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.
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 — from the simple and powerful Novice Linear Progression all the way to advanced programming strategies used by experienced lifters and coaches.
You’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:
• Key programming concepts and first principles
• How to measure progress intelligently
• The truth about volume and the value of heavy singles
• A sample 4-day advanced training split
• Influences from Starting Strength, Practical Programming, and Conjugate-style templates
📘 Referenced Resources:
• Starting Strength Books: https://startingstrength.com/get-started/equipment • Baker Barbell: https://www.andybaker.com/blog/
🎧 Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at podcast@ssgyms.com
Starting Strength Coach Michael Jones from our Plano gym shows how to properly set up your pin press. Most lifters position the bar too far forward, reducing efficiency and stability.
The simple “head touch” technique ensures your bar is directly over mid-foot for optimal force transfer. Watch Jon demonstrate how backing your head against the bar creates consistent positioning every time.
Coach Michael Jones explains how to stop sliding up the bench during heavy bench press sets. Most lifters place their feet too far forward, causing them to slide up the bench as they push.
This wastes energy and reduces stability when you need it most. Bring your heels closer to your hips and push straight down into the floor. This creates a secure arch and stable platform, directing more force into the bar instead of sliding up the bench.
Michael Jones left his philosophy dissertation behind to guide corporate professionals at Starting Strength Plano. His clients—mentally exhausted from endless daily decisions—find refuge in structured, evidence-based training that delivers consistent results.
Unlike trendy fitness approaches, Starting Strength’s methodical system creates an environment where personal records happen regularly, making gym time the highlight of busy professionals’ days. Michael doesn’t just build stronger bodies; he creates meaningful moments of achievement in otherwise chaotic lives.
After serious health issues, doctors told Andrew he would never lift heavy weights again. Small since high school at just 120 lbs, Andrew had always wanted to be stronger, bigger, and more confident—but inconsistent training left him frustrated without results.
When Starting Strength opened in Indianapolis, Andrew decided to give it a chance. The impact was dramatic. Within just 3 months, he exceeded three of his four strength goals and now approaches a 405 lb deadlift, something that once seemed impossible.
The progress at Starting Strength came faster than Andrew ever expected. The coaches provided accountability and guidance while creating an environment where everyone knows each other and offers encouragement—something Andrew hadn’t experienced at other gyms.
A proper deadlift doesn’t end when you stand up—it ends when you put the bar down with control. Dropping the bar or using poor form on the descent doesn’t just disrupt the gym, it can also limit your progress and increase injury risk.
Coach Brandon explains the correct way to lower the bar efficiently and safely, reinforcing strength and technique through the entire lift.
Luke Schroeder was chasing what he thought was health—first losing weight, then dropping even lower, yet still feeling weak and in pain. It wasn’t until he found Starting Strength that he realized what was missing: real strength.
Through barbell training, he rebuilt himself—stronger, healthier, and more capable than ever. But strength wasn’t just something he gained for himself. He wanted to help others find it too.
That’s why he left the corporate grind to open Starting Strength Cincinnati, where anyone—whether they’re a nurse who sees frailty every day or a 97-year-old lifter—can build the strength to change their life.
Strength is simple, but most people don’t know where to start.
That’s where Starting Strength Gyms comes in. With expert coaching and a proven method, we guide people like Luke—and like you—through a clear path to getting stronger.
Josh, a Marine Corps veteran, lived with constant pain. Hip injuries and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome made walking unstable and difficult. Physical therapy didn’t help. Staying active only made things worse.
He needed a real solution, not another temporary fix. Strength training wasn’t just about getting bigger—it was about rebuilding stability, reducing pain, and restoring control over his body.
A year into training at Starting Strength Indianapolis, Josh moves with confidence. His pain is under control, his balance has improved, and he’s gained 60 lbs of strength. The biggest surprise? His stomach issues from lead poisoning disappeared.
Strength goes beyond lifting—it builds stability, resilience, and control over your body. Take control of your health and strength today.
A car accident left Heather with whiplash, concussions, and a back too weak to hold a chiropractic adjustment. She was scared to lift, but her husband—who recovered quickly thanks to strength training—encouraged her to try.
What started as a way to rebuild her back turned into something much bigger. With each session, Heather saw herself getting stronger—not just physically, but mentally. Lifting gave her back her confidence, her energy, and even improved her memory and ability to articulate her thoughts. Most importantly, it gave her back something she didn’t realize she had lost—being the fun mom again.
Now, she plays harder with her kids, lifts more than she ever thought possible, and feels truly capable for the first time in years. Strength training didn’t just help her heal—it changed the way she sees herself.
