Customer Reviews

Kelso's Shrug Book

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book because of its 2nd edition date of 2002.
While I really appreciate the value of Mr. Kelso's methods,
I'm a bit disappointed in this book. Too many of the pages are dedicated to who wrote about whichever exercises first. So what ?!?

Overall, I see a complete set of shrug exercises.
These are gold. However, I give this book a three star rating because there are so few pictures of the exercises. He mentions many types of grips, but doesn't list them or describe them. If a beginner picks up his book and reads about the "Snatch Grip", he has to go to another book for a definition
.

The desriptions are pretty good, but pretty much every exercise book printed today includes step-by-step pictures
and anatomical diagrams. Most modern exercise charts include
color-coded diagrams of muscles involved in particular exercises.

Anyway, no disrespect intended. I hope Mr. Kelso reads this
review and updates his book so I can buy his 3rd edition.
He should do an Encyclopedia-style rewrite and charge more.

I bought this book after reading the review below and found that it was right on. I wanted to share it with anyone out there interested in real gains. This book WORKS! Read on...

From Powerlifting USA, October 2002.

... Paul Kelso has ... finally ... updated his original book on shrugs, a revamp so comprehensive that the new version is actually 75% longer! He not only added a lot of material, but rewrote much as well, cutting out some stuff he no longer believes in and actually adding two new chapters, including one on bench pressing that demands your attention. He has also codified his philosophy into what may evermore be known as "Kelso's

Shrug Laws."

This is not just an exhaustive treatise on an relatively under-utilized body of training movements: it is an effort to really think through the exercise and develop every conceivable practical application for it. After reading the book, I was struck by the depth of Paul's historical investigation of the exercise (he carefully and consistently notes that he did not "invent" much when it comes to the shrug ... but he sure has organized virtually all

that has ever been known about it), as well as the way he places this exercise into its proper context within physical culture.

Paul has a reverence for strength that underlies all he writes, and he's a terrific yarn teller to boot. If you never do a shrug, you will still be the better for reading this book, because in the telling of the tale of the shrug, you will indirectly come to understanding of the essence of why men and women lift weights in the first place.

As I said, the chapter on the shrug and the bench press will merit your consideration ... recent devotee Collin Rhodes put 44 lbs on his already accomplished bench press in just one year, using shrug principles - like the "lateral" arch.

Paul Kelso is a great guy and has written a great book. -- Mike Lambert

The other reviews pretty much say it all. The only thing I would add is: this book is not for beginners. If you have been going to the gym for a while and will continue going, then this is a must have book. It will add and expand on your current workout and give you new ground to explore.

This book describes more than 2 dozen exercises for the Trapezius muscle. If you have a "pencil" neck and/or have bad posture, incorporating regular shrugging movements can often enhance your appearance. Get this book if you are serious about packing on some serious mass on your Upper Back (the "Lumberjack Effect", I like to call it). I liked Kelso's insights into why regular Shrugs that are usually done in Gyms don't contribute as much to pulling or cleaning big weights.

This book is about shrugs, trap bars, and breathing squat/chest expansion - not a rival to Pearl's "Universe" book.

Like all of Kelso's books, they are about how to get strong using good form with exercises that are often overlooked by the posers you find in the "chrome and fern gyms". However, these exercises are no secret to those that want to increase their strength.

The Shrug Book is the "bible" for the guys (and gals) at our gym that compete in the "Strong Man" contest.

This, and all of Kelso's books, are well worth the read and are an excellent reference book. The book is simple to follow. Some terms that are used may not be familiar to an early lifter, but a quick internet search will answer the questions for a beginner.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

This book has a lot of things I do not like about it. First of all, the format of the book does not make sense. The author will go rambling on about things that do not matter, mention an exercise pages before he explains it, or it has a picture of an exercise he won't even mention. It gives some good trapezius exercises, but you will be confused because he does not give any pictures on how to perform them. There are exercises, for example the highpull, as he calls it, with a trap bar, which have pictures of them doing it but they are not explained at all. They are pretty much self explanitory, but still unprofessional with the author not explaining it. Another unprofessional thing about this book is all the typographical errors in it. The first hour I started reading and looking through this book, I was disappointed because I had already found 3 typos in it. Even though they are just typos, it makes you not want to trust this guy, because who would want to trust someone who it appears as if they didn't even proofread their book?

I own the book. My copy is now dog earred because I have read and re read it so many times. Since I first bought it I have read some of the magazines and saw other articles by Kelso, not just about technique, but also reporting on powerlifting events. I found out the man has an enviable reputation for his research and reporting. I trust kelso. I hope he has another book coming out soon.

Kelso's Shrug Book was exactly what I thought it would be and it has already helped me on my way to my goal's. I liked the book so well I ordered another one for a friend!

I am very pleased with the content of this book, it was much more detailed then I expected. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in getting in better shape.
Bob Bellerby

I purchased this book because I recently bought a trap/shrug bar and was looking for a variety of exercises for how to maximize my use of it. Based on other reviewers, this book was a solid recommendation. I found this so-calle bible of trap development lacking in explanations for particular exercises and the pictures/diagrams were incomplete or hard to decipher. The author spent too much time (in my opinion) giving credit to people for having invented this or that, none of which helped me learn more exercises for using the trap/shrug bar. I will give him credit for a little history lesson on some of the finer points of weightlifting/powerlifting. A more complete set of clear illustrations would be quite helpful if the author plans on a revised edition.