ€™re what you should aim for before considering specialization.

    Whether youโ€™re a coach, athlete, or everyday lifter, this episode provides a grounded, motivating framework for assessing and pursuing your strength potential. You can listen to the podcast on all podcast audio service or on YouTube linked below.

    If you have topic ideas or questions for the podcast, please submit them to podcast@ssgyms.com.

  • Motherhood Without Limits

    Motherhood Without Limits

    When persistent back injuries started limiting Beth’s ability to enjoy motherhood, she refused to accept this as her new normal. With both a growing career and a young child depending on her, giving up wasn’t an option.

    At Starting Strength Dallas, Beth not only overcame her back pain training with the Starting Strength Methodโ€”she also built remarkable strength, confidence, and experienced an easier postpartum recovery after her second pregnancy. In Beth’s words: “Nothing has transformed my body, abilities, and mental state as much as this strength training has.”

  • Lifting Hay Bales to Barbells

    Lifting Hay Bales to Barbells

    Karen DeLoney runs a 30-acre horse rescue ranch with 18 animals, facing daily physical challenges from lifting hay bales to carrying water buckets. She needed strength but avoided typical gyms.

    At Starting Strength Dallas, she found knowledgeable coaches who guided her through proven barbell training in small groups. Now Karen lifts 150-pound hay bales unassisted, carries two 5-gallon water buckets simultaneously, and works longer hours with her rescue horses without fatigue.

    She’s found the supportive community at the gym helps her and other Members of all ages stay motivated working towards their strength goals.

  • Climbing Stairs Pain-Free Again After Barbell Training

    Climbing Stairs Pain-Free Again After Barbell Training

    Katherine struggled with stairs and daily activities after tearing her meniscus and developing running-induced arthritis. Physical therapy wasn’t enough. Following her brother’s advice, she began barbell training despite never lifting weights before.

    Through consistent training, she rebuilt her strength. Today, Katherine moves pain-free, easily carries heavy items, and enjoys improved everyday life.

  • Simplifying Advanced Programming | Stronger is Better Podcast #1

    Simplifying Advanced Programming | Stronger is Better Podcast #1

    Welcome to Episode 1 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms and hosted by Nick Delgadillo.

    In this kickoff episode, Nick lays out a comprehensive roadmap for barbell programming โ€” from the simple and powerful Novice Linear Progression all the way to advanced programming strategies used by experienced lifters and coaches.

    Youโ€™ll learn the first principles behind effective programming, how to progress as a lifter, and how to systematically plan your training to keep getting stronger over time.

    This episode includes:

    โ€ข Key programming concepts and first principles

    โ€ข How to measure progress intelligently

    โ€ข The truth about volume and the value of heavy singles

    โ€ข A sample 4-day advanced training split

    โ€ข Influences from Starting Strength, Practical Programming, and Conjugate-style templates

    ๐Ÿ“˜ Referenced Resources:

    โ€ข Starting Strength Books: https://startingstrength.com/get-started/equipment โ€ข Baker Barbell: https://www.andybaker.com/blog/

    ๐ŸŽง Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at podcast@ssgyms.com