Customer Reviews

Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning - 3rd Edition

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

When it comes to telling people how to train, I want to know that the advice I give is based on evidence, not what on other people say, and not on what I "think" is going to work. While you could dig around on various electronic databases, such as Medline to get such information, its nice to have all the latest excercise recommendations based on sound research at your fingertips. And if you're looking for such a book, well, look no further.

Readers who regularly read sports science research will see some familiar names on page vii, which contains the list of people who contributed to the book. To me, knowing that people like Kraemer, Faigenbaum, or Hatfield had a hand in this book puts it on solid ground.

And the book is thorough too. Covering just about every aspect of conditioning and training, from basic exercise physiology to how many sets of an exercise should I do, its just a plain fact that there's not much that has been left out. Of course all the major areas such as strength training, endurance training, and flexibility are there as well. Also notable are the great pictures of stretching and strengthening exercises as well as little numbers (2) to refer the reader to the study the info was taken from. Right on!

My criticisms of this book are picky and few. For example I did notice that on page 299 the book advocates holding a static stretch for 30 seconds to become more flexible. Experts in the field who keep up on the research may not agree with this. While the 30 seconds rule applies to a lot of muscle groups, it does not apply to all- like stretching the calf muscles to increase dorsiflexion (see The 5-Minute Plantar Fasciitis Solution for a nice updated literature review on ankle stretching). In case you're wondering, 30s won't cut it to increase ankle ROM.

In conclusion, as a researcher and trainer, I was really impressed with the evidence-based information and the thoroughness of the text. I think it would be of most benefit to coaches, athletic trainers, personal trainers, or anyone who wants a good resource to guide their exercise prescriptions.

This was the main resource I used to pass the NSCA PT exam when I first started in the personal training industry. There is a ton of information in this book, and I hate to say it but I have only used a small portion of the knowledge I gained from studying this book.

I have worked at a few different health clubs, and because I was new to the business I was not prepared for how much selling I would have to do of myself and my business. Guess NSCA forgot to mention that!

I thought I could avoid the "sales" aspect if I worked at a gym but I found that it was even more important to know how to sell yourself if I was going to make any money at all since there were so many other trainers for the members to choose from.

Luckily I did find a book that taught me how to sell personal training. It was perfectly suited for me because it explains a sales system on how to sell personal training sessions in a health club. Since reading this book I have been training over 40 hours a week consistently for close to a year now, no kidding!

For every trainer getting certified, I recommend NSCA for certification and I wholeheartedly recommend the "Personal Training Sales Textbook" so you can learn how to make money with your new pt cert;

The Personal Training Sales Education Textbook: A simple and effective sales system designed specifically for the personal trainer in the health club. (Volume 1)

You could memorize everything in this book and be the worst strength coach or trainer ever to walk the earth. The exercise form used in the pictures is absolutely horrific. The deadlift and lunge form is awful, and the written instructions are simple to the point of being worthless.

Sure there is good information on muscle at the cellular level, sliding filament theory, anatomy and the like, but honestly most of this information is worthless in the practice of training someone.

This book and the NSCA-CPT and CSCS certifications are completely worthless, they literally mean nothing. Every trainer save one, I have ever trained with (as a co-worker) that had either of these certifications was awful, and were no better than someone who was just into fitness.

It all comes down to whether or not you care enough to continually educate yourself on the latest tactics and methods in the field. Want to learn something, go look up Eric Cressey, Mike Boyle, etc..

Also, as a side note. Here is something interesting to chew on. When you purchase this book as a personal trainer or strength coach thinking "I am entering the field of fitness, strength and conditioning etc, I am bettering myself". However. Be aware that you are also entering the for-profit fitness education industry. You are now making someone else money by buying this book.

CSCS has the distinction of being known as the best certification for training. This shouldnt be, but its just the way it is. That is why you need to pass the CSCS exam. Not because it is any good, but merely because it is the industry standard. So be aware, that you are NOT paying for quality educational materials, you are paying because you need to pass the CSCS exam, because it is considered the best in the field.

Lastly, considering how much money you can make as a trainer or coach, continuing education credits are ridiculously expensive. You can maintain your standing with your State Bar Association as a lawyer for less.

this is a great textbook, it breakdown a lot of essentials about conditioning, hence the title of the book. a great source for conditioning coaches and athletes that just want to learn more about conditioning.

I bought this book for my son for Christmas. It was his second copy. He was very, very satisfied with the condition of the book. Thank you so much.

Excellent book. Contains all pertinent information for resistive training. This title goes in depth covering all aspects from the point of view of physiology. Very complete up to date text.

great book very detailed with information, i can see why it is the gold standard for strength and conditioning. Make sure you buy the practice tests along with the exercise training manual to help you study

Used this text as required for undergrad study. Purchased to own in order to study for the NSCA's Certified Strength and Conditioning Test. Will keep to reference for a long time. Great Overview of general Anat and Phys. Details S&C standards set by the NSCA. Reads like a text book, but the illustrations are helpful.

This textbook is the required text for my Principles of Human Performance class at Missouri Baptist. The material in this book is very thorough and provides tables and step by step images of the CSCS certification application tests. The book gives you most of the information you need for National Certification for Personal Training and Strength and Conditioning. It's very easy to read and understand, but be aware that this book should be a compliment to the NSCM study material. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of pursuing Personal Training or Strength and Conditioning!

This book dumbs down complication in the strength and conditioning world. I love it. You read it...and you will love it.