Mark Rippetoe on training for strength vs. "aesthetics"
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- čas přidán 12. 08. 2024
- Want some help building your best body ever? Here are 5 ways I can assist whenever you’re ready, including free fitness plans, coaching, books, and more: www.mikematthews.co/yt
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This is the first part of a two-part interview with the always enlightening and entertaining Mark Rippetoe, who you’ve probably heard of if you take fitness seriously.
In case you don’t know who Mark is, though, he was a competitor powerlifter for a decade and is the author of several books, including two classics that everyone that’s into weightlifting should read--Starting Strength and Practical Programming for Strength.
Mark has also coached thousands of people all over the country on proper barbell training through his seminars, which you can learn more about at www.startingstrength.com.
He’s also just a fun guy to chat with because he’s colorful and just shares his thoughts and openly and isn’t one for euphemisms or minced words, which I think is refreshing, really.
So, in this interview Mark and I talk about the training for strength versus “aesthetics” and why there isn’t as much of a difference between the two as many people think.
This podcast really drives home an important lesson I learned years ago:
It’s very hard to build an all-around muscular, visually appealing physique without getting really strong on a handful of key exercises.
If you’ve been following my work for any amount of time, you already know this (and if you’ve implemented any of it, you’ve experienced it), but I think you’ll still get something out of the conversation.
Here it is...
5:19 - The simple truth about training for strength vs. aesthetics.
7:40 - Why strength programs are great for women.
16:00 - How getting strong helps guys get the bodies they want.
21:05- Want to get stronger? Then you probably need to gain weight.
24:00 - The simplest "hardgainer" cure out there.
29:55 - How much "good weight" can a guy in his hormonal prime gain in a year?
41:50 - A simple caveat for guys embarking on strength training.
50:44 - How much do genetics influence our strength and looks?
57:27 - You use training to get big and strong and diet to get lean.
ARTICLES RELATED TO THIS PODCAST:
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982...
Practical Programming for Strength Training: www.amazon.com/Practical-Prog...
How to Make Meal Plans That Work For Any Diet: www.legionathletics.com/diet-...
How to Create the Ultimate Muscle Building Workout: www.muscleforlife.com/muscle-...
My squat just went up 30 lbs from looking at Mark's picture in the thumbnail.
That's why it's recommended for people who need to gain mass, as opposed to people who want to lean bulk.
EG someone who needs t put on weight to make the american football team.
I looked at Rippetoe and was able to grow skipping leg day
mine as well hahahahahahahahaha
I also gained 35 pounds.
Don't interrupt Mark so much. Keep the conversation flowing smoother. Good talk.
yeah, that made me crazy.
Mike always over talks his guest lol 😂
LOL, have you ever seen Chris Mathews on MSNBC? That guy asks his guests questions and then interrupts to answer it for them... then moves on. AAARGH (click, change channel)
billytheweasel that is why I can’t watch Mike on CZcams or listen to him in podcast it always ends up about him. I love Mark Rippetoe he is amazing that is why I wanted to listen.
I think it's because of latency in the call from what I can tell. Sort of like what happens on the news.
Mark's entire philosophy seems to be "get big as fuck you little shit....and fuck abs"
hes telling u too get big first instead of staying lean and staying small with no muscle mass
You forgot: Hip Drhaave, Gallon of Milk a day, Squat or die.
You can't train for a 500lb squat while training for abs at the same time. It's one or the other.
Is not.
Yeah fuck abs lol
I've done the BB thing for 30 years and started following Marks advice in Starting Strength on December 28, just over a month ago. I have become stronger every week single week and my body is just warming up to strength training. I stood in a Post Office today and felt like a Oak Tree. I was already big but looking big and looking strong is different. You move like you're strong when you ARE strong.
What's your height and bone width?
Boom
@@superstraight173 5'4
Mark Rippetoe is my spirit animal
Geez, I wish I heard this when I was 19, now a decade later finally taking this advice, obsessing about abs is the worst thing for strength gains
Thanks Mike, your fitness advice has been amazing and changed my outlook on fitness
i dont want to be as strong as possible i would rather have nice defined abs / strong core and overall stronger with the barbell compound movies im still strong just not as strong as a guy whose mainly focused on getting stronger but im way stronger than a guy who doesnt lift or is new win win for me
I've never heard of Mark until now but I do like how straightforward he is and that he sounds so experienced
He wrote the bible on Strength Training. I'd recommend subscribing to his channel (Starting Strength) on CZcams, much like Mike's.
