Most of the 23 million American men who lift weights do so to get bigger; unfortunately, many of them are going nowhere with watered-down bodybuilding routines that don’t help them actually get stronger. Eric Cressey’s cutting-edge four-phase program, featuring constant progression, variation, and inspiring goals, keeps you focused on increasing strength along with muscle mass, helping you achieve the fittest, most energetic, and best-looking body you’ve ever had-with fewer hours at the gym.
Maximum Strength
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Miami Herald" 7/15/08
"The illustrations and detailed instructions will help you work all muscle groups and achieve the results you desire."
"The illustrations and detailed instructions will help you work all muscle groups and achieve the results you desire."
About the Author
Eric Cressey, M.S., CSCS, renowned strength coach and nationally ranked powerlifter, is a regular contributor to Testosterone Nation, Men’s Fitness, and Rugged Magazine. He lives in Massachusetts. Matt Fitzgerald is the author/coauthor of seven books. He writes regularly for several publications, including Maxim, Men’s Fitness, and Men’s Health. He lives in Northern California.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By JMJ
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a must-read. I heard a lot of hype about this book before purchasing, and I'm glad I finally bought it. I did the entire 4 month routine and honestly, my body feels better than it ever has in the past.
I was used to the traditional bodybuilding bodypart split of chest on Monday, legs on Tuesday, Arms on Wednesday, etc etc. For years, I just accepted that this was the way to train your body. I just dealt with back pain and shoulder pain as part of the "price of working out." Doing 5 exercises for your back in one day, and 5 exercises for your shoulders in one day is the absolute wrong way to train your body, unless you are an actual bodybuilder, but for the average fitness enthusiast, that just doesn't apply.
Eric's book outlines splitting your routines into upper body days and lower body days. The routines are easy to follow. Full detailed pictures, and explanations. One of the most important things he advocates is varying the rep range each week within the 4 week routine. You probably never have done any exercise of 8 sets of 2 reps or 10 sets of 3 reps. You have to keep in mind Eric is a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the goal of getting you stronger. I was hesitant, but you have to open your mind and try it.
My body feels stronger, and more balanced. There are a few non-traditional exercises that you probably have never heard of, or are hesitant to try out. My advice would be to do everything in the book to a T. It works. You may be reluctant to do so much deadlifting and squatting. You may have never hear of scapular push ups, walls slides, face pulls, or behind the neck band pull aparts. Open your mind. Follow the routines exactly and you will be glad you did. I know I am. Your body will feel so much stronger, more balanced, and your posture improves. I hope this doesn't sound like a 3 a.m info-mercial testimonial for the latest fitness product, because it's not. I'm a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Gym Rat who has been lifting for 11 years. Open your mind, try the routines, follow to a T. Your body will thank you.
I was used to the traditional bodybuilding bodypart split of chest on Monday, legs on Tuesday, Arms on Wednesday, etc etc. For years, I just accepted that this was the way to train your body. I just dealt with back pain and shoulder pain as part of the "price of working out." Doing 5 exercises for your back in one day, and 5 exercises for your shoulders in one day is the absolute wrong way to train your body, unless you are an actual bodybuilder, but for the average fitness enthusiast, that just doesn't apply.
Eric's book outlines splitting your routines into upper body days and lower body days. The routines are easy to follow. Full detailed pictures, and explanations. One of the most important things he advocates is varying the rep range each week within the 4 week routine. You probably never have done any exercise of 8 sets of 2 reps or 10 sets of 3 reps. You have to keep in mind Eric is a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the goal of getting you stronger. I was hesitant, but you have to open your mind and try it.
My body feels stronger, and more balanced. There are a few non-traditional exercises that you probably have never heard of, or are hesitant to try out. My advice would be to do everything in the book to a T. It works. You may be reluctant to do so much deadlifting and squatting. You may have never hear of scapular push ups, walls slides, face pulls, or behind the neck band pull aparts. Open your mind. Follow the routines exactly and you will be glad you did. I know I am. Your body will feel so much stronger, more balanced, and your posture improves. I hope this doesn't sound like a 3 a.m info-mercial testimonial for the latest fitness product, because it's not. I'm a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Gym Rat who has been lifting for 11 years. Open your mind, try the routines, follow to a T. Your body will thank you.
