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What never ceases to amaze me is that I can be so stunned by how hard some of these workouts can be. It's not as if I don't know already. Anyhoo -
This program has an interesting structure for the first exercise in a couple of the workouts where you do 6 reps, then 1 rep, then 6, then 1 again, then 10-12 and then 15-20. I poked around on the jpfitness forum and found a couple of interesting threads about this, which is called wave loading.
http://forums.jpfitness.com/new-rules-lifting -original/34170-wave-loading.html
http://forums.jpfitness.com/new-rules-lifting -original/32184-wave-loading-1rm.html
Today was squats day. I guess I must really have been pretty fresh what with taking a (full) week off, because I did a lot better than I thought I was going to. And come to think of it, it's been a while since I've just done regular old back squats. So, woohoo, time to load up the bar next time. The second 1 rep set was 135 pounds and it did not feel that I'd maxed out.
And those dratted stepups are back. They are in a superset of 3 x 15 BSS followed immediately by the (3 x 15) stepups with NO rest until the whole set is done. WTF? Did them body weight because I just loathe stepups.
I hope I can walk tomorrow.
I love weightlifting! 
Whew, that does sound awkward!
No real advice here...unless you have giant dumbbells, I think you'd have to go to a rack. Hope you figure out a solution!
Just finished Strength I workout A. As suspected, I did not like switching plates between sets. And I was surprised at the 15 reps in a couple of the exercises! What the heck - I thought strength was low reps?
Taking a look forward at B - It looks like both bench presses and bent over rows are in the first group alternating and switching number of reps. The way my workout equipment is... it makes it hard to do both without pulling the bench away from the pegs where I do bench presses. I've done this combo before, using two bars - one set on a couple of "stool/cubes" for the bent over rows, but not switching weight plates too.
I didn't look beyond to the C & D workouts yet.
Yogagirl. Best I could figure, you do the heavy, low-rep sets, and then finish with 1-2 sets of higher reps. I think it's an eye-opener. I did those final sets with a lot more weight on the bar than I would have before doing the heavy sets. Maybe I just don't push myself enough.
As for B, I actually did that one wrong the first time, I didn't alternate the 2 exercises. I did all the bench presses, and then did all the rows. I don't know if that is less effective or not
The second time I did B, I used dumbbells for the bench press, mostly because I don't have a spotter. Doing the dumbbells on the floor is safer (IMHO) and I am really trying to keep it safe.
C is all about Deadlifts, and D is chins and military press. Tons of fun there. :) I did the military press with dumbbells here too.
I may try moving the bench in and out and trying to use the same weight for each bench press/bent over row set.
I asked hubby to spot for me on the squats today. I started kinda low... 105 for the first 1 rep set. I had done 105 pound sets of 5 in starting strength, but I didn't want to sart out crazy.
It seemed really easy for the 1 rep so since hubby was there, the next time, I tried 125! I had to have him help me get back up. So I am glad I was not alone. I took 5 pounds off each side for 115 and that was ok. Not too bad I guess since it is a couple pounds more than I weigh.
I actually am stronger as far as bench presses compared to squats. I successfully did a 90 pound bench press before, but that too was with a spotter.
I usually work out when no one else is home, so I will have to be careful.
Finished the Strength I wo B yesterday. I liked it much better than the A workout, but then again, I always like the upper body workouts as compared to lower body. Also - no 15 rep exercises. Did 95 pound bench for the second 1 rep set! Goal for next time is 100!
Yay - Just finished my first C workout. Even though it was all lower body - I liked it. Did a 135 pound deadlift and it didn't even seem that hard & I weigh 112! I will try for 140/145 next time!
I remember having 100 pounds as my goal for deads. One time before reaching my goal, I tried it and couldn't even budge it. I guess I've come a long way since starting right around a year ago!
To all the newbies - keep up the good work - you will get MUCH stronger than where you started!!!
Awesome job! My last deads were at 160, but my bodyweight is 163.
I'm hoping to get back on this, but I've got a cold that has had me wiped out for a week now.
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