This is my first post here so please be patient.
I found this site a few months ago via Alan Thrall and honestly, you have been a lifesaver. Three years ago I “blew out” my S1 disc which was later diagnosed via an MRI as a bulged disc. Based on the pain and constant sciatica discomfort, I immediately stopped all lower body movements. Mainly I have been focused on bodybuilding type movements because of my “bad back”. The sciatica is nearly constant (some days are better than others) but I’ve learned to self manage the pain without any pain meds outside of ibuprofen.
After watching your videos on back pain and general pain management, I am glad to say I’m back under the bar! My numbers suck but it feels great to be back to lifting real weights off the ground and rack.
My question is, what do you consider a novice lifter? I’m not new to the four main SSLP movements, I just haven’t been doing them for a while (outside of bench). I’m also weak because I haven’t used those muscles in 3 years. Would it be ok to follow the SSLP program but also insert some other supplementary lifts on those three days too? So for instance, do tricep work on Monday, bicep on Wed, and rows/lat pulls on Friday? I’ve bee building up to this moment by starting with a leg press machine and finally an actual leg press (currently around 500 lbs). I did light squats last friday to get the duck walking week out of the way. So I believe my overall body can handle extra work but I wanted to ask your opinion first.
I’m 37, currently 260# with about 27% body fat. My overall goal is to increase strength and lose fat (weight). My ultimate goal is to DL 500# and squat 400# by the time I’m 40.