62 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eric Cressey knows how to get people bigger and stronger, period. I got to do the Maximum Strength Program last summer and during that time I had my 1RM deadlift go from 275 to 400lbs in four months. I am more mobile than ever and I am no longer in pain (used to be low back). I now have great posture and have built a great base of strength.
This book outlines the four phases with multistep pictures of the exercises (both strength training and mobility/warm-up). Also there is a nice section dedicated towards nutrition as well.
Eric is 110% correct when he says you need to get stronger to get bigger. If you have stalled with your progress and want to get bigger and stronger, there is no better way then with Maximum Strength, for under $15 you can not go wrong.
This book outlines the four phases with multistep pictures of the exercises (both strength training and mobility/warm-up). Also there is a nice section dedicated towards nutrition as well.
Eric is 110% correct when he says you need to get stronger to get bigger. If you have stalled with your progress and want to get bigger and stronger, there is no better way then with Maximum Strength, for under $15 you can not go wrong.
29 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eric Cressey delivers on his promise to get you stronger in 16 weeks. I know because as a former client I completed the Maximum Strength program and posted personal bests in all of my lifts. Which lifts? The ones that matter, that show true strength. Completing Maximum Strength, I would have been pleased if only my bench press numbers increased, and they did, but so did my deadlift, squat, and chin-up (my broad jump increased, too).
The 16-week program is not the only reason to buy "Maximum Strength." Eric does a phenomenal job of showing how to perform each exercise correctly, which a) eliminated bad habits I picked up in the past and b) keeps me injury free.
It's the old story of teaching the man how to fish: Eric provides a program that increases strength and sets a path to continue getting stronger after those 16 weeks. If you're serious about strength training, you need to read "Maximum Strength."
The 16-week program is not the only reason to buy "Maximum Strength." Eric does a phenomenal job of showing how to perform each exercise correctly, which a) eliminated bad habits I picked up in the past and b) keeps me injury free.
It's the old story of teaching the man how to fish: Eric provides a program that increases strength and sets a path to continue getting stronger after those 16 weeks. If you're serious about strength training, you need to read "Maximum Strength."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
good but complicated and not for beginners
I'm into fitness since around a year, I bought this book assuming that its for beginners, I read all the book, the workout plan is complex and the exercises are definitely not for... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Hassan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very educational, get strong!
I am a certified strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) and was looking for a program that demonstrates great periodization; this book has it! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mark Brostman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
Great practical information. Excellent illustrations to help you grasp the concepts of each exercise. Read more
Published 3 months ago by James Jacobson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book with a good program
I've lifted for awhile and had gotten into a rut. I also haven't ever done much power lifting so I was excited to get this book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jonathan Lofgren
5.0 out of 5 stars
solid book on strength training
Bodybuilding/weight training is one of those subjects that you can find a ridiculously large number of books on. Read more
Published 4 months ago by H. Rastgar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Exercise for the Serious Athlete
Probably won't appeal to the general public. Seems to be geared toward younger and more serious athletes trying to develop power for a particular sport - football, powerlifting,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by joe bo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strength without injury
This book was given to my husband as a gift. He had heard about it from his Primary Care Physician as a tool to strengthen his muscles without injury.
Published 4 months ago by Superwoman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Only 3 weeks into 16 week program and already seeing results! Awesome. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get fit and stronger
Published 4 months ago by Seansc3
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
Eric Cressey is well-known as one of the top strength training experts in the country, and his expertise shows in this book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by N. A. Landolina
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maximum Strength
Excellent resource. This book explains and demonstrates how to get strong across the whole body while maintaining structural balance and avoiding or rehabilitating injuries such... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Bernie
