nazzysmith
kuncesmith
I don't think either SS or SL5x5 are particularly good programs (mostly because they aren't very well balanced, and making a balanced program ain't rocket surgery). They're a lot better than a lot of the stuff out there, and either program will make most people stronger than whatever they'd come up with on their own, but how hard is it to balance your pushing and pulling, seriously? Rippetoe presents as a massive dick and Mehdi presents as a massive pussy. Both of them manage to have personal armies of dicks and pussies. I feel that when people get into e-wars over which one is better, it's about as enriching as arguing over whether sandwiches should be cut diagonally or horizontally. The notion that steroids are needed to get bigger than Mehdi or to squat about 350 is either ludicrous or depressing. It amazes me that anyone over the age of 17 still buys into long-winded sales spiels, which is what 90% of what Mehdi's material is -- hey, I bought into that approach the first time I saw it, but then I saw it again and the grey stuff between my ears took note of it.
Both SS and SL5x5 seem to spend too much time trying to appeal to untrained wannabe bodybuilders. I guess there's more of a market for that, but no matter what Mark says about the IGF-1 in milk, drinking a gallon of it each day and squatting won't give you 10lb of muscle in 2 weeks.
I like apples.
I disagree....
You can't mention RIP and Medhi in the same sentence... Medhi is a total tool!!!
Nothing wrong with SS programming or SL programming in my opinion.. Dependant on where you are at and your goals!!!.