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If you want to get really strong in the shortest time possible, buy this book. If you don't want to get strong, (and see commensurate improvements in just about ANY athletic pursuit/team port you care to mention) just carry on wasting your time at the gym like you're doing....until you give up in frustration. But why would you do that? I'm here to say that I've made more progress in one month, following the advice in this book, than I made in 9 months attending the gym consistently and earnestly (doing my own stupid leg/shoulder/back/upper body workouts based on guesswork and various conflicting sources and so-called 'trainers'). Also instead of wearing myself out going to the gym 4/5 times a week, for very little improvement, I now see SIGNIFICANT, quantifiable results from just THREE WORKOUTS A WEEK. I am a competitive swimmer on the masters circuit, and have become SIGNIFICANTLY faster in the pool in the last month - EVEN THOUGH MY POOL WAS CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE THAT WHOLE MONTH. I am 43 years old and am definitely already stronger than I have been at any point in my life and I plan to get steadily stronger for at least another year or so. So forget EVERYTHING you've ever heard about Exercise/Strength training (because 95% of it is baloney which LOOKS impressive, and will get you nice and sweaty, maybe even help you lose a little fat and put on a little muscle but will make your body ACHE like crazy and will NOT get you anywhere near as strong as you can be) and discover how gloriously simple it is to TRAIN properly and consistently over a LONG period of time. Your average 18-year old skinny guy will - if they follow this programme for 3 months - be accused of taking steroids, because the gains made will far outweigh those made by advanced lifters who ARE on steroids. For people my age - 40+ - the gains may be slower but you can expect long-term improvements in every aspect of your life, as well as getting stronger. I wish I'd had this book when I was in school, because all the back pain I've suffered over the years has VANISHED and I am already starting to feel like a 'different organism' to quote Mark Rippetoe. So join a gym that is fully equipped for the BASIC BARBELL LIFTS, learn to do them safely (with a Starting Strength trained coach if possible), START the simple Starting Strength novice programme, and STOP wasting your time with exercise machines that, at best, make you better at using those exercise machines and, at worst, will damage you. The book will teach you to do no more than SEVEN exercises (The four basic barbell moves and a few ancillary exercises) and you will - for the first 3 months at least - go up in weight EVERY session. It's challenging - a little scary even - but it is achievable by ANYONE if they are prepared to put in the effort and get plenty rest and plenty of the right nutrition. Here's what I've learned: Almost EVERYONE hates the gym, because almost EVERYONE is ignorant of, or chooses to ignore, the basics of strength training outlined in this book. Here it is in a nutshell **drum roll**: you get strong by recovering from a steadily increased load performed on FULL-BODY exercises. The ONLY thing you can find in a gym that can steadily increase that load over many months are BARBELLS, so stop walking past the squat rack and DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR. Now that I've sampled these facts for myself I no longer hate the gym, because every time I go there I am slightly stronger than I was when I left it the last time and I have the numbers in my diary to prove it. AND I only spend an hour and a half there 3 times a week, so I know I can carry on doing this for a LONG time. AND I no longer suffer much from DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) because I get plenty time to recover and my body is adapting at a pace that it can manage LONG TERM. Check out Mark Rippetoe online (Youtube etc.) and LISTEN TO THE GUY. Don't be put off by his looks or his voice. This guy REALLY knows his stuff and has 40 years of training athletes from novice to elites behind him. When he criticises the fitness industry it is based on cold facts and empirical data, not hearsay or wishful thinking. When people criticise him, it is because he is a bit fat and they haven't read his book...Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Thoroughly explains and illustrates the biomechanics, physics and ideology behind the basic compound lifts. As such, it’s very technical and wordy but for the purpose of enabling you to thoroughly understand and execute these lifts to best effect for your body without injury. Not a hint of “bro-science”. You’ll come away with a more comprehensive understanding of how your body works and interacts with weights. Text book in quality content from a well established author.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book has everything you need for barbell strength training. Easy to read and well illustrated. The Swolley Bible.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
The product tells you everything you need to know to begin lifting weights from form to method and plans. It's very extensive. Format is easily printed or opened into a reading app like kindle or ibooks
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Needed to get myself in shape: book recommended by my son. Great info, explanations, diagrams...the whole package. Thanks!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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