# Need a weightlifting book recommendation for a beginner

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [April 19, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600 "2010-04-19T03:44:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600/1 "2010-04-19T03:44:31Z")

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I am 22, about 220 pounds, in pretty good shape aerobically, but I have a lot more flab and less muscle than I’d like.

I want to start weightlifting, and I am looking for a good book recommendation. My preference is towards the sober and scientific side, and there just seems to be so much crap out there pretending to have some magic “system” that only they know about.

I just want a book that will accurately describe the basics - what to eat, what exercises to start with, how often to do them, how building muscle actually works, how to pick what exercises to do, etc.

Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600/2 "2010-04-19T03:48:06Z")

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Not a book but the [best online source](http://www.exrx.net/index.html) around. And they do sell books.

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**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600/3 "2010-04-19T04:45:11Z")

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I find that [stumptuous](http://www.stumptuous.com/) is a bit more beginner friendly. A lot of the information there is targeted towards women, but everything short of “How to lift during your period” is applicable to men as well.

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**Author:** ![Chicagojeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@Chicagojeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicagojeff)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600/4 "2010-04-19T05:43:12Z")

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I would suggest Strength training anatomy by Federic Duvalier… its offered on that site Runner pat mentioned… and also on amazon or at borders etc… I’ve had the damn thing stolen from me twice its so good… my second advice is not to lend it out!!

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**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\
**Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-weightlifting-book-recommendation-for-a-beginner/536600/5 "2010-04-19T05:58:44Z")

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> [@](#):
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> Need a weightlifting book recommendation

Try the [Complete Oxford English Dictionary](http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-English-Dictionary-Vols-1-20/dp/0198611862); a 20 volume set should get your heart pumping.