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The Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger Challenge
ARE YOU READY TO SHATTER PLATEAUS AND SET NEW PRS? The Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger Challenge is a workout journal companion to the bestselling book Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger. The Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger program is meant for intermediate and advanced weightlifters that are looking to take their training and physiques to the next level. This book contains a full year's worth of Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger workouts, properly laid out so you can record and track your progress, as well as some of the author's favorite motivational quotes and recipes from his bestselling cookbooks, The Shredded Chef and Eat Green Get Lean. If you want to build extraordinary strength and muscle, while also staying lean, get started on the Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger program today.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2014
985 people are currently reading
1097 people want to read
About the author
Michael Matthews
43 books432 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/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
August 23, 2014
I was excited to hear Mike's new book was out and ordered a copy straight away. Not only is this book a goldmine of info for the small price, the bonus content he personally emails you after your purchase (by forwarding your amazon receipt to bbls@muscleforlife.com) makes the purchase a no-brainer. I'm a early 20-something physique competitor (5'7", 170 lbs, 6% bf) who's been training for about 5 years and has been following Mike's books and blog since the original Bigger Leaner Stronger came out. As a scientist I do a lot of my own research for my training/diet/supplementation just like Mike, and had come to many of the same conclusions about the best approach to a healthy lifestyle and gaining muscle. Because of this, I greatly enjoy his friendly no-BS writing style and hearing about his opinions to compare with my own.
This book is a very cohesive combination of his thoughts from the MuscleForLife blog and new content for anyone interested in knowing exactly what's what in the world of weightlifting. He goes through everything you need to know about what works, what doesn't, and what fads to watch out for, in just the right amount of detail. A lot of these claims go against the grain and may be hard to believe for some.
For the most part I agree with his mentality and greatly appreciate all 277 of his cited scientific studies supporting his conclusions. I've incorporated much of his findings into my regime. However, different approaches work for different people even if these specific studies suggest otherwise. Techniques such as carb cycling, losing fat while building muscle in a calorie deficit, and high volume training have worked for me and my crew while some alternative suggestions given in this book haven't, but that's just our experience. All in all, I think this is the most solid and proven approach out there.
One last thing, just want to mention his supplement line "Legion" is probably the best thing to happen to the supplement industry since powdered protein. Before the highly anticipated launch of his all natural and scientifically dosed products, I used to pay an arm/leg/first born for crappy tasting overpriced "natural" products which didn't use artificial sweeteners or dyes. Some products, such as a naturally sweetened pre-workout, couldn't even be bought before Legion's Pulse. Thanks for bringing honest and healthy supplements to the market Mike. Your hard work has helped more people than you think, and you're probably well on your way to breaking a million.
This book is a very cohesive combination of his thoughts from the MuscleForLife blog and new content for anyone interested in knowing exactly what's what in the world of weightlifting. He goes through everything you need to know about what works, what doesn't, and what fads to watch out for, in just the right amount of detail. A lot of these claims go against the grain and may be hard to believe for some.
For the most part I agree with his mentality and greatly appreciate all 277 of his cited scientific studies supporting his conclusions. I've incorporated much of his findings into my regime. However, different approaches work for different people even if these specific studies suggest otherwise. Techniques such as carb cycling, losing fat while building muscle in a calorie deficit, and high volume training have worked for me and my crew while some alternative suggestions given in this book haven't, but that's just our experience. All in all, I think this is the most solid and proven approach out there.
One last thing, just want to mention his supplement line "Legion" is probably the best thing to happen to the supplement industry since powdered protein. Before the highly anticipated launch of his all natural and scientifically dosed products, I used to pay an arm/leg/first born for crappy tasting overpriced "natural" products which didn't use artificial sweeteners or dyes. Some products, such as a naturally sweetened pre-workout, couldn't even be bought before Legion's Pulse. Thanks for bringing honest and healthy supplements to the market Mike. Your hard work has helped more people than you think, and you're probably well on your way to breaking a million.
September 13, 2014
This is the book I've been waiting for. I've slowly (through much trial and error) discovered what works for me through years and years of lifting. And, no surprise, it's pretty much what Mike said in his first book.
And then I started to slowly change my workouts for various reasons. And again, my workouts that I've come up with are really similar to what he's teaching in his new book here.
This new book, Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger, delves into so much more than just hitting weights and diet. He has some pretty nice information about flexibility and mobility - stretching and foam rolling. There's also a few chapters towards the end that go over some of the fad diet types floating around right now - Intermittent Fasting, Carb Cycling, and Paleo. He's got tips on getting your fat percentage under 10% and maintaining it there for extended periods. And there's also a great chapter on traveling that I may be returning to soon as I get closer to a vacation I've been planning.
I wish that these two books had been around when I first started lifting almost 20 years ago. I would say that I wasted almost 15 of those years following the BS programs in magazines promoted by supplement companies and 'juicers.' Adding muscle and getting lean isn't as difficult or complicated as they would have you believe.
Now when somebody asks me for advice, I point them first to Bigger Leaner Stronger and then to Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger. I know that they really don't need much else besides those two books to keep the gains coming for years. Whether you want to get a six pack or add a ton of weight to your squat or bench, these are the books you should be picking up.
I was compelled to write this review because I want people to buy these books - not because I care that Mike Matthews sells a lot of books (though he seems like a really great guy), but because I feel that these books will help people get into the shape that they've always wanted to be in and get much healthier while doing it.
And then I started to slowly change my workouts for various reasons. And again, my workouts that I've come up with are really similar to what he's teaching in his new book here.
This new book, Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger, delves into so much more than just hitting weights and diet. He has some pretty nice information about flexibility and mobility - stretching and foam rolling. There's also a few chapters towards the end that go over some of the fad diet types floating around right now - Intermittent Fasting, Carb Cycling, and Paleo. He's got tips on getting your fat percentage under 10% and maintaining it there for extended periods. And there's also a great chapter on traveling that I may be returning to soon as I get closer to a vacation I've been planning.
I wish that these two books had been around when I first started lifting almost 20 years ago. I would say that I wasted almost 15 of those years following the BS programs in magazines promoted by supplement companies and 'juicers.' Adding muscle and getting lean isn't as difficult or complicated as they would have you believe.
Now when somebody asks me for advice, I point them first to Bigger Leaner Stronger and then to Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger. I know that they really don't need much else besides those two books to keep the gains coming for years. Whether you want to get a six pack or add a ton of weight to your squat or bench, these are the books you should be picking up.
I was compelled to write this review because I want people to buy these books - not because I care that Mike Matthews sells a lot of books (though he seems like a really great guy), but because I feel that these books will help people get into the shape that they've always wanted to be in and get much healthier while doing it.
September 21, 2020
Great upgrade to Bigger Leaner Stronger. If you've read the first book, this does not really overlap with it but targets people who are familiar with its content and have enough proficiency with training/dieting to move to an advanced level. The style of writing is really straight to the point, the author does not delve excessively into research but each suggestion is well documented. This book can pretty much replace 90% of the reading material on fitness that is out there!
June 15, 2017
Great book that builds on the information from the first book. It is full of a lot of information and will require certain sections being reviewed multiple times to make sure that it is properly processed and synthesized. Now to put this information into practice in the real world.
October 20, 2017
Книга почти полностью бесполезная.
Насколько я рекомендую прочитать Bigger, Leaner, Stronger настолько же я считаю что эту книгу можно не читать.
В ней есть раздел про мезоциклы - что делать после того как вы освоите методику из Bigger, Leaner, Stronger и вам надо сойти с плато. Но мне это показалось уже изменением ради изменения - за годы вам надоест делать одно и тоже и можно вносить разнообразие любым образом не меняя общих принципов, изложенных в основной книге автора.
Также тут есть немного про растяжки (для меня новой была тема про массажные валики, которые действительно помогают, хотя в общем очень факультативны).
И большие разделы, где автор подробно объясняет, почему нет смысла в модных диетах, разобрав парочку подробнее.
Также он рассказывает как поддерживает режим в поездках.
Читать эту книгу смысла примерно ноль.
Насколько я рекомендую прочитать Bigger, Leaner, Stronger настолько же я считаю что эту книгу можно не читать.
В ней есть раздел про мезоциклы - что делать после того как вы освоите методику из Bigger, Leaner, Stronger и вам надо сойти с плато. Но мне это показалось уже изменением ради изменения - за годы вам надоест делать одно и тоже и можно вносить разнообразие любым образом не меняя общих принципов, изложенных в основной книге автора.
Также тут есть немного про растяжки (для меня новой была тема про массажные валики, которые действительно помогают, хотя в общем очень факультативны).
И большие разделы, где автор подробно объясняет, почему нет смысла в модных диетах, разобрав парочку подробнее.
Также он рассказывает как поддерживает режим в поездках.
Читать эту книгу смысла примерно ноль.
August 6, 2017
A continuation of the previous Bigger Leaner Stronger, it goes in more deep coverage for those who want to get <10% body fat. It requires you to practice at least for 1.5 to 2 years the matters on the first book before reading this one. It gives good tips about different diets including the new trends and why they worth (or mostly not worth!). A lot of details for those who are no more any rookies and want to go further.
Would recommend only for those who already read the first book.
Would recommend only for those who already read the first book.
August 29, 2014
The perfect follow up to BLS. Mike again adapts his no bs, no bro-science, just straight up facts and research approach to this follow up. As is stated in this book numerous times, BLS is a prerequisite to attaining true understanding and advantage of BBLS.
