Serious Strength Training

This book is extremely useful for bodybuilders and strength trainers alike who want to use a periodized approach to their training. It allows you to design yearly programs to tailor to your needs and goals, whether its to lose weight, gain muscle, or increase maximum strength. There are six phases to maximize all aspects of the trainig continuum, but you don't necessarily need to employ each phase. If your goal is to increase muscle mass, you could focus on using the hypertrophy phases while using a maximum strength phase every so often. Also covered are nutrition, recovery techniques, and exercise presciptions and techniques. It does take some considerable time to design a personalized training program, but that has to be done if you truly want to reap the benefits of periodized training.

This book helped my go beyond my novice approach to weight lifting by providing simple, sound advice for getting the most out of a training phase. Other than diet, periodization has been the biggest key to moving past the "when will I ever grow" wall. Muscle Mags did not do it, Weider did not do it, I did it with the valuable direction of Tudor Bompa. Great Work!

BOOK REVIEW:People who are into serious bodybuilding might find this book very informative. It is packed with information such as charts and graphs showing anything from training guidelines to nutrition. In addition, it is filled with tips on how to train properly (i.e. how many sets and repititions to do, how long to rest between each set, etc.), how to lose weight, how to avoid injuries, etc. It also shows where specific muscles are can be found on the human body (the locations of biceps, triceps, deltoids, etc.).For people who are looking for extensive workout tips (push-ups, bench presses, etc.), you won't find it here. All the workout tips are not covered until Chapter 11, and that's about it... only one chapter! People on the hunt for home exercise tips, forget it! The workout tips require the use gym equipment... The book assumes that you go to the gym to workout! The tips are basically useless for people who workout at home.I only recommend this book for peple who want to know as much information as possible on how to train, and take care of their bodies.

This book is an excellent introduction and guide to the world of strength training. It contains a sound mix of scientific evidence, explained in laymen's terms, as well as practical advice I have not seen in other publications on this topic. The mix allows the reader to gain not only a plan for strength training, but an understanding to why he/she is doing what is prescribed. Also, the book is nice in that it provides a range of training options, from beginner to expert, and also depending on your ultimate goal (fitness vs competition). The book is also refreshingly realistic in that it continually expresses long term goals as the end point, not short term gains.

An excellent book for those that want to know the how and why. The explinations of the physiology and psychology of lifting help a great deal. Knowing how a muscle works and grows helps to explain why this method works. The in depth training examples are fantastic and are much more detailed than other Periodization books that I have read. Be careful though. If you try this method (as I am) be prepared to push yourself. Some parts of the program are extremely difficult. But if you are looking for results, this book will give you it, and explain the details behind it. I look forward to more books by Bompa.