How to ensure you use the right technique when learning from a book?
I have recently moved to a foreign country and find myself with a lack of things to do. As such, I've decided to finally follow a weightlifting program; I choose Starting Strength. It has just five lifts (only one of which is very technical) and very detailed explanations of all of them. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the lifts and I'm worried about learning them with improper form: while the book is very detailed, even discussing common mistakes and ways to correct them, this all relies on having a training partner/trainer to check your form.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, I'm in a foreign country: I don't know the language, so can't ask random people for help (well, I can communicate, but explaining the nuances of the lift is beyond me); I can't afford a personal trainer of any sort (not that I'm confident a random trainer would know them well enough) and the few friends I have here are not interested in going with me so I'm stuck with going at it alone. My question is: How can I ensure I'm doing them with proper form, if there isn't anyone to check it for me?
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Film yourself. Review the tape yourself and fix everything you can. Post it to the SS technique forum (for best results, follow their guidelines). Post it here and ask what you're doing wrong.
Pre-emptively use a TUBOW (Terribly Useful Block Of Wood) to make sure your knees are correct in the squat.
Do chin-ups instead of power cleans, per Rippetoe's slightly different Practical Programming novice program, to reduce the number of lifts you need to perfect.
Every time you find a significant form issue, reset ("deload") the weight on that exercise by 10% or 20%. This makes re-learning the correct version of the lift much easier, and gives previously unused supporting and stabilizing muscles opportunity to grow into their new role.
Recognize that the squat (not just the power clean) is also a highly technical lift. Even the presses and deadlift can easily be done incorrectly in subtle ways that will slowly cause trouble. Recognize that you'll probably do some (or all) the lifts incorrectly for several months. Continually refine your technique.
Don't give up looking for a powerlifting or Olympic lifting gym, CrossFit box, or knowledgable coach. Even an occasional form check-up can help tremendously.
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