Science and Practice of Strength Training Hardcover – April 9, 2020

I purchased this book after seeing Louie Simmons flipping through an earlier version on a documentary video tilted, ‘Westside vs the World’ (on Amazon Prime). Mr. Simmons is also a renowned trainer of some of the strongest powerlifters in the world as well as a strength innovator and also the inventor of the reversal hyper machine. Mr. Simmons also – based on some Soviet strength manuals – developed the Conjugate System for powerlifter development. So, Louie Simmons, a subject matter expert, flipping through the book combined with positive reviews on Amazon, I bought the book. It was a mistake.The book contains 14 Chapters: Basic Concept of Training Theory; Task-Specific Strength; Athlete-Specific Strength; Training Intensity; Timing in Strength Training; Exercises Used for Strength Training; Velocity in the Weight Room; Injury Prevention; Overreaching, Overtraining, and Recovery; Monitoring Athletes in the Weight Room; Goal-Specific Strength Training; Strength Training for Women; Strength Training for Young Athletes, and Strength Training for Senior Athletes. Given the scope of the chapters it is a very basic overview, perhaps better suited for a college freshman physical education orientation. So how basic? Well, on page 216, to evaluate evidence in the development of a strength training programs it tells you to 1) Develop the question, 2) Search for evidence, 3) Evaluate the evidence, 4) Incorporate the evidence, 5) Confirm the evidence, and 6) Reevaluating the evidence. Additionally, the Chapter on Monitoring Athletes in the Weight Room directs you to consider logistics, technology, test familiarization, short and long-term monitoring, and order of testing when developing a testing protocol. Just too basic and simplistic for my use.At $99.00 not the book I wanted and not enough usable information for the price.For better value and better information, I do have a few recommendations:1) Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy by Brad Schoenfeld. Hands down the best book out there on the development of muscle hypertrophy. Has a couple sample programs, includes a bit on protein utilization, and touches on aging and occlusion training.2) Designing Resistance Training Programs by Steven J. Fleck and William J. Kraemer. Excellent coverage from muscular endurance through max strength with programming recommendations. My go to book on muscular development.3) Essentials of Sports Performance Training (NASM). Industry standard on general athletic development (mobility, agility, strength, endurance, etc). If you’re going to buy one book on developing full-spectrum athletic potential – this is the one. Yep, has a couple sample programs4) NSCA’s Guide to Program Design (NSCA). A stripped-down version of Essentials. Covers resistance, power, agility, endurance, and agility, etc in a focused fashion. Includes sample plans. I would recommend this book and Essentials for complete athletic development.In summary, if you want an expensive freshman-level orientation to strength training that has minimum usable information then buy the Science and practice of Strength Training. If you actual usable information then look to the others.