Starting Strength Memphis

If you are experiencing back pain this is a must read. But here are some key takeaways:

If you are over the age of 30 you likely have some age related changes to your spine that will show up on X-ray and MRI

The imagery and your level of pain will rarely match. This means that a healthy back on imagery can still experience pain. It also means a badly degenerated back on imagery does not always result in pain

A stronger back is a better back, and usually a less painful back too.

Working the abs alone is not suitable

The best way to strengthen the back it to use exercises that load it.

Barbell exercises like squats and deadlifts, that are scaled to match your abilities, will work the entire body. This includes all the muscles of the back (big and small) as well as the abdominals

Back Pain and Back Strength | Mark Rippetoe Deadlifts and barbell squats for a low back in chronic pain sounds like the stupidest idea that has ever appeared in print, I know. It flies in the face of The Conventional Wisdom. The fact is that it works nearly 100% of the time if you do it correctly, and that 90% of the time a stronger back not....

If you are interested in building muscle, this is a must read.
Mechanical tension aka increasing the weight you lift, is by far the most effective and predictable way to gain muscle.
There are no magic exercises, sets, reps, tempos, etc.
At some point the weight on the bar, dumbbell, machine etc. MUST GO UP.

Muscular Hypertrophy | Andy Baker The process of muscle growth is a confusing topic for many. Clients are confused, coaches are confused, the guys that research it in the lab are confused. Or at least it would seem that way. This is understandable insofar as the underlying processes that occur at the level of the muscle cell are ind...

Do you ever find yourself comparing your results to others, and then feel like you're failing?
Do you ever scroll through social media and wonder why everyone else seems to be doing so much better than you?
This article by Breanna Acosta is for you.

When the Barbell Hates You Back: A Neurotic Lifter’s Survival Guide | Bre Acosta Here’s the harsh truth: your worth is not measured by a single lift. It took me seven years to figure that out. I am still fighting with myself to this day, and I wanted to share my experience, so that others may have some insight.

We are proud to announce our Staff Coach, Gretchen Geist has officially become a Starting Strength Coach!

She has worked hard for several years to earn what is arguably the most difficult credential in the business.

Congrats Gretchen, and well done!

Dr. Rad Andrews understands the value of strength. Twice a week he arrives at the gym, still in his scrubs, and trains.

Rad needs a hip replacement, but that hasn’t stopped him from getting stronger.

His coaches have modified the exercises to accommodate Rad’s limitations.

When the time comes for Rad’s new hip, he will be in a far superior position for his recovery.

Thanks for setting the example, Dr. Rad!

Strength can benefit anyone at any stage in life. At an age when most women are struggling to walk up a flight of stairs, Martha is stronger and more capable than at any other time in her life. She works full-time as a nurse and keeps up with her grandchildren.

Martha has added over 130 pounds to her squat, and recently PR'd her deadlift at 200 pounds!

If you want to discover how strength can improve your life, send us a message. 

A special thank you to all our members. You made this happen.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Now let’s make it two years in a row!

Ever hear someone say, “I can’t squat anymore, because it hurts my knees.” Well, that’s because they're not squatting like Dr. Brad. Here, Dr. Brad executes a safe and efficient squat. For a middle-aged male, safety and efficiency are especially important to effective strength training. You can squat like this too … And we can show you how. 

Strength is imperative to life. And it's never too late to start training for strength! Mary Sloan (age 75) joined in May. Today, she pulled 100 pounds for the first time in her life. Great job Mary!👊🏻
Starting Strength Memphis has the tools and experience to meet you at the point of your physical need. Let's get started! #901

Michael's transformation isn't what's remarkable about these two photos (All Starting Strength lifters who follow the program experience significant results). What's noteworthy about these two photos is Michael's body weight in each. In his "Before" picture, Michael weighs 250 pounds. In his "TODAY" picture, he ways ... 270 pounds! STOP USING THE SCALE TO MEASURE RESULTS. Muscle is heavy and compact relative to fat. So, you can get tighter and heavier at the same time. This is true for women and men alike. Want to be leaner and firmer? Want to stop sweating the scale? TRAIN FOR STRENGTH! 💪 #901

Most people don't need to lose weight. Proper understanding here is CRITICAL to you getting your desired results. You say you need to "lose weight", but you probably just want to "burn fat." Fat is voluminous relative to muscle. Muscle is dense. Muscle is useful. Muscle looks good. You don't want to lose muscle. So, your body weight isn't always the best indicator of results. Do you want to stop watching the scale? Do you want to stop burning muscle and start burning fat? Starting Strength Memphis can show you how. 💪 #901

There is simply no exercise - and certainly no machine - that produces results better than the squat. At Starting Strength Memphis, we squat. If squatting (to depth) isn't a part of your routine, then you're missing out. Don't know how to squat safely and efficiently? We can show you how! 👍 #901

Don't know how to get stronger? We do! And we coach every rep! Starting Strength Memphis is personal training for as little as $25 per session. We program for you individually, then coach you in the safest, most efficient way to gain strength. You will get stronger💪…or your money back!

.ramsey reached some milestone PRs with a 135 press and 200 bench.
Phillip leads a busy life with a wife, 2 kids & a demanding career. Yet he still finds the time to train 3-4 days a week. 💪

Congratulations to John Vanderpool for his 225 pound squat. Like most of our members, John started as a novice ... Two short months ago he was only squatting 95 lbs. Today he squatted 225x5x3. John is stronger than he thought possible ... And he's not stopping any time soon. Well done, John! 👍💪

#901

We love the Rainer ladies! And brother Robert (Not pictured) too! Keith and her brood are one of the many families that train together at Starting Strength Memphis. It's always a joy to see them together. Thank you, ladies (And Robert), for the smiles you bring to the gym.🙏😀💪
#901

Check out the latest article our head coach, Scott Acosta , wrote about his father. And you didn't think Scott was sentimental! For real … Grab a cup of coffee☕️and maybe a box of tissues,😪 then settle in for heart warming read.❤️
https://startingstrength.com/article/learning-from-example

Learning from Example | Scott Acosta The barbell has been in my life for about as long as I can remember. Some of my best childhood memories are of working out with my dad. This was the original spark that led me to where I am today. What stands out to me is the example set by my father with regards to training, and the continued impac...

FREE Open House at Starting Strength Memphis
When ❓Saturday, July 16th 7a-noon
Where❓7850 Poplar Ave. in Germantown
💪Meet Our Coaches
💪Observe the Lifts
💪Hands On Demonstrations
💪Talk w/ us about your Strength Goals
Click here to reserve your space.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-open-house-event-tickets-275905148727