Book Review: Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods

Christian Thibaudeau (Thibs from now on for ease of spell check!) is a prolific author for the training website T-Muscle. To be totally honest, i have not been too impressed by his recent offerings on T-Muscle as they are more geared towards bodybuilding rather than strength and conditioning. However I will never write anyone off and will read anything by anyone who has expertise. I find you can always learn at least one useful piece of information from any article or book that you read, even if it just confirms further what you already know. Anyhow in Thibs book, Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods, there was a lot to like and a lot to learn!

Most people who read my blog are probably aware that I am more interested in performance training than bodybuilding. I don’t have anything against bodybuilding and totally admire their dedication to their sport, I just have an issue with how bodybuilding techniques have infiltrated performance training. This book focuses entirely on methods to improve performance. It has some awesome information in it!

A recent focus of Thibs writing and in the strength world in general is a focus on the nervous system. Chad Waterbury has been fairly pivotal in bringing this to the world. Thibs expands on a lot of Waterbury’s concepts and also points out some inconsistencies (for example, the size principle of orderly motor unit recruitment does not apply for eccentric contractions, only for isometric and concentric contractions). This book focuses heavily on the CNS and other methods to develop strength.

The books chapters are

part 1: The science of strength
part 2: Specific applications of the methods
part 3: Training tools: weight releasers
part 4: Training tools: jumpstretch bands
part 5: Training tools: other effective training tools
part 6: The integrated training plan
part 7: Special Topic: EMS for sports
part 8: Special Topic: Explosive strength exercises
part 9: Special Topic: Women and strength training
part 10: Special Topic: Eccentric Quasi-Isometrics
part 11: Conclusion

Each of these chapters is well written, comprehensive and can easily be applied to current training routines. i would highly recommend this book to any trainer, coach or athlete interested in improving their strength and power in a sports specific environment.

Downsides to the book: Probably too many options. Even though Thibs addresses this do not be tempted to try all these methods at once! You will crash and burn quickly! Also, it would have been nice to have more examples of programs using the methods and an explanation of each program and how and what it is going to achieve. Overall though, it is a fantastic book for any training enthusiast to sit down and devour.

Overall rating 8.5 out of 10

Theory and Application of Modern Strength and Power Methods

Book Review: Born to Run

I will be honest with you. I am not a distance running animal. The idea of running a marathon has about as much appeal to me as chewing glass. However, this did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall.

I originally heard of the book through numerous blogs and websites talking about this book and it’s support of barefoot running. As I am a big believer in barefoot training I was immediately intrigued. I have also heard much about the almost superhuman feats of groups such as the Tarahumara and the Kalahari bushmen. When I stumbled upon the book at the Vibram Five Finger stand at the Fitness expo, I literally had to buy it!

I struggled to put this book down. It is that good. McDougall is a fantastic story teller and also has the ability to inform you as he writes. This book basically was written to answer McDougall’s own question which was, “why does it hurt when I run?’ This question led him all the way down to Mexico to run in a ultra-marathon through dangerous bush-land on an adventure with a crazy guide, a duo of hard drinking college students, a barefoot running aficionado and some elite ultra marathoners.

This book also presents some fantastic info on why we evolved to run and why running is good for us. To be honest, it has changed some of my pre-conceptions about running as a means of training. However, in the book it does mention the value of strength training for improving running performance (Mcdougall himself is put through training involving squats and lunges by his running coach to get him strong enought to run) and emphasizes differential practice (the Tarahumara practice a game which involves running, cutting, change of direction, lunging, jumping and other random activities to get ready for running)

All in all if this book does not make you want to do something you must be dead or at least halfway there! I highly recommend this book to everyone

Born to Run