3 ms·

For me, the three book series “Tactical Barbell” are pretty much unbeatable. Pick one of the three books depending on what your current goals are.

scruple 5y ago
Came to mention TB, as well. I've been running it for years (I originally learned about it from a HN comment) and believe that I will probably use it, or some variation of the protocols, for the rest of my life. That said, if I were new to barbell training, I would pick up the Starting Strength book and read it cover to cover to understand the mechanics of the main compound lifts. Then I would pick up the Greyskull LP program and run it (it's more or less the SS program but with some sanity in the progression and it doesn't ignore conditioning) until I was regularly hitting plateaus on the main lifts. Then I'd transition to the TB protocols starting with base building and going from there based on my goals and other fitness related endeavors. edit/ I'd also encourage people to read TB I: Strength, TB II: Conditioning, Mass Protocol, and the Ageless Athlete entry. I incorporate pieces of all 4 of these books into my training week. Additionally, there is another book specific to law enforcement that has interesting information in it. And, on top of that, there are 2 new books being worked on at the moment.
- christoph 5y ago
  It’s a good point about SS. I kind of forgot about years of other books and programs, learning how to lift with good form, none of which TB really covers. TB just makes so much sense day to day. I think that the fact it is designed around you staying actually fully functional day to day, and not a worn out mess from a crazy amount of lifting is the key. You get serious gains but also still feel human. The workout “Black on Oxygen” is maybe one of the best all round routines I’ve ever done. I’ve never found anything that tops it.

scruple 5y ago

Came to mention TB, as well. I've been running it for years (I originally learned about it from a HN comment) and believe that I will probably use it, or some variation of the protocols, for the rest of my life. That said, if I were new to barbell training, I would pick up the Starting Strength book and read it cover to cover to understand the mechanics of the main compound lifts. Then I would pick up the Greyskull LP program and run it (it's more or less the SS program but with some sanity in the progression and it doesn't ignore conditioning) until I was regularly hitting plateaus on the main lifts. Then I'd transition to the TB protocols starting with base building and going from there based on my goals and other fitness related endeavors. edit/ I'd also encourage people to read TB I: Strength, TB II: Conditioning, Mass Protocol, and the Ageless Athlete entry. I incorporate pieces of all 4 of these books into my training week. Additionally, there is another book specific to law enforcement that has interesting information in it. And, on top of that, there are 2 new books being worked on at the moment.

christoph 5y ago
It’s a good point about SS. I kind of forgot about years of other books and programs, learning how to lift with good form, none of which TB really covers. TB just makes so much sense day to day. I think that the fact it is designed around you staying actually fully functional day to day, and not a worn out mess from a crazy amount of lifting is the key. You get serious gains but also still feel human. The workout “Black on Oxygen” is maybe one of the best all round routines I’ve ever done. I’ve never found anything that tops it.