Programming

So, I’m 44 and have been working out regularly for the past 7 or so years. Prior to this I had a few runs in my early and late 20’s where I committed to a weight training program for a while and made some gains but ultimately flaked out for one reason or another. However these programs were always typical push/pull or bro splits which included very little if anything in the way or heavy compound lifts aside from bench press. I never bothered to take the time to properly learn to squat or deadlift and didn’t understand their importance. During this time I also worked in a few different physically strenuous occupations. Between the jobs and my lifting, I suffered a few bouts of lower back pain. Being in my 20’s however, the pain would usually eventually go away on it’s own or after a few chiropractic adjustments. I would always go back to whatever I was doing and was pain free for a good while until my early 30’s. I suffered a particularly bad low back episode when I was 32 which was diagnosed as a herniated and fragmented disc. This kept me away from weight training for many years. I finally built up enough core strength to start lifting again about 8 years ago. I was able to progress with minimal setbacks, however I still used the same hypertrophy training splits that I knew with the addition core training but still stayed far away from squats and deadlifts as I was terrified of reinjuring my back. Over the years I became proficient with bodyweight squats and gained enough confidence to start adding weight. I also learned more about the importance of the compound lifts and decided to include them all in my workouts. The going was very slow and humbling at first as I realized how weak I truly was despite my years in the gym. Then about a year ago I discovered Untamed Strength, BBM, and SS on youtube and went down the rabbit hole of videos during quarantine. I learned a lot from you guys and finally decided to change my training to one of your programs when the gyms opened back up this past fall. I finally started the SS novice linear progression a few months ago and have made decent progress. I’m still working out some kinks in my form and have purchased a few of BBM’s form checks. I also continue to pour over the instructional videos you guys put out. After following BBM more closely recently I learned that you guys have split with SS and have your own training templates. After briefly reviewing your beginner template it looks a little more sound to me. Now I’m about 3 months in to the SS novice program but I would like to switch to one of yours’s. I would ultimately like to get into your powerbuilding program as I would like get back to adding in hypertrophy training but would probably need to start with your beginner program. My questions are, what are the key differences in the SS and BBM’s beginner programs and would it be a smooth transition from one to the other.

Hi there, welcome and thanks for sharing. Glad you’ve been able to come back from those issues you experienced in the past and have found the content useful.

My questions are, what are the key differences in the SS and BBM’s beginner programs and would it be a smooth transition from one to the other.

To learn about the differences in programming approaches, check out podcast episode #58 (available on Apple/Spotify/Soundcloud). The first phase of the program is described and discussed a bit here if you’d like to get an initial idea, and the template itself comes with an accompanying text guide that discusses and explains things further.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Austin! I’ll definitely check that out. I’d ultimately like to purchase one of your online coaching plans as there are subtleties in my form that I can’t seem to fully correct despite trying to follow all of the recommended cues. Your online coaching option seems like the next best to having a trainer in the gym with you. But thanks to the COVID 19 restrictions my business has been severely impacted this past year and my budget is not what it was. So your beginner looks like the best option for me at the moment.

Understood. Getting started with the beginner template may be a reasonable approach. And just so you know, our group programming is a “middle tier” option in terms of cost (a bit more than templates, less than 1-on-1 coaching), that would provide you with form check and coach feedback.