Nice overview of the basics of Stronglifts 5x5
937095
This book gives a very good overview of the Stronglifts 5x5 program. The author also has a great sense of humor which makes it easy to read. While you can get the entire Stronglifts 5x5 on the web, this gives you enough info to get you started or at least know what the program is about.
3933902
This book is perfect for the experienced weightlifter wondering what to do after the days of newbie gains are a distant memory. Bigger Leaner Stronger is great for making the most of newbie gains and continue making gains for those who are more experienced. Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger, however, is perfect for those who are reaching the point where progress is becoming difficult.
Here are my gains over the past 8 weeks compared to my previous 8 week gains
Exercise--------Beyond BLS Program-------Previous Program---Change in Gains
Bench Press----------20 lbs.---------------------10 lbs.---------------10 lbs. (2X)
Deadlift---------------40 lbs.---------------------10 lbs.---------------30 lbs. (4X)
Military Press---------15 lbs.---------------------5 lbs.----------------10 lbs. (3X)
Squat-----------------30 lbs.---------------------10 lbs.---------------20 lbs. (3X)
  I have been lifting weights using these exercises for about two years now so I am normally just thrilled to see modest progress every two months. My gains using Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger are not just great because they are fairly large but also because I continually made gains most weeks.
  There are also chapters on everything from the Paleo Diet (healthy but don't need to take it to extremes) to breaking through weightlifting plateaus (signs of physical impediments like overtraining, how to increase rep range or weight etc.).
  Finally, the best part is the free bonus report at the end of the book which provides a year's worth of workout plans. I use these workout plans while keeping track of my progress and have been thrilled with my results!
2067120
Great set of exercises with in depth descriptions of form. End of the book includes a week by week detailed workout plan to help you make the most of your building strength. Using to help me plan out some of my own bodyweight classes
4004293
Deadlift and press course. Contains a good chapter on periodization and the usual dragon door fluff. Pavel's stuff is fun and interesting and this is a great program.
3464644
Its a nice simple book with the basics explained very clearly. Its all that matters really in the long term, to have your fundamentals clear. How to eat what to eat, how to balance meals proportions. Basic core exercises, other strengthening exercises and how to maximise gains. With no background in weight training this was a fresh start for me and extremely useful.
Great buy for the price and would recommend surely!. Also Mike will give you feedback personally on any questions or doubts you might have. Thats a big added bonus in my opinion.
2133154
As someone who has lifted weights for years, this was a good refresher on basics but also a has a lot of great information for getting back at lifting.  The author very knowledgable, accessible, and offers a lot of great extra's to help clarify anything.
4511570
This book has a good depth of information without dragging it down, and has some concrete action steps and plans. Unlike most fitness books which are vague this gives us a solid direction to start.
4966314
I like this book because it outlines workout routines from the basics to advanced techniques. The book has helped me to build up my explosive strength for the 400 meter sprint during the offseason of track. I am going into my senior year of high school and I'm one second from breaking my school's 400 meter record, and I believe this book has unlocked my potential to do just that.
4910154
So far I'm happy with this. It's helping me get in shape. The workout plans are great for a beginner like me with no real experience in the gym, we'll see how the results pan out down the road. A nice reference to have though for learning new exercises or planning a workout
1167599
I'm doing Wendler 5/3/1, which dictates how much I'm supposed to lift as a percentage of my one rep max, leading to a lot of numbers that don't end in 0 or 5 (the only amounts you can get to with the standard plate set, where 2.5 lbs is the smallest plate). Using fractional plates is necessary for following the program, especially for the smaller lifts, where the difference of a couple of pounds can be the difference between failing on the last rep vs. getting it. The plates I got fit on the bar and they're the right weights, which is really all they need to do.
3463133
Far more concise and much better organized than some of Pavel's other books, this is old school, free weight, power lifting.  It is targeted at those with some weight training experience, and addresses the technical "how to" aspects of each lift without delving into needless detail, emphasizes lifting safely, and is loaded with tips for improving.  In general, Pavel recommends lifting heavy weights, focusing on good form while limiting the reps, performing multiple sets, and avoiding lifting to failure.  Lifting to failure is almost certain to result in bad form, and bad form is almost certain to result in waste of time or injury.

