Best Weightlifting Books

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

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.

The Strength Training Anatomy Workout

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

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

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.

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

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

Michael Matthews

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

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.

Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches

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

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

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.

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

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

Matt Foreman

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.

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.