***** Don't you have to finish a WOD somewhere?
***** Is that was happened? Okay.
***** Stop laughing at your own jokes.
I agree with Mark Rippetoe on a lot of what he has to say and he's a great coach. Especially the remarks he made about skinny people. So many skinny people want to be big and gain muscle but they don't want to lose their abs. They are the type to go into the gym, do some half-assed routine and then wonder why they aren't getting any bigger. And when somebody tells them they need to eat more they are like "but I don't want to get fat".
What a lot of these kids don't realize is is that you need to be in a caloric surplus (for the most part) in order to gain muscle. A catabolic environment isn't conducive to muscle growth. And with a caloric surplus inevitably some of that will be fat and you will lose some definition. That is what a lot of skinny people refuse to acknowledge, therefore they will eat less and still wonder why they made zero gains.
He does make another great point about looking great in a shirt. Unless you are banging superficial chicks everyday that care about a six pack (TBH a 6-pack on an anemic kid probably doesn't come across as sexy to most girls), it doesn't matter that much how you look without a shirt. Not like you are walking around shirtless in public 24/7. You are going to spend most of your life walking around in a shirt so why not train to look good in a shirt when it comes to general aesthetics. A girl is going to see you with a shirt on first (usually) if that's your motivation for training.
What I don't agree with Rippetoe on is his "YOLO Bulks". They really are yolo bulks if you think about it. I understand the position he is coming from but there is no need to go from 12% BF to 25% BF in a few months. He mentioned a hypothetical example of a kid gaining 30 lbs in a few months. That's just way too much and it really isn't necessary to look like a flat slob in order to gain muscle. I've made those mistakes trust me. And I highly doubt 70% of that weight will be LBM. You could justify a larger weight gains in kids who are 13 years old all the way till they've finished puberty/growing naturally, but still like 10 lbs a month is way too much.
Gaining all that fat means you are going to spend a LONG time cutting and trust me restricting calories and doing cardio isn't fun at all. You are going to feel weaker, your lifts will probably drop and it just isn't a pleasant process to be going through for extended periods of time. I'm more a fan of the slower "lean bulk" approach where you gain 3 lbs a month (4-5 if you are really skinny or still in high school) for an extended period of time (say a year) and then spend 2-3 months cutting excess weight (say a rate of 4-5 lbs a month depending on how much you weigh). And then repeat the cycle again except gain and lose slower. The longer you stay in a caloric surplus without getting extremely fat, the more strength you are going to gain, the less fat you have to lose and the less time you have to stay in a caloric deficit (which inherently in itself will cause your lifts to get weaker).
Becoming fat is one way to put on muscle, and some powerlifters do it to achieve certain benchmarks and goals, and if you don't mind it go ahead and do it. Probably isn't the healthiest either but if that isn't your goal it's whatever. However it isn't the only way. Slower lean bulks coupled with moderate-paced cutting is the way to go.
In another scenario, we can take a 5'9 155 lb 12% BF kid and have him gain 30 lbs in a year. At least 60% of that will be LBM and the other 40% fat. That puts him at around 185 lbs with 16.5% BF. Don't be fooled by anybody this is actually VERY good progress and he isn't fat either.
Have him cut 5 lbs a month for 3 months. I would say half of it should be fat, the other half is a mix between muscle loss and water/glycogen loss. So say it is 7.5 lbs of fat loss, 5.5 lbs of water and 2 lbs of muscle. He is now successfully 5'9, 170 lbs with around 13.5% BF. Again that is amazing progress. He can now spend a good part of the year bulking to 190 lbs and then repeating the same process.
Of course granted this is assuming everything goes well, as injuries may happen, days may need to be taken off, may even need to take a week off due to soreness of joints.
@@coldkillah4340 so 15 pounds of muscle and more fat?
Mike, don't interrupt your guests so much. You're there to mostly listen to them, not vise versa.
TheHaiku2 people saying this same comment iver and over should all lead one another to the nearest fuck hole and dive in
It's kind of a tit for tat between these two. There were all these same comment when Mark interviewed Mike.
