What do you think?
Rate this book
The Juggernaut Method 2.0 - Strength, Speed, and Power For Every Athlete
Are you ready to improve your performance in the gym and on the field? How would you feel with a more explosive, stronger, better conditioned body? Do you want to be the most dominant athlete possible? Click the cover of The Juggernaut Method 2.0 above to download a FREE 15 page preview of the book that is sure to change everything, again!If you don’t use a program that properly combines speed and strength development with mobility and conditioning, you are failing to achieve peak performance and unnecessarily exposing yourself to injury.A Training Program Unparalleled In Its Ability To Enhance Your PerformanceThe Juggernaut Method 2.0 is the follow-up to the best selling Juggernaut Method ebook and includes all the programming and details that helped send 8 players to the NFL and 22 more to Division 1 universities in 2012 alone. The Juggernaut Method 2.0 is not just a sets and reps program to help your squat, bench and deadlift skyrocket, it is also a guide to sprint/jump training, medicine ball throws and sport specific energy system training to turn you into an athletic powerhouse.The Juggernaut Method 2.0 is over 100 pages worth of physical preparation material geared at making you the fastest, strongest, most powerful and well conditioned athlete possible. In this informative ebook, you’ll learn the following…INTRODUCTION AND PHILOSOPHY-The foundational ideas of athletic performance training-The value of submaximal training and results driven progressTHE PROGRAM-Explanation and outline of the different phases of The Juggernaut Method-How to progress through each training session and from one training wave to the next-The percentage, set and rep schemes that have produced champion strength athletes and All-Americans across a variety of sportsWARM-UPS-Specific warm-ups to prepare you for training sessions with a variety of emphasis and goals-Video demonstrations of every warm-up maneuver and techniqueALTERNATE PERIODIZATION MODELS-The Inverted Juggernaut Method-Undulating Periodization Model-The Juggernaut Method and The 9 Day Work WeekASSISTANCE WORK-Assistance training aimed at every physical goal-Weighted dip and chin-up programs to build tremendous relative strengthSPEED/POWER WORK-How to organize sprint training for maximum acceleration, speed and change of direction performance-Jump training to enhance rate of force development and explosive strength-Medicine ball throws to improve total body coordination and explosive power with video demonstrations and explanations of each throwing variationCONDITIONING-How to increase your alactic capacity, aerobic capacity and lactic capacity-How to manipulate conditioning to enhance your recovery-Specific Football conditioning programTJM2.0 FOR POWERLIFTING AND STRONGMAN-Proper peaking strategies to ensure you are your strongest on the day of the meet-Implementing strongman event training into your TJM program-Periodization schemes for Strongman eventsNUTRITION-Dietary guidelines for mass gain, body recompisition and fat loss-Juggernaut’s favorite recipes with macronutrient breakdownsThe information in this product outlines all of the details of athlete’s training at Juggernaut which they pay up to $1000
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2012
155 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Read
May 10, 2016No rating as I haven't actually done the program; I read this for research.
The book presents a basic intermediate-level lifting program and advice for adapting it to fit a number of different goals. The core of the program is a periodization scheme that has you doing a variety of set/rep combos over the course of 4 different 4-week waves, going from medium-intensity/high-volume to high-intensity/medium-volume. The structure is reminiscent of Jim Wendler's 5/3/1, but with higher volume and somwhat less maximal weight work, over a 16-week meta-cycle instead of a repeated 4-week structure. I like the idea of regulating the weights you use based on your performance rather than adding weight each cycle until you have to reset, but I'm unsure how I'd work in practice. There's also a good bit of information of different types of conditioning. I don't think I'll be ditching 5/3/1 anytime soon, but there's some decent food for thought here.
The quality of the writing is unfortunately what you'd expect from a self-published ebook from a non-profressional writer. The ideas and material are there, but it's poorly organized and is rife with grammatical mistakes and typos. It's also fairly overpriced, especially given the lack of editorial care.
