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

Authors: Eric Cressey, MS, CSCS and Matt Fitzgerald

Publisher: Da Capo Press (May 12, 2008)

Eric Cressey is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist out of the Boston Massachusetts area. He is co-owner of Cressey Performance and he specializes in strength training, corrective training, performance enhancement and is often known as the “shoulder guy” for all of the help and advice he has given over time to those with nagging shoulder injuries. He graduated from UCONN with a masters degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science.
My Review:

Maximum Strength: Get Your Strongest Body in 16 Weeks with the Ultimate Weight-Training Program is the perfect book for those in pursuit of pure strength and power. This book is an easy read and very entertaining. Even if you are not a power lifter or strength athlete, the principles laid out in this book can

serve as a solid platform to base any training off of.

Ch. 1-4

Eric explains his view point on why stronger is better than the typical pump training you might often times see in the gym. He explains in detail the positive factors that training for strength can have on an individual. Some of the positives are efficiency, real-world practicality, self-confidence boosting, better health and longevity. He gives a personal account on his experience with strength training and how it has greatly improved his life. In the 3^rd and 4^th chapter he outlines the program and sets a certain level of expectation for the readers.

These chapters cover the entire training program Eric is recommending for maximum strength. He takes you all the way from properly warming up to effectively executing every exercise with perfect form. This section is very detailed with regard to pictures, explanations, and suggestions for each particular lift. Eric did a very good job in explaining his system in an easy to understand format. He emphasizes the importance of proper warm ups, mobility drills and soft tissue work. I highly encourage all readers of the book to pay extra close attention to Chapter 5: Maximum Strength Warm-Ups. Putting this knowledge to use will keep an athlete’s body safe and in working order for the long haul. In chapters 6-9 Eric takes the reader through a 16 week weight workout that is varied and programmed for the best results possible in the span of 4 months.

Ch. 10-12

Eric covers nutrition, training attitude and how to implement a life-long approach to strength training in the final 3 chapters. He actually uses the principles of

Precision Nutrition by John Berardi for the dietary guidelines in the book. The main gist of those guidelines are pretty standard in terms of frequent meals(6x daily), consuming lean protein often, eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, making sure to get adequate amounts of essential fatty acids, and focusing on whole foods instead of pills and powders. He also devotes an entire chapter to the proper mentality that is necessary to get the most out of this type of training program. Then finally he gives his advice on taking a long term approach to strength training, and maintaining this lifestyle for health and longevity.

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a fan of Eric Cressey and what he has done for the fitness/strength training community. I am a frequent reader of his blog, and I stay up to date with his articles on various strength training websites.

Chapter 11: The Muscle Between Your Ears was by far my favorite section in the book. I will not give all the details and spoil the read, but I enjoyed Eric’s view on training mentality. I found that his ideology mirrored my thoughts almost exactly.

Remember to leave your cell phone in the car!!!

My Inner Critic:

The only part in the book that I have a differing view point is the nutrition section. In the book, he states if you follow the Precision Nutrition guidelines, tracking calories isn’t necessary. While this may be true for athletes who have a large energy expenditure, I find that it may be difficult for the average Joe or Jane who has a desk job and trains after work. I believe it’s important for the sedentary folks to watch their caloric intake more closely if they are focusing on maintaining their weight, slightly gaining or losing. I also feel that its very important to make sure one is getting a certain minimum of protein(at least 1g/lb) each day especially when on any type of strenuous training program. Another issue I have is that its not always possible for some to consume 6 meals a day. Usually for the 9-5 crowd it is simply easier to stick with the standard 3 meals a day, and some post workout nutrition. Also, some lighter females who may not have a high energy expenditure will most likely never get to have a satisfying meal when eating 6 times a day.

If you have already read this book, what were your thoughts?