I disagree. I'm listening to a conversation not just the same long uninterrupted monologue that you can hear from Rip from his seminar videos
Mark I stumbled across you video looking for a new strength building video . First I liked to say I will be 73 this August and I started lifting at the age of 14 with just a steel pipe with coffee cans on the end filled with concrete. I got my hands on A Weider magazine and I was hooked . I was raised up in the country and worked hard and latter on went to college and became a CPA but never quit lifting . When I was in my 50's I opened up a Gym . I this point in my life I was a strong believer in the Mike Mentzer and Reg Park strength building concepts . I wished I had seen this video 50 years ago . This is with a doubt the best information on how to reach your strength goals etc. I have also, looked at your videos today on squat , press, row , and dead lift application. In closing I would like to say I'am 5'5" 175 and 35 waist and bench 270 squat 315 and deadlift 475. I'am always trying to get stronger . Seven years ago I stared cycling and currently I'am cycling 100 to 150 miles a week . I did this to help with having a blood clot in my leg behind my knee . It helps but it takes away from my recovery in my strength training . So I decided to devote this winter to strength training only with an occasional bike ride on Sunday's . Again thanks for the great video and sorry if I went on to long . Life is Great!!
You sir are an inspiration !! Cheers from a 26 year old in India who just started lifting in the quarantine :)
I loved hearing old dudes like Mark talk. I learned so much from this episode. Great work!
Watch Mark w/ Brett on the Art of Manliness. Zero interruptions. How it’s done imo
That's where I discovered Mark. These interruptions are so distracting. I came here for Mark. If I were a longtime subscriber of this channel, I'd probably be more forgiving. But I'm not so...
Loved this podcast. Mark seems like a real genuine dude! You can definitely tell that they probably don't agree on everything. Especially with the diet portion.
One of the greatest videos of all time, particularly what starts around the 28 min mark!
You interrupt Mark continuously. By constantly breaking his natural train of thought, it's frustrating to watch and I feel like viewers are missing out on a lot of what Mark has to offer. Thanks a bunch for putting this online though. Just a thought for the next interview.
I think that he was worried so much about not offending the smaller guys. Wich is probably most of his fan base.
Excellent podcast Mike, really informative, just what i needed to hear
u need to stop interrupting your guests when they are talking
Agreed
Yep, ya get a guy like Rippetoe on and you talk over him... ffs
If the guests won`t stop talking, yes you do, his guest interrupts all the time..
And as a host of a program/show, you need to take control of the conversation, so you get to ask the questions you have planned, often because the viewers have requested that they be asked.
Also, there`s probably lag between the two of them, so a certain amount of them talking over each other is to be expected..
billytheweasel
Letting your host ask questions is common courtesy, and when he has something to say he gets to talk, you people are just fanboys who can`t take any interruption of your hero lmfao..
It`s a conversation, not a monologue..
Jan, I understand your point and disagree in method. Also, I'm no Rippetoe fan. I simply respect his experience. Truth be told, I'd follow advice from the host over the guest, for my goals. I do not live like Mark.
You guys nailed it 100%! Thanks for posting this more people should listen to what you're saying!
I used to avoid squats and deadlifts because they intimidated me. My legs were strong on the leg extension/curl. Mark Rippetoe’s program removed all my fear of the squat and deadlift and I realized how weak my legs were when doing those exercises. Thanks Mark!
many people don't understand Ripp! Mike and Mark are both genuine ! Thank you Mike!
Саво Голубовић is he racist
I lost 80 pounds with no exercise. Now I'm 340 which is finally light enough to to start lifting. I cut my calories to around 2500-3000 per day. I tried an unweighted squat at the start and hurt for a week. Now I can do them with no pain. I'm on my way.
I had the same issue with squatting. I had to skip a workout or two at the beginning simply because the motion of squatting really strained my inner thighs and quads.
you are cutting with 3000 calories? what the fuck?
I've lost 91 pounds with no exercise as of yet. When you start at 420 you can eat a lot and lose weight. Now I'm at 2,000 to 2,400. If one goes from 6,000-8,000 to 1,500 too fast one may fail. I am incrementally reducing my food intake.
It hurt my knees, I damaged them in the Army.
"Unweighted squat at the beginning but hurt for a week" But if I do the math, that "unweighted" squat was 340+80=420 pounds, when including the body. So, that's a lot dude! I've been at it a year, I just squatted 205 with a 180 pound body, STILL not as much! Sounds like you're kicking ass, where are you now?
Rip's rant around the 55 minute mark...soooo true! Great advice!
Great episode! Including the second part. Mark Rippetoe should be a guest every month.
It's awesome that you (as a physique guy) were able to have such an intellectual convo with Mark!
I love Mark. He's a real deal source of training information, he's funny, and no BS. This industry needs more Marks and less Instagram influencers.
