Both are excellent, but Theory overlaps a bit on the Black book, at least on the applied area. He kinda runs a crash course on how to be a good trainer, covering client evaluation, with several field tests, a brief overview of training methods and how to evaluate volume and intensity (that’s the overlapping part. Not as developped in Black book as in Theory) and links it to periodization as he explains the basics of it (sums up Bompa’s excellent but boring Periodization)
He also go over training split in depth and resting time, and then gives several program templates and examples, both for athletes and bb, and at the end he covers a multitude of short topics: nutrition, hammer and tire training, clubbell basics ernergy system works, OL (most common mistake in the power clean) and gives a detailled beginner OL 12 weeks program.
The main difference is that the Black Book is more practical, with templates and direct application, whereas Theory is, well, more theory. He does give templates in the latter, but they’re more general, not specifc like Black book. I like them both, but if I had to own only one, Theory would be first. But Black book is a close second and definitely worth it, no matter if you have Theory or not.
The Weightlifting Encyclopedia, by Arthur Drechsler.
It’s… encyclopedic.
Seriously, this is an excellent text for anyone who is interested in Olympic Weightlifting. It is very practical; you can read it several times and still find gems of practical advice on how to improve your technique and manage your training.
For those of you who can’t afford expense tuition fees or books, here’s one that’ll be worth your money. Delavier’s Strenght Training Anatomy is probably one of the most well illustrated book, strictly muscle-oriented. Science wiz might argue that Netter’s anatomy his better, or the Werner/Platzer handbook is more complete, but the first hisn’t specific about weight training (general anatomy), and the second is more expensive, and presents the muscles as a medical book, which it is, would: part by part.
Still good, but Delavier’s book has the distinct advantage of presenting the most common gym exercise, including our favorite such deadlift, squat, good morning, chin-up etc, and showing the muscle that are working, in full detail. This one won’t set you back more then 15-20$ at the most, so for gym rats or CPT, its one of the most cost effective book available.
“Hey Cazzo, thanks for the support, but its not so much apologizing as setting the record straight. But you’re right about the pussies You mentionned Bill Starr’s Strongest shall survive, and I heard much good being said about it. Anytihng else, critique, comments or pros and cons would be appreciated, as I’m considering buying it. My major concern is, compared to what’s about nowaday, how well did it aged?”\
Well, it was republished in 1996, but it’s really not that different from the origional. The funny thing is, while it was written in the 70s, the book would still be considered pretty advanced for today. Promotes 5x5, Heavy, medium, lite, very hard work and, of course, “The Big 3”…Bench, Squat, Clean…although Starr has written that if he had to change one thing about the book, it would be to drop the bench and replace it with either Incline or Military Press.
Nutritionally, it’s pretty on the mark. Starr does reccomend liver tabs…ok, maybe not the best, but, his vitamin, mineral, protein, fat and carb reccomendations are pretty much on the money. Starr was taking about EFA’s way back then.
Critiques? Well, Starr can oversimplify things sometimes…but, he’s usually right, so who am I to complain?
It’s funny how many people go for Pavel’s books. I think they’re excellent. Reading Power to the People is like reading what’s going on in Chad Waterbury’s brain. In a good way… it helps make sense of the guy’s programs.
Has anyone looked at “Red Gold” for the sports psyche aspect?
I think it’s out of print. There’s another one I really liked about peaking, but I can’t remember what it’s called… it’s all about Fibonacci sequences. Really interesting stuff.
2 top choices (and, actually, the first two I intentionally sought out to buy) are:
Physically Incorrect by Coach Staley
and
Science of Martial Arts Training by Staley.
“Incorrect” is a collection of (at the time) all of his articles. It’s only available as an E-book, so it used a boatload of paper and ink to print out, but it’s absolutely worth it.
I really believe that every martial artist should sleep with “Science of M.A.T.” under their pillow, so the info could seep into their brains overnight (though, that’s assuming most martial artists aren’t already dedicated T-Nationers).
Dan John also has an amazing e-book, “From The Ground Up”. It’s Oly-lifting-oriented, but everyone (E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E) could learn something from it.
[quote]NateN wrote:
I originally bought the encyclopedia because I didn’t know any better. But it’s still a neat book to have and maybe some might find it motivational.[/quote]
My favorite part of that whole book is the picture for the Incline Barbell Press. Arnie’s doing them outside, and you can see, plain as day, a little kid in the background wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt, just staring at him working out. Priceless.
Well hell, I don’t know if you want to know the WHOLE library or just the best ones. I’ll just list a bunch in no order.
Beyond Brawn, Further Brawn, and Brawn, and The Insider’s Tell All Handbook on Weight Training Technique, all by Stuart McRobert, and the first and last are good.
Just about everything published by the IART. Dr. Darden’s The New High Intensity Training.
Power Factor Training - ditto whoever wanted to kick their asses, this is the most ridiculous “lets exploit the market” bullshit I ever read.
I have 2 of Pavel’s books in print, and all of them in E-Book format. Note to all, $35-40 is INSANE for the 10 pages worth of info in each book. Seriously, pricewise, fuck Pavel, not worth it. If you use any p2p programs, well, thats all I will say on that…
NSCA Essentials of Strength and Conditioning - pretty damn good for a basic overview of just about everything that happens to the body due to exercise.
Body-For-Life - because I needed a cheap Book End.
Nautilus Bullitens 1 & 2 - Yeah, I said it. I’ll say it again.
