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Sports & Fitness Weightlifting

Best Weightlifting Books

Updated July 2024
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
Classic Guide

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

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Classic Guide
Bottom Line

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

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.

Best Bang for the Buck
Frederic Delavier The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Frederic Delavier
The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Build Lean Muscle

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

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Build Lean Muscle
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. Provides easy to understand graphics. Excellent breakdown of muscle-specific exercises, along with do’s and don’ts.

Cons

Lacking in some strength training points that advanced bodybuilders or physical therapists might notice.

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)
Expert Recommended

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

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Expert Recommended
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.

Greg Everett Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Greg Everett
Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Specialized Information

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

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Specialized Information
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.

Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams Core Performance
Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams
Core Performance
Most Versatile

According to our fitness expert, this book focuses on core exercises and is a must-read for strength-training enthusiasts.

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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

According to our fitness expert, this book focuses on core exercises and is a must-read for strength-training enthusiasts.

Pros

This book explains how elite athletes train, and although serious strength-training enthusiasts will get the most use out of it, it also provides guidelines for beginners and intermediate weightlifters. It also details ways to get a full-body workout in under an hour.

Cons

It lays out a six-day workout plan which may be difficult for beginners to follow.

Why trust BestReviews?
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. About BestReviews  
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. About BestReviews  
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.About BestReviews 
How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
October 11, 2021
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Written by Samantha Bookman, and fact-checked by Judd Nesmith
Updated July 2024

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.

Expert tip
Before you purchase a weightlifting book, make sure you understand the difference between Olympic Lifts, Power Lifting, and Body Building. Each type of weightlifting routine delivers very different results and many books only highlight one category.
Judd NeSmith
BestReviews Fitness Expert

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.

Our Top Picks
Mark Rippetoe
Best of the Best
Mark Rippetoe
Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition
Bottom Line
Loaded with details on proper power lifting, this classic weight training book is a must for all levels of lifters, according to our fitness expert.
Shop Now
Frederic Delavier
Best Bang for the Buck
Frederic Delavier
The Strength Training Anatomy Workout
Bottom Line
For novice body builders learning why muscles are trained in a specific way, this weightlifting book provides many of the answers.
Shop Now
Michael Matthews
Top Pick
Michael Matthews
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (Second Edition)
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.
Shop Now
Greg Everett
Top Pick
Greg Everett
Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches
Bottom Line
Unnecessarily wordy, but highly detailed instruction on Olympic-style lifting that will help in getting bigger power lifting gains.
Shop Now
Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams
Top Pick
Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams
Core Performance
Bottom Line
According to our fitness expert, this book focuses on core exercises and is a must-read for strength-training enthusiasts.
Shop Now
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