Squats And Deadlifts Damage Your Back? | Starting Strength Radio Clips

Do squats and deadlifts damage your back? How do you get a strong "core"? Rip answers.

[ArkhamDrifter]

I've had a lumbar herniated disc and a bulging disc for seven years now. When it happened I went from competing in Ironman to crawling on the floor just to stand up in the morning. I've never had surgery or injections. I've tried yoga, hanging upside down, and 'special' rehab exercises but personally, squats and deadlifts have been by far the best remedy for mitigating chronic pain and regaining physical capability i.e. doing whatever I want whenever I want. I'm still working up through novice linear progression and just hit 3x5 190# squat and 1x5 220# deadlift. My back feels like I don't have a herniated disc.

[armoredghost]

Mark pronounces the word "core" very well in this video. He must've done a heavy enunciation day with sets of fives.

[anonymouse]

I had back pain ever since I was a kid from a car accident. Dead lifts and squats fixed it

[zakshah]

As a medical student, I've had the same ideas about strength training that Mark is talking about. And I plan on practicing with this as a common suggestion for patients with back pain

[eclipsezr]

I had a neurosurgeon tell me that they're the best thing for the long term health of your spine

[briancatt]

As someone who is overweight and had a microdiscectomy at L5-S1, my personal experience is that my back feels better after deadlifts and the following day than when I avoid them.

[ClockCutter]

After two severe lower back pain episodes inside of a year, the kind that put you in bed for a week, I fixed the problem with dead lifts. Haven't had an episode since. That was five years ago.

[JoshuaKevinPerry]

When he says core the contempt drips out of his mouth like molten lava

[iamesko]

Need an ASMR of mark saying core asap haha.

Great info like always !

[mariettaiviera]

Thanks so much I’m so over everyone being scared to work the “ core “ without the squat or the deadlift weight = strength progressively

[AllAmericanGuy]

Every exercise has the risk of injuring something. As with every exercise, form is the foundation of strength and a requirement for safe and effective lifting. Injuries occur when individuals practice unsafe lifting. On that note, practice safe lifting!

[Kisscooper]

I’m approaching 62 years (July 2025). I’m a natural lifter (home gym) and while not the strongest, I have a raw low bar squat PR of 400lbs at 61 yrs, and a raw conventional deadlift of 450lbs at 59 and 61 years. I don’t do planks, ab work or anything “core” *spits* related

All my strength comes from using starting strength methodology (thanks Rip) and modifying it in my training to accommodate working full time, limited equipment and allowing for longer recovery due to my age.

I had unknown flaw in one of my lumber vertebrae that let the disc slip out. I had 9 months of agony until my favourite physio gave me 3 exercises to do and within a week I was pain free and lifting heavy (for me) again, thanks to everything being strong from years of sensible barbell training.

[Jakeeey]

Really good explanation, and especially of the importance of *progressive* overload. Most injuries occur when folks try lifting too much too soon or without proper technique. After an initial phase of learning the squat and DL, I have been progressively increasing their weights each week and my back has never felt better.

[signmeupruss]

Rip is sometimes the best of comedians. His delivery here is perfect.

[thebrowhodoesntlift]

100%. *However, * there's a difference between keeping them strong, and pushing to your absolute max.
At some point the returns start to diminished, rising the risk of injury without any real world usefulness.

[trevbarlow]

It's true what he said about the many medical professionals saying that we should avoid exercises that load the spine. I find this so counterintuitive since there is literally no other way to strengthen the back.

[Terbyn]

He says "core" like a waiter in a fine restaurant would pronounce "ketchup".

[metalgear]

Hi, I read many of your books, appreciate your knowledge sharing, the 2 and half minutes video is just nice for everyone to view and listen. I hope that these short videos can publish more often! thanks!

[bateschiro]

What are some special considerations that you would give for people performing deadlifts and they have chronic low back pain from spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease

[johnpymn]

I work at your local Y and when I ask the guys in the weight room who are doing set after set of upper body lifts if they squat or deadlift they say "oh no, , I have back problems, that would hurt my back " and then they walk away lol.