I know I have a lot more, just cant think of them right now. I am more of the High Intensity persuasion, but not a zealot. So I figure some of the books wont interest most.
Seth (not to be confused with any other Seths that may be on here)
Well my list is short since i’m new and all that but here goes:
Books:
The Best Sports Training Book Ever by DB Hammer
Jumping Into Plyometrics by Donald A. Chu
E-Books:
Vertical Jump Bible by Kelly B.
Body Composistion by Kelly B.
CFTS by Charlie Francis
Although it may not be a lot but i’m really looking forward to adding more books into the list. Right now i have my mind set on Bulletproof Abs by Pavel, would anyone who owns that book give a review on it?
[quote]Doh wrote:
Right now i have my mind set on Bulletproof Abs by Pavel, would anyone who owns that book give a review on it?[/quote]
Typical Pavel:
-A handful of nice exercises (it’s the first place I saw the Saxon Side Bend and full contact twist)
-A handful of useful training theories (like adducting your legs to get a more intense “lower ab” contraction)
-32 pages of advertising in an 80-page book (for the Pavelizer II, Comrade)
For Pavel books, I’d prefer you start with “Power to the People” or “From Russia with Tough Love”. The general training theories are most universally applicable, and there’s a nice variety of moves in “From Russia”.
I also like “Super Joints” for some interesting mobility drills, but I’ve heard the DVD can be more instructive than the book.
[quote]Doh wrote:
Right now i have my mind set on Bulletproof Abs by Pavel, would anyone who owns that book give a review on it?[/quote]
I’ve given my opinion of Pavel’s books in bulk earlier in the thread, but here is my two cents on B.A. Like Minotaur said, typical Pavel: lots of ad (for his stuff, of course. You’d think he owns Dragon door publications), some cool exercises and neural mecanisms you can use to your advantage, but overall not worth it. Sure his janda sit-up and dragon flag are great, but its not anything you can’t pick up elsewhere. For instance, if you’re into core lift and core strenght, I can’t recommend you enough Coach Davies ‘real abs’ article right here on T-Nation.
Chris Thibaudeau’s ‘babehound’ and ‘babehound 2k3’ will fill the bill as well, so no need to pay handsomely for a steel trunk when you can get one here for free
I must add that Beyond Bodybuilding is totally different. Huge treasure chest of information there. Do yourself a favor, comrade, and get it!
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
Typical Pavel:
-A handful of nice exercises (it’s the first place I saw the Saxon Side Bend and full contact twist)
-A handful of useful training theories (like adducting your legs to get a more intense “lower ab” contraction)
-32 pages of advertising in an 80-page book (for the Pavelizer II, Comrade)
For Pavel books, I’d prefer you start with “Power to the People” or “From Russia with Tough Love”. The general training theories are most universally applicable, and there’s a nice variety of moves in “From Russia”.
I also like “Super Joints” for some interesting mobility drills, but I’ve heard the DVD can be more instructive than the book.[/quote]
[quote]Dan McVicker wrote:
It’s funny how many people go for Pavel’s books. I think they’re excellent. Reading Power to the People is like reading what’s going on in Chad Waterbury’s brain. In a good way… it helps make sense of the guy’s programs.
Has anyone looked at “Red Gold” for the sports psyche aspect?
I think it’s out of print. There’s another one I really liked about peaking, but I can’t remember what it’s called… it’s all about Fibonacci sequences. Really interesting stuff.
Anyway.
Dan “No, I’m not dead” McVicker[/quote]
Holy dog balls! Can you find out the name of that one involving the Fibonacci sequence? I think that would have to be the most interesting read ever.
Oh, and I heard someone mention Power: A Scientific Approach, so I’ll chime in Hardcore Bodybuilding: A Scientific Approach. The first real training book I ever got, had I been mature enough to utilize the material therein, I would have been ahead of the game. It has alot of good stuff. Off the mark on some things…but as a whole a good read.
I didn’t like supertraining as well as Theory and Application… Supertraining did have some good one liners that really brought to light some important concepts, as in the bullet points in the section rebutting the use of machines.
For what it’s worth, I like Brother Iron Sister Steel, motivational if nothing else.
The first nutrition book I ever read was Protein Power, still a decent read, IMO.
I?ve read hundreds of exercise sciences books. So I?ll only mention my favorites.
To tell the truth there are few good books on bodybuilding or strength training.
Quantum strength training by O?shea
Ian king recommended this book. I have to say it is very informative and covers a wide variety of sports. I highly recommend this book for the experienced t-man/women only. Not fit for beginners. I?m not sure I gave the correct title but its close.
This is a very good entry level bodybuilding/strength training book. CT does a great job teaching the O?lifts and how to design an effective program. CT also lays out a new way to plan your training called block peridization. Overall I?ll give his first book a B-.
This series of books by the master are an excellent resource for the beginner to advanced bodybuilder. I highly recommend these books to all bodybuilders, powerlifters, and strength athletes. I?ll rate this series an A.
The only criticism I have about this book is its lack of info/pages considering its cost. It has some decent info about the different types of hypertrophy. It also contains lots of neat tricks and tips. Overall I?ll rate this book an C+.
You mentionned Bill Starr’s Strongest shall survive, and I heard much good being said about it. Anytihng else, critique, comments or pros and cons would be appreciated, as I’m considering buying it. My major concern is, compared to what’s about nowaday, how well did it aged?”\