Beyond Bodybuilding: Muscle and Strength Training Secrets for The Renaissance Man Kindle Edition

Pavel Tsatsouline is one of those guys who produces stuff I like, backed by marketing I usually hate. He is one of the kings of the "OUR SYSTEM IS THE UBER BESTEST" style of marketing, which drives me crazy. On the other hand, I cannot deny that he has put out some good stuff, and Beyond Bodybuilding is no exception.This is not so much a book as a collection of articles, many of which first appeared in Muscle Media. The book is divided into eight sections, covering power training, training planning, training for various body parts (legs, chest, back, arms), and a section on bodyweight training. Each section includes several articles relevant to the section at hand, as well as a large Q andA section addressing many common concerns from trainees.The good thing about this book is that it contains a ton of information. The bad thing about this book is that it contains a ton of information. The information is all good, but the book isn't designed as a single, unified, plan. Indeed, there are easily a dozen different training plans in here, and some of them are contradictory. You cannot do everything in this book at once; pick and choose carefully based on your goals.For that reason, I wouldn't recommend this book to a new lifter. There's just too much info here, and it's too confusing. If you are new to lifting, and want some solid, basic, strength training, check out Pavel's Power to the People, or a similar book (I hear good things about Starting Strength, but haven't read it yet). On the other hand, if you've been lifting for a while, and are looking for a new routine or some ideas to spice things up, this is a great resource to have on hand. I know I'll be using it.

I don't normally write reviews, but I had to this time. This was my 1st Pavel book. I've read probably 10 other books on lifting weights, plus the 15-20 full workout programs I have in Ebook format. This book is by far the best.Beyond Bodybuilding offers enough whole workout programs to keep anyone busy for years, if you tried them all. I was very impressed by the range of exercises and programs, and also by Pavel's basic premise: instead of being all show (as we know most bodybuilders are) don't you want to actually be strong, instead of just looking strong?There are hints and tricks I haven't seen anywhere else, such as how to engage your lats more when doing pullups. There are similar hints for maximizing all of the major exercises. The book is logically broken into different sections for legs, chest, back, arms, etc. There is even a section on body weight-only exercises, that also has several tips I haven't seen anywhere else. This book truly has it all.The complaints I have are very minor. The first is my own fault, I bought the Kindle edition. The exercise photos & workout charts never come out right on Kindle editions, so I wish I would have bought the printed version. Second, as many others mention, Pavel often writes in a cheesy Russian way ("comrade") although I usually enjoyed it. He has a good sense of humor.The only major drawback I can see is that this book may be tough to understand if you're a novice. The scientific terminology and muscle terms aren't for beginners. On the other hand, if someone can just do what Pavel says (and not need to understand why) this book would be all you would ever need. Having spent a lot of money and time on other books, I wish I would have gotten this one first! I'm now happily buying "Power to the People."Ryan HooverAuthor of Immortal Implements, available on Amazon

I have been exercising for 30 plus years. This book has many great ideas for strength training. I increased significantly all my lifts over 3 months with routines Pavel has written about.

I'm 54 years old. I just finished a career in the military of 27 years the last 14 in Special Operations. We all stayed in pretty good shape but some of us really worked to excel. I've read about weight training for over 30 years but until I read this book I did not realize I was missing an essential key to strength. Looking back I was in a perpetual over-trained state! I don't know how I managed to gain strength at all but it was in spite of my efforts rather than because. I was medically retired due to injury and now I use Pavel's techniques in this book to maintain a reasonable fitness level despite the pain that accompanies the injury.I can't possibly convey how glad I am to find this book. Only one thing! I wonder how far I could've gone if I had followed these techniques all those years!?! One thing for sure I would have felt more energized rather than perpetually exhausted. I thought that was just the price I had to pay.

One of the best books on strength training I've read. I read it several years ago and it is still incorporate many aspects in my weekly routines. Owned in as a pdf and just bought the physical book.

Lived up to the hype. Learn A LOT of New Techniques to take my workout to the next level:) Pavel is the real deal;)

It seems this was a series of articles put together. There's almost too much variety and at times and it seems like there can be some contradiction. If you are well motivated, focused on specific goals, and patient in your reading you will find value in this.

Very informative

Excellent advice as usual.

Assuming the continued references to comrades back in mother Russia etc don't become to irritating, there is a LOT of good information here.

Very good. Present for my son.

A variety of Excellent training nuggets