There are lots of things about weight training in general and barbell exercise in particular that can only be learned by spending way too many hours in the gym. And honestly, unless you're a gym owner, this is a really weird way to spend 75 hours a week. Mark Rippetoe has been in the fitness industry since 1978 and has owned a black-iron gym since 1984. He knows things about lifting weights and training for performance that most other coaches and professionals have never had the chance to learn. This book of essays offers a glimpse into the depths of experience made possible through many years under the bar, and many more years spent helping others under the bar.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
informative and attention-holding:
I just started getting into barbell training when I read this book on the advice of my trainer. The book is very dense with critically needed information on correct lifting techniques. Rippetoe is refreshingly humorous and entertaining in his writing style, while staying on-subject. I'm a slow reader, and I finished this book very quickly because it was such a fun read.
Very Entertaining:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Rippetoe is very straight forward and knowledgeable. His words are a result of thinking of many years in the gym. Reading his choice of quotes is worth the purchase of this book.
all you need:
Do you to want to -maybe- get strong as a side effect of bodybuilding, or do you want to -get- strong? This is the program for getting strong. Genetic pre-dispositon, sport-specific skill training, & dietary manipulation will deterine whether you are a football lineman or Mr America, but this is the program either way, at least for now,(thus the 'Starting' part of the title).
good enough:
an interesting read. great tips on lifting as well as some prudent observations on people who lift. also a superb motivator. its one you'll probably read twice. i'll buy anything mr rippetoe writes at this point.
