The 8 Best Barbell Lifting programs (2023 reviews)

The look and feel of this programs are consistent with the high quality we're used to from the rest of Mark Rippetoe's lineup. If you're looking to start serious weightlifting to lose weight or gain muscle, this book is a great resource for beginners to advanced lifters. Rippetoe presents logically and from the understanding of biomechanics and anatomy, how to build your body and a barbell through space as efficiently as possible to get you strong like Russian bear. It is very good for learning about hip drive.

This is a fantastic book, full of practicle advise and tools to use when teaching someone how to lift. The details on anatomy and the mechanics of loading your body in the right manner are laid out incredibly well. It will save you so much time in the gym trying to figure out what the hell to do. This book is awesome for beginners to advanced lifters. It is easy to follow and gives very good explanations of the exercises and how to properly perform them. It is a must-have for anyone serious about barbell training.

Why We Like This:

Gives a very simple, user-friendly program, with explanations about proper progression and troubleshooting
Highly recommended for beginners and lovers of milk
Simple instructions for the exercises and a very clear program to follow
Highly technical descriptions of the core compound lifts

Best With Kettlebell: Jonathon M Sullivan Barbell Lifting Program

Buy on Amazon

Jonathon M Sullivan line of program come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Barbell Prescription is an excellent book for people looking to “live well” late into life. It explains the basics on energy transfer and on basic lifts. The emphasis on what older lifters need to do makes this essential for them and those who train these older athletes. The Master concentration allows the authors to make the differences clear about how an athlete over 40 can and should use barbell training as part of their regimen to counteract the aging process.

The Barbell Prescription is a must-have book for anyone past their early 40s who is dedicated to getting and staying strong. It provides excellent advice for getting started lifting weights and for doing heavy hiit. This is a well researched and excellent guide on the why of strength training for the aging body. The book is comprehensive, well written and achieves its purpose.

Why We Like This:

Excellent book for persons weightlifting after
Well-written details on how various exercises affect the body
New and hot release

Best For beginner Book: Kyle Hunt Bodybuilding Program

Buy on Amazon

The kyle hunt bodybuilding program's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The challenge with going from just working out with machines or other resources into bodybuilding is that it's a pretty intimidating world to enter into, and also important to enter into it with careful attention so as to avoid injury. This is a great book to get you started and get your exercise routine diversified. It starts by giving the basics to body building such as diet and routine. It provides basic nutritional information and standard exercises.

It takes a holistic approach, with a section on diet as well as stretches and, of course, resistance training. It can be overpowering for a beginner to read. A consistent resistance training program will also help you reduce stress, have more energy during the day, sleep better at night, and improve your coordination.

Why We Like This:

Great for beginners all the way up to advanced quality info
Gives examples with free weights and tension bands, etc
Has example meals as well as a ton of nutritional info

Best For Those: Michael Matthews Barbell Lifting Program

Buy on Amazon

The michael matthews barbell lifting program has killer features for the price point. There's no sugar coating in this book and the world of bodybuilding is explained in a way that is easy to understand and not intimidating. This teaches you how to redefine your body. It helps you document all the tls exercises and track your progress. It provides detailed steps on how to plan your calorie intake and types of workouts you can do.

It is super easy to follow, with step by step exercise routines in various forms and even substitutions for those who can't perform certain routines. The easy to read and follow program is presented in a simply way so that beginners can understand it without being overwhelmed by a mass amount of technical information.

Highly recommend these principles to keep you strong, healthy, and a fit woman and mom to enjoy life.

Why We Like This:

Excellent resource for nutrition and training
You will truly notice a difference in your energy, focus, and overall mood
Great resource for advanced weightlifters and beginners alike
Great meal plans and exercise routines

Best For Muscle Building: Brittany Noelle Barbell Lifting Program

Buy on Amazon

If you are looking for a reliable program for your daily usage, you cannot go wrong with the brittany noelle barbell lifting program. This exercise is really good for working some of the smaller muscles in and around your rotator cuff muscles. It provides sample workout programs which include circuit training and supersets. It is organized and has tips/plan so you can make your workout routine fit you. It does a great job making women feel comfortable with lifting weights and explaining the importance of it.

It's appropriate for women of any age, at any level of fitness, discusses why strength training is important for women, offers information on getting started (equipment and clothing needed), helps you set realistic goals and tells how to create balanced workout programs. There are also tips for how to lift safely by engaging the correct muscles and keeping your body in proper alignment. It comes with safety tips which is nice for preventing injury.

Why We Like This:

Easy to follow and do these exercises
Excellent strength training reference for women of any age and level of fitness
Great illustration to go with the exercises
Floor exercises-just 8 exercises total for both upper and lower body

Best With dumbbell: Kyle Hunt Barbell Lifting Program

Buy on Amazon

We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention kyle hunt barbell lifting program for daily purpose. This book is perfect for a person who wants to begin a training at home without too much knowledge. It’s a great program and it shows you a step by step process to increase your strength, mobility and bone mass. They highlight the important feature of a move & use a variety of body types which is refreshing to see. It is essential to also get in weight/strength training.

These exercises include warm up exercises, bodyweight exercises, dumbbell exercises and barbell exercises. It is best for anyone who wants to start on their exercise habit because of the multiple list of exercises and practices that are listed down on the book. It's easy, decently illustrated and gets to the point relatively quickly.

Why We Like This:

Benefits of strength training, nutrition, stretching, and warm-up exercises
Fueling yourself, getting proper rest, and stretching before and after
Perfect for a pandemic workout program at home

Best For beginning To intermediate lifts: Ryan J Mathias detailed Program

Buy on Amazon

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate program. The ryan j mathias detailed program is exactly that - it's a simple program that hits all the right notes. This program is focused on building up your strength. From proper breathing and form, to technique and diet, this program has it all. It works for beginning to intermediate lifts. The book outlines everything you need to know and the best ways to get to where you want to be. This program gives you as much detail as you'd like but also cuts through all the "other stuff" if you know what you're doing and wat to get down to business. It will actually make you more flexible and faster.

These books are very well written. If you need help setting up a program or figuring out the best way to reach your first 3, 4, or 5 plate squat, this is a great buy.

Why We Like This:

Includes a squat program as well
Include exercises for legs, back, biceps and core
Excellent read, informative, and easy to follow
You can start at any level and progress at your own pace

Best powerlifting Program: Ryan J Mathias Barbell Lifting Program

Buy on Amazon

The Full Power Powerlifting Program book is a great book, easy to read complete step by step program for anyone looking for strength, power and size. This program has everything you need to build muscle. It literally tells you how to work out very specifically day to day for 16 weeks. Unlike other books that are like encyclopedias of 1000 choices that you have to peice together this book does all the program work for you.

This program is very descriptive and actually works. It teaches you exactly how to use C.A.T. This program is very friendly and helpful and is typically very responsive. The program chart is understandable and it’s nice going to the gym and already have a plan other than walking around and being kinda lost. The technique guides are fairly basic but good enough to get started.

Why We Like This:

Energy and good form and the evolving workouts force your body to improve
Really efficient program with safe progressions
You can start at any level and progress at your own pace