Starting Strength and Met-con

[Michael Hill]

I've read Rippetoe's FAQ and the piece in Practical Programming where he mentions that high intensity glycolytic exercise can be used alongside weight training without significantly reducing strength gains. What would be the best way to apprach this? Long/short intervals, what kinds of rest periods, how much volume? Are monolithic exercises like running/rowing best? (Sled dragging is not an option) My main concern is over doing it, I want to keep this complementary to the strength training without holding back unecessarily. I have a tendancy to go all-out, crash and burn then repeat and I'd like to avoid this.


Other pertinant information, I'm doing the SS begginers program after coming off a non-exercise back related injury with about 6 weeks completely off and then 2 weeks of circuit type training to get back into things. Also, I will be lifting once every 72 hours, not the traditional 3x/week so this would probably fall on the day after weight lifting.

[Greg Everett]

sticking with monostructural such as rowing or sprinting is a conservative approach. You can also try crossfit style metcons, but I would keep total reps per movement super low to not abuse yourself. the easiest way to do this is just include a whole lot of different exercises into a workout, low reps, and only 1 or 2 rounds. Whatever you do, just start very conservatively and see how it affects your SS training. If it starts interfering, back off.