| Every year, in every field of study, hundreds of new | | | | plan guaranteed to pack muscle mass on even the |
| books are published. But you if dig deep enough, you | | | | skinniest kids. While 30lbs of muscle in six weeks is a |
| will find a small handful of books that are considered | | | | stretch, anyone who follows the 20-rep breathing |
| must-read even though they may be hundreds of | | | | squats plus gallon of milk per day routine from this |
| years old. Case in point: In the field of advertising, | | | | book will definitely put on weight and build strength. |
| one of the must-read books is Scientific Advertising | | | | Like all the books on this list, Super Squats does a |
| by Claude Hopkins, published over 50 years ago. But | | | | great job of emphasizing just how important HARD |
| this ancient book is still one of the best. | | | | WORK is when trying to build muscle. |
| In fact, legendary ad man David Ogilvy states: | | | | #4: The Strongest Shall Survive: Strength Training For |
| Nobody should be allowed to have anything do with | | | | Football. By Bill Starr |
| advertising until he has read this book 7 times. So | | | | Bill Starr was the strength and conditioning coach for |
| what are the must-read classic texts for weight | | | | the 1970 Superbowl champion Baltimore Colts. And he |
| lifters? I've read hundreds of weight training books | | | | was Olympic and powerlifting champion. In short, the |
| over the years. But there are only FIVE that I | | | | man knows his stuff. This book was written for |
| consider to be true classic, must-read books. In fact, | | | | football players but the advice applies to anyone |
| I will take it one step further and say No one should | | | | wanting to get bigger, stronger and faster. Starrs |
| be allowed to pick up a barbell until they've read each | | | | legendary training program contains just three main |
| of these five books three times a piece. If I could go | | | | exercises - the squat, bench press and power clean - |
| back in time and force the 16-year old version of | | | | but many men have built massive muscle and |
| myself to read these books, I would be a much | | | | strength on Starrs routines. |
| bigger and stronger man today. So without further | | | | #5: Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training. By Mark |
| ado, here are my picks for top five classic books on | | | | Rippetoe & Lon Kilgore |
| weight training. | | | | The second edition of Starting Strength was |
| #1: The Complete Keys To Progress. By John | | | | published in 2007... so how did this book sneak into |
| McCallum | | | | my top five classic texts? In my opinion, 30 years |
| McCallums book comes across like advice from a | | | | from now, this book will still be one of best books |
| well-meaning uncle - if your uncle weighed 230 | | | | for weightlifters. Consider it an instant classic. What |
| pounds of solid muscle. The book is a collection of | | | | makes this book so good? For one, much of the |
| articles and each article seamlessly intertwines | | | | content of this book is based on classic weight |
| rock-solid advice with masterful storytelling. The book | | | | training principles. In fact, the author of Starting |
| covers all topics of interest, including weight lifting, | | | | Strength was coached by Bill Starr himself. |
| gaining weight, losing fat, quitting smoking, mental | | | | But the beauty of this book is in the highly-detailed |
| training exercises and everything else you need. | | | | descriptions how to properly perform the basic |
| #2: Beyond Brawn: The Insiders Encyclopedia on How | | | | exercises. A full-squat may look like a simple |
| to Build Muscle & Might. By Stuart McRobert. | | | | movement but I can't remember the last time I saw |
| Written with the hardgainer in mind, Beyond Brawn | | | | anyone in the gym perform a correct squat. Starting |
| contains simple, straight-forward and sensible advice | | | | Strength devotes over 80 pages to the proper squat |
| on how to build up your body, build strength and | | | | form. And while proper form may not sound like the |
| develop your physique. And the author is no | | | | most glamorous topics, this is crucial information. |
| arm-chair quarter back: In the book McRobert details | | | | Because using proper form allows you to lift more |
| the training cycle that allowed him to accomplish an | | | | weight and make faster strength gains. And ignoring |
| impressive strength feat: A set of 20 deadlifts with | | | | proper form sets the stage for painful and debilitating |
| 400lbs. | | | | injuries. So if you want to build strength, add muscle |
| #3: Super Squats: How to gain 30lbs of Muscle In Six | | | | and develop a stunning physique, find room on your |
| Weeks. By Randall J. Strossen | | | | bookshelf for these five classic books. |
| Despite the hyped-up title, this book details a sensible | | | | |