About asthmatics, I dieted hard last year and had the abs showing. I stopped dieting and decided to put on size. I feel I look better in clothes now. The thing is, I have a belly but my shoulders, back, and legs have gained so much size that visually my stomach doesn't look big at all. I have more of a taper at a higher body fat because of the muscle I've put on in those areas.
Two of the best out there for no BS advice!
Mark is the man
Who changed my thought about strength
💯
BOOM !!! I asked for a Mark Rip interview and its been done !
Thank you for this video. I learned something.
I enjoyed the tangent you went on about women strength training, and the transition we often make from not wanting our upper body to be muscular to appreciating it.
Couldn't agree more with Mark on just getting numbers up. Take shoulders for example: Kinobody has some of the best Delt caps for someone his size online, and it's no coincidence he can Standing Overhead Press his bodyweight for high reps. Getting my own Press up to bodyweight has done wonders for my shoulders.
Great stuff, guys. Thank you.
Oh wow! It took me a minute to figure out that you are the Michael Matthews that wrote Bigger Leaner Stronger. Currently trying to find time to finish the book right now. Thanks for having the video with Rippetoe this is really cool!
I'm really impressed with how well spoken you guys are. I kind of expected some muscle heads with poop for brains (no offense) but you guys articulate your position very well. Keep up the good work.
Rippetoe: "...let me tell you something, if youre 5'8 and 165 (in clothes, ripped) nobody knows the difference between you and the next 5'8 guy with 165lbs that doesn't train at all" I feel like I'm being personally attacked here, haha.
A Fact !You gotta be big in clothes to look big.
This is just the plight of the natty lifter. You’re lucky to look like you even lift in a non fitted shirt after 15+ years of training. It depends on genetics and it’s rare. This is why so many people take gear to take their physique to the next level. Either buy fitted shirts, get fat, take gear, or choose the right parents.
Want some help building your best body ever? Here are 5 ways I can assist whenever you’re ready, including free fitness plans, coaching, books, and more: www.mikematthews.co/yt
It's so hard to break the "I need razor abs" mentality brought about by the unrealistic body expectations of social media, however Mark is absolutely right. Once you get it out of your head that you need to look shredded, your rate of progress will be far faster, quality of life will improve (from feeling and recovering better and being more satiated), and you'll likely look more aesthetic in clothing.
Peeeeerrrfect timing, Mike.
Even if every word Mark said was a lie I would still listen to this. His cadence and voice is so comfy.
These are great because you too are ideologically similar but different. You both know the cold hard facts but desire different results. Great coversation every time. Although I'm after what Mike's after more.
I am a traps and chest girl, I could care less about abs. Show me a man with traps and thick muscular legs, I love it.
I see youre into chevelle & tool. I like you.
I did GOMAD for a month it was pretty good, couldn't gain weight at all before that.
The reason we need rip on JRE is so he has no interruptions
Sure, Joe Rogan is known to never interrupt his guests...
Great interview Mike! I'd also like to see an interview with Mark Sisson from the Primal Blueprint
This interviewer needs some lessons no1 clicked this video knowing who you are. This man is a best selling author let him fucking talk. Learn from the best interviewers no matter how they disagree or agree personally you really don't see it.
thanks for more awesome content!
Are you going to talk about programming and splits (for strength vs aesthetics) in more detail in part 2?
god ! the way rippetoe laughs is just fun . can be used as a meme.
Please take a page from the Actors Studio - let THE GUEST speak. We are tuning in to LISTEN TO THE GUEST. ALSO if you do this - people will want to be a guest.
Anyone else find Mike constantly interrupting Mike annoying?
yes
Yeah it's always annoying when someone interrupts themself, no doubt.
Si senor
Awesome chat
Skinny or fat, I can't stand tube shaped arms on women. Arms are supposed to have some curves to them.
Mark Rippetoe is my favorite strength coach
Love Rip...always entertaining.
he knows what he's talking about
I train for both I get intensity from strength training which brings me results looking good
"You have no idea how much your family hates you."
This podcast has such amazing moments from time to time. :)
😂
Brilliant loved this
Aesthetician: Being derived from "aesthetics"- which is a branch of philosophy whereby one gains the knowledge/appreciation of the nature of beauty, especially in art-an aesthetician is one who is able to consult foremost using their knowledge of beauty & design, and additionally, would also utilize a technical skill (i.e. facials, makeup application, etc.).
Cosmetologist: One who learns and practices the technical skills of beautification, specific to the hair, skin and nails (more of a trade, less of a philosophy in nature). So an art student would study aesthetics as well, but the technical skills are different compared to a cosmetologist.
