Product Description
O.K., so we weren't able to convince Paul to include a good recipe for chicken-fried steak, but what he did serve up is a humorous but insightful account of effective basic powerlifting training.Don't look here if you think your next gains come from going triple-ply or your next win depends on shopping for the right federation.Do stop by though if you think a little horse sense is just what's called for when it comes to basic training for powerlifting.96 pp. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

It Was Ok
This book was defiantly an interesting read and a very unique one also.The language used was really quite different and at times made the storyline hard to understand.As for the workouts I would like to see why Kelso is Qualified to write a book in the first place.Some seemed ok and he had a few good tips but for the most part I don't know if he is all that good at making routines for serious powerlifters.

5 stars, but be wary
One of my all time favorite books on weightlifting, and without question, the most entertaining.If you think of this book as a philosophy and older-brother type advice book, you will get a lot out of it.It is NOT a how to book.Don't buy it thinking it will tell you how to perform lifts.Get another book, DVD or have somebody teach you.But, if you are a beginner, it will probably save you a lot of time, energy and money searching for effective routines and sound advice.If you're intermediate, there is a ton to learn from this book.If you're advanced, you can still learn, and have a jolly time laughing while you recognize all the charecters in the book (and likely, yourself).As someone who grew up in the age of "what do you bench?" being the only measure of a man's strength, I once was one of the "3/4 of all ironheads who spend 3/4's of their time on the bench".The book in a nutshell:Why do you want to train?Train for that purpose using simple effective excercises in reasonably set up routines.Enjoy the ride, reach your max potential, and don't get caught up in how it compares to others potential.I wish I had known about this book when I started lifting at 18.If I had purchased this, instead of that Men's Workout, who knows what I could have done!It's a classic.

For the hardhead in all of us
Hopefully, Kelso's wisdom won't sail over the reader's head like a frisbie.This is a short, and very funny read, strongly imbued with East Texas culture. Through stories (partly truth and partly fiction) of his days as a teacher, with a powerlifting club (the Wampus Cats), Kelso imparts some fundamental and sound truths about lifting weights. He offers different routines that would benefit most lifters depending on their varying goals. Although he doesn't get much into the technique of the exercises (this isn't a book for rank beginners),most of the routines are fairly simple--which is part of their value (assuming you want to get strong, that is). All laughing aside, Kelso obviously knows a few things about weightlifting. Along the way, he skewers a lot of goofy ideas--most deriving from the bodybuilding world. All in all, a very enjoyable book.

Different
This is a very different approach compared to what I'm used to in books on this subject. However, it is interesting. He does give some useful principles of training along with the stories. I particularly liked Kelso's Laws and how he conveys the idea that less can actually mean more. I wouldn't call this a be all end all book on strength training, but I don't think such a thing has ever been published. It is an entertaining read and it provides good training advice.

great book
this book was very entertaining. It's not only good to read but if you look at the training programs they are excellent and work for the non-steroids average person. ... Read more

Product Description
A Practical Approach to Powerlifting is the official training manual for the International Powerlifting Federation IPF www.Powerlifting-IPF.com and details the complete technical analysis of the three powerlifts, with step-by step photos. Besides a complete guide to the squat, bench press, and deadlift, both for training and competition, this book also contains information on assistance exercises, powerlifting gear, program development, competition guidelines and much more.As well, it explains the use of the three powerlifting movements to sports training in all amateur (including Olympic, NCAA sports) and professional sports (including baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer). Both recreational and professional powerlifters, as well as athletes in any of the power sports, including Olympic lifters, track and field athletes, and players in all team sports, will benefit from the information presented in this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Whether you're a competitive powerlifter or an athlete who needs strength and explosive power for sports, Powerlifting has everything you need to develop a program incorporating the three powerlifts:

• Squat

• Bench press

• Deadlift

Photos clearly illustrating the phases of each lift are accompanied by detailed descriptions emphasizing correct technique—the key to maximizing your gains and avoiding injury.

Strength expert and powerlifting competitor Barney Groves shows how to combine the lifts into a program according to your training goals. Sample programs are included for men and women in six different weight categories. And expert powerlifters share tips that you can use to boost your own program.

Groves also explains what to eat to build strength and size, how to enhance your performance with approved supplements, how to get psyched up for lifting, and whatyou need to know to enter powerlifting competitions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great intro to the SPORT of POWERLIFTING!
A lot of folks confuse body building, weightlifting and power lifting. These are three sports that use similar equipment for different effect. It is important to explain this to avoid a lot of confusion and understand the authors target audience.

1. A bodybuilder is using a variety of exercises to have large and well defined muscles. While strength gains are real, the primary goal is to have a shapely body and the contests are based upon how good the contestant looks. There are numerous resources, magazines and so on available to the prospective trainee. Most people who "work out" are following one or more bodybuilding routines.

