The Most Important Thing You Will Ever Learn About Lifting Weights (Audio Only)

An audio recording of Mark Rippetoe reading an article entitled The Most Important Thing You Will Ever Learn About Lifting Weights regarding control of the low back during barbell training.

[REDPotriats]

This is very true, ive been lifting for 8 yrs or more and from time to time i'll really screw my lower back up either squatting or deadlifting. Normally its due to a lack of focus, I find that protecting your lower back during squats and deads makes those lifts very technical. Your form has to be spot on or youre probably over compensating from your lower back.

[therealjlil]

Really thankful for this video and the low back control video you released a long time ago. I finally can deadlift
without worrying about injury and get strong.

[SlowRiderDucati]

There is a great video of RIP doing dead lifts. What's really cool is you can see his lower back contracting before each repetition.

[JMo-uhcd]

This is kind of blowing my mind right now. I'm a very experienced lifter, and as I stand here now, I'm unable to feel my low back muscles contracting. I've also been experiencing alot of low back fatigue/pain from lifting. Going to try the methods mentioned here. Thanks Rip!

[Troublesome]

5 comments already and no mention of 10:30? Seriously? You people either didn't listen to the whole thing or you are not new to starting strength.

[jefftparker]

Anterior Pelvic Tilt crew checking in. Always ready to squat.
Profit?

[volvo]

Snap City must then only have brave lifters...

[miguelreyes]

Your awesome coach thanx for shareing

[pierrotmonami]

it seems to me chris duffin is teaching the exact opposite : it seems very difficult to brace correctly while extending lower back...

[bringmemike]

Lumbar extension is much harder with tight hamstrings.

[bruthafromanothamutha]

at which point during the lifts Rip mentioned do we need to contract the lower back? The whole movement?

[CWBush]

I can activate and contract my low back but when I get down into the low deep squat stretch outlined in the book my back rounds badly. What's the cure or cause? Lack of strength or inflexibility?

[Portubed]

Found this difficult to follow without illustrations in either print or video form.

[Apollorocky]

Is there a video on this? I'm more visual

[dors.sc]

i can definitely feel my lower back contracting, its just that when i decent down into a squat at a centain point its almost like those muscles just dont respond anymore no matter what i do, once i go into a butt wink i cant find a way to contract them

[mattjoe]

I don't understand this. Do I want to start off the squat with anterior pelvic tilt? Or a neutral spine with lumbar muscles engaged?

[temofasa]

Shouldn't the back be neutral for deadlifts and squat? Not arched like a woman

[MrTrenttness]

If I am what? I'm What?
Good Lord Please tell me WHAT!!!

[Wimpymind]

pretty sure sphincter muscle is more important, but hey, whatever floats your goat.

[tomcollins]

I'm 60 yrs. old. I lifted from 1977-2010. no matter what anyone tells you, YOU WILL HAVE ARTHRITIS LIKE YOU WILL NEVER IMAGINE, SORE JOINTS AND PROBLEMS FOR YOUR ENTIRE "Last year's alive" because you "thought" repetitive working out, running, jumping, lifting etc. etc. would be "good" for your strength, mobility, health etc. etc....it's all NONSENSE! Squats with weights or no weights achieve the same effect...BAD KNEES! I wasted my body, and I can't even walk up 2 flights of stairs now because of DEAD LIFTING, STAIR STEPPERS, TREADMILLS, RUNNING ETC ETC.... Get a clue! Working, walking and just doing normal everyday getting around on a daily basis will make your life easier when your over 60! STOP REPETITIVE EXERCISE-YOU'LL HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT WILL ONLY GET WORSE! Ask a Doctor and stop listening to this nonsense!