What did you win?
@@nickj7332, nothing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Personally, I don’t see myself on the extreme of either. I don’t care to be “overweight” and strong nor 6% body fat and visually “skinny” in clothes. I like being “thick” with no belly sticking out and people can STILL tell that I lift while I’m in my clothes.
What are the benefits of adding body fat to just cut later? Isn’t it more efficient to do a “lean bulk”
'Its the food that is designed to make mammals grow!' (33:41)
Coach, a cosmetologist usually just does stuff like hair or make up or nails. An esthetician will do services like facials, pore cleansing, microdermabrasion, etc. You will rarely find an esthetician who does hair styles. The two things sort of overlap in that you may find ones who do nails or makeup but the hair part never seems to overlap and seems to be the purview of cosmetologists only.
For those wondering, Chris Hemsworth is actually 6ft 3 and 215lbs when playing Thor.
sitting here at 61 kilos, 19 years old, 5 ft 7in. I started gym 8 months ago, i was 57kg back then. I find it incredibly difficult to grow. My appetite just isnt good enough. i eat mostly lean nice homemade meals without too much oil and a bunch of vegetables. Id love to get to 70kg
Excellent Information Video
I thought this was a great interview. Mark's straight talking advice is refreshing in the current self obsessed sixpack climate found online these days.
I'm only interested in strength from a health perspective, but I care mostly about aesthetics. I want to know what causes those large obliques though, because I don't like them and get conflicting information.
Brilliant podcast
That’s funny I’ve been working with 185 on bench for sets of 12 for hypertrophy for 6 weeks lol I’ll be back on the strength tip next month with my milk 🥛 jug!
Great video
at 7:36 did mark rippetoe say your muscles get bigger when they get stronger? sorry couldn't hear what he said
appreciate the vid. as a noob lifter i now realize that i have to revolve my isolations movements around my compounds movements if I want to jump higher and move faster. this may seem like a dumb question but what are the five basic compound lifts?
Low Bar Squats
Deadlift
Overhead Press
Bench Press
Power Clean.
Buy Starting Strength, or even Marks Starting Strength App, as he explains these exercises artfully. If your more into videos, Mark did a series on the basic lifts on the Art of Manliness youtube channel.
What a awsome gut mark ripptoe is!!!
"Pants off is when the gym closes. It's your special time." Laughed out loud. Rippetoe is always shit stirring just a little bit.
Wow, Ripp is an AMAZING guy!!!
Funny as fk... also great that he´s a Marvel fan :D
MARK RIPPE-TRUTH!
Mark is legend
"You could see the ridges on the glands" hahahaha
Lol, my training started at 6'1" and 130 lbs. I have to do so much work to get big. I'm stuffing myself for every meal trying to eat good stuff and lifting hard.
You sound like a candidate for GOMAD
11 months in. Mind telling us your progress on the lifts and physique stand point?
@@Mudaaaaamuda He now weighs 250 kg's.
Mike, I love the podcasts and everything you put out. Here is my dilemma. I started last October at 24% bf 232 lbs. I've been training hard and cutting. I'm at ~11% bf and 185 lbs 6ft tall. I keep having people tell me I need to gain weight but I think I look fine. I dream of abs but only have a faint outline at this point. Should i just go into a bulk, and forget about abs for 6 months? Or should I cut another %1 or so then bulk?
I think his reply would be keep cutting to get the abs, accept the muscle loss if possible, then go back to maintenance plus 10% to gain muscle, keep an eye on the fat/abs, then cut again if needs be. Cycle this cut/minor bulk as needed. Its on his site. Remember your body might not show abs very well, and they aren't an indication of fitness. What's other peoples thoughts?
+JBLAZE999 Yeah I get what you are saying about abs. I've been fat my entire life and have always dreamed of a flat belly. I'm close at this point. I think I'll keep cutting a few more weeks. I think people just aren't used to seeing me lean. I am in now way anorexic and I have definitely added some muscle.
I don't care what chicks think. I'm married. I care about what I see in the mirror. I still see myself as fat. I want to be ripped.
My wife is not going to cheat on me lmao. My physical shape is of no consequence to her. She is not shallow and if your significant other cares that much about appearance than you are in trouble.
im 16 with 65kg and 168 cm how much should i eat? im about 20% body fat
damn i thought Mark was 50 he looks young for 60
Is there a link to the 2nd part?
at 7:36 did mark rippetoe say your muscles get bigger when they get stronger?