The book presents a basic intermediate-level lifting program and advice for adapting it to fit a number of different goals. The core of the program is a periodization scheme that has you doing a variety of set/rep combos over the course of 4 different 4-week waves, going from medium-intensity/high-volume to high-intensity/medium-volume. The structure is reminiscent of Jim Wendler's 5/3/1, but with higher volume and somwhat less maximal weight work, over a 16-week meta-cycle instead of a repeated 4-week structure. I like the idea of regulating the weights you use based on your performance rather than adding weight each cycle until you have to reset, but I'm unsure how I'd work in practice. There's also a good bit of information of different types of conditioning. I don't think I'll be ditching 5/3/1 anytime soon, but there's some decent food for thought here.
The quality of the writing is unfortunately what you'd expect from a self-published ebook from a non-profressional writer. The ideas and material are there, but it's poorly organized and is rife with grammatical mistakes and typos. It's also fairly overpriced, especially given the lack of editorial care.
November 18, 2019
I actually read Squat Manual, but it’s not on goodreads, and this was closest I could get.
I really enjoyed it, I picked up some tips that have definitely improved my own squat technique and I’ll be referring back to the Squat Manual often. There were several typos through out this book and that’s why I couldn’t give it a full 5 star.
I really enjoyed it, I picked up some tips that have definitely improved my own squat technique and I’ll be referring back to the Squat Manual often. There were several typos through out this book and that’s why I couldn’t give it a full 5 star.
February 26, 2025
Looking at doing something with more of a phased approach as my current two week training program seems to be a little stale. The emphasis on using lower weights with more reps is something completely different from my usual program and adding in Jumping, sprinting and Throwing as part OT a program rather than as an when u have the time will hopefully improve my overall athleticism.
I think trying to make you take 90% of your true 1rm for a working 1rm and then taking percentages of that is another way to try and limit the weight by stealth.
There's no steady state included or general cardio as most of the programs are aimed at strongmen/powerlifters/football players but I would have been interested to see what they recommended for BJJ or Boxing as they mentioned but didn't explain these.
There's also a link to a site to discuss throwing medicine balls etc. which is annoying that the resource doesn't include everything that you need.
I re-read this partway through the program, there are so many variations and si gle sentences that are important when doing the program that it's almost impossible to pick then up in a single read through, things like what to include or change in a deload week.
Results
Summary Kgs (lbs)
Front Squat 90->97.5 (220)
Bench 100 -> 110 (232)
Deadlift 140->165 (365)
Behind the Neck Press 60->72 (160)
I'm only realising now that the point of keeping the increments small is that you can drop your reps on the AMRAP and continue hitting greater estimated 1rm, so if you managed a 80x16 last 10s wave time, and have a bad day after youve increased to 90 for your working weight, you can still go north of 10 reps, rather than constantly hitting to minimum required reps and having no where else to progress.
Im spending less time, getting more done and am back to or past my previous lifetime 1rm. Not sure theres really a downside to this for me.
I didnt follow the schedule for peaking at the end of the 16 week program so really couldnt have expected my 1rm to be as high as calculated.
Choice notes
Using submaximal loads, 60- 90% of your 1rm, and moving them with maximal force, allows you to still fully recruit the necessary muscle fibers, ingrain proper technique to your lifts, and diminish your trainings impact on your central nervous system.
When using submaximal loads and setting rep records, you can avoid ever missing a lift. Missing lifts is a bad habit that will ruin your psyche as a lifter.
Sport practice is the only irreplaceable component of an athlete’s success. There are football players who can’t bench or squat, yet still be successful, while there will never be one who can’t practice and be successful.
This program has been very frustrating in that sense to some of my athletes because I won’t allow them to take a 1- rep max for such a long time. They will say something to the affect of “I really wanna see if I can bench 250 today,” I’ll tell them, “No, but when you get 250 on the bar you are gonna do it for more than 1 rep.” Setting rep records in the 3- 10 + rep range not only will indicate your strength gains, it is also less stressful on the joints and CNS.
(WEIGHT x REPS x .033) + WEGHT = PROJECTED MAX Be mindful that rep records in the 8+ rep range aren’t as accurate as projections from the lower range.
The Program
It is important to start out light with your working max. Your working max is the number that all your percentages will be based off of. Being conservative in choosing your initial working max is key to making progress over the long term. I suggest taking your 1rm (an actual 1rm or 3rm that you have done within the past 6 weeks, not a theoretical max or something you did back in the day, and then take 90% of that. So if your recently benched 315x1, you will use 285 as your working max.
During the Accumulation Phase I suggest that an athlete leaves 2-3 reps in the tank on their final work set. So once the minimum, prescribed reps have been completed, an athlete can continue performing reps but should be mindful to stay 2-3 reps shy of failure. During the Intensification Phase an athlete should end their final set 1-2 reps shy of failure. During the Realization Phase, no reps should be left in the tank. Maximal effort is required on the AMAP (as many as possible) set.
(REPS PERFORMED – STANDARD) X INCREMENT PER REP] + WORKING MAX = NEW WORKING MAX
It is critical that your working max stay 5-10% below your projected maxes to continue making steady progress. You need to choose the increment which allows this to happen.
(WEIGHT X REPS X .033) + WEIGHT / [(REPS PERFORMED – STANDARD) X BIG INCREMENT PER REP] + WORKING MAX = DIFFERENCE OR PROJECTED MAX / BIG WORKING MAX = DIFFERENCE
During the deload I suggest performing your main lift for 40%x5, 50%x5, 60%x5 and then performing each of your accessory lifts for 50% of their normal volume (So if you normally do 50 total reps of chinups during your training waves, during your deload you will do 25). These percentages should be based upon your working max from the wave you have just completed, NOT your new adjusted max for the upcoming wave.
Consolidation of Stressors
You will notice during this phase that sprints/jumps are being performed on opposite days from primary lower body weights.
Abs
I can certainly attest to the fact, that by the end of a hard session it becomes too easy to justify skipping it. Skipping ab work, or even not giving it the attention and energy it deserves, will certainly harm your progress in all lifts and athletic endeavors.
Incorporating Speed and Power Work
Jumping exercises can be done 1-2x per week and should be performed prior to your squat or deadlift training.
The inclusion of sprinting into your program is a must for any athlete or person trying to raise their rate of force development or improve their body composition.
Sprint training for the non-track athlete should consist of sprints between 10-50m and should not exceed 200m of total volume per session. Complete recovery is necessary between all repetitions, a good rule of thumb to follow when looking at recovery times between sprints is to rest for 30 seconds for every 10m of sprinting performed.
Flying sprints are performed by performing a smooth buildup for the prescribed distance and the sprinting full speed for the next section. These are extremely taxing to the CNS and body, so they must be used sparingly, even though the training effect they provide is tremendous.
Conditioning
If you have a running back who runs a 5.3 40, it doesn’t matter how many times he can repeat that effort on short rests, because he will be watching the game from the sidelines.
I think trying to make you take 90% of your true 1rm for a working 1rm and then taking percentages of that is another way to try and limit the weight by stealth.
There's no steady state included or general cardio as most of the programs are aimed at strongmen/powerlifters/football players but I would have been interested to see what they recommended for BJJ or Boxing as they mentioned but didn't explain these.
There's also a link to a site to discuss throwing medicine balls etc. which is annoying that the resource doesn't include everything that you need.
I re-read this partway through the program, there are so many variations and si gle sentences that are important when doing the program that it's almost impossible to pick then up in a single read through, things like what to include or change in a deload week.
Results
Summary Kgs (lbs)
Front Squat 90->97.5 (220)
Bench 100 -> 110 (232)
Deadlift 140->165 (365)
Behind the Neck Press 60->72 (160)
I'm only realising now that the point of keeping the increments small is that you can drop your reps on the AMRAP and continue hitting greater estimated 1rm, so if you managed a 80x16 last 10s wave time, and have a bad day after youve increased to 90 for your working weight, you can still go north of 10 reps, rather than constantly hitting to minimum required reps and having no where else to progress.
Im spending less time, getting more done and am back to or past my previous lifetime 1rm. Not sure theres really a downside to this for me.
I didnt follow the schedule for peaking at the end of the 16 week program so really couldnt have expected my 1rm to be as high as calculated.
Choice notes
Using submaximal loads, 60- 90% of your 1rm, and moving them with maximal force, allows you to still fully recruit the necessary muscle fibers, ingrain proper technique to your lifts, and diminish your trainings impact on your central nervous system.
When using submaximal loads and setting rep records, you can avoid ever missing a lift. Missing lifts is a bad habit that will ruin your psyche as a lifter.
Sport practice is the only irreplaceable component of an athlete’s success. There are football players who can’t bench or squat, yet still be successful, while there will never be one who can’t practice and be successful.
This program has been very frustrating in that sense to some of my athletes because I won’t allow them to take a 1- rep max for such a long time. They will say something to the affect of “I really wanna see if I can bench 250 today,” I’ll tell them, “No, but when you get 250 on the bar you are gonna do it for more than 1 rep.” Setting rep records in the 3- 10 + rep range not only will indicate your strength gains, it is also less stressful on the joints and CNS.
(WEIGHT x REPS x .033) + WEGHT = PROJECTED MAX Be mindful that rep records in the 8+ rep range aren’t as accurate as projections from the lower range.
The Program
It is important to start out light with your working max. Your working max is the number that all your percentages will be based off of. Being conservative in choosing your initial working max is key to making progress over the long term. I suggest taking your 1rm (an actual 1rm or 3rm that you have done within the past 6 weeks, not a theoretical max or something you did back in the day, and then take 90% of that. So if your recently benched 315x1, you will use 285 as your working max.
During the Accumulation Phase I suggest that an athlete leaves 2-3 reps in the tank on their final work set. So once the minimum, prescribed reps have been completed, an athlete can continue performing reps but should be mindful to stay 2-3 reps shy of failure. During the Intensification Phase an athlete should end their final set 1-2 reps shy of failure. During the Realization Phase, no reps should be left in the tank. Maximal effort is required on the AMAP (as many as possible) set.
(REPS PERFORMED – STANDARD) X INCREMENT PER REP] + WORKING MAX = NEW WORKING MAX
It is critical that your working max stay 5-10% below your projected maxes to continue making steady progress. You need to choose the increment which allows this to happen.
(WEIGHT X REPS X .033) + WEIGHT / [(REPS PERFORMED – STANDARD) X BIG INCREMENT PER REP] + WORKING MAX = DIFFERENCE OR PROJECTED MAX / BIG WORKING MAX = DIFFERENCE
During the deload I suggest performing your main lift for 40%x5, 50%x5, 60%x5 and then performing each of your accessory lifts for 50% of their normal volume (So if you normally do 50 total reps of chinups during your training waves, during your deload you will do 25). These percentages should be based upon your working max from the wave you have just completed, NOT your new adjusted max for the upcoming wave.
Consolidation of Stressors
You will notice during this phase that sprints/jumps are being performed on opposite days from primary lower body weights.
Abs
I can certainly attest to the fact, that by the end of a hard session it becomes too easy to justify skipping it. Skipping ab work, or even not giving it the attention and energy it deserves, will certainly harm your progress in all lifts and athletic endeavors.
Incorporating Speed and Power Work
Jumping exercises can be done 1-2x per week and should be performed prior to your squat or deadlift training.
The inclusion of sprinting into your program is a must for any athlete or person trying to raise their rate of force development or improve their body composition.
Sprint training for the non-track athlete should consist of sprints between 10-50m and should not exceed 200m of total volume per session. Complete recovery is necessary between all repetitions, a good rule of thumb to follow when looking at recovery times between sprints is to rest for 30 seconds for every 10m of sprinting performed.
Flying sprints are performed by performing a smooth buildup for the prescribed distance and the sprinting full speed for the next section. These are extremely taxing to the CNS and body, so they must be used sparingly, even though the training effect they provide is tremendous.
Conditioning
If you have a running back who runs a 5.3 40, it doesn’t matter how many times he can repeat that effort on short rests, because he will be watching the game from the sidelines.
January 1, 2021
CWS's first book is a great one. It is stressed numerous times that this isn't a book that's programmed purely for a powerlifter, but for an athlete. The author comes from a shot put background during his high school years. He teaches strength and conditioning that is to improve your athletic performance in all types of sports. There's a lot of good ideas, especially with throwing and jumping. The Juggernaut Method itself is also explained very well and simply with lots of room for modifications. There's a lot of inspiration from Wendler's 5/3/1, but JM is much more refined and thoroughly explained. If you guys think that this book wasn't well edited, then you guys have a long road ahead of you in the world of strength training books (looking at you Wendler).