June 17, 2016
Matthews books are amazing. Science-based fitness. Do what he says and it will transform you.
December 8, 2019
First thing I noticed when I opened the box, was how much smaller the book is than the first one. I guess M.M. heard the complaints of those who purchased the first book and said it was very large. In this follow up, Mike covers subjects such as nutrition, different types of diets, how to stretch for mobility and flexibility, strength training programs, etc. Great follow up to the 1st book: Bigger, Leaner, Stronger. Make sure you get that book before this one. You should be at the minimum: squatting 300lb., deadlifting 400lb., And bench pressing 225lb. before transferring to Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger training program. I include a picture were it specifically shows what numbers you should be lifting. The reason for my 3 star review is because Chapter #1 is almost completely missing. Specifically, pages #18,19,20,21,22,23,and page #24 are completely gone. How they could print this copy with so many pages missing is beyond me. I decided not to return it because it wouldn't be worth the hassle for a $7 and change book. Plus, chapter 1 was just an introduction of what's to come. The rest of the book(meat and potatoes) was complete. So 3 stars for missing pages, but 5 stars for information in the book. Great, simple read. If you liked the 1st book, you will enjoy this one also. Hopefully, your copy isn't missing any pages. Lol. There were also a couple of typos that weren't caught during the editing process. But no big deal. I can't wait until I can hit the numbers necessary in my main compound lifts so I can transfer to the workout program in this book. He recommends you stay on the 1st book program for 1-2yrs. Then switch to Beyond B.L.S. I will hit 1yr. on 8/2019. I've seen crazy gains in my first 4 months on the 1st book(BLS). Good luck to everyone on the B.L.S. and Beyond B.L.S. program. Thanks M.M. for another helpful, informative, no non-sense book. That's all.
September 10, 2024
Great follow up book to Bigger, Leaner, Stronger
It has some really great chapters on optimizing your environment to reach your health goals, motivations and goals.
It also really digs into some really interesting genetics content, discussing body types, what is NATURALLY possible,, and considerations.
It also gave me some additional solid dieting or exercising advice.
As I dug into this book it definitely seemed I have different goals then the author, for example the suggestion of virtually no cardio. Not that there is a right or wrong here, just different goals.
Admittedly it’s also built for people much more committed to this than I am aswell. But really enjoyed the advancement here from the other book.
Looking forward to reading his “little black book” soon too!
It has some really great chapters on optimizing your environment to reach your health goals, motivations and goals.
It also really digs into some really interesting genetics content, discussing body types, what is NATURALLY possible,, and considerations.
It also gave me some additional solid dieting or exercising advice.
As I dug into this book it definitely seemed I have different goals then the author, for example the suggestion of virtually no cardio. Not that there is a right or wrong here, just different goals.
Admittedly it’s also built for people much more committed to this than I am aswell. But really enjoyed the advancement here from the other book.
Looking forward to reading his “little black book” soon too!
January 22, 2025
It’s a great book for those with multiple years of consistent weight lifting experience. It explains a couple popular periodization schemes that are essential for advanced lifters. It is very hard and sometimes impossible to progress linearly later in your weightlifting career and so it is very important to make use of more advanced techniques to squeeze out the remaining gains at the edges of your natural limits. It talks about a few things such as natural limits on hypertrophy and strength, mindset effects on progress, supplementation, dieting and exercise selection. I highly recommend this to readers that want to continue to sculpt their bodies in the later years of their lifting career.
October 2, 2023
El primer año me aventé todo mi entrenamiento basado en el libro anterior, estos primeros tres meses de mi segundo año aunque no seguiré usando el entrenamiento propuesto sino el de Mentzer agregando más cardio porque me encanta aburrirme exageradamente y sentir que no voy a ningún lado por grandes cantidades de tiempo al día. jaja, fuck cardio, pero ni modo, se tiene que hacer.
Volviendo al libro, en definitiva si recorta bastante los entrenamientos en comparación al año anterior, no al nivel de Mentzer de entrenar 1 día si y 3 no, pero si bastante. Explica más a fondo que esperar del segundo año de entrenamiento y muchas cosas de nutrición que la verdad es donde más complicaciones tengo.
Volviendo al libro, en definitiva si recorta bastante los entrenamientos en comparación al año anterior, no al nivel de Mentzer de entrenar 1 día si y 3 no, pero si bastante. Explica más a fondo que esperar del segundo año de entrenamiento y muchas cosas de nutrición que la verdad es donde más complicaciones tengo.
December 9, 2024
I’m a big fan of Mike Mathews and his supplement company Legion. He does a great job breaking down the scientific “why” behind his program and dietary recommendations.
