Mark Rippetoe

This is pretty much the go-to reference for safe, efficient practice of the "big four" barbell compound exercises. The level of detail to which the author analyses and describes the bio-mechanics of each basic movement (squat, deadlift, overhead press and bench press) is amazing. If you ever wanted to read 150 pages about how to squat with a barbell, this is your guide. While I don't think that this is the best way of learning to perform the movements (stick to online videos for that), as a deep-dive into the why's of each movement this guide is amazing. Anyone with an interest in strength training should try to read this at least once.… (meer)

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and started me on the path of strength training through compound lifts. I've even evangelized it to others, including both friends and parents. One of the best quotes of the book, which I still reflect on when demotivated to go to the gym: "A weak man is not as happy as that same man would be if he were strong."

The reason I give 4 stars, though, is due to the author's way of communicating his belief system; many times in the book, Rippetoe will dismiss alternative exercises or forms of performing an exercise out-of-hand, without providing any reasoning, only harsh words. Such discussion may come off as authoritative to some, but it can feel a bit like promoting intellectual insulation.… (meer)

Another great book on strength training from Mark Rippetoe and company. This book complements Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, also by Mark Rippetoe. Where the latter covers the exercises and how to do them correctly, Practical Programming for Strength Training covers how to put the exercises together into a training program to get stronger. This is a very technical book for serious strength trainers and trainees alike. It provides an introduction to adaption, muscle physiology, and training basics that is more than adequate for the average trainee. It then goes into very detailed training programming models based on experience level. While most of this is directed toward younger adult trainees, it does briefly touch on special populations like women, youth and older trainees. I like Mark Rippetoe's "tell it like it is" style and the historical perspective provided on the various training models. This book is for serious strength training devotees, but the training basics would be helpful to anyone that goes to the gym to train rather than just exercise.… (meer)