Best Weightlifting Books

Updated October 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Mark Rippetoe Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
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Bottom Line

Loaded with details on proper power lifting, this classic weight training book is a must for all levels of lifters.

Pros

Introduces beginners to power lifting and provides excellent advice on lifting with correct form. Plenty of technical info for novice, intermediate, and advanced weight training.

Cons

Information overload is a risk for beginners trying to learn from this book. Alternative lifting methods aren’t always explained clearly.

Best Bang for the Buck
Frederic Delavier The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Frederic Delavier
The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
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Bottom Line

For novice body builders learning why muscles are trained in a specific way, this weightlifting book provides many of the answers.

Pros

Supplements the author’s volume on anatomy with a guide to workouts with strength and body building in mind. Excellent breakdown of muscle-specific exercises, along with do’s and don’ts.

Cons

Lacking in some strength training points that advanced body builders or physical therapists might notice. Dumbbell and bodyweight specific exercises only.

Michael Matthews Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)
Michael Matthews
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)
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Bottom Line

A very good guide to general weightlifting combined with nutrition to achieve strength gains and weight loss, aimed squarely at novice to intermediate weightlifters.

Pros

Presents classic body building concepts in an engaging package that can inspire novice to intermediate lifters to get better gains. Combines workout plans with nutrition guide.

Cons

May be too complex for beginning lifters, and too simple for seasoned athletes. Older lifters may want to supplement this book with a wider range of material. A tad too marketing heavy.

Greg Everett Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Greg Everett
Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
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Bottom Line

Unnecessarily wordy, but highly detailed instruction on Olympic-style lifting that will help in getting bigger power lifting gains.

Pros

Packed with photographs of lifting techniques. Includes chapters on correcting errors in form, strength programming, and flexibility. Helps lifters of all levels exponentially improve their Olympic lifts.

Cons

Often too wordy when explaining even simple movements. Geared toward novice and intermediate lifters, less so toward competitive lifters.

Matt Foreman Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond
Matt Foreman
Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond
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Bottom Line

Fills an important niche in the weightlifting field, with key information for older lifters, but could stand to bulk up its training and nutrition sections.

Pros

A fast read, well-edited, and concise. Includes basic lifting info for beginners and novices just learning power lifting. Engaging, supportive commentary on starting or continuing in the sport.

Cons

Somewhat lacking in age-specific instruction for lifters above intermediate skill. Could bulk up its nutrition section. Supplemental lifting texts may be needed by some.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

35 Models Considered
14 Hours Researched
2 Experts Interviewed
60 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Weightlifting books are available to teach you everything you need to know about weightlifting. These books include technical insights related to the science of weightlifting. Furthermore, the books feature expert tips and recommendations to help individuals achieve the best-possible results. They are frequently written by professional weightlifters and intended for weightlifters of all ages and skill levels. A weightlifting book often includes photographs of assorted lifting techniques and exercises. Books may feature chapters on strength programming, flexibility, and other weightlifting topics. A book may highlight the do's and don'ts of weightlifting. Weightlifting books typically feature commentary from a wide range of weightlifting experts. Some books include convenient workout plans and nutrition guides, among other related topics.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding
Michael Matthews
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation
Frederic Delavier
Strength Training Anatomy, 3rd Edition
Kyle Hunt
Bodybuilding For Beginners
Quinn Henoch
Weightlifting Movement Assessment & Optimization
Sean Hyson
The Men's Fitness Exercise Bible
Dr. Josh Jaquish
Weight Lifting Is a Waste of Time
Ross Edgley
The World's Fittest Book
Mladen Jovanović
Strength Training Manual
Dan John
Never Let Go
Men's Health Magazine
Men's Health Best:
Andy Xiong
The Simple Science of Muscle Growth
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding
Josh Bryant
Tactical Strongman
Frederic Delavier
Women's Strength Training Anatomy Workouts
Katrin Davidsdottir
Dottir
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Total Recall
Felix Harder
Gym Bible
Pavel Tsatsouline
The Naked Warrior
K. Black
Tactical Barbell
Jim Stoppani
Encyclopedia of Muscle & Strength
Jim Wendler
Beyond 5/3/1
Ernestine Sheperd
Determined, Dedicated, Disciplined To Be Fit
Jonathan Goodman
Ignite the Fire
Nicholas A. Evans
Bodybuilding Anatomy
Michael J. Boyle
New Functional Training for Sports
Boldstrive
The Lift Log Workout Journal
Cossac
Fitness Journal & Workout Planner
FL FITNESS LOGBOOK
Undated Workout Journal
GymPad
Workout Journal & Fitness Book
See more
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Michael Matthews

Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)

Michael Matthews

Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)

A very good guide to general weightlifting combined with nutrition to achieve strength gains and weight loss, aimed squarely at novice to intermediate weightlifters.
$13
×

Mark Rippetoe

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition

Mark Rippetoe

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition

Loaded with details on proper power lifting, this classic weight training book is a must for all levels of lifters.
$28
×

Greg Everett

Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches

Greg Everett

Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches

Unnecessarily wordy, but highly detailed instruction on Olympic-style lifting that will help in getting bigger power lifting gains.
$44
×

Matt Foreman

Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond

Matt Foreman

Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond

Fills an important niche in the weightlifting field, with key information for older lifters, but could stand to bulk up its training and nutrition sections.
$29
×

Frederic Delavier

The Strength Training Anatomy Workout

Frederic Delavier

The Strength Training Anatomy Workout

For novice body builders learning why muscles are trained in a specific way, this weightlifting book provides many of the answers.
$18
Our Top Picks
Mark Rippetoe Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Best of the Best
Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Shop Now
Frederic Delavier The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Best Bang for the Buck
Frederic Delavier
The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Shop Now
Michael Matthews Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)
Michael Matthews
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)
Shop Now
Greg Everett Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Greg Everett
Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Shop Now
Matt Foreman Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond
Matt Foreman
Olympic Weightlifting for Masters: Training at 30, 40, 50 & Beyond
Shop Now