Practical Programming for Strength Training Paperback – January 14, 2014

This book has changed my life. It is truly a treasure in a field of so much disinformation and fraud (i.e. YouTube and Social Media indoctrination).This book is a secret weapon for all fitness enthusiasts and strength training aficionados.It is strongly science-based and not “ass to grass” gym bro lingo that is driving the health industry backward with masculine immaturity.If you are a personal trainer, along with any certifications or academics, this book will complete your knowledge of the science of training others and training yourself.I am a certified personal trainer with NASM, and these sciences and modalities were not taught to me, which is what I was looking for.I am proud to be certified in so many different schools and academies, but this book is a must have to complete any formal certification or academic schooling.If I can give it more than 5 stars I would!Best gift any personal trainer or self personal trainer can give!

Both of Mark Rippetoe's major contributions to strength training literature are now in their third editions. Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training - 3rd Edition has established itself as one of the premiere pieces of literature for anyone interested in getting stronger, and now the 3rd edition of Practical Programming has joined it.The 2nd edition was full of wonderful information regarding the stress/recovery/adaptation cycle of strength training. Simply put, the more you do something (say, squat or deadlift), the better you become at it, and changes in programming (frequency, set/rep schemes, etc...) are required to further progress.New to the 3rd edition is an impressive amount of detail on how to go about the necessary changes in programming as a lifter progresses.The book contains its largest upgrade in chapters 6-8. With the assistance of Andy Baker of Kingswood Strength and Conditioning, programming for the novice, intermediate, and advanced lifters is covered in amazing detail.For the novice, the basic principles of the Starting Strength method are discussed as well as a fabulous real world example of a properly executed linear progression. New to the 3rd edition is an extensive look at how to elongate and squeeze every drop of usefulness out of a linear progression. It details resets, stalls, and recovering from the mistake of increasing your lifts too quickly. All of these scenarios are backed up with biomechanical details of the human body. Additionally, new to the novice section is a detailed account of the "advanced novice" lifter as well as specialized diet and training tips for the particularly overweight or underweight trainee.The Intermediate section has received the largest upgrade of all. While novice programming allows for progress from workout to workout, intermediate programming stretches out progress over a week to week basis. Though Rippetoe discussed his "Texas Method" style of programming in the 2nd edition, it prompted a lot of questions about variations and alternatives to the demanding programming. The details of the Texas Method are contained in 30+ pages of the most important, effective writing in strength programming literature. Broken into four phases, the amount of detail contained here is staggering, and should hopefully answer any questions and address all problems trainees may have with this very complex programming. Also included are "split routines" spread over four days, as well as a Heavy-Light-Medium system popularized by coaching great Bill Starr in the 1970's.The advanced chapter delves into periodization, or the structuring of training schedules beyond a week to week basis. The book makes very clear that this programming is for ADVANCED lifters who's progress on a week to week basis has stalled out completely. At this point, a strength athlete will be at the point where they are ready to specialize in a certain realm of athletics. Specific training details for powerlifters, MMA athletes, and Olympic weightlifters are described in exhaustive detail. Most recreational lifters will never reach this level, but its inclusion here is extremely welcome.The final chapter will prove extremely useful for current strength training coaches. It includes specific training details for females, youth, and an extensive section on older (35+ years) lifters.Simply put, Practical Programming 3rd Edition is required reading for anyone who has a desire to achieve their maximum potential in the weight room. Buy it, read it, read it again, and get stronger!

I am a 30 year old Husband and Father of two. I love fitness and all things health related. But, let's be honest, the fitness industry is anything but straightforward, concise or, quite frankly, intelligible. Everything you see on the web seems to center on some type of "revolutionary" technique or "must-do" exercise. The amount of information pumped out by fitness gurus and websites simply cannot be integrated into a person's psyche, let alone their training regimen. I believe this might be the cause behind the increased popularity of Crossfit in recent years (though that's a topic for another day). Anyhow, I was seriously befuddled by what exactly I needed to be doing as a fairly young man who just wanted to get stronger (and not look too bad, either). I read through Mark's first book (Starting Strength) and loved it. I wasn't sure if this second book could top his first, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was an even better source of information.I won't spend all my time regurgitating the book's outline or contents,but I will give you its impact on my understanding of training. Simple is better. Training doesn't have to be, nor should it be complicated. Yes, as you progress from novice to intermediate to advanced you may have to integrate more "goal specific" lifts. But these exercises and training methods will actually supplant your previous ones, since you are tailoring your training for a specific goal (strength, hypertrophy, a sport, etc.). Also, Mark effectively demonstrates the crucial difference between "exercise" and "training", something I had never previously considered. So this book has done a wonderful job of easing my conscience when it comes to training. I figured out that even though I have been lifting weights for years, I had never proceeded through a legit novice training program. I had just been exercising all that time! I am currently finishing up my second straight month of the Starting Strength Novice program, and I have never been stronger. Weight that used to be my 1RM are now my working sets of 3x5. And I haven't gotten fat or slow or stiff. My diet has remained clean and I am building quality muscle and strength. I no longer worry about whether or not I'm "neglecting a muscle" because I know that keeping the "Big 5" in place and working toward record numbers in those lifts will produce muscle gain across the board.Once I finish the novice program I plan to begin the Texas Method with my wife and brother. If your confused about where you want to go with your fitness, are interested in getting stronger, more muscular, more generally fit for sports of any kind, then pick up a copy of this book. Whether you do Mark's programs or not, you will benefit in some way from the wealth of information available in this book, I guarantee it.