Serious Strength Training

I wanted to learn about periodization. I have read that most books on periodization are 'unreadable.' (Many are in foreign languages too). I take that to mean they are too complex to be easily applied. This book is very readable, and easy to apply. That being said, periodization, in this book, amounts to doing a handful of different routines, generally for 6 weeks. The routines range from Anatomical Adaptation, to Hypertrophy, to MXS (strength training). Mark Ripptoe (in Practical Programming) speaks of an advanced workout called "The Building Blocks Model." Bompa's periodization fits this model. A central principle in this book (and Bompa's other book on periodization (Periodization Training...)) is a step-type four-week macrocycle, where intensity is increased for 3 weeks, then the 4th week is lowered. Bompa states this is superior to progressive increase in load and the overload method. But ... he doesn't say why, and he certainly does not cite and studies. This book will tell you what to do, but it won't tell you (other than the author's opinion) why you should do it. I slightly increased my understanding of periodization, so, all-in-all, it was worth the $ for me.

I have lifted weights for almost 6-7 years, trying to compatiblize losing fat and gaining muscle. This book not only addresses de training part of everything but also the nutrition part, that's almost as important.If you like planning, organizing, weight training and nutrition with solid science based comments, this is also the book for you. In it you have yearly plans that you can use and tweak to fit your schedule.I started around 3-4 weeks ago with the diet and Anatomic Adaptation part.Just a word of advice: just as some say that "your ego must be left outside the gym", with this book you should do the same. Do not think your are advanced or even "Recreational" as the book says if you are really not. I made that mistake.What I find frustrating is that I've been struggling with body fat for many years, even as I'm in mi ideal "weight range", I'm always way past my ideal "body fat" range and this book says that you can easily mantain 10% body fat year round with the proposed diet and you can go to maybe 15% when hypertrophing and then start the "Muscle definition" phase (cutting). I would LOVE to be at.... 18% BODY FAT!.We'll see how this evolves. Good luck to all.

I've found this book very helpful in teaching me how to create a program to increase strength and muscle. I've already gained more muscle during the first four months of this year than all of last year.

Bought this as an e-book.Well presented and researched. Provides good information regarding periodisation of hypertrophy and strength training.Would recommend to other people.

The book came in the time frame they said it would and the book was exactly what they described!! I'd recommend this person.

The ultimate guide in developing strength and muscle. Bomps's theories are easy to understand and the training cycles easy to reproduce.The Metabolic Diet is an excellent companion guide for proper nutrition throughout each phase of training.Highly recommended.

I was a professional athlete and coach, and naturally I read a lot of books about training: This book is definitely among the top three.

Very good trainning and diet guide.My wife and me start the metabolic diet with greate results.Im improving my workout.

You can learn a lot of things from this book! The only downside though is the photos of the steroid pumped bodybuilders. Some amateur might think you can become like that only with the methods described in the book which, of course it is not the case.

This book has some solid information in it. Periodization in strength training is a tried and tested approach. This book walks you through exactly what it is, and how to implement it into a plan.

Just excellent because there is actual science behind it. The advice given is reasonable rather than dogmatic.

This book is far and away many times better than the typical "do this, take this and get bigger" books with apparently all of them giving out a "secret" to make you bigger. A prime example is "bigger leaner stronger" of which it basically tells you to rest often, eat right and do compound movements.This book actually gives scientific basis to the majority of what it says. HOWEVER. Something I must fundamentally disagree with is that in the chapters, they give training ideas and techniques followed by pictures of strength athletes or bodybuilders who used those techniques with a caption of something like..."John Doe realized that focusing on this area, with the metabolic diet and with focus to nutrition they could take the human body to never before reached places. Other people have also used dedication and xyz to develop amazing physiques."I think this is a downside to the book because the physiques they show are unquestionably STEROID ENHANCED. The women in the photos have masculine jaw and facial expressions with a very unfeminine look classic of the androgenic effects of testosterone style steroids. This is essentially passing off unnatural for natural. The first part of the book talking about sliding theory and periodization is good but it quickly deteriorates into bro science. The loading phases mentioned twice in the book get confusing because sometimes it is referencing intensity and others volume without saying which.The first half is textbook format with the second half taking the form of do xyz to get abc...Overall though it's not a bad book to put on your shelf if you're a fitness lover.

BrilliantA book which has every bit of info on periodising a routine.No stones unturned.A very well detailed explanation has been provided for every phase.Strength,hypertrophy and muscle definition has been well explained.The nutrition and supplements is covered.I come back to things book again and again for designing and implementing my work.Has worked out very well till now.No book covers this much of theory,explanation and practicals.I loved it.Must have,you are working out in gym.