Beyond 5/3/1: Simple Training for Extraordinary Results

This review is just as much about Jim Wendler as this particular publication, but this book does, IMO do a great job of capturing Wendler's knowledge and attitude, both of which are pretty awesome.In order to take advantage of this particular book, one really needs to understand the basics behind the 531 methodology. Jim has been incredibly generous in sharing so much online, that even though this book doesn't delve too deeply into the basics, one can easily get that by googling '531 Jim Wendler' or something like that. Its not complicated at all, but its very different than most of the 'black ops, cutting edge, top secrets of the pros BULL$H!T that we all (including me) fell for and wasted precious time trying to follow.531 is all about simplicity in programming for the 3 powerlifts, as well as the overhead press. Its not about minutia.Its about getting strong over the long haul...not adding 30 pounds to your bench in 30 days.Its about building useful, functional muscle mass. Its not about putting a peak on your biceps or cuts on your quads.Its NOT about programming every rep and set of every assistance exercise for every body part until you look like Mr Big and Oily.It IS about getting as strong as you can get, as SAFELY as you can.Finally, 531 is not for brand new beginners (although they can do a lot worse). I would recommend Starting Strength as an excellent resource for newbies (those under about 6 months of serious training).some of the reviews have pointed out (perhaps rightly so) that the basics are not particularly well explained in this book. Well, duh, that's what the original 531 (or terrabits of Wendler's free explanations online) are for. Its amazing to me that people bitch about this book not having what Wendler has already provided elsewhere, but that's people.What this book provides, is Wendler's philosophy on WHY 531 works, and how to apply the 531 template to your specific situation. In addition, space if devoted to the areas that the 531 template does not address (by design), specifically the pulling muscles. Before reading this book, I confess that I tried applying the 531 to movements such as rows and pullups and the results were not all that great. The info is this book helped me understand why 531 WORKS for the powerlifts, but not so well for the 'assistance' or auxiliary movements, and what I could do for those movements.In terms of applying 531 to specifics, this book really shines in terms of what to do on a particular workout (Joker sets, last set first, or I ain't doing s*** today), as well as how to go about mixing things up for a particular cycle.In summary, if you have been working out for 6 months to a year, and want to take things to the next level, understanding basic programming is what you need to learn over the next 5 years. 531 is the resource I always steer people to in this situation.If you want step by step detailed instructions for every workout handed to you. Hire a trainer. There are some great ones.If you want a way to waste your time, money and energy, continue reading ghost written articles from the 'pros' published in magazines designed to sell you the latest and greatests supplements.If you want a resource which will teach you the basics (and beyond) and help you find your own path forward, then check out 531.

Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge fan of Wendler and the original 5/3/1 program. Wendler knows his stuff and delivers his knowledge in a way that is clear and often inspiring.Firstly, the pros:- TONS of programs. You will never run out of programs, challenges or plans for the gym.- Excellent motivational quotes. Jim has a way with words when it comes to pumping you up. "Expect more from yourself" is a simple quote from this book that has become a mantra for me.- Programming is simple and exciting. I can imagine going ten years doing nothing but programming from this book and remaining excited about my workouts. There is so much room for variation that you simply can't get bored.And now, the cons:- Lots of typos. I'm a stickler for grammar. Not because I'm anal, but because I want a book to feel polished and well thought-out. Especially if it is a book I'm going to put my trust into.- The layout is sometimes hard to follow. Wendler does not do a good job of separating the book into distinct sections or chapters. All the different sections feel jammed together with no really good understanding of when one ends and another begins. Not a huge deal, but it sometimes will cause you to go back and try and figure out if the current section you're reading is a new section or a continuation of the previous one.- In an effort to jam-pack this book with programs, Jim doesn't do a great job of explaining a lot of them. For example, why would someone choose the BBB 5x5 vs the 5x10 or the 5x1? Is it just there in case we feel like trying something new, or is it a better program for certain people/goals? His "Beyond 5/3/1" program, for example, is interesting, but I got no sense of why he was so excited about it. Do you think it's better than 5/3/1? Is it for more advanced lifters only? Can anyone do it? This may be my inexperience talking, but it seems relatively similar to a lot of the other programs/variations in the book.All in all, it's a great book, but it could be clearer and more polished. At the moment, it feels like a bunch of programs jammed into a book with no real rhyme or reason, and no advice to guide people to which program is ideal for which situation.

5/3/1 is one the best methodology I’ve used in trainings.It’s consistent, easy to follow and great results.If you take you weight lifting seriously this is one the best guides to achieve the next level

Wendler = Strong

Na procura de um protocolo pra treino de Powerlifting acabei encontrando esse material, e me pareceu executável e coerente. Vou tentar.O livro em si é de fácil compreensão, o autor usa linguagem clara, sem enrolação, e mostra vários modos de uso do sistema. Vale a compra.

This is a welcome change to my training library. Jim is.., well, blunt but offers a comprehensive range of training plans to help build strength and muscle. He is more of a coach than an author. I liked the writing style, often feeling like Jim was telling me first hand what to do. Very accessible like that. In reading this book and checking his forums it's clear what kind of questions he gets all the time. Do it like he says, don't argue or change anything and I think you'll survive. If you aren't sure check his NOV chapter for motivational stuff.I consider myself a hard gainer and I'm a huge fan of Stuart McRobert's training books so I was dubious about this at first. I couldn't even say I've worked long enough at it to call myself a Wendler fanboy/expert (3 cycles, training 3 times a week for 13 weeks so far). I do consider Wendler's philosophy to be similar to McRoberts, although Jim is clear when a program is going to be punishing/high volume/heavy weights etc. From this detail I could easily devise a hard gainer program I feel like I can thrive on. It could very quickly move away from hard gainer friendly to a nightmare if you let it. 13 weeks isn't long but my three lift total is steadily improving (+48lb/22kg). Be familiar with the basic Wendler 531 programme to get the best from this book. Working out percentages across a number of workouts can be quite challenging if, like me, you've never worked on a percentages programme before. Plenty of apps can help or for the old timers like me, pencil and paper do just fine.

Si vous avez le 5/3/1 originel, ce livre va plus loin en proposant plusieurs variations, souvent sur le boring but big.Cependant, le beyond 5/3/1 est dans la continuité du 5/3/1 2nde édition. Si comme moi, vous avez la 1ère édition, il vous manquera 1 ou 2 informations. Mais rien de bien grave.L'intérêt du beyond est aussi d'avoir des variantes sur le principe du 5/3/1, ce qui peut amener de la variété d'une part, des moyens de contourner des périodes de stagnation d'autre part.