Science and Practice of Strength Training (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: slow motor fibers, repeated effort method, maximal effort method, Task-Specific Strength, Athlete-Specific Strength, Olympic Games (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's now in its second edition and it's a great book. Here's why. The authors have combined Eastern European and North American resistance training practices to present a truly global perspective on current theories on how athletes should train. Compared to the first edition, this edition is much more practical."
Bigger Faster Stronger

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This manual examines muscle strength from a biomechanical and physiological perspective, and shows athletes how to use basic scientific principles to improve muscular strength. The book also discusses training theory and the factors which determine muscle strength, and shows how to apply this information by using proven methods based on data gathered from the training logs of more than 1000 leading Eastern European Olympic and world-class athletes. The book contains more than 30 case studies and sample problems which explain these methods.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 243 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873224744
• ISBN-13: 978-0873224741
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #840,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For a practical understanding of strength..., March 9, 2000

By	John Turkynak (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Zatsiorsky's book is a well presented foundation for learning the concepts behind strength training. The book is primarily directed towards a coach's perspective, but anyone can benefit from it.

The textbook layout is straightforward and includes data gathered from trained athletes. It begins with some basics of strength conditioning. Less knowledgable readers will benefit from these first chapters. The book then progresses to cover training, timing and exercising. Zatsiorsky includes some decent ideas about injury prevention as well.

Overall, it's not an excyclopedia with all the answers. The goal is not to provide generic routines for readers, but to provide the basis for readers to custom design their own routines. I've found this to be a very useful. My thanks to the author.

P.S. Thanks for your recommendation, Louie Simmons!

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Decades of experience, April 9, 2003

By	Lincoln F. Brigham Jr. "Lincoln" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is based on decades of methodically documented training of Russian athletes. Rather than use hypothesis of what training methods SHOULD work, found so commonly in U.S. training literature, what you'll read in this book is scrupulous analysis of what actually worked and what didn't work. There is no equivalent in the U.S. athletic training system; no one has tracked and scientifically analyzed the training of U.S. athletes like the Russians did with their centralized training programs.

This is a must-read book for serious sports strength and conditioning coaches. It's a little too technical for the average fitness trainee, however. The format is a bit like a scholastic textbook, not a how-to book.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book exploring many facets of strength training., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

The author has an extraordinary grasp of both the theory and practice of strength training. It is not, however, for those frightened of a bit of science. One of the more enlightening aspects is his explanation of the relationship between force and speed and the consequences of coaches failing to understand that relationship.

Zatsiorsky has a depth of knowledge related to the strength requirements for many sports and activities gained from his many years experience in the former Soviet Union.

This is probably the best book I have yet read relating to strength training.