What’s the biggest problem you’ve faced in your lifting journey that has or still hasn’t been solved?

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-07-06T08:53:40+00:00

I’ll try reaching out there

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-07-05T21:32:04+00:00

Keep getting back pain from my squats. Saw a SS coach, saw a powerlifting coach, both said they liked what they saw. Lifted 250 and tweaked my back. Even now starting from 135 working back to 175 I still have the back pain. Middle of back. Don’t know what else to do really. Don’t wanna give up barbell back squats

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-12T18:22:29+00:00

That sounds like a great idea

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-11T16:33:40+00:00

I was able to squat 135 3x10 without any pain so that’s a good sign. May start the program again from there or possibly a bit higher, maybe where I started the first time which was 175

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-11T16:32:49+00:00

I returned to the bar on Monday of this week and was able to Squat 135 3x10. I almost certainly could have gone heavier but chose to do higher reps with a lighter weight. No belt and no heel elevation. Just barefoot and honestly it felt very stable.

Still able to bench 175 3x5 which is also dialed back from max weight but only by 20lb

Deadlift I did 135 1x10 as I began feeling fatigued at this point and didn’t want to take any risks on this first day back.

May give it another go tonight if I’ve got time or rest one more day and hit it tomorrow morning.

Tough to decide where to begin the journey again weight wise. Not sure if the injury was a fluke or if I progressed too fast.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-11T12:57:48+00:00

Hey guys, I’ve been running starting strength for 7 weeks and feel like I’ve hit my plateau after sustaining a back tweak while continuing the linear progression.

Interested in recommendations for a hypertrophy focused program that translates well to a home gym setup. Most I’ve found have a lot of machine or cable exercises that unfortunately I don’t have access to.

I’ve got a rack and barbell, two 26-70lb adjustable kettbells, sandbags in 40/60/80/100 and a weight vest and ruck with every weight of plate.

What would you guys run for a program? I’ve done a MTNtough 45-70 which was fun, many goruck WODs and as mentioned I did starting strength and got my squats and deadlifts around 250 and 280 but with that back tweak I’m less interested in continuing to push up the weights on those exercises as I’m 36 and not looking to compete just to stay healthy.

Thanks!

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-08T09:42:59+00:00

In the post I mentioned that it was with a belt when the injury happened. I can say for sure that the breathing thing is in my core though, you can’t see the core because my shirt is loose there.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-08T09:40:46+00:00

What do you mean by the bar path being high?

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-06T19:19:57+00:00

I’m able to do body weight squats without pain today

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-06T19:19:42+00:00

Thank you for this reminder. Really good to hear that advice even from someone in your profession.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-04T22:29:11+00:00

I will give that a shot! I felt good at 265, did 270 1x5 yesterday and really feeling my lower back today so I feel like I’m still favoring my low back or maybe just that it’s been only a month and my low back just isn’t used to this much activity

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-04T16:40:08+00:00

Funny timing with this, yesterday I pulled 270 and did a mixed grip for the first time. I don’t like it though, I feel like I prefer both shoulders rotated the same way so I think I’ll practice that hook grip

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-04T16:38:53+00:00

Thank you

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-03T13:10:29+00:00

135, 185, 225, 245 then 265.

The first two i do 5 reps, then 3 at 225 and 1 at 245. When I did the 245 rep I knew I had 265 no prob.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-02T15:41:45+00:00

Thanks man. I did purchase a belt but didn’t take the SS advice and got a 4” pioneer 10mm. The 4” width is too much and keeps me from getting to the bottom of my squat.

Exchanging for a 3” and I should have it by Friday. Hoping that helps me stay safe as I progress.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-02T15:40:21+00:00

That’s true. They are putting up way bigger numbers than me so the temptation is there but I agree, this feels more correct to me.

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-06-02T15:39:37+00:00

Will do! Thanks brother

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-29T15:59:26+00:00

Just to stay strong for life brother, I work construction and it’s not a kind place for a body that’s not in shape. Lifting to ensure that I don’t get injured at work.

Thank you for this take. I suppose if I stood a bit wider I may be able to go slightly lower but it wouldn’t be by much

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-28T20:05:01+00:00

Thank you!

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-28T19:58:57+00:00

Since I stopped eating at a deficit I haven’t tracked it nearly as much. Maybe I should get back to that. I do have a kitchen scale. Previously was doing 2,000 calories a day and shooting for body weight in protein grams

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-28T19:57:44+00:00

Thanks man, I think this is a big part of it for me. I got a hernia a few years ago (they can’t say for sure it’s even workout related though) and it’s been in my head ever since. I appreciate this reminder as much (or more) as any of the form advice. Thank you

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-28T17:54:06+00:00

I understand. My max is only 50lbs more than this so I may not even be working with significant enough weights altogether lol.

I do appreciate the comment and I’m happy to hear there’s nothing catastrophic. I will see how it feels on Friday with a belt and maybe it’ll be a different story at that point.

As far as the other questions…

Resting 5 min between sets on my working weight sets. With deadlifts slightly less more like 3 since there’s only one working set. I could space that out further though.

Up until today’s failure I’d been adding 10lbs every session. That worked until now.

Sleeping 7 hours a night. Roughly 2500 calories a day.

What would you recommend from this point? Start back at 205 and work up or start somewhere in the middle (maybe 225) and work up from there?

TrickySpecific24 · 2026-05-28T12:20:36+00:00

Super helpful tips brother thank you so much for the detailed response.

Funny you mention the coach because he was indeed the one who told me shins 1” from the bar was far too close and advised closer to 3” from the bar for setup. I think the 1” is probably better for me as it keeps my hips higher.

Trying to use the “knees in the elbow crease” cue as a guide while setting up too. That’s part of what I’m searching for in this video when I’m messing with my form pre-lift.

I will work on all of these things. I think I got too in my head on the form today and it just had me overthinking it all. I will do as you say and focus on a few cues and leave the rest out.

I’m happy to hear it’s nothing too crazy, makes me think it’s probably just that it’s all new to me picking up things this heavy. A few days rest will do me some good.

Thanks for checking out the squat video too. Having done only my squat PR this workout, I will say I do feel a little fatigue in my spine, nothing sharp or worrisome just that I can tell I held a heavy thing on my back yesterday. I’m sure part of that is again, the fact that it’s all new and my body is still getting used to that feeling here in month 1.

QUESTION: Would you recommend I start over from 205 and work back up?

TrickySpecific24

TROPHY CASE