Thanks everyone. I'm really sorry to say that I honestly can't afford that book. The only reason I have access to a gym is because my work is paying for it. Hell, some of my favorite authors have released some new books that I still haven't gotten - they're only 7-10 dollars, let alone 30. But don't get me wrong. I do want the book. Just can't afford it.
So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask for some of your time. You're not at all obligated, of course, but I could use any help I can.
1) Squats. I hafta do 'em, I decided, but am having problems with doing full-motion squats. As I am trying to greatly increase my jump height, would 90 degrees not be nearly as effective as full motion? Either way, I'll keep trying, at least until I get use to the added weight. Also, as I'm use to doing bodyweight exercises, it's fine to start with a relatively low weight at first, right? 100-140lbs? Also, what should I aim for in terms of that for jumping? Twice my weight?
2) Still feel like I'm not doing deadlifts right. I feel them mostly in my back, but my legs might just be numb enough by this point to pay more attention to other areas.
3) I'm having problems figuring out the more... creative leg exercises that Steven listed for jumping. I can't seem to find any sort of consistency on how to do them online and am afraid to do them wrong.
If you guys could, perhaps, link me the proper technique? I'm sorry of this is way inconvenient...
4) I can't decide on what to do weighted-wise for upper body as I can't figure anything out anything that it'd apply to me for, so I was figuring I'd continue to do my bodyweight exercises for my upper body. Is that okay?
5) If you guys could, perhaps, give me a short leg routine that I could do to increase my jump or just for when I go to the gym itself, I'd be very appreciative. Not expecting you to do this for me, understand, but I'm afraid of my ignorance that might create either an ineffective or just lowsy exercises routine.
In addition to Starting Strength, this is a decent article about squat safety and there are some passages that testify to the benefits of full squats.
http://exrx.net/Kinesiology/Squats.htmlGeneral rule of thumb is that full range of motion is always better
While a partial squat will build strength primarily in the quads, a full squat strengthens the hips and the entire posterior chain, which is where your jump is coming from...
If you're having flexibility issues, you can widen your stance a bit, and there's nothing wrong with starting with nothing but an Olympic barbell (45 pounds)
Besides working on flexibility, spend some time warming up your hips before you begin squatting - groin injuries suck
Something you can do to warm up is to swing your leg forward like a front kick, do a few sets of those on each leg... likewise do the same thing but instead of swinging forward, swing to the side
The deadlift is primarily a back exercise, so you should be feeling it mostly in your back, but still, continue to read up on technique, watch tutorial videos from good sources, like Mark Rippetoe, and review your form.
The Starting Strength program is squats, deadlifts, the press, and the bench press... throwing in chin ups/pull ups is probably a good idea too and that is suggested in some of the programs
Don't over complicate things by giving yourself this huge routine where you're doing a dozen different things for each body part
Sticking with those you'll have all your angles covered
Get the book because it is more comprehensive and you can carry it around with you to the gym, but the Wiki has a lot of helpful info that you can at least start looking at in the meantime
http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/Starting_Strength_WikiAlso, if you're concerned about your form, feel free to post some clips of yourself performing the movement on here for feedback.
