This topic is by no means to start a debate. im starting it so others can post which author/coach is there favorite, why and what kind of success they have had with them (regarding their training styles).
let me hear your opinions!
I’d have to go with Berardi (no shock for those that follow some of my posts).
Not so much the training, but his nutritional approach/materials have really helped me a lot in gaining weight.
Basically his Gourmet Nutrition book has made eating a lot of calories easier and tasty.
As far as nutrition (and also general realistic ideas abotu size and strength - like telling the 5’9’ guy who wanted to weigh a lean 200 pounds how much he expected him to lift when he got there lol) I like Berardi as well as Lonnie Lowery (sp?) I feel Lowery’s work is a little easier to implement though - when I started following Berardi’s principles 2 years back, I used to run up a monthly bill of 500-800$ just to get in sufficient calories.
Trainign wise, Ive used Starr, DC, Waterbury (HH, ABBH, TSB), CT’s destroying fat and jekyll-hyde (amazing!) and read up on everything by Ian King…also it may not be necessary for you, but search for articles by Cy Wilson.
Also i recommend the books by L Rea (“building the perfect beast naturally” and “chemical muscle enhancement”)
I have to go with CT on this one. He is basically how I would like to look. I can actually read his articles without stopping as they are really what I am looking for.
Dave Tate is another one. Good articles, his perseverance is rarely matched, and he knows what needs to be done.
I like to read CT because his articles always explain the whys.
TC
Makes me laugh. Which lowers cortisol and makes me bigger/stronger.
First of all, I have no real favorites. I enjoy just about all articles, because they all generally have interesting insight and information in them, whether it applies to me or not. That being said, I will say I’m partial to CT and Dave Tate’s articles a lot, because they have sort of the “walked-the-walk” qualities, and it’s easy to relate to someone when you know they’ve spent countless hours busting their asses in the gym just like I have. TC’s articles are always good for a laugh, and are good articles in general, anyway.
[quote]LiftSmart wrote:
TC
Makes me laugh. Which lowers cortisol and makes me bigger/stronger.[/quote]
agreed i always look for them first thing every saturday morning, its a shit day if i dont get my TC article
jtg987, love your avatar. its AWESOME!
but ok, now back to the opinions
[quote]jtg987 wrote:
LiftSmart wrote:
TC
Makes me laugh. Which lowers cortisol and makes me bigger/stronger.
agreed i always look for them first thing every saturday morning, its a shit day if i dont get my TC article[/quote]
Well, I think everyone here loves TC’s articles.
My favorite, b/c he is so thorough and explains why things work/don’t work (echoing what another poster said):
Thibs
My other favorites, in no particular order:
Cressey
Poliquin
Dan John
EDIT: Forgot Dave Tate. Add him to the list and there’s my top 5.
My favorite author on this site is Berardi (wish he would post more often). Through reading his material, I learned alot about nurtition which I now know, is essential to progress. My favorite author for training would be Waterbury. I did split routines in the past and didn’t respond well, but the last year of full body workouts (influenced by Waterbury’s writings) have led me to my best gains.
The coolest author on this website is CT. He contributes so much to this site EVERYDAY (his locker room), I honestly can’t believe he doesn’t charge us. I’ve learned so much from him, just by reading his answers to other peoples questions. This site in general has SO MUCH to offer, I’m amazed its free. Lots of down to earth, experienced and well informed people to chat with too.
I haven’t been here long, but I have to say Coach Thibs.
I’ve been following the program he laid out for Bartl, and It’s working well for me.
TC’s Atomic Dog articles are always inspiring in one way or another.
LR
CT is an a high quality resource to have available. Even if you dont follow his training methods or agree with them you can still learn from him. As he isnt a biased author and admits that nearly anything will work, given proper dedication, etc.
Reading his material and the amount of information he has accumulated is astonishing.
Berardi is great for nutrition, as is CT again
Clay Hyght is good on occasion, Poliquin is interesting, but is very set in his ways. Although in many ways he’s right
I try not to be dogmatic in anything in life, but I’ll read/respect some authors more for a particular tone they tend to use or the way the present information.
I think I’ve learned something from every author and don’t really have a favorite, but one thing I will say about CT is that I respect the guy for never claiming to be natural, despite having only used steroids once when he was very young.
That he’s man enough to admit to a non-natural status after only one (bad!) experience with steroids is big of him.
They’re all interesting to read. The article about the 3rd World Squat by Craig Weller was pretty badass.
I like to read stuff from almost any coach, learned a lot on T-Nation from CT,Berardi and many more, CT locker room is a great ressource but is not the only one,Hyght,Mahler,Cosgrove,Zach Even-Esh just to name a few!
Right now im reading James Chan book(author shotgun method) and this is very good stuff,smart guy!!
Chris Shugart and CT for almost the opposite reasons.
Chris Shugart because what he says deals with the psychology of all things fitness. I believe that what he has to say applies to a lot more people in the world than any of the other authors and his insight has helped me see why so many people suffer with obesity and lack of movement. He talks about the why of things.
CT because what he says is almost pure science. It’s clear, concise and very simple to understand and learn.
Both write from their area of experience and I don’t get the sense that either is just repeating something they heard or read.