Customer Reviews

An unsurpassed work of reference. - By: Mr. L. C. Button, 16 Mar 2008
At the beginning of chapter 1 the author, Jim Stoppani, states that the terms strength training, weight training & resistance training are often used interchangeably. But whatever form of training you do & whatever level of experience and/or goals you have you are sure to find the informationin this book extremely useful.

The book itself is 399 pages long & all the photographs arein black & white. The book has four parts. Part one details the training essentials such as core concepts, training cycles & equipment. Part two covers the tactics, programs & cycles for building muscle mass. Part three covers the tactics, programs & cycles for gaining maximal strength. Part four covers training exercises for all the major body parts.

The author places great emphasis on periodization. This means that as the body adapts to a particular exercise routine a new exercise routine must be implemented to stimulate new growth and/or strength. Also, more experienced trainers may find the information on Superset, Compound-Set, Tri-Set & Giant Set training useful.

Jim Stoppani has written a truly comprehensive training manual but those trainers with many publications on this subject and/or many years of training experience may not need it. Also, nutrition & its importance is not covered anywherein the book so trainers will need to look elsewhere. Otherwise I would recommend this book highly.