Eric Cressey knows how to get people bigger and stronger, period. I got to do the Maximum Strength Program last summer and during that time I had my 1RM deadlift go from 275 to 400lbs in four months. I am more mobile than ever and I am no longer in pain (used to be low back). I now have great posture and have built a great base of strength.
This book outlines the four phases with multistep pictures of the exercises (both strength training and mobility/warm-up). Also there is a nice section dedicated towards nutrition as well.
Eric is 110% correct when he says you need to get stronger to get bigger. If you have stalled with your progress and want to get bigger and stronger, there is no better way then with Maximum Strength, for under $15 you can not go wrong. Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks with the Ultimate Weight-Training Program
This book is a must-read. I heard a lot of hype about this book before purchasing, and I'm glad I finally bought it. I did the entire 4 month routine and honestly, my body feels better than it ever has in the past.
I was used to the traditional bodybuilding bodypart split of chest on Monday, legs on Tuesday, Arms on Wednesday, etc etc. For years, I just accepted that this was the way to train your body. I just dealt with back pain and shoulder pain as part of the "price of working out." Doing 5 exercises for your back in one day, and 5 exercises for your shoulders in one day is the absolute wrong way to train your body, unless you are an actual bodybuilder, but for the average fitness enthusiast, that just doesn't apply.
Eric's book outlines splitting your routines into upper body days and lower body days. The routines are easy to follow. Full detailed pictures, and explanations. One of the most important things he advocates is varying the rep range each week within the 4 week routine. You probably never have done any exercise of 8 sets of 2 reps or 10 sets of 3 reps. You have to keep in mind Eric is a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the goal of getting you stronger. I was hesitant, but you have to open your mind and try it.
My body feels stronger, and more balanced. There are a few non-traditional exercises that you probably have never heard of, or are hesitant to try out. My advice would be to do everything in the book to a T. It works. You may be reluctant to do so much deadlifting and squatting. You may have never hear of scapular push ups, walls slides, face pulls, or behind the neck band pull aparts. Open your mind. Follow the routines exactly and you will be glad you did. I know I am. Your body will feel so much stronger, more balanced, and your posture improves. I hope this doesn't sound like a 3 a.m info-mercial testimonial for the latest fitness product, because it's not. I'm a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Gym Rat who has been lifting for 11 years. Open your mind, try the routines, follow to a T. Your body will thank you.
Eric Cressey delivers on his promise to get you stronger in 16 weeks. I know because as a former client I completed the Maximum Strength program and posted personal bests in all of my lifts. Which lifts? The ones that matter, that show true strength. Completing Maximum Strength, I would have been pleased if only my bench press numbers increased, and they did, but so did my deadlift, squat, and chin-up (my broad jump increased, too).
The 16-week program is not the only reason to buy "Maximum Strength." Eric does a phenomenal job of showing how to perform each exercise correctly, which a) eliminated bad habits I picked up in the past and b) keeps me injury free.
It's the old story of teaching the man how to fish: Eric provides a program that increases strength and sets a path to continue getting stronger after those 16 weeks. If you're serious about strength training, you need to read "Maximum Strength."
In Eric's introduction to this book, he describes his aspiration to be strong and fit, but not huge. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book. This is a man that deadlifted 650 lbs in competition at a body weight of 181. He knows how to get people strong, yet keep them healthy. His entire program is designed to progress in power, speed and absolute strength while addressing many commonly flawed movement patterns.
I'm a 47 year old male that has begun to find it difficult to move without pain and stiffness. I am now 9 weeks into the 16 week program and I have progressed to the point were my passive ROM in my joints has improved as well as my mobility. I haven't benched in 4 years due to shoulder pain and had all but conceded that I would never again be able to, but I'm now benching without pain. I just can't say enough positive things about this book and for the price is a steal.
A fine treatise on the fundamentals of strength. It is precise, well researched and innovative. Also, I really liked the voice of the book....casual and humorous but informative.
This guy is close to genius on the subject. A free thinker that backs his theorys with science. He draws heavily on research and builds his program from the fundamentals. That combination together with the innovative style makes a unique approach plausible and possibly the bible on the subject.
A great holistic approach to increasing strength. You get warm-ups with foam roller and mobility exercises, 4 day a week upper/lower body split routine, nutrition suggestions and even a chapter on the "muscle between your ears". I plan on finishing the 16 week routine by end of October and then repeating it next February.
I have a library of lifting and fitness books. You name it I have it.
This is the best book that I've seen in a long time. When I was a beginner and had no clue there may have been some books that added more immediate value, but for those people that have done some lifting and want to do it right, and make some serious improvements, THIS IS THE BOOK.
The explanations are great, as are the illustrations. I judge my purchases on whether it was worth my money, and this definitely gets 5 stars. - Strength - Weight Training - Deadlift - Fitness'
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