What do you think?
Rate this book
Practical Programming for Strength Training - 3rd Edition
There is a difference between exercise and training. Exercise is physical activity for its own sake, a workout done for the effect it produces today, during the workout or right after you're through. Training is physical activity done with a longer-term goal in mind, the constituent workouts of which are specifically designed to produce that goal. Training is how athletes prepare to win, and how all motivated people approach physical preparation.
Practical Programming for Strength Training - 3rd Edition addresses the topic of training. It details the mechanics of the process, from the basic physiology of adaptation to the specific programs that apply these principles to novice, intermediate, and advanced lifters.
Each section completely updated Better explanations of the proven programs that have been helping hundreds of thousands of lifters get stronger more efficiently Expanded novice section with the details of 3 different approaches to the problem of getting stuck and special approaches for the underweight and overweight trainee Expanded intermediate section with 18 separate programs and 11 detailed examples Expanded advanced section with detailed examples of 9 different programs Expanded special populations section with example programs for women and masters lifters training through their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s Day-to-day, workout-to-workout, week-by-week detailed programs for every level of training advancement The most comprehensive audiobook on the theory and practice of programming for strength training.
Practical Programming for Strength Training - 3rd Edition addresses the topic of training. It details the mechanics of the process, from the basic physiology of adaptation to the specific programs that apply these principles to novice, intermediate, and advanced lifters.
Each section completely updated Better explanations of the proven programs that have been helping hundreds of thousands of lifters get stronger more efficiently Expanded novice section with the details of 3 different approaches to the problem of getting stuck and special approaches for the underweight and overweight trainee Expanded intermediate section with 18 separate programs and 11 detailed examples Expanded advanced section with detailed examples of 9 different programs Expanded special populations section with example programs for women and masters lifters training through their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s Day-to-day, workout-to-workout, week-by-week detailed programs for every level of training advancement The most comprehensive audiobook on the theory and practice of programming for strength training.
Audible Audio
Published September 3, 2019
About the author
Mark Rippetoe
11 books215 followersMark Rippetoe is an American strength training coach and author. He has published a number of books and peer-reviewed articles. He has a BSc in geology with a minor in anthropology, but no degree in exercise science. He has several decades of experience as a strength coach, is a former powerlifter, and is currently a gym owner.
Rippetoe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he now resides. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in petroleum geology from Midwestern State University, where he met his mentor Bill Starr in 1979. He competed in powerlifting from 1979 to 1988, winning the Greater Texas Classic in 1981. He bought Anderson's Gym in 1984, which later became the Wichita Falls Athletic Club. He collaborated with Glenn Pendlay, international-level Olympic lifting coach and Professor Lon Kilgore, who established the USA Weightlifting Regional Development Center in Wichita Falls. Over the next 30 years, he used the gym to test and refine his training program that would maximize strength gains, ultimately resulting in the Starting Strength program.
Rippetoe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he now resides. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in petroleum geology from Midwestern State University, where he met his mentor Bill Starr in 1979. He competed in powerlifting from 1979 to 1988, winning the Greater Texas Classic in 1981. He bought Anderson's Gym in 1984, which later became the Wichita Falls Athletic Club. He collaborated with Glenn Pendlay, international-level Olympic lifting coach and Professor Lon Kilgore, who established the USA Weightlifting Regional Development Center in Wichita Falls. Over the next 30 years, he used the gym to test and refine his training program that would maximize strength gains, ultimately resulting in the Starting Strength program.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 23, 2026
Rip and Baker have made a book that encompass every aspect of training. In a world full of YouTuber influencers trying to sell programs or attempt to tell you that RPE is the way to get strong. This book cuts through the BS each chapter exists with purpose. The starting chapters are essentially to establish why the programing sections work. Understanding super compensation with the books early framework allows the reader to fully grasp what the minimum effective is and does.
What Baker adds to this book is a wealth in programming knowledge.
The novice section details in great depth how to run a typical linear progression, and ticks to avoid stagnation, how to keep milking a novice program for all it’s worth.
The intermediate section starts off with a basic linear Texas Method. Just add 5 pounds to the barbell. This will work until it doesn’t. The book then adds tricks to keep milking the Texas method by 1) introducing a 4 day split, 2) Cycling intensity days either via reps or via exercise movements and 3) Understanding the volume is not something you need to add 5 pounds to rather it’s a means to an end. Have enough volume at a high enough weight to drive intensity day. Eventually the book starts to make a Texas method into a conjugate system talking about dynamic efforts.
The advanced section explains in great length how as a novice and intermediate progress is rather fast. The book develops 2 method for advanced training. Although I haven’t had the opportunity yet to attempt these myself.
This book is the foundation of my programing. I read this book in July 2024, and today in August 2026. I have successfully ran a Texas Method program for 2 years and have added over 150 pounds on powerlifting total. As of today my squat is 540, bench is at 300 and deadlift is at 573 pounds. I will continue to train using these methods. Maybe one day graduate into advanced programing (I hope not!)
What Baker adds to this book is a wealth in programming knowledge.
The novice section details in great depth how to run a typical linear progression, and ticks to avoid stagnation, how to keep milking a novice program for all it’s worth.
The intermediate section starts off with a basic linear Texas Method. Just add 5 pounds to the barbell. This will work until it doesn’t. The book then adds tricks to keep milking the Texas method by 1) introducing a 4 day split, 2) Cycling intensity days either via reps or via exercise movements and 3) Understanding the volume is not something you need to add 5 pounds to rather it’s a means to an end. Have enough volume at a high enough weight to drive intensity day. Eventually the book starts to make a Texas method into a conjugate system talking about dynamic efforts.
The advanced section explains in great length how as a novice and intermediate progress is rather fast. The book develops 2 method for advanced training. Although I haven’t had the opportunity yet to attempt these myself.
This book is the foundation of my programing. I read this book in July 2024, and today in August 2026. I have successfully ran a Texas Method program for 2 years and have added over 150 pounds on powerlifting total. As of today my squat is 540, bench is at 300 and deadlift is at 573 pounds. I will continue to train using these methods. Maybe one day graduate into advanced programing (I hope not!)
February 1, 2026
Brilliant book!
February 9, 2026
In 400 years this will be the foundational religious text of an entire nation of physically impressive human beings
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews