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Beyond Brawn
BEYOND BRAWN is 512 pages and 23 chapters of information about every facet of bodybuilding, and strength training in general. This book is not just for novices. It can save you years of wasted toil regardless of your level of training experience. It will propel you into the detailed, practical know-how needed to turn you into an expertly informed bodybuilder or strength trainee. BEYOND BRAWN will take you right inside weight training, to study the practical reality of applying knowledge. It is not a theoretical treatise, or a pack of pseudo-scientific hokum.
By acknowledging the individuality of each person, this book teaches people precisely how to become their own expert personal trainers. Whether readers are male or female, beginners or very advanced, young or not-so-young, want to train at home or in a public gym, this book offers outstanding guidance.
The famous deadlift cycle that Stuart did, which culminated in 400 pounds for 20 reps, is detailed in Chapter 17.
703 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1998
95 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Stuart McRobert
26 books16 followersStuart has had around 1,000 articles published in print magazines. He wrote a monthly column for the UK’s leading bodybuilding magazine for 22 consecutive years. He also authored several acclaimed books including BEYOND BRAWN and BUILD MUSCLE LOSE FAT LOOK GREAT, and published his own magazine for 15 years. But his success as a writer was born out of his efforts to survive the profound struggles he had because of his psychological challenges, which resulted in suffocating distress.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 10, 2015
Straight Talk and Timeless Truths
McRobert has provided a way to systematically establish the building blocks to a great physique. No corners cut, no easy solutions, just discipline and hard work. Included within are also nutritional guidelines and tips for longstanding injuries or defects such as scoliosis. The exercize technique book he has written is also superb. Thank you for offering a way forward after 13 years of flawed methods and overtraining.
McRobert has provided a way to systematically establish the building blocks to a great physique. No corners cut, no easy solutions, just discipline and hard work. Included within are also nutritional guidelines and tips for longstanding injuries or defects such as scoliosis. The exercize technique book he has written is also superb. Thank you for offering a way forward after 13 years of flawed methods and overtraining.
March 19, 2019
The book details the theory and application of gaining strength and muscle in a well thought out and systemic way for the average non elite, drug free lifter.
July 27, 2020
And the search for a good book on bodybuilding goes on...
Seriously, how can a serious book on bodybuilding can neglect curls, triceps extensions, shoulder exercises, and so on??? Jesus Christ, it really amazes me how these books that aim to "demolish" the fitness industry just comes up with more bullshit than ever. Yes bro, we got that some machines do be useless and sometimes pointless. But do you know the meaning of isolation of target muscle? I really don't think you do, because that's the basics of (actual) bodybuilding, and bodybuilding is a subject that you really don't understand. The childish attacks on steroids almost made me laugh. Seriously, what do you think bodybuilding even is, bro? Perhaps you should study crossfit and other ladies-friendly sports and write on that, because you're waaaay off your element here, sir.
Perhaps the only good thing in this book was the chapter that was covered form and avoidance of injury, as well as the chapter on resilience and bodybuilding. But besides that, you can throw it on the trashcan and listen to the biggest guy in the gym, that'll definitely do you more good than reading this crap
Seriously, how can a serious book on bodybuilding can neglect curls, triceps extensions, shoulder exercises, and so on??? Jesus Christ, it really amazes me how these books that aim to "demolish" the fitness industry just comes up with more bullshit than ever. Yes bro, we got that some machines do be useless and sometimes pointless. But do you know the meaning of isolation of target muscle? I really don't think you do, because that's the basics of (actual) bodybuilding, and bodybuilding is a subject that you really don't understand. The childish attacks on steroids almost made me laugh. Seriously, what do you think bodybuilding even is, bro? Perhaps you should study crossfit and other ladies-friendly sports and write on that, because you're waaaay off your element here, sir.
Perhaps the only good thing in this book was the chapter that was covered form and avoidance of injury, as well as the chapter on resilience and bodybuilding. But besides that, you can throw it on the trashcan and listen to the biggest guy in the gym, that'll definitely do you more good than reading this crap
February 5, 2020
Focus on compound lifts, set deadlines, goals, and disregard the fluff and padding when programming an exercise routine. Good but highly repetitive. You'll learn all you can from this book by reading half of it. Also the included routines suck.
August 2, 2019
This book led me astray in my training for many years. It tells you that minimum volume and maximum intensity is the way to progress your strength. Unfortunately, that doesn't work and all modern research shows that volume is key to building muscle.
