Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body (The Bigger Leaner Stronger Series Book 1)

I am not a body builder, but an average Joe, who has enjoyed sports and exercise throughout my childhood and young adult life. I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First it was a quick read, I think I read the whole thing in a day or two and absorbed most of the information I wanted to apply. I have not lifted "heavy" in many years as I attributed it to greater chance of injury. While I was familiar with the overload concept, I don't think I had practiced it in sometime, choosing to mix cardio and weights to mostly stay in shape. The second thing I liked is it gave a very simple workout plan, basically 3-4 exercises of 4-6 reps per workout. I have been using the variation suggested for 4 workout/week schedule, adding triceps to chest day and biceps to back day and eliminating the separate arm day. My arms get enough of a workout on these days and are big enough that they don't need their own day. Less than a month in I have had tremendous strength gains. To be fair, there was a time that I was much stronger than I am now, so these gains are not above and beyond where I have ever been, but they certainly are above and beyond where I was. I also found the in detail explanation or certain important exercises and the reference to bodybuilder.com for video explanation of exercises to be an excellent reference. Certain exercises require good form to prevent injury and to achieve the desired results of the exercise. I mostly workout by myself, which is unfortunate as I am aware that having a partner would benefit me in many ways as the book suggests and have found this all to be true in the past. One of the problems I am working through is my comfort level with the exercises at heavier weights (often using the Smith machine, which is frowned upon in the book for good reason). The diet information is okay, but I don't feel I should comment too much on it as I have not been following it. I eat relatively healthy, since the book I have been much better about post workout nutrition, but I am not a moderation kind of guy. So when I am eating healthy I eat healthy most of the time and then I eat a large pizza and a ice cream and cookies for dessert one night. Most importantly the results. It has been less than a month and so far they have been excellent. I weigh around 185 and about 5'10". I don't have a six pack or a gut, but have definitely lost some body fat since beginning, but probably not that much because of my diet or lack thereof. My strength gains have been great. I can deadlift and squat over 300lbs. and bench 265 (on smith machine, so a lot less on free weights). On top of this, I have lower back issues, but have been asymptomatic for many years now, instead of hurting my lower back, I believe deadlifts, squats and the core/ab exercises have significantly strengthened by lower back. Overall very happy with workout and information provided in the book as well as its "readability." Of note, I also find Mike's website to very informative. And Mike himself appears to be very available as well, responding to my only email so far within 1 day. I also bought his cookbook (shredded chef), which I flipped through, if one can do such a thing on a kindle. I was hoping it would inspire me get into a better diet routine.

Great book that offers more of a lifestyle than a fitness routine or "get fit quick" scheme. Mike offers clear direction and guidance on nutrition and fitness that anyone can implement and follow. The program is adaptable to any level of fitness, age, and available resources, i.e. home or local gym. Nutrition options are provided for cutting, bulking, and maintaining depending on your goals and weight. Strength training is distilled down to the basics, with 3-, 4-, and 5-day options depending on your available time. Mike also provides insights into the mental aspects of training and overall fitness, along with exercises to help discover your inner "why" for embarking on a lifestyle change. I appreciate the straight-forward writing style, and depth of information provided (research-based with sources quoted.

I really appreciated what Michael Matthews attempts to deliver with this book. I'm 40 and have been in the gym regularly for probably the last twenty years. Its really only been in the past four or five years that I've identified what works for me and what has been a waste of time. I've often thought, man, I wish somebody had just taught me this stuff twenty years ago. Especially because the "what works" really isn't that complicated. I think if I'd read a book like this a long time ago, I would have avoided wasting a lot of time in the gym or at least gotten more out of my time there. So I think anybody interested in getting fit would benefit from reading this book. The writing style is very accessible and conversational. The book is intended for guys who want to get fit - not guys who want to be competitive body builders. Matthews starts the book by defining a lot of the common terms one hears around the gym. That part is a little dry, but a necessary section of the book. The workout advice is very simple and straightforward. I was actually surprised by how little of the book had to be dedicated to "workout plans". It makes sense though, because that's pretty much the point. Your gym workouts don't NEED to be complicated. You just need to do a few very basic exercises consistently, with good form and with the correct goals in mind. The dieting advice is a little more complicated, and this is one area I would express some caution. If you are just getting started with getting in shape or getting back in shape, I really think these meal plans are difficult. They seem geared more to somebody who is in good shape and trying to go that extra mile to get "shredded" or whatever. Its just a thought. I did like the diet advice and looked at the meal plans as a guideline I could use to come up with something realistic for me. While I would still highly recommend this book, if you're more of a newbie, you might take a look at Nate Green's "Built for Show" book which was a big help to me in that "get going" phase. I found the dieting advice in particular there was very realistic in that phase. Really good book. Even as a guy who has been working out regularly, and doing fairly well the past few years, I got some good tips from this book and things that I'm trying and incorporating into my own routines. I'm looking forward to checking out his newest book soon!

Estupenda guia para el mundo del fitness con consejos de nutrición y entrenamiento tanto para pérdida de peso, mantenimiento y ganar masa muscular. La estructura un poco rara pero es fácil de leer y da muchos consejos que puedes ver aquí y allá pero compensa tener reunidos en un libro para referencia rápida. Incluye un enlace a la web para materiales varios del autor. Y encima, los métodos funcionan.

I read Bigger Leaner Stronger just over a month ago and from the get-go, I was taken aback by Mike's matter-of-fact approach to weightlifting, nutrition and general wellbeing. Since starting the program I've already made more than decent gains in strength and size, along with a mass of Mike's earnestly-acquired health and fitness tips that you just don't find elsewhere. The approach is simple, gradual and effective - most of all, it brings results and provides a great foundation and ideal workout structure for any weightlifter, new or experienced. I would recommend it to anybody looking to gain lean muscle without the pounds of fat that usually accompany it, without wasting hours on useless isolation exercises and steady-state cardio that most fall victim to. Do yourself a favour and buy this book.

I'm into fitness and gym stuff for more than a deacade. I wish I had this book when I was at the young age. It could opened my eyes on such a lot of information, studies, myths, etc. It's essential not only for a newebie but for all the people who share the passion for fitness. I love the writing , the simplicity, the practical way in which explains concepts, the studies that are made.. Good job Michael, awesome book. Keep up the good work 💪🏻

Reviewing after following the book for 5 months and only cutting. Whatever he wrote in the book worked for me even though i felt bit skeptical sometimes, only because i was unaware. Followed what he said without judgement and the results are there. Yes, you can get six pack without losing much muscle mass (anyone). Yes, it’s hard. For me, it was the diet. But then again it made me appreciate the food more. Thank you Michael for sharing your experience and valuable knowledge! If anyone wishes to get shredded, just follow the book and don't bother searching google or YouTube for the advice.

This is a very good book. It is very detailed ad gives you all the important tips for building muscle and getting stronger. The information is based on research articles and it is very clear. It gives you real expectations and also teaches you how to tune your routine and diet depending on your goals. It is definitely a great book.