re: Has anyone done Starting Strength

Started Starting Strength in 2008 after a year doing Crossfit. At the age of 35 I brought my squat from 225 to 405 in a relatively short period of time. So I'm a fan.

To answer your questions, buy the book. Rip does an outstanding job of describing the lifts. He is the best in the business at showing how the lift should be completed, and why it should be completed that way.

Do the powercleans. They aren't that hard to learn, and will help with your other lifts.

Starting Strength is not a difficult program; three days a week. If you work in construction, and have done this for a while, you should be fine. Your weekly activity from work is your base. Starting Strength will add to that base. You will be tired at times though, and you will question your sanity. But its worth it.