This book was pretty good, very similar to the first book of his I read: Bigger Leaner Stronger. This book is geared towards a more advanced lifter that has come off of their newbie gains phase.
My favorite chapter was taking about the perfect physique and the ratios to aspire to.
Solid content, I do really like this company and Mike. Decent book.
This book was pretty good, very similar to the first book of his I read: Bigger Leaner Stronger. This book is geared towards a more advanced lifter that has come off of their newbie gains phase.
My favorite chapter was taking about the perfect physique and the ratios to aspire to.
Solid content, I do really like this company and Mike. Decent book.
October 23, 2022
Clear and effective
Michael’s training books have taught me more than any other source about the basic, intermediate, and some advanced techniques and research on building a healthy body. I started implementing the information on his previous book (Bigger Leaner Stronger) some years ago and it has been very effective. I am excited to take it to the next level now! Strongly recommended.
Michael’s training books have taught me more than any other source about the basic, intermediate, and some advanced techniques and research on building a healthy body. I started implementing the information on his previous book (Bigger Leaner Stronger) some years ago and it has been very effective. I am excited to take it to the next level now! Strongly recommended.
November 3, 2024
Mike Matthews is my go-to guy on all things fitness, muscle building, and supplements. He explains complicated concepts with clarity and makes what could be dry material rather lively. If Bigger, Leaner, Stronger is fitness 101 and 201, BBLS is 301 and 401, and the complexity is cranked up a fair bit, but he makes planning accessible and doable with his material.
January 8, 2025
Pretty good. There was some really good info on how to periodize your program into micro, meso, macrocycles. The rest of the book seemed to be mostly fluff. That being said, if you're really obsessed about building that last pound or 2 of muscle as an intermediate natural lifter, this book has all the nitty gritty to get you there.
January 10, 2017
Good refresher on dieting down, maintaining through life by shifting calories during the day, periodization of workouts. Quick reviews of current fad diets like intermittent fasting, carb cycling, etc. not treating them as a silver bullet but putting them in a context where they can be analyzed and used.
March 21, 2018
Nice ideas on advancing almost purely strength oriented (in my opinion) training techniques from the first book. Chapters on hyped diets were an interesting read as well.
The only downside was the inclusion of a purely promotional chapter about author's supplement company.
The only downside was the inclusion of a purely promotional chapter about author's supplement company.
July 7, 2018
All of the questions I needed answered
I wish I had read this sooner. After 2 years of BLS, I had all sorts of advanced questions and this book answered all of them. I highly recommend even the non-workour chapters for anyone interested in nutrition
I wish I had read this sooner. After 2 years of BLS, I had all sorts of advanced questions and this book answered all of them. I highly recommend even the non-workour chapters for anyone interested in nutrition
September 16, 2018
Amazing book!
I have been doing the Bigger Leaner Stronger routine for 6 years. My strength and size has gone up dramatically. This new book will take my body to the next level. I look forward to the next few months to see what my gains will be.
I have been doing the Bigger Leaner Stronger routine for 6 years. My strength and size has gone up dramatically. This new book will take my body to the next level. I look forward to the next few months to see what my gains will be.
December 17, 2018
Good book. A lot of specific details - very technical nutritional information and solid weight training plans. It is based on proven methods and simple ideas, so some will love it and some will hate it. No quick fixes here - eat right and exercise. A tale as old as time...
April 20, 2023
All you need to know
I find MM’s material absolutely essential in a world of misinformation. It’s my go to - I trust everything he says because it’s based on fact and research. Wouldn’t deviate from it.
I find MM’s material absolutely essential in a world of misinformation. It’s my go to - I trust everything he says because it’s based on fact and research. Wouldn’t deviate from it.
July 29, 2023
Superb!
Get better shape of the body and improve your quality of life by following the guidelines and advices of Michael Matthews!Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger is an exceptional book from any point of view.Bravo Michael, you did it even better than with Bigger Leaner Stronger!
Get better shape of the body and improve your quality of life by following the guidelines and advices of Michael Matthews!Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger is an exceptional book from any point of view.Bravo Michael, you did it even better than with Bigger Leaner Stronger!
July 16, 2024
I should’ve known better from bigger, leaner, stronger. This was beyond boring. Nothing you couldn’t get from some quick research articles online and just listening to him go on about the meals and workouts and whatever was just torture
January 1, 2018
Followed through the workout and diet plan from this book and my strenght went off the roof.
February 24, 2019
Great books for advanced lifters who have already reached certain muscle gains and want to push themselves further.
Want to read
June 2, 2019The original is the best weight training program I've tried. Figured it's time to check this one out.
August 18, 2019
"Somebody get this man some protein!"
February 16, 2020
Great book as always!
May 4, 2020
Some good nuggets but not as enlightening as the first one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews