The trick is to find a program and a system that WORKS and works for the person/agenda in question, and to STICK WITH IT. Rippetoe's system and program works. On that, there's not doubt. There are other systems that work as well, depending upon what you want to do. Picking one, and the right one, and sticking with it is what makes the difference.
Tanner posted about his attempt to gain muscle, hence my response. I stand by it. Tanner will be a sucessful backpack hunter with or without Rip or anyone else's barbell program. Though he'll be a stronger man with it. He can already do something here that probably no one here can do, including myself, a bar muscle-up.
I doubt EdT ever touches a barbell, and he's hauled out more elk than any poster here.
The fact still remains that a good/smart barbell program will markedly increase functional strength and prevent injury.
