Starting Strength Radio Q&A Episode - Underweight, Underweight, Still Underweight | Starting Strength Radio #340
Jan 2, 2026
In a lively discussion, the hosts tackle everything from movie trailers to classic TV shows. Mark Rippetoe debunks myths around light lifting and emphasizes the importance of heavy strength training. He shares essential advice for aging lifters, addressing concerns like lower back strain and rehab strategies. Nutrition tips highlight the need for increased protein intake to support muscle gain. The humor flows as they mock 'hater' comments while providing valuable insights into proper deadlift technique and ideal bodyweight for strength.
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Rehab Lower Back With Deadlifts
- Don't rest a strained lower back; deadlift progressively to restore function and extension.
- Load the back to about 75–80% with multiple sets and walk between sets to retrain it.
Strength Drives Muscle Growth
- Strength increases drive hypertrophy because adapting to heavier loads forces muscle growth.
- Linear progressive overload with small weight increments builds size even with low-rep sets.
Fix Deadlift Stalls By Checking Grip
- If your deadlift stalls, check grip first and use straps to diagnose true pulling capacity.
- Train the deadlift weekly and make sure you complete all heavy reps; miss one and you risk detraining.
