Strength Training [Paperback]

NSCA -National Strength & Conditioning Association (Author), Lee Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2006

Millions of people want to add muscle, get stronger, and look fit as a result. But when they look for expert guidance, they face a sea of self-proclaimed fitness gurus who say they have a can't-miss program for fast and easy results. So where do you look for solid, no-nonsense advice you can trust from true experts in the strength training field? Inside this book!

Written by a team of experts chosen by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Strength Training combines the most valuable information with the best instruction for proven results:

-Increasing metabolic rate to burn more calories more efficiently

-Improving bone density to help combat osteoporosis

-Increasing muscle mass as well as strength, power, and endurance

-Preventing injuries

-Improving balance, flexibility, mobility, and stability

-Reducing back and arthritic pain

-Decreasing cholesterol and blood pressure to lessen the risk of coronary disease

The NSCA is the worldwide authority in the field of strength and conditioning, serving 33,000 members from the sport science, athletic, allied health, and fitness industries. Now, the proven techniques developed and honed by these leading authorities are available to you!

Whether you're launching a lifting program or fine-tuning a serious fitness regimen, the full-color presentation in Strength Training will fill any knowledge void and correct misconceptions to ensure proper technique, safety, and progressions. Multiple program options and applications to machines, free weights, and other apparatuses provide the flexibility to tailor your training to personal preferences and special needs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The NSCA has created a comprehensive training manual from the top experts in the field. The basics of muscular function are fully covered, and exercise techniques are presented in impeccable detail throughout the book. This is an essential reference for individuals of all training levels, novice to advanced.""
Joe Wuebben, Senior Editor,
"Muscle & Fitness" magazine

"""Strength Training "packs decades of material into a thorough, concise resource that every coach, trainer, and fitness professional should have in their active library. Covering all the key topics--muscle anatomy/physiology, nutrition, training adaptations and modalities, assessment, types of strength and power training, technique, and sample programs--this book is an outstanding comprehensive and credible compilation of current knowledge in our field.""
Gina Lombardi, NSCA-CPT
"Health" magazine columnist
2003 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year

Review

“The NSCA has created a comprehensive training manual from the top experts in the field. The basics of muscular function are fully covered, and exercise techniques are presented in impeccable detail throughout the book. This is an essential reference for individuals of all training levels, novice to advanced."

Joe Wuebben, Senior Editor,
Muscle & Fitness magazine

"Strength Training packs decades of material into a thorough, concise resource that every coach, trainer, and fitness professional should have in their active library. Covering all the key topics--muscle anatomy/physiology, nutrition, training adaptations and modalities, assessment, types of strength and power training, technique, and sample programs--this book is an outstanding comprehensive and credible compilation of current knowledge in our field."

Gina Lombardi, NSCA-CPT
Health magazine columnist
2003 NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics; 1 edition (November 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736060596
• ISBN-13: 978-0736060592
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Weight Training

More About the Author

Dr. Brown is Director of the Center for Sport Performance and a Professor of Strength and Conditioning in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton. He served as President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from 2006-2009 and is a Fellow of both the NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). His research investigates human neuromuscular adaptations to high velocity exercise primarily for improved sport performance. He has authored more than 500 scientific articles, scholarly presentations, books and book chapters worldwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Primer to Strength Training, November 5, 2007

By 

MoneyMan (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength Training (Paperback)

This book goes in depth in the science, art and benefits of strength training. While this book might be too simplistic for an advanced bodybuilder/weight trainer, it's an excellent guide for people (male, female, seniors and even older children) who are beginners in the world of strength training, and a good reference source. "Strength Training" does not fall into the trap of other weight training books that focus on specific aspects of strength training. It's written to give the reader a complete overview on the benefits of strength training as well as thorough explanation on scientific background, proper techniques, guidelines, routines and programs for people of (almost) all fitness levels, and to guide the reader to the best routine that'll work for them.

The book is separated into four parts:

"Part I: The Origin of Strength" talks about the science, physiology and growth/behavior of skeletal muscle. While I found this part a little long-winded (it's 95 pages long!), and its content can rival virtually any college-level anatomy and physiology textbook on the subject, it's still a must read for a beginner to understand how a muscle works, why it grows, and how proper technique and nutrition is essental in muscle growth and development.

"Part II: Resistance Training Guidelines" discusses assessing one's strength and fitness level; an explanation on the types of exercises (Isometric, Isotonic, Plyometric, etc.); the necessity for a proper workout schedule and rest; the organization of one's workout for the individual; the goal(s) an individual may have; and on safety, injury and the body's reaction to an initial workout. Again, some of this can get a little technical and long-winded, but not so that the average high school-level reader can't understand what's being said.

"Part III: Exercise Techniques" goes into what everyone is probably looking for: how to do specific exercises. None of the exercises are too exotic; they cover all parts of the body; it's well-rounded, clear and concise. However, I found the chapter somewhat lacking on common mistakes people make when doing an exercise (there are blurbs, such as not to round your back on a deadlift). I think that's very important for the novice strength trainer, and the authors should have given more detailed descriptions or examples on common mistakes beginnners make. That said, it's a great section nevertheless.

"Part IV: Sample Programs" does what it says: give sample programs for the beginner, intermediate and advanced trainer. While the section gives plenty of examples, it encourages the reader to find a routine that works for them based on the information given. The book is good at giving that guidance.

Again the book is not meant for the most advanced weighttrainer. And it's not the type of book to simply open up to copy a sample routine or how to do a bent-over row. It's meant to be a guide for someone who's new to strength training. So the book should be read cover to cover before the reader creates a program for themselves. While the book can get technical in some areas, it's by no means a hard read. Anyone should have no trouble getting through the book in a day. Once they do, I'm confident they can fashion a workout routine that's safe, convenient (yet challenging), adaptable, and even fun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Choice!, October 3, 2008

By 

Dr. B Emeritus*D "BPU" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength Training (Paperback)

This book is an excellent choice for those wishing to learn about resistance training, exercise technique, adaptations to training, and key fundamental concepts for designing periodized training programs. This book is great for the beginner as well as the practitioner. Great buy, especially for the price!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for beginners, October 1, 2008

By 

Dr. K "AVK" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strength Training (Paperback)

great book for people looking to get started with training who don't have to much background knowledge. has all the info you need to know to at least put together a decent program. lots of pictures and exercises and for the price it's a great deal.