December 27, 2024
Looking at learning some different training methods besides 5/3/1 and starting strength and this book did exactly that.
Chad outlines his system of 4 x4 week training blocks using rep ranges of 10s, 8, 5 and 3s with varying degrees of intensity based on your 1RM.
The book is super simple and easy to read.
It also covers some extra content like warm ups, GPPs, conditioning, jumping, throwing and more!
I won’t follow the exact method here but will alter it slightly to fit my needs.
Chad outlines his system of 4 x4 week training blocks using rep ranges of 10s, 8, 5 and 3s with varying degrees of intensity based on your 1RM.
The book is super simple and easy to read.
It also covers some extra content like warm ups, GPPs, conditioning, jumping, throwing and more!
I won’t follow the exact method here but will alter it slightly to fit my needs.
April 23, 2024
The program borrows a lot from 5/3/1. It's actually a further complication from it.
Unless you've read and tried the 5/3/1, don't bother. If you loved it and want to try something similar, you could try.
As a book it's not particularly well written, agree with the many comments that it could benefit from a better editing
Unless you've read and tried the 5/3/1, don't bother. If you loved it and want to try something similar, you could try.
As a book it's not particularly well written, agree with the many comments that it could benefit from a better editing
February 1, 2018
Good content poor structure
Overall I learnt a valuable insight into programming and training, there were a few spelling mistakes and the overall structure wasn't very good, I often felt a little lost in what Chad was trying to convey
Overall I learnt a valuable insight into programming and training, there were a few spelling mistakes and the overall structure wasn't very good, I often felt a little lost in what Chad was trying to convey
August 18, 2019
Great book for power and speed.
Only thing I thought it should have talk about more is the importance of core. Other than that it is great book.
Only thing I thought it should have talk about more is the importance of core. Other than that it is great book.
October 9, 2019
Okay for ten bucks
Had quite a few spelling errors. Editing felt rushed.
The program itself seems good, the book goes into a lot of detail about the periodization.
Had quite a few spelling errors. Editing felt rushed.
The program itself seems good, the book goes into a lot of detail about the periodization.
August 4, 2020
A great program that borrows a lot from other systems, especially 5/3/1. Recommended for high volume powerlifting training with a focus on longevity and long-term progress.
December 18, 2020
Great information, but poorly proofread collection of blogs.
March 16, 2017
The book is... unpolished, but the program is great. Hope it's not a spoiler for anyone.
March 10, 2017
Pretty much the 5-3-1 plan.
November 24, 2014
I think Chad Smith's Juggernaut Method hasn't got the attention it deserves. Jim Wendler's 5/3/1 is a very popular program, even though it doesn't seem to work that well in the upper body movements for the advanced or "late-intermediate" lifters (probably due the low volume of the work sets). The Juggernaut Method has more volume. Volume is also rotated inside each rep block, so the change in the rep range or weight aren't the only variables. Most of the chapters, like warm-ups and conditioning, are detailed and very helpful.
December 13, 2019
Poorly written, little original content
This was a very poorly written book. Did the author even proofread it? It desperately needed an editor. Misspelled words, missing words, poor grammar, and missing/incorrect punctuation on nearly every page.
As far as the content, most of it was a rehash, and in some cases a direct rip off, of ideas already presented by Jim Wendler and Joe Defranco. The few pages covering Smith's set/rep/progression scheme were not worth the 8 bucks.
This was a very poorly written book. Did the author even proofread it? It desperately needed an editor. Misspelled words, missing words, poor grammar, and missing/incorrect punctuation on nearly every page.
As far as the content, most of it was a rehash, and in some cases a direct rip off, of ideas already presented by Jim Wendler and Joe Defranco. The few pages covering Smith's set/rep/progression scheme were not worth the 8 bucks.
August 28, 2020
Of all the popular books about strength training, this has been my favourite. Chad Wesley Smith has the perfect mix of experience as a lifter, expertise as a strength coach, and knowledge of the research.
That final point—knowledge of the research—is what really sets this book apart. Everything makes sense both in theory and in practice.
If you like the idea of getting stronger, you'll like this book.
That final point—knowledge of the research—is what really sets this book apart. Everything makes sense both in theory and in practice.
If you like the idea of getting stronger, you'll like this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews