There are lots of comments suggesting starting with a low-rep high-weight compound approach like Rippetoe's Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5. I also starte

There are lots of comments suggesting starting with a low-rep high-weight compound approach like Rippetoe's Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5x5. I also started there because it is everyone's go-to. It never worked great for me, I maxed out at like 185 squat and 135 bench. I'm now starting over with Michael Yessis's 1x20 program. This is a mixture of compound and single-joint exercises that are intended to build overall strength and avoid weak spots that can prevent progress in other approaches. I'll have to tell you how it works out but he has a lot of good arguments as to why it is best to start with an 8-12 week cycle of 1x20 before you start working on powerlifting 5x5 or 5x3. He's not opposed to powerlifting lifts, just doesn't think it's the right foundation for a new athlete. Also, if you're like me and have long thighs and a short torso, the back squat is not the best exercise for developing strength as your leverages are bad. When I learned about that, and that the parallel-grip deadlift would be a better one for me, I was disappointed that Rippetoe didn't really promote alternatives to the back squat.