by Mark Rippetoe
The classic novice barbell program: squat, bench, deadlift, overhead press, power clean. Three days a week, linear progression on every lift.
Create your account, then pick Starting Strength from the program library.
Frequency
3× / week
Length
12 weeks
Difficulty
beginner
Progression
linear
Workouts A and B alternate, three sessions a week. Add weight every session until you stall, then deload and re-attempt — the program's own rule, which you apply.
Probably the most-recommended novice strength program ever published, and famously opinionated about technique.
RepRoute respects the lift selection and adds the modern conveniences: PR tracking, equipment substitution, injury-aware removal. Progression steps by the increment you set in Preferences — note it does not read your plate sizes and won't round to your nearest loadable weight for you.
Pros
Trade-offs
Day 1
Day 2
Power cleans replace barbell rows, and the rep scheme is 3×5 rather than 5×5. Otherwise they're functionally similar.
Yes, if you want strong opinions on technique. RepRoute doesn't replicate Rippetoe's form coaching — that's still a separate skill.
Yes — flag the equipment you're missing, or use Swap in the session, and RepRoute gives you another exercise in the same pattern that your kit supports.
Free plan, no credit card. Sign up, pick Starting Strength from the program library, and it ships as authored — adaptations kick in only when you flag an injury or a piece of kit you don't have.
