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The Year One Challenge for Men: Bigger, Leaner, and Stronger Than Ever in 12 Months
Is this a bodybuilding book that can help you pack on brain-shrinking amounts of muscle in 30 days flat?
No.
Is it a fitness book full of dubious diet and exercise “hacks” and “shortcuts” for melting belly fat faster than a roided hornet?
Absolutely not.
But is it an exercise book that’ll show you exactly what to do in the gym to gain 25-to-35 pounds of lean muscle ?
Yes.
And faster than you probably think possible, or your money back.
The Year One Challenge for Men is a workout journal companion to the bestselling workout book for men, Bigger Leaner Stronger .
This workout book contains a full year's worth of Bigger Leaner Stronger workouts for building a full chest, wide back, powerful legs, and built arms . . . in only 3-to-5 hours of weight training per week.
This workout journal also provides you with a comprehensive Bigger Leaner Stronger “cheatsheet” that lists and demonstrates all exercises in the program, and explains how to choose the right routine for you, how to progress in your workouts, how to make exercise substitutions, and more.
So, imagine . . . just 12 weeks from now . . . looking at the changes in your physique and thinking, "I did that. That's awesome. I'm awesome." And believing it.
The bottom line is you can get that head-turning “Hollywood hunk” body without doing exhausting weightlifting workouts you hate. And this strength training program shows you how.
Get your copy now, and start your journey to a bigger, leaner, and stronger you.
No.
Is it a fitness book full of dubious diet and exercise “hacks” and “shortcuts” for melting belly fat faster than a roided hornet?
Absolutely not.
But is it an exercise book that’ll show you exactly what to do in the gym to gain 25-to-35 pounds of lean muscle ?
Yes.
And faster than you probably think possible, or your money back.
The Year One Challenge for Men is a workout journal companion to the bestselling workout book for men, Bigger Leaner Stronger .
This workout book contains a full year's worth of Bigger Leaner Stronger workouts for building a full chest, wide back, powerful legs, and built arms . . . in only 3-to-5 hours of weight training per week.
This workout journal also provides you with a comprehensive Bigger Leaner Stronger “cheatsheet” that lists and demonstrates all exercises in the program, and explains how to choose the right routine for you, how to progress in your workouts, how to make exercise substitutions, and more.
So, imagine . . . just 12 weeks from now . . . looking at the changes in your physique and thinking, "I did that. That's awesome. I'm awesome." And believing it.
The bottom line is you can get that head-turning “Hollywood hunk” body without doing exhausting weightlifting workouts you hate. And this strength training program shows you how.
Get your copy now, and start your journey to a bigger, leaner, and stronger you.
- GenresFitnessHealthNonfiction
Hardcover
First published January 5, 2015
1034 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Michael Matthews
43 books431 followersHi,
I’m Mike and I’ve been training for nearly a decade now.
I believe that every person can achieve the body of his or her dreams, and I work hard to give everyone that chance by providing workable, proven advice grounded in science, not a desire to sell phony magazines, workout products, or supplements.
I’ve helped quite a few people achieve their health and fitness goals, and at their urging, I am sharing what I’ve learned and know works here in this website, and in my books.
So if you’re looking to get in shape and look great, then I think I can help you. I hope you enjoy my website and books, and feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions and I’ll do my best to help.
Sincerely,
Mike
http://www.muscleforlife.com/
I’m Mike and I’ve been training for nearly a decade now.
I believe that every person can achieve the body of his or her dreams, and I work hard to give everyone that chance by providing workable, proven advice grounded in science, not a desire to sell phony magazines, workout products, or supplements.
I’ve helped quite a few people achieve their health and fitness goals, and at their urging, I am sharing what I’ve learned and know works here in this website, and in my books.
So if you’re looking to get in shape and look great, then I think I can help you. I hope you enjoy my website and books, and feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions and I’ll do my best to help.
Sincerely,
Mike
http://www.muscleforlife.com/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 27, 2025
Great BLS Companion — Could Use a Digital Upgrade
The Year One Challenge for Men by Michael Matthews is a fantastic follow-up to Bigger Leaner Stronger. It helped me reinforce key training principles like proper form, progressive overload, deloading, and tracking progress consistently. The structure is clear, and the weekly programming makes it easy to follow and stay accountable.
However, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the eBook version isn’t very practical for tracking progress. It repeats the workout lists for each phase, but lacks an interactive format or usable templates. A digital companion—like an app or editable tracker—would make a huge difference. If Michael ever releases one, I’d buy it without hesitation.
Still, this book is a powerful tool for staying focused and consistent in your first year of training. Highly recommended for BLS followers.
The Year One Challenge for Men by Michael Matthews is a fantastic follow-up to Bigger Leaner Stronger. It helped me reinforce key training principles like proper form, progressive overload, deloading, and tracking progress consistently. The structure is clear, and the weekly programming makes it easy to follow and stay accountable.
However, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the eBook version isn’t very practical for tracking progress. It repeats the workout lists for each phase, but lacks an interactive format or usable templates. A digital companion—like an app or editable tracker—would make a huge difference. If Michael ever releases one, I’d buy it without hesitation.
Still, this book is a powerful tool for staying focused and consistent in your first year of training. Highly recommended for BLS followers.
December 24, 2023
not easy to read - too much jargon
Not sure what his recommendation is for the average person weight program. He claims complexity does not add results, but the different periodization strategies he references are complex and are supposed to be ineffective. Not sure in the end what is actual recommendation is.
Not sure what his recommendation is for the average person weight program. He claims complexity does not add results, but the different periodization strategies he references are complex and are supposed to be ineffective. Not sure in the end what is actual recommendation is.
September 14, 2024
basics for a newbie
If you dont know much about programming, don’t get bored easy, and just need the basics, this is accurate and would produce results. But it’s also a bit boring and repetitive. Now there are options like Marcus fully persist, others on train heroic, etc that follow these principles but are more exciting, etc.
If you dont know much about programming, don’t get bored easy, and just need the basics, this is accurate and would produce results. But it’s also a bit boring and repetitive. Now there are options like Marcus fully persist, others on train heroic, etc that follow these principles but are more exciting, etc.
January 16, 2020
Good
Good quick guide for competing the routine. Repeat of phase one in my kindle versions. Some good graphics in big 3 workouts, but wish more detail in other exercises were provided.
Good quick guide for competing the routine. Repeat of phase one in my kindle versions. Some good graphics in big 3 workouts, but wish more detail in other exercises were provided.
February 6, 2022
This book is perfect if you are looking for a step-by-step workout plan for an entire year! I wonder if anyone has ever completed this task. So if you are truly committed and work through this book, please let me know and share your experience!
May 16, 2020
Highly recommended
Packed with useful nutrition and workout info for anyone who wants to get in shape, build muscle or just lose fat.
Packed with useful nutrition and workout info for anyone who wants to get in shape, build muscle or just lose fat.
December 20, 2020
This journal and the companion book got me off the couch and in the gym lifting weights. Highly recommended.
Read
February 15, 2022It's more of a Worbook/Journal for completing a 1 year weight training program. It's easy to follow, and I was very satisfied with the results.
June 5, 2022
Hace rato que lo terminé y se me olvidó por completo.
Read
June 11, 2022Can any one give me this book? I really need this book
March 25, 2024
cuts through the BS and excuses
Great book on how to start and just do it! Great step by step info to take your body to whatever level you want it to be!
Great book on how to start and just do it! Great step by step info to take your body to whatever level you want it to be!
August 12, 2024
Great Book
Practical advise and easy to follow. Would recommend to anyone wanting to start or get back into a weightlifting program.
Practical advise and easy to follow. Would recommend to anyone wanting to start or get back into a weightlifting program.
March 13, 2025
so much information
There are no fitness guides for those of us who are disabled. Very few gym have any accessible training areas.
There are no fitness guides for those of us who are disabled. Very few gym have any accessible training areas.
March 18, 2024
A simple training program outlined for a whole year, not particularly insightful but in being organized does it make it much easier to plan a progression and in being ready-made does it make it much easier to actually undertake.
As a side note I always love how encouraging Michael is in his books. His advice always comes down to basic, unsexy truths, but it keeps things accountable and reinforces actual lifestyle changes and personal growth which is potentially the greatest result of it all; that he also roots for you along the way is a vitalizing thing.
To Michael: I wouldn't have made my first real steps without you and I certainly wouldn't have buckled down without your grounded approach. I look forward to what the next year brings, and then, after looking back on where all that hard work has taken me, the steps after.
As a side note I always love how encouraging Michael is in his books. His advice always comes down to basic, unsexy truths, but it keeps things accountable and reinforces actual lifestyle changes and personal growth which is potentially the greatest result of it all; that he also roots for you along the way is a vitalizing thing.
To Michael: I wouldn't have made my first real steps without you and I certainly wouldn't have buckled down without your grounded approach. I look forward to what the next year brings, and then, after looking back on where all that hard work has taken me, the steps after.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews