Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks with the Ultimate Weight-Training Program

Most of the 23 million American men who lift weights do so to get bigger; unfortunately, many of them are going nowhere with watered-down bodybuilding routines that don't help them actually get stronger. Eric Cressey's cutting-edge four-phase program, featuring constant progression, variation, and inspiring goals, keeps you focused on increasing strength along with muscle mass, helping you achieve the fittest, most energetic, and best-looking body you've ever had--with fewer hours at the gym.

Spotlight Reviews
Must-read (2008-12-31)
Customer Review : 5
This book is a must-read. I heard a lot of hype about this book before purchasing, and I'm glad I finally bought it. I did the entire 4 month routine and honestly, my body feels better than it ever has in the past.

I was used to the traditional bodybuilding bodypart split of chest on Monday, legs on Tuesday, Arms on Wednesday, etc etc. For years, I just accepted that this was the way to train your body. I just dealt with back pain and shoulder pain as part of the "price of working out." Doing 5 exercises for your back in one day, and 5 exercises for your shoulders in one day is the absolute wrong way to train your body, unless you are an actual bodybuilder, but for the average fitness enthusiast, that just doesn't apply.

Eric's book outlines splitting your routines into upper body days and lower body days. The routines are easy to follow. Full detailed pictures, and explanations. One of the most important things he advocates is varying the rep range each week within the 4 week routine. You probably never have done any exercise of 8 sets of 2 reps or 10 sets of 3 reps. You have to keep in mind Eric is a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the goal of getting you stronger. I was hesitant, but you have to open your mind and try it.

My body feels stronger, and more balanced. There are a few non-traditional exercises that you probably have never heard of, or are hesitant to try out. My advice would be to do everything in the book to a T. It works. You may be reluctant to do so much deadlifting and squatting. You may have never hear of scapular push ups, walls slides, face pulls, or behind the neck band pull aparts. Open your mind. Follow the routines exactly and you will be glad you did. I know I am. Your body will feel so much stronger, more balanced, and your posture improves. I hope this doesn't sound like a 3 a.m info-mercial testimonial for the latest fitness product, because it's not. I'm a Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Gym Rat who has been lifting for 11 years. Open your mind, try the routines, follow to a T. Your body will thank you.

Delivers exactly what it says (2008-12-29)
Customer Review : 5
In a time where most muscle books don't put out anything innovative any more, Eric Cressey delivers something genuinely fresh. Obviously powerlifting style routines like the one in this book are not brand new, but putting one in a more mass market package like this is. Cressey makes powerlifting accessible to your average weight lifter and even to those who may not have much experience with resistance training at all.

The 16 week routine presented in the book makes use of a number of common and uncommon movements, many of which are not known to the average gym goer. Each movement is well explained and given to the reader in an unintimidating fashion. Cressey also presents a full chapter on dynamic flexibility warm-ups and soft tissue work with more depth than I've seen in any other book. Including those concepts in the program not only insure that the book's reader will get bigger and stronger, but that they'll improve their posture and remain injury free. Those factors are often overlooked in books like this but are very important to a resistance training program.

The book introduces a focus on lower repetition work like no other book I've read. For those of us that are interested in fitness from an aesthetic standpoint (looking good) and a performance standpoint, this book is a must have.


A fantastic resource!!!! (2008-12-19)
Customer Review : 5
Eric has written a book outlining a strength training program that anyone can do. I have been weight training for over 13 years, and had been looking for something new. This book is it. I am excited to hit the gym and challenge myself. Everything is thoughtfully explained and demonstrated with words and pics. From the warmup using foam rollers,a lacrosse ball and various stretches, Eric positions you to succeed. He is "your coach" throughout the 16 week program. Some of the exercises may seem different from what you are used to doing, but they each have a role. I have had an opportunity to meet Eric and see him and his staff work with his clients. His enthusiasm and energy are apparent, and I believe it has carried over into his book. I recommend the book as it has certainly motivated me to train harder and smarter and, more importantly, train for the long haul!

Terrific! (2008-12-07)
Customer Review : 5
You simply cannot go wrong with this book. Cressey pushes hard training and progression on the big basic exercises and inspires the reader to reach his/her full strength potential. It is is inspiring, informative and humorous all at once. It cuts through the mainstream crap and Eric explains wonderfully well why training for strength in the weight room is so important and the only way to go for drug free people wanting to get big and strong. Don't hesitate pick up this fine book.

Excellent book (2008-09-16)
Customer Review : 5
I purchased this book because I have read Cressey on T-nation and subscribe to his newsletter. I knew he would be one to write an excellent well rounded routine. It is hard to filter all the garbage routines that just over train an individual on press, press press your way to greatness. I love the balance his book gives you and the total strength you will gain from this approach. I would recommend this book to anyone on any level of fitness.
It is worth the money to buy the Magnificent Mobility DVD mentioned in the book, as well.
Thanks for a great addition to my gym library!