2. Weightlifting is a strength and speed exercise with many classic lifts such as the 'clean and jerk' - and this is the sport most people think of when they talk about weight training. This is an Olympic sport and has a lot of books and other references.

3. Powerlifting is mostly a strength exercise based upon 3 exercises: the Squat, the Bench Press and the Deadlift. This book is about this particular sport, and it is about these three lifts. If you want to know about this sort of lifting, the sport and the types of people that do this, as well as a taste of the types of diet and exercise programs people use to train, this is a good book.

*** It happens to be one of the only easily available books on the subject, as such it is a "must get" for the prospective Powerlifter. ***

The book is not a complete reference for an absolute beginner to weight training, but if someone is familiar with basic bodybuilding routines, and has done it for a little bit (a year of minimum training in my opinion) this is a great introduction into the sport of powerlifting. From some of the bios in the book, most of the people did bodybuilding for some time, and then discovered Powerlifting, and this probably should be no different.

The book does a great job of describing the lifts, how to perform them properly, and safely, and it explains routines for training, periodization for competition as well as how to set up your own powerlifting routine. You can glean a lot of information on the sport and routines for a variety of ages, body types as well as men and women form the book. It also has sections talking about how to have a balanced routine, which is important if you are to have a LONG powerlifting routine!

If you want to learn about POWERLIFTING (the sport) this is a great book! If you have some experience in bodybuilding and want to know more about some really core exercises as well as one possible way to expand you horizons with a new sport - pick this up!

Very vague program
I do realize that Grove's intent is to show us the basics and let us develop our own programs over time, but he leaves way too much food for thought.

The vagueness of the program, applies to it's incorporation into other sports, as well as powerlifting itself. For example, he tells us the deadlift and squat should be performed every 5-10 days and the chest twice a week, every 3-5 days, with one light day. What he doesn't tell us, is should we do the chest and deadlift on the same day since the muscles are different? And what does he mean by doing a "light" day for chest, when there is no explaination of this at all in the program? Are we just supposed to figure out our own system?

I also find it strange that Groves only gives 2 examples of other sports, where powerlifting can be used. One of which is basketball. You'd think he'd include a program for wrestling or Olympic weight lifting, but he didn't. Not only that, the exercises he lists, give no indication of how many sets, reps, or how his main program should be incorporated into that sport. He also tells you to a whole bunch of exercises, that aren't even listed in his book.

All I can say is, don't expect to follow this program properly unless you already have a good amount of knowledge of basic bodybuilding and it's exercises.

Solid start for powerlifters
I can't believe all the bad reviews this book is getting. Ive been into fitness for 12 years and seen far, far worse efforts by self-styled "experts".
I'm aware that power lifting is hard on the joints. So is every sport I can think of. Sad to say, as a weightlifter and martial artist, my sports have a lot of envy and gossip. The author is a professor of Physical Ed at a Virginia University. What are the qualifications of his critics?
If you want a book that shows real strengh training, get this one. It's about ten dollars used and twenty new. You won't be sorry.

Disappointing
Although it is informative to hear the views of an insider to Powerlifting, the author failed to warn people of the shortcomings of this unscientific and dangerous sport.

The author is obsessed with the definition of Power in the context of the laws of mechanics and entirely omits the physiological dimensions of muscular power. Powerlifting induces serious limitation in the range of motion of joints. Thus, many powerlifters would be crippled with knee injuries, back injuries, and shoulder injuries before too long.

The three powerlifting lifts (squat, bench press, deadlift) are arbitrarily chosen to represent the sport.Thus, powerlifters will fail to lift overhead, in upright position, due to frozen shoulders, stiff back, and worn knee cartilages.

Powerlifters should be advised strongly to stretch and enhance the range of motion of those three major regions. They also have to be told to plan for health insurance that covers serious knee injuries with life-long disability.

One must admit that training on Powerlifting is much better than doing nothing. Yet, better, is to lift weight from the floor overhead, standing on your own feet, even if it would require many months to develop the coordination and balance. Lifting in the deadlift is very "partial". Lifting in the "squat" tips the body extensors at the expense of the flexors. Lifting in the "bench press" freezes the shoulder joints in a narrow range of motion.The three lifts have to be balanced with full, floor-overhead, lifting and flexing exercises such as "pull-over", "weighted crunches", and "standing shoulder-press".

very useable for firewood
who is barney groves??????........and who are the supposedly national and world champions he presents in his book?????

as one who had been involved in powerlifting since it's inception as coach.....international referee.......and a 5 time world champion........i find this book to be a joke......mr groves may have meant well...but i find the book to be a piece of junk...written by a no name author ...giving incorrect information....using made up national and world champions to promote a book that teaches nothing........i guess anybody can make money on anything today in the good old u.s.a.