It is divided into sections, such as Back, Legs, Neck & Shoulders, Bodyweight, etc., and also offers training advice - several specific programs you can follow, or better yet, adapt to your preferences.  While no specific program is recommended over another, this is fine, as the information is helpful for deciding what works best for you.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because: (1)  throughout the book, the primary model is shown wearing "flip-flops," which are unsafe for serious powerlifting; (2) there is no specific section on grip work, although it is addressed to some extent in the other sections; (3) there is little information on the importance of stretching; and (4) because only a paragraph is devoted to the trap bar (my favorite type of bar for deadlifting).  But this is an excellent book.
1538080
This is a very helpful book for beginners trying to learn more about Calisthenics. The book is very comprehensive, covering a wide variety of exercises. It also contains very helpful dieting information, and common mistakes to avoid. It did have a number of spelling and grammar mistakes, but the underlying content was very helpful and useful.
437319
Straight forward lifting and training advice from someone who's succeeded.  I've borrowed some of the training principles from his programming and have experienced gains where I was previously stuck.
181340
The bulk of the book is visual examples and instruction on various exercises and they are done well.  It shows a person doing it and has text along with it of important things to keep in mind when doing the exercise shown.  Then in the back of the book it has programs for various fitness levels and the page number to refer back to where the exercise was demonstrated and explained.

I like that some of the exercises show an easier variation or harder variation for people who want to modify it for their ability. I always have to modify certain exercises. For example I have a knee that acts up now and then so I don't do anything that has me on my knees.  For push ups I do wall push ups instead.  I rarely do lunges or squats that are hard on the knees.

Level 1 is described as "for those new to the gym or out of practice" and yet there are exercises in their program like box jump that come on now don't belong there and would likely get a person injured if they tried it at that level.
375807
Good selection of routines with focus on basic poses that then become more challening.  Watch the basics and work with the moves and you will get the hang of them.

There are routines that focus on relaxing and others are on strength, enough here to cover anything I wanted and the instruction is clear.

I like this alot.
4850287
I have owned this book since 2001, and the principles outlined have been a regular staple in my training.  This is not to say that I have done the exercises in this book at the exclusion of all else for the last 8 years.  But rather, I have regularly included cycles in my yearly exercise routine that focus on the concise, abbreviated, and basic exercises cited in this work.

There are some negative reviews on this product in which the reviewer(s) make the complaint that there is very little scientific research which is sourced.  I would counter this complaint by saying that such a claim is not relevant for the scope of this book.  This book seems to be designed to lay out a basic 'strength only' routine, and is not designed for competitive weightlifters, powerlifters, or strongmen... unless they use the routine on what would for them be a 'lighter cycle' or a 'back-off period'.

Instead, the book seems designed for non athletes, or people who enjoy keeping fit and strong in a way functional to their everyday lives and health... and appearance.  This is the category I fall into, and because of that, I read the info in this book, test it, and use it if it works.  I have not the time, nor the inclination to launch an in depth study of various training modalities and their respective sources, so that I can smartly post a review on Amazon.

There is also a series of complaints claiming the lifts are dangerous, and the workload unbalanced.  Again, I would assert that this is false.  Any exercise in existence is dangerous when done incorrectly and under significant load.  So long as the exercises in this book are approached with reasonable technique and loaded within your lifting means, there is no danger.  I have to underline that I've periodically repeated use of this program over the last 8 years, and it has been wonderful every time.

A program like this one is perfect during periods when your time is short, i.e., lots of overtime at work, some large scale home project, etc.  You can do the work in 20 minutes, and then get on with life.  Volume can be added when your schedule returns to normal.  I feel it is a solid, highly versatile and customizable routine, and I'm sure it will remain a staple in my exercise routine.

The reason I gave this product 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the hype and ad copy on the book itself.  In particular, there is a claim on the back cover about being ripped and so forth.  This book is not a book with any focus on adipose loss, and losing bulk will certainly require another method be included in your training.  This is a strength regimen. And while increases in muscular mass or density should burn more calories, please do not expect to look like one of the cast of the movie "300" by using this program alone.
3101897
Although this book at times seems to be mediated more through Pavel than it is Bolton (i.e. who knows whether Andy Bolton actually ramped up his strength using kettlebells and RKC planks) it is a great guide for both the novice and the accomplished lifter. One of the greatest themes Andy/Pavel maintain throughout the book is a tutorial on how to stay tight in any powerlift, and how it specifically aids your strength.