# issues with old beginner program and squat grip **URL:** \ **Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [May 28, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784 "2026-05-28T15:39:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784/1 "2026-05-28T15:39:12Z")
Hello, I got back into weight training about a year ago, and I did program hopping last year. I settled on the old Barbell Medicine Beginner Program that I had in the beginning of this year, but I had some setbacks mainly issues with form. I have seen progress with some lifts as well as my conditioning, but others I have not. I think this is form related. I have been repeating week 4 of the Beginner Template for awhile and I still do not feel like I gave it my best. I want to do week 4 of Phase 1 until I honestly cannot make any progress with solid form. It would gave me a sense of closure. Is this a good idea? Also, I have had trouble with my squat grip. I feel most comfortable with false grip on low bar squats. Is this ok? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784/2 "2026-05-28T15:47:41Z")
BB54, I think that most people should run each block of the beginner program for ~ 8-12 weeks total before moving on, unless they’re getting awesome results. In that case, I’d continue on until those taper off. If there’s a form issue, I think the programming should target that with variations, e.g. tempo, pause, unilateral work, etc. depending on the issue. That said, you can continue on if you want as well. I don’t think it’s a huge deal provided you’re training and enjoying it. A thumbless grip is fine on a squat if you prefer it, as are the full thumbs-around, and talon grips. Whatever works…and is repeatable, efficient, and meets the points of performance of the exercise 🙂 -Jordan ---
**Author:** ![dan.green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@dan.green](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/dan.green)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784/3 "2026-05-29T19:12:55Z")
Hey Jordan. Does this apply to the second gen beginner program? Run each phase for 8-12 weeks making the program 24-36 weeks total? ---
**Author:** ![jbourde](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jbourde/32/6421_2.png) [@jbourde](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/jbourde)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784/4 "2026-05-30T17:38:10Z")
I was wondering about this as well. As the 2nd gen template doesn’t specify running each block for more than 5 weeks? Unless I missed it. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/issues-with-old-beginner-program-and-squat-grip/19784/5 "2026-06-02T13:26:20Z")
I think people shoud move on from a given program when it stops working. I predict that this will happen for most folks within ~ 8-10 weeks of starting a block, but it will vary for sure. Ball-parking 8-12 weeks is fine, but I would really be monitoring progress vs. the calendar. This was explicitly stated in the 1st Generation Beginner Program, but since there were so many questions about it and its implementation, I moved away from it. The 2nd Gen Beginner Program has more similar programming from block to block, and so I removed that confusing detail from the text. You _could_ extend the blocks of any program, which includes the 2nd Gen Beginner program. I think progress should be the yardstick though, not the calendar.