Barbell Certification with Coach Rippetoe

2 days of learning not only how to coach the 5 lifts described in "Starting Strength, Basic Barbell Training", but how to execute the lifts more effectively, based on an understanding of bone and muscle anatomy, motor recruitment and kinetic chains.

Day 1,

Morning: Lecture on anatomical terminology related to bone, muscle and tendon relationships. Shoulder muscle and bone anatomy, spinal position, arm angles, leverage and moment arms.

Lecture on the back squat. Testing for awareness of lower back muscles. Foot position, bar positions, pressing knees out, sending butt back before bending the knees, going below parallel, coming out of the bottom by letting your hips rise first before you open the hip.

Practical instruction on the back squat.
Coaching eachother in groups of 5 for 4 warmups sets and 3 worksets of 5 back squats. 2 with empty bar, 2 with intermediate weight and 3 work sets with the same weight. Last workset of each attendee watched and critiqued by the whole group and Rip.

Early Afternoon: Lecture on the press (standing, shoulder press) Why do we call it the press and not the shoulder press?..because the only other press is the leg press and thats just stupid. Foot position, Rack position, Straight Bar path, full extention and lockout.

Practical instruction on the press.
Coaching eachother in groups of 5 for 4 warmups sets and 3 worksets of 5 presses. 2 with empty bar, 2 with intermediate weight and 3 work sets with the same weight. Last workset of each attendee watched and critiqued by the whole group and Rip.


After lunch: Lecture on the bench press. Value of the bench press for general strength. Position on bench, feet on floor, hip tilted, back arch by hips being pressed into bench , hand position, Straight Bar path and focus point on ceiling (Look the bar up), full extention and lockout. Spotting and safety.

Practical instruction on the bench press.
Coaching eachother in groups of 5 for 4 warmups sets and 3 worksets of 5 bench resses. 2 with empty bar, 2 with intermediate weight and 3 work sets with the same weight. Last workset of each attendee watched and critiqued by the whole group and Rip.