What makes this book so dangerous is that most people make good progress the first several weeks with the recommended approach. Unfortunately, that just happens because the low volume training allows them to recover from the fatigue accumulated in their previous training regimen. After two months, however, you will be dead in the water with the approach described in Beyond Brawn.
What makes this book so dangerous is that most people make good progress the first several weeks with the recommended approach. Unfortunately, that just happens because the low volume training allows them to recover from the fatigue accumulated in their previous training regimen. After two months, however, you will be dead in the water with the approach described in Beyond Brawn.
March 17, 2020
Good book for some one who are in the gym for some time(can be really helpful even if you are an absolute beginner as stress is much on Form). This book opens up your knowledge on the below aspects.
1) Core/Basic/Essential exercises
2) Diet
3) Cycle
4) Programming
5) Injury
* One most important take away is the programming which I was never aware of. I am sure the very purpose of the book is to make a person prepare a program and check his progress .
It is like a guide and I am sure I will refer to this gem of a book many times .
1) Core/Basic/Essential exercises
2) Diet
3) Cycle
4) Programming
5) Injury
* One most important take away is the programming which I was never aware of. I am sure the very purpose of the book is to make a person prepare a program and check his progress .
It is like a guide and I am sure I will refer to this gem of a book many times .
August 22, 2014
A very in depth look at strength training and bodybuilding. An excellent book for anyone unaware of the importance of strength training in building size. The book becomes somewhat repetitive in places, I believe this is to make sure the points are really drilled home, but it gets a little tiresome in places. However it does a great job of underlining the importance of rest and recovery, and how to go about it, including recovering from injuries and preventing them occurring.
November 7, 2014
This book was okay, I'd rate it at 2.5 stars. I'm not sure what the fuss is about it. The programming is average and not the most effective approach. There are far better results oriented barbell programs out there today. They're simpler and will give far better results. Look into Starting Strength, Tactical Barbell and Wendler 531 instead.
July 5, 2018
Pretty useful for designing routines and for the mindset behind weightlifting. It’s not really an encyclopaedia though as it doesn’t contain techniques for the lifts (they’re in another book) but still I found this very useful. Recommended if you are into weightlifting at all.
January 14, 2008
Great back to basics weight lifting. Shut up and squat!
March 11, 2015
Read this book if you want to know EVERYTHING about NATURAL bodybuilding, strength training and nutrition.
November 13, 2018
Didn't really like the organization. It made it hard to quickly find useful information as I couldn't tell if I was interested in a section.
July 25, 2020
Good, shines in the life/general lifting advice. Some details show the age, e.g. the advice on creatine. Strongly advocates low frequency training for "hard gainers".
October 4, 2024
A great book I’ve readed years ago; i had the luck to read it when I was 18 and I’ve grown with it with my training sessions, I will always keep it and re-read it whenever I need
February 1, 2016
Painstaking in descriptions, honest and realistic in setting expectations, Beyond Brawn is one of the best introductory books on strength training for natural athletes - busy trainers especially will appreciate the abbreviated routines suggested by McRobert.
This is not the book on how to look great for the beach in three months ... not even a book on how to have a shot at being the next Mr. America. It is a book on what to do if an average guy wants to deadlift 500 pounds after a couple of years of training. Sure, that doesn't sound like much, but can you lift it? And how long have you been training? Beyond Brawn will take you there.
This is not the book on how to look great for the beach in three months ... not even a book on how to have a shot at being the next Mr. America. It is a book on what to do if an average guy wants to deadlift 500 pounds after a couple of years of training. Sure, that doesn't sound like much, but can you lift it? And how long have you been training? Beyond Brawn will take you there.
February 28, 2014
This book is highly repetitive but also a gold mine. I am going to have to re-read this quite a few times to throughly understand and appreciate all of the content. I was originally going to rate this a 4 just because how monotonous it is at times. However I am glad to have finished with a new understanding on how to properly train.
July 4, 2012
Excellent book about bodybuilding for beginners and the regular Joe. Very basic advise but a lot of information that most people don't realise. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in bodybuilding or just regular health and fitness enthusiasts, also useful for more advanced gym-goers.
November 17, 2013
An excellent, honest, and recommended book for those getting into body building. Contains all you need in the subject of training. You don't need to read all of it through, but select pages that are useful to you. Great book.
June 19, 2014
Good teaching on building muscle for those who are natural. Abbreviated training works well for me, so McRobert's approach to training really made sense. This is one of the few books that I have read twice, back to back.
August 12, 2011
Another great introduction to safe, productive bodybuilding for the average person. Represents growth from Brawn.
July 2, 2016
Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews