Starting Strength (2nd edition)
by Lon Kilgore, Mark Rippetoe
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Book Reviews of Starting Strength (2nd edition)
Book Review: A must for anyone who lifts heavy weights...and a should for everybody else.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not a comprehensive book on fitness. It is a detailed examination of the 5 lifts--back squat, deadlift, bench press, [shoulder] press, and powerclean that are (or should be) at the core of any funtional strength program. I could write a lot of detail, but I think that the 210 five star and 14 four star reviews our of 225 says something about the utility of this book. There are so many exercise books on the market, but very little realy detailed instruction on how to actually do these lift with impeccable form. There is way more to squating that simply putting a heavy weight on you back and crouching down--but FAR, FAR to many personal trainners and gym staff have no idea how give instruction. So what are the options? Squat (or deadlift) heavy, and pray you don't hurt yourself. OR play it safe and deprive yourself of some of the most truly functional, fulf-body exercises you can do.
For years, I had messed up knees, including a torn ACL when I was 20. I knew that getting my legs strong was the key keeping my knees healthy, but it seemed that any exercise I did put me on a tightrope between increasing strength and aggravating my knees. After reading Starting Strenght and FINALLY understanding the anthropometrics of squating, I have increased my squat weight by 50 pounds in under 3 months (and still improving), have less knee pain than at any time in the last five years, and--at 38 years old--by far the strongest I have been in my life.
Book Review: If you can read, you should read *this* book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is definitely the best resource on basic strength training I have ever seen -- and from what I have gathered in looking around, a top contender for the best that has ever been assembled.
The really cool thing is it is absolutely recommendable to *everyone*. It is hard to imagine anyone who would not benefit from being physically stronger -- or, even if they were already an elite weight-lifting athlete, would not benefit from the close analysis of form and physiology that contribute to these basic lifts as presented in Starting Strength.
Not only does the book describe the five basic lifts, fully, but it also goes into great detail on doing them safely and the rationale behind choosing these particular lifts and not others for a complete strength program.
I only hope that this book's popularity leads to free weights and squat racks being more widely available. Wow. This is seriously all you need. Use this book to get strong and *then* see what you want to apply your newfound prowess to. So many people would be better served, less frequently injured and likely far more successful and motivated in other sports and physical activities, if they would get the foundation of strength provided by doing this program *before* they concentrated on specializatoin.
Regardless of your age, gender or current level of fitness, read this book, follow its program, and live better.
Book Review: really enjoyed this book
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been weight training since I was 14 years old. I'm 53 now. I've always worked out alone starting out in my bedroom as a teenager and now I lift in my basement. I've made good progress and I am in great shape even though I've never had a formal instruction at all. Reading this book and watching the DVD has re-energized my workouts. I found I was doing many things right but I also learned many things I needed to change.
I'm sure I will re-read the book and re-watch the DVD many times, and they will be a continuing source of information as I continue to workout.
Update January 2011: Just turned 55 yo a week ago. I've been working out consistently since fall 2009 using this book and DVD as a guide. I started somewhat conservatively and went along like this for several months working on my form slowly gaining strength. In late summer of 2010 I decided to add weight more aggressively (5 lbs/workout for the squat and deadlift as recommended) and I've been really pleased with the results. I am significantly stronger than ever before. For example, I've increased my squat almost 100 lbs. I have also been reading the starting strength internet forum regularly and have picked up several tips. When the program is done correctly (lift with good form and then recover - eat, sleep) it works very well.
Book Review: Great first book on weight training
Summary: 5 Stars
I had been performing the big lifts (squat, bench, deadlift, rows) and supporting lifts (curls, shrugs, calf raises, etc) based upon the simple descriptions found in most books and online for the last few years. After the first year of decent gains, I started looking around for a reference which would spell out some of the finer points of technique to reduce the my chances of injury and to continue growth. I am now very happy to have found in "Starting Strength" a very detail oriented book on weight training which gives personal trainer levels of technique and program advice for all of the standard lifts.
When I got the book, I read-skimmed it quickly cover to cover, then I slowly read each chapter on a particular lift for about a week while trying to adapt my technique and take the suggestions the book had to offer. It did take me quite a long while to make it through all of the material and I still refer to the book and find something I had not noticed before. I am now lifting more weight with proper form across all of my lifts and I don't seem to get the same minor tweaks(lower back or knee soreness on squats, etc) I used to get without realizing why.
I recommend this book as the single best beginners book for any detail oriented person looking get into weight training.
Book Review: An excellent reference that has me excited about working out, again
Summary: 5 Stars
While trying to find the correct technique for doing the shoulder press (on a machine), I happened upon a recommendation for this book. The excerpts from its website had me intrigued so I picked it up, and (so far) I'm very happy with my new workout. This book's thesis is that one only needs 5 barbell exercises to get a full-body workout: squats, deadlifts, press (shoulder), bench press, and power cleans; in addition to the exhaustive explanations of these five exercises, there are sections with extra exercises (chin-ups, barbell rows, etc.) and programming.
I've been working out (on and off) for about 8 years, but in the past couple of years I was using exclusively machines and felt like I was plateauing in everything. Intuitively, it made sense to me that free-weights would be better, but I had no idea about the proper techniques, so I stuck with my machines. Thank god for this book! Like I said above, the central five exercises are described in excruciating detail, leaving nothing to the imagination. I don't have a workout buddy or a trainer, but I'm confident that I'm doing these exercises properly because of the procedures and cues given in the book.
If your main weight-training goals are to get stronger/bigger/more powerful, you owe it to yourself to read this book.