This is, without question, a superb book. Guys, where were you when I was fumbling through the squat and the deadlift ten years ago, falling over and smashing the bar into my shins? This straightforward book contains an immense amount of practical information about several basic lifts: squat, bench and overhead presses, deadlift, and the power clean. Each chapter examines a different lift in great detail (the squat section alone is about 50 pages), explaining everything from the biomechanics of the movement to how to teach it to others. I thought I knew just about all there was to know about these lifts, but I was mistaken. The authors’ knowledge is encyclopedic and their treatment of the subject exhaustive. Lifts are literally explained from head (looking forward) to toe (curl them up and drive through heels).

Along with explaining correct exercise technique in meticulous detail, the book is full of handy little tips such as looking for shirt folds on the lifter’s back to ensure that spinal extension has occurred, using strategically placed duct tape to get wrists into the proper position (no word, though, on how to get it off without some unpleasantness), or how to troubleshoot common form problems. The book concludes with a chapter on training programming so that coaches and lifters can begin to develop training programs based on their own needs.

I would call this book an absolute must for any beginner as well as any coach. The practical advice is excellent.

I have only one complaint with this otherwise fabulous text: dude, where’s my chick? Nearly every one of the many, many photos in this book shows men demonstrating the lifts. There is only one photo near the end showing a female lifter, with the caption, “Weight training is for everyone regardless of age, gender and sport.” Great message, but in the second edition of the book, it would be super to back it up with some visual proof. Beginners often need encouragement and to see themselves represented, so it would be nice to see a variety of lifters demonstrating the lifts. I’m told that the authors tried to find women for the pics, but weren’t able to do so. So grrls, if you’ve ever fancied being a lifting celebrity, drop ‘em a line! Rumour has it that we can expect more from these folks, and I eagerly anticipate the next version of their literary coaching.

Krista Scott-Dixon
Stumptuous.com, Women’s Weight Training