The Muscle and Strength Pyramid: Training

I have been following Andy Morgan for a while on his website and have read quite a lot (most?) of what he has written. I have enjoyed it and found it useful. But, as a trainee that is easily distracted by some new article, ”evidence”, better way of training I have found it difficult to be consistent and get the gains I probably should have got. Therefore, this book (I also have the one on Nutrition) is absolutely fantastic. It’s clear, quite easy to read (although as non native English I find it sometimes challenging) and very throughout with information. Using a pyramid to help building the information, with a foundation and then add new knowledge in order of importance is very clear and easy to follow approach of gaining knowledge. I’m confident that the book will allow me to understand more than enough to be useful for many years to come and to stay focused on the important things instead of wasting time on nonsense. Even if I’m not there yet I can see that the sample programs together with the guidance to build your own program specifically tailored for you will make a difference in my training. So, my recommendation is to get this book in your hands, put the time to read and understand the concepts, and you will only regret that you didn’t purchase this book earlier.

I have followed the work of Eric Helms and Andy Morgan for a while now, so I knew the quality and clarity of content to expect from The Nutrition & Strength Pyramids, and I am not disappointed. What I did not expect, and am blown away by, is just how comprehensive these books are. Not only do they breakdown the concepts into clear and understandable chapters, but it is presented in a way where each section builds on the last, so your knowledge and understanding grows as the book progresses. The Training Pyramid (this one) first breaks down training concepts such as volume and frequency, progression and exercise progression, before detailing how best to build a programme suited to your goals and providing samples programmes for different goals such as Body Building and Powerlifting. I cannot recommend this book enough if you want to gain an understanding of the principles of training and how to apply them and eliminate the need find workouts online or hire someone to design them for you.

This is the book I wish Michael J Helms had delivered in the Delorean back in '03, when I was a young, misguided bro with dreams of jackedness. Although, even though I may not have had the best resources then, I treat this little gem with the same reverence and value now, many years later, as a coach....maybe even more so! Now, I'm able to further my own learning AND channel the strategies and scientific principles of these world-class coaches into my coaching business. Like the Nutrition Pyramid, this book is an absolute must have for coaches and those wanting to set off on their journeys on the right food. I absolutely love the way everything is covered from in-depth periodisation to 'is your training sustainable?' and stress management. I also like that Eric is a Hip-Hop head! haha thanks for your contribution to the industry chaps (and lady!) :-) JK - the JK Way

Nothing bad to say

Using a pyramid to lay the concepts methodically in order of importance, this book sets out everything you need to consider when programming your training. Eric Helms and his coauthors combine scientific knowledge and experience to outline everything you need to know. Essential reading for anyone interested in bodybuilding, strength training, or a hybrid between the two.

If there is one topic more hotly debated in the fitness industry than nutrition - it's training. What to do? When to do it? How much to do? How long to do it for? What is optimal? What is waste of time? If you have spent more than a handful of hours scouring the depths of the internet (including the darkest corners of social media and YouTube) for the most optimal training program...then you need to stop. Immediately. Brew a fresh pot of coffee, turn off your notifications, grab a notebook and pen, then you are ready to sit with this guide. At first you will feel frustrated, let down and then anger at the industry for all the crap they've thrown your way. But soon it will giveway to a sense of control and certainty - certainty that finally you know the right approach for you and your goals. All the science, all boiled down into simple enough terms without leaving out the important nuggets - enough to have you on your way. Go forth and get swole (or toned if that's your thing).

This training guide contains literally everything you need to know if you want to train for strength or muscle growth. Evidence based and comprehensive, yet very accessible to novices or people who are familiar with the gym. Whether your goal is to become a power lifter or just look better in a T shirt, these guys have your back (and your biceps, delts...) I read in conjunction with the nutrition book and have completely changed my physique: there's no flashy gimmicks and you need to put the work in, but the time, money and effort you will save from following their principles is worth twice the asking price and more. For the cost of a month's gym membership or a tub of protein powder, you will gain a lifetime of confidence. Heartily recommend.

A very useful book full of information needed.

Questo libro è scritto da uno dei coach, bodybuilder, powerlifter e ricercatori più famosi del mondo. Il libro è utile per tutti quelli che vogliono capire come allenarsi e come tenere in conto delle diverse variabili durante gli allenamenti, senza basarsi su miti, bufale o ricette magiche ma bensì sulla scienza. Sono sicuro che questo libro non farà altro che migliorare i vostri allenamenti, vi insegnerà i principi alla base dell'ipertrofia e come applicarli nei vostri allenamenti. Alla fine del libro sono presenti anche esempi volti a far capire meglio tutti i concetti spiegati. Il libro è in lingua inglese, ma molto semplice e diretto, perfettamente comprensibile anche se non si ha un ottimo livello di inglese.

This book takes countless studies and meta studies (which is the study of studies) which brings so much knowledge into one place without needing 50 or more books. You should have a basic understanding of resistance training and the various reasons and methods used in resistance training, aka general rep ranges and their purpose will be challenged in this book but most lifters have heard 3 to 6 reps for strength 8 to 12 for hypertrophy etc etc if these terms are new this book may get real confusing, but can still be used by anyone. It just may be harder to understand the first time through and may need more than one read.

This was the most comprehensive and easy-to-read book I've ever read in regards to training and programming. I've been getting too hung up on the details of programming for so long, and this book really helped me to finally understand more of the underlying principles of programming, allowing me to feel more confident in helping both myself and my friends with approaching training. I love how well structured the book is, and how well laid out all the information is. Above all, I love the emphasis on critical thinking, as opposed to black and white thinking. Teaching you to always put things into context, and thinking for yourself. Having some really fundamental principles guide your approach, but not getting lost in the minutiae and following any one paradigm strictly, disregarding all else. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to gain a really great basic knowledge of training programming principles, and just gain a generally greater understanding of what actually drives progress in the gym.

Amazing

This is a great book summarising the foundations of an effective science based training program. It summarises a lot of quality data into a directly usable format which is appropriate for anyone from dedicated beginners to advanced trainers. Eric Helms is a very dedicated and passionate science communicator and you can always tell he does such without letting his ego or bias get into the way of putting forth balanced and well articulated information.