Practical Programming for Strength Training

Practical Programming for Strength Training

“Common Sense brings the Popular Mythology of Strength Training down a couple of well-deserved notches.” — Mike Lambert, Editor Powerlifting USA

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars The best practical book that helps one custom make an effective workout
This book is an eye opener. I’ve always lifted in just the same failed way he mentions in the book. I did ten reps of 3 set for every workout. Over trained some muscles and couldn’t improve performance. This book has changed my life. I’m already seeing results. I recommend this book to any one reasonable who’s looking for a book that’s so practical on workout programming.

5 Stars 5 Stars For All Three of Rippetoe’s Books; The Reviews Don’t Lie
I purchased this book last summer, and decided to jump right in to a heavy barbell regimen as outlined in this book. Unfortunately, despite having lifted now for over 13 years, (primarily machines and single-joint exercises)my form on the squat, press, deadlift, and even bench press left much to be desired. I started to have some joint and back problems shortly after starting the barbell workouts so I went back to a higher volume, machine and dumbell oriented program for 4 or 5 months. I got this book back out around the beginnig of the year, and decided to purchase “Starting Strength: 2nd Edition” to try to focus on proper lifting form for the basic compound barbell exercises, as I had become very frustrated with my “bodybuilding/hypertrophy” workouts leading me basically nowhere in the last 5-6 years. After nearly 4 weeks now on a novice program, I have raised my 3 sets of 5 across weights pretty dramatically for each of the four basic barbell moves (squats, press, bench, and deadlift). What is great about “Practical Programming” is the fact that Rippetoe and Kilgore give so many strategies to break through plateaus at all levels (novice, intermediate, advanced, and elite), that this book could be used for years to make continued strength gains. I would suggest that anyone wanting to effectively use their time in the weight room purchase “Starting Strength”, work on perfecting their form, and then buy “Practical Programming” to ensure years of success in the gym.

5 Stars practical programming for strength training
This is a very solid book on strength development. I have been weight training for 25 years and wish i would have read this book in high school or had a trainer that knew this material. The book flows very well and gives you great background on what, why and how. Uses various examples and seems to have great sources and benchmarks over the last 30-40 years. Authors are very opinionated at times, but my take away is these two know what they are doing. If you are a high school or college kid, especially one playing football or power/weight lifting, i strongly recommend. If you are playing a skilled sport such as baseball it’s a great reference but not primarily for you and the authors do a great job of explaining why. If you are most interested in bodybuilding (Hypertrophy) then again this is a very good reference, especially related to over-training, but the focus of the text is on strength and power.

5 Stars Must read
This book is about the construction of exercise routines, not how to perform the exercises. For that info I recommend Starting Strength also by Rippetoe and the web site stronglifts.com.

This book is full of essential knowledge for efficient use of time and energy spent weight training. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, even if you’re making progress, you’re wasting time and energy. You could be progressing faster. If you’re getting all your info from muscle and fitness you’re missing a lot.

I’m mostly interested in strongman but after I got this I bought another as a gift for friend who’s into body building. If resistance training applies to you then so does this book. You will know what you’re doing after you read this book.

5 Stars Lives up to its title
I read many, but rarely write a review - however this is very nice work. I am formally trained in exercise physiology, and think the authors deliver an excellent resource for the serious novice to advanced lifter.

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