A Practical Approach To Strength Training [Paperback]

Matt Brzycki (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 1998

A Practical Approach to Strength Training is a response to those seeking a safer, more efficient way to strength train. Matt Brzycki, Coordinator of Health Fitness, Strength and Conditioning Programs at Princeton University, examines all aspects of strength training--including specificity, high intensity training, explosive training and plyometrics, and offers advice on how to organize individual and group strength training programs. Featuring Nautilus, Universal Gym, free weight and manual resistance exercises, this revised edition also includes chapters designed for those teaching strength training courses at the high school and college levels. "A Practical Approach to Strength Training should be a staple for all coaches and athletes. This book deals with the facts and cuts through the myths and misconceptions of strength training." -- John Dunn Strength Coach, San Diego Chargers "A Practical Approach to Strength Training is an excellent book. (Its great value) is found on the chapters on how one actually applies the knowledge in the weight room. This is an extremely valuable book for practitioners in the strength training field." -- Kim Wood Strength Coach Cincinnati Bengals "This book is easy to read, yet loaded with relevant information for any strength coach at any level. It contains all the fundamentals for building a safe, efficient strength training program and belongs on the shelves of anyone who's interested in fitness." -- Shaun Brown Strength and Conditioning Coach University of Kentucky "In addition to providing sound information on sensible strength training, the text is presented in a very practical manner . . . and the emphasis on safety is obvious from start to finish. I am most impressed with the author's commitment to athletes and his willingness to take a stand on controversial subjects." -- Dr. Wayne Wescott National Fitness Advisor YMCA of the USA "Great reading for any teacher or coach. This book provides the most up-to-date conditioning information available." -- Dan Riley Strength Coach Washington Redskins

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (May 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570280185
• ISBN-13: 978-1570280184
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #835,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, common sense, intelligent, and well documented., March 24, 1999

By 

Ross A. Martinek ([e-mail]) (Waukegan, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Practical Approach To Strength Training (Paperback)

This is possibly the most intelligent and practical book on the subject of strength development that I have ever seen. If you can only buy one book about weight lifting and strength training, buy this one.

Mr. Bryzcki begins by explaining the modern theory of strength development and contrasting it with some of the traditional approaches still in use today. In so doing, he explains how muscles work, how they get stronger, and how they can be injured. If you understand these things, you will understand why you should, or should not, train in a certain way. His explanation is rigorous but easy to understand, neither tedious nor trivial.

Having laid a firm groundwork, he goes on to explain how a conditioning program should be designed and structured for maximum benefit, and the various adaptations and permutations that can be made. He gives a sample program that most people could use straight from the book.

Then he proceeds to descriptions of how each exercise should be done with free weights, Nautilus, and Universal Gym machinery. He also covers a technique that uses a partner to supply resistance instead of a weight or mechanical device. This latter method is particularly useful to those who may have a physical condition that prohibits stress to specific joints, since it allows near complete isolation of the muscles being worked.

The muscles affected by each exercise are given, as well as hazards involved in a specific exercise. Cautions concerning certain physical conditions are often given, but are not always sufficient, in my opinion. However, this is a book on strength training, not orthopedic medicine, and adding them in detail would have ruined the utility of the book! People with specific injuries should have the sense to consult a medical authority about their limitations.

Some readers may be discouraged to learn that maximum potential strength is apparently inherited. They should not be. One point that the author perhaps does not make sufficiently is that only the most dedicated professional athletes ever attain or maintain their full strength potential. You can be much stronger than you believe, and you can learn to use your strength efficiently. This latter point he does make quite thoroughly.

The book has only one minor flaw: There are sometimes so many reference citations given in the text that the flow of the sentences is unnecessarily disrupted, distracting the reader. Footnoted references would have been better. Readers accustomed to academic literature will not find this a difficulty, and the book is otherwise so well written, clear, and focused that this flaw is only a minor nuisance.

Once again, a "must read," (and absorb, digest, and assimilate) for anyone interested in strength training or physical conditioning.

60 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time & results-efficient, practical, well-researched, October 18, 1999

By 

Katharine (Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Practical Approach To Strength Training (Paperback)

Yes. This is the most practical approach I've seen to strength training. I used his single set/maximum weight/total body workout for three weeks and I saw a difference. How NICE to get out of the gym! As a note to readers: the author is an academic. In that circle, you have to back up your observations with other people's claims. I agree that footnotes would have made it more readible. I gave this book 5 stars for its content, not the footnotes issue. What I got from it was a workout I took pretty much straight off the pages. He includes options for different machines, free weights, and partner-resistance. I like the variety. I answered all of my questions about using the single set plan with the data he provided. I got my cardio done in my favorite, sweat-inducing way. I have progressed wonderfully, within the amount of time I'd like to spend in a gym.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strength training for Athletes, January 18, 2000

By 

Paul L. Schwartz (Bryn Mawr, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Practical Approach To Strength Training (Paperback)

I am both a runner and triathlete and felt my training could be improved by adding some weight lifting. Unfortunately nearly every book, and even the trainers at my gym, seam oriented towards bodybuilding not building functional strength for athletics.

I first heard about Mr. Brzycki's book on the rec.running news group were it is widely endorsed. I picked up a copy and have so far been extremely pleased with both the focus of the book (oriented towards athletes) and the results I have so far achieved. Highly recommended for athletes. Bodybuilders may want to look elsewhere.

(Note on rating: as a matter of personal policy I almost never give 5 star ratings)