Starting Strength in the UK
“Humans are not physically normal in the absence of hard physical effort.”
― Mark Rippetoe, Starting Strength
“Strong people are harder to kill than weak people and more useful in general.”
― Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength is a comprehensive system of barbell training outlined in Mark Rippetoe’s best selling book Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training 3rd Edition. The book has sold over half a million copies and is widely regarded to be the most influential book on barbell training ever put in print. Often referred to as the “bible” of barbell training. The Starting Strength system is built from the ground up using first principles of classical mechanics, anatomy and physiology and is backed up with over 30 years of experience and data from top coaches and doctors.
Starting Strength isn't just a training philosophy, it's a highly detailed coaching system too. The process of becoming a qualified Starting Strength Coach (SSC) is one of the most highly selective coaching development processes in the entire industry. Only 10-20% of applicants pass the examination process making SSCs some of the most highly trained and sought after barbell coaches in the world. It also means we are a rare breed. There are currently only 3 SSCs in the UK and I am the only one in Wales.
Since becoming a qualified SSC in 2025 I have been working on producing high quality content to help as many people as possible in their strength training journey and to help promote Starting Strength far and wide across our green and pleasant land. You can find my articles for Starting Strength here, and you can find my podcast with the other two British SSCs here.
If you're in the UK and are interested in training the Starting Strength way or just want to learn more I'd love to help. You can get in contact below!