Mark is a motherfucking legend
Just playing this to sleep to rippetoe's voice.
The constant battling to speak over one another made this discussion seem very confrontational and not very cohesive, even though you both were more or less agreeing on everything. Good discussion nonetheless.
I came here because I saw Rippetoe. Have no idea who Mike is? As I'm watching this I didn't notice Mikes avatar. I'm just looking at him in the video and I'm thinking, "Who is this little dude talking about strength training?" Which proves Rippetoe correct, with a shirt on you can't tell the guy works out let alone has abs. Rippetoe at his age looks like he could rip Mikes head off because of his size.
Jon Lanier that's bcuz his a fucking viking!
MIKE, NOW LISTEN TO ME!!
Stop interrupting the Rip.
Hahahahaha that "Skinny shit" segment, holy shit that was great.
Hey Mike, I have read your bigger leaner stronger book, which is great, as well as your fitness mistakes one. In bigger leaner stronger you talk about 30-40g protein before workout, although in the fitness mistakes you say that fasting can be a good way to lose fat, as long as you have the drink to not slow down muscle growth. I don't know which is better, considering they're conflicting whether or not to eat or not before a workout? Some help would be appreciated, as I don't recall you talking about fasting in the bigger leaner stronger?
***** thanks for the clarification!
***** yeah, i don't like the idea of doing it at all to be honest. Might not bother
I think he should do an interview with Alan Thrall, I know they have different styles but they both aren't fake.
O. Kissinger Yeah, I agree. I think he's a great personality and I love his videos, but when it comes to powerlifting and strength training, Alan is the equivalent of a high school teacher. Useful, important, but nothing special.
Allan learned everything from Rippetoe you do know that? You can see him on starting steenght videos and he clarified that his instructions are from Marks book
And how do they have different styles? Educate yourself before speaking wtf
When you say you can deal with the increase in body fat later what does dealing with that body fat look like exactly? When I increase my weight how do I deal with the body fat later? I don't care so much about the way this looks since I primarily care about strength but I do also care about my health.
It refers to cutting. Check this out: legionathletics.com/lose-weight-fast/
28:40...I am dying!!!!!! LMAO
7:05 FACTS!!! 🙌🙌Say it louder for people in the backkk!!!
Interesting choice of Thor by Mark. Glad he approves of Captain America!
I think this is the best podcast by Mike... absolutely loved it... listened all the way with a smile.... just loved Mike's face when the abs guys had the guests piece of mind haha
Hi Mike, I am a big fan of yours and Mark's; in fact I own books from both of you. This interview confused me when you started talking about different approaches for old, overweight guys in regards to diet. Mark says everything stays the same for overweight guys except the GOMAD. I am 41 years old and despite training for about a year and a half and besides some strength gains at some movements, you couldn't tell by looking at me that I even train. I train heavy but quickly hit plateaus for moths on end and I have recently discovered through Alan Thrall that this is probably because my mobility and form sucks (particularly my OHP and squats are simply not right and probably doing more harm than good because my ROM sucks a$$). I am 177 cm at 97 kg, and I'd guess my BF is about 25-30%. I can bench press about 115 kg as 1 RM (which is way more than I can squat, although I can DL about 140 kg for 3 reps). At my weight I should be progressing much faster. So which is it? Do I eat in an excess to build muscle and like Mark says, "worry about that later?". Or do I continue trying to be in a deficit and make no gains at all in terms of body composition? Thanks for all that you guys contribute to the industry, I wish I lived around the corner from one of you! In Germany, good, affordable personal trainers are scarce, if not non-existent.
Mobility is rarely an issue with the 'Starting Strength' low bar squat. The squat is a complex multi-joint movement that takes a while to nail down. I would suggest recording your squat sets and uploading them to the Starting Strength forums. There you can get advice on how to improve.
+Eastwood Colts3s to be honest i don't do low bar squats. i would like to master high bar squats as they seem to allow me to go lower (are atg squats with low bar even possible?). although even bodyweight atg squats hurt my knee yesterday. also since i do heavy deadlifts my traps and posterior chain are getting plenty of work. or what would you recommend?
Read Starting Strength, follow the program to the letter. Learn how to squat like Rippetoe recommends and keep it real simple.
ATG isn't typically what you want to be doing to get stronger. Squatting to parallel is more than enough to get you very strong. Furthermore, due to hip anatomy, you may not want to be doing ATG squats anyway.
I would hit up the starting strength forums for advice. They're always happy to help dudes.