Practical Programming for Strength Training

You want to make the most of your training? Tried of making no gains? Get this book, read it, shut the hell up and implement what is in this book!

This book is essential to your training library. It, with Starting Strenth should provide all the information that anyone would ever need in regard to weight training. It does not have a bunch of references, but that does not mean this book is not reputable. This book simply does not need many outside references because Rippetoe and Kilgore ARE those references. Their credentials are impeccable and it would "behoove" anyone who wants to weight train CORRECTLY to take their advice.

Along with Starting Strength (Rippetoe), this book is one of the best books you can read if you want to learn about strength training.

Rippetoe and Kilgore combine science, 25+ years of experience, and common sense to write one of the best books on strength training that you can own -- regardless of you're current skill level.

Highly recommended. Best of the best.

Great book. Cleaned up my form a lot and have not had any joint problems since.

I just finished reading this through today and think its fantastic. I have been weight training off and on for the last 8 years, and consistently for the last two. I'm not a competitive athlete, but have found myself drifting further and further away from all-too-common bodybuilding-style workouts a la Scharzenegger's "Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding," and focusing more and more on the major compound lifts. This book provides numerous templates, models, charts, and explanations that simply and understandably explain how to design a lifting routine. It wants nothing to do with bodybuilding-style isolation/body part workouts, and instead explains how to build workouts around bench, squats, deadlifts, presses, snatch, power cleans, etc. Furthermore, it explains how to program for raw recruits all the way through elite competitors.

There are two things to note if considering purchasing this. First, it is written with a coaching and athletically competitive audience in mind, but don't be turned off by that if you do not fall into one of these categories. The beginner and intermediate programs are more than most people will ever need, and are applicable templates for most. Secondly, as I mentioned above, these workouts are designed around the "power" and Olympic lifts. It is designed for people who are learning and/or are familiar with how to perform these complex exercises or who have access to expert coaching. If you don't know how to properly deadlift, squat, or snatch, or don't have a coach who can teach you, this book has limited use (that being said, it seems that this book should be a basic text for any strength coach anyways).

This is a great book, very readable, and the authors do an excellent job of explaining what can be complicated schemes and programs in simple terms. The best part about it is that they explain what to do in nearly every training situation (namely overtraining and plateaus), as well as how to train for a variety of goals, including power, strength, muscle endurance, and hypertrophy. Get your hands on this book.