it does my sport a great disservice to present information like this to the general public......

the book should be rated as a comet not a star......i.e falling to earth and burning up is it's best chance of being useable
rickey dale crain ... Read more

Book Description
Powerlifting is a sport where strength plays a great part in an athlete's success, but there are many other factors involed in success in powerlifting. In Powerlifting For Men and Women: How To Lift Like A Champion, Lewis reveals the secrets he has learned about powerlifting in his 20 plus years of coaching the sport. Attitude, workouts, equipment, and nutrition, as well as technique for each lift are thoroughly discussed. This book gives the reader all the information, theories and tips he or she needs to begin lifting like a champion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Geared towards young kids
I was disappointd with this book.It should be re-titled to "Powerlifting for Boys and Girls" because the information in the book is completely irrelevant for adults.In addition, this book is useless for anyone who already participates in the sport of powerlifting (regardless of age).

I am dumber for having read this
A truly horrible book filled with equally horrid information.

It provides a simple and poorly set out cookie cutter training program that makes no sense at all.Squat Mon, Bench Tue (with stiff legged deadlift), Deadlift on Wed.For a meet on Sat.Which is fine if there is a meet on Sat but why train that way during the year?

After stating that women gain better strength by using high reps in the bench, he then states that most women will not improve their bench by more than 5-10 lbs per year.

Which is probably true if they are following the terrible advice in this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

good standard reference
I am not a powerlifter, but i weight train for fitness. I found this book to be very helpful in giving straightforward explanations of the importance of building a good strength base, and what exercises and approaches to use to achieve that. The different workout systems were clearly explained and the pictures and explanations of the exercises were clear. The diet information was also helpful and non technical. A nice addition to my fitness library (...).

Well explicited about strength training and supplementation.
I found this book extermely interesting and explanatory. Dr.Fred Hatfield (professionally known as Dr. Squat) presented the sport of powerlifting and bodybuilding in a way that even the "weekend warriors" canunderstand. And I have had this book for about 10 years now. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The good (?) old days.
The book is well written and I enjoyed it when I bought it back in the 80's.I re-read it a few years ago and threw it away.I sort of wish I hadn't.

If you're interested in how things were done years ago you might want to read this book but remember, there are reasons things are no longer done the way this book describes.

One thing that stuck in my mind was the tremendous amounts of meats that many of the lifters ate.No need for steroids back then when you're consuming all of that steroid packed red meat.

If you look at this from an historical perspective it's a great book to have.It has lots of good pictures of the old time greats.Don't base your beginning powerlifting career on the information in this book.

OKAY FOR YESTERDAY
MOSTLY YESTERDAY'S NEWS AND OUT OF DATE. IT DOES HAVE PHOTOS OF PAST CHAMPS WHICH IS COOL. OKAY FOR A SELF APPOINTED HISTORY GOOF.

an excellent introduction to the sport of powerlifting
I first read this book in 1979, and it helped me realize that there was more to lifting weights than trying to build a buffed bod. Powerlifting was fairly new back then, but the icons Todd profiles and their trainingroutines are still as relevent as ever.

powerlifting greats and the routines that made them such
An excellent series of biographies on some of the greats of the sport by Terry Todd, a former competitor. Includes features on some of the world's greatest squaters, bench pressers, and deadlifters, ie: Mike MacDonald,Larry Pacifico, Doug Young, etc. A true classic!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Borders Books
Borders Books is awsome, since it has all the hard to find books :) ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, published by American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) on September 1, 1998. The length of the article is 4512 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: It has been hypothesized that people would be able to improve their gross motor skills through enhanced sensitivity of their sensory perception. To test this hypothesis, volunteers were given tasks similar to those practiced by powerlifters. When visual clues were provided to participants regarding their attainment of the correct stance, their performance improved. However, when the visual stimuli are removed, their performance showed that they were dependent on the stimuli and integrated very little of the target skill.

Citation Details
Title: Specificity of practice: the case of powerlifting.
Author: Luc Tremblay
Publication: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 1998
Publisher: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
Volume: v69Issue: n3Page: p284(6)

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Book Description
This digital document is an article from Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, published by American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) on March 1, 2000. The length of the article is 427 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Motives of Male Athletes With Lower Limb Paralysis for Participating in the Organized Sport of Powerlifting.(Brief Article)
Publication: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2000
Publisher: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
Volume: 71Issue: 1Page: A-110

Article Type: Brief Article

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Book Description
This digital document is an article from Palaestra, published by Challenge Publications Limited on January 1, 1992. The length of the article is 804 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Powerlifting. (Demonstration Sports) (The 1991 ISSOG: Special Olympics International)
Author: Michael Paciorek
Publication: Palaestra (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 1992
Publisher: Challenge Publications Limited
Volume: v8Issue: n2Page: p29(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more