Just finished reading it, and it was fantastic! Can't wait to begin my mass gaining phase.
I love the concept of the "over warm-up" -- not only should it allow you to bang out more reps, it keeps you accustomed to the "feel" of heavy weights, which I think should make the transition back into pure strength training easier.
Paul, Was about to go to sleep when I saw this and just had to buy it before doing so. I haven't read it yet, but looked through it and it looks amazing! Going to take my time to read it first thing tomorrow morning and once I finished it probably re-read it a few times to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Thanks for everything you do and all the time you put in to getting invaluable information out there for us. Really appreciate it.
Each time that you give in to your fears, it makes it a little easier the next time to do so. Your life slips away, and so does all of the dreams you had for it. Tisk, tisk, tisk. Death is winning. Do something, besides getting on your knees over and over again.
1) I just bought the book and my Tshirt will be here tomorrow! Like Christmas (only better!).
2) I did hit my PR on the Klokov tonight. 185! I didn't drop my asshole out but my vision did start to go dark. Whew!
3) Although a part of me is ashamed to admit it... I went to see Rock of Ages tonight. It was a hell of a fun movie. Oh, and did I mention Julianne Hough?
Paul quick question..I'm on the chapter about you training your daughter and I noticed you said she couldn't incline the bar for one rep at the beginning of the 'cycle' and by the end she could do it for 5. How did you train her to do so if she couldn't lift the bar? Did you do negatives or something? I find this info useful for helping me train a girl that has about the same strength level (cant do a rep on the incline).
Ah gotcha. Thanks Paul. Book is amazing so far. Love the new big-15 and bodypart specialization since I mostly focus on bodybuilding. Awesome, awesome material.
I'm about to purchase it right now! I hate reading on the computer too so I will probably purchase both.
But first I just wanted to say congratulations Paul. As a business owner, husband, father of 3, and lifer, I know that putting yourself out there like this is one of the most fulfilling and manliest things a person can do. It's like the best PR you can set.
6 weeks is always an assessment mark of where you are mentally/physically. There is nothing magical about making sure both get hit an equal number of times.
Read maybe 40% of it to date and I can already safely say that this is an extremely well put together book that doesn't seem to have any irrelevant pages whatsoever. An absolute steal at $25 IMO.
Most importantly, the material can be used to help people with their training goals for a lifetime. None of this 'get strong/ripped in 12 weeks' BS.
I write professionally myself Paul so I appreciate the effort that went into making the book. Trying to write a novel myself (63,000 words in) though there is an absence of weightlifting in it :-)
Thanks Pat. I actually wrote a novel 4 years ago (never published) and that's how I ended up getting started in this whole writing thing. I applaud your efforts. I know what an undertaking that can be.
You said it! Did you ever consider going down the self-publishing route? There are a litany of sites that do it nowadays. We no longer have to rely on the stuffy publishing industry. The caveat is of course we still get shafted when it comes to royalties.
Good stuff and I hope you make a mint from it. I know that really isn't your motivation but it would be good to see a Grade A book get the rewards it deserves.
Just wanted to say great work Paul. It is clear that you have put so much into this product and it is top notch. Very inspiring. Lots of home truths and great training info. Many thanks for a timely kick up the rear.
Hi Paul, just a quick question. With the lrb template do you start the first wave at 85%, hitting 100% at 18 weeks on completion of 3 waves? Just trying to figure a reasonable increase to shoot for. Thanks again for the product and your time.
I'm coming off 2+ years working 531 & feeling pretty beat up all the time from the max rep sets @ 85-95% of 1RM. would love to jump into a full blown mass gain but need to lean out first. Will work your conditioning plan with 2 lifting days, using Big-15 for the main lift. At least I think so!
did you know you didn't have enough nuts to post with your real name? I mean, if you're going to have the balls to basically throw someone under the bus, at least man up about it.
What Jamie does with his life, doesn't effect me. I'm sure all your friends are the holiest of the holy, as you are, however most people I know have done things in their life they regret, or they live via a different moral compass than I do, or you do.
Jamie did some gay for pay, and I'm sure he'll get beat on about it. However he's a grown man, and makes decisions he has to live with. Is it the same ones I would make? Obviously not. Jamie and I have obviously taken very different paths in life, and have different moral codes. But Jamie has been a good friend to me, and until he crosses me in a way that would end that friendship then I don't really care about things that affect me not.
I guess my thing about being perfect is, I'm positive you have done things you regret, or wish you could change. You'd probably appreciate if someone who claimed to be a friend, would remain one when the shit storm arose over those choices.
Especially when those choices never affected them in any way.
Know what I mean?
If Jamie had killed or raped someone, then that would be different. What he did, he did to himself. So he has to live with those choices. Not me.
I'm not really surprised by anything anymore. This is not the first time I have found out someone I knew did this. And Jamie is pretty crazy, and has hinted he's pretty much open to anything.
I'm sure that by the time Monday rolls around, C&P will have a heavily footnoted post about how the occasional same-sex dalliance boosts testosterone production, and how oldtime strongmen and Spartan warriors used to do it all the time, and how if you don't do it you'll never have an Elite total + abs like he has......
I bought the book and I love it. The strong-15 program was exactly what I was looking for in the big lifts. I do have a question though that may or may not come off as complete Matt Douche.
Are the training templates a guide or are they more or less set in stone? I only have a bar and squat rack so I am a bit limited but don't want to change the program so much that it becomes something else.
So is the main goal to do the strong-15 and then just some solid assistance after, like 5/3/1?
Just finished the book Paul. This was great. I really enjoyed that you went above and beyond just training advice and put in some really meaningful life advice in there too. Ever since I started reading your blog, you've been a role model for me and I just wanted to say thank you.
Paul, just picked up the book and spent the last 30 min skimming over it. Looks tremendous, congrats on getting it done and getting it out there. In keeping with your material on psychology, I believe one of the traits of a real man is being able to set himself a task and see that through from vision to completion. Again, kudos.
BTW a lot of the stuff about prehab/rehab, specifically tailored towards lifters, I've never seen anywhere (and I've been in the game nearly 20 years) - and very simple and straightforwardly presented.
Hey i just purchased your book and think of trying out your "Man Maker" programm. I recently stalled on bench press and overhead press in 5/3/1 and squat also gets really hard so i think now is a good time to try it out. Have some maybe stupid questions. You use the Strong-15 Cycle to progress on your main lifts and don't use pause squats on squats? Would it be ok to add in some rotator and ab work?
I just finished the book last night and I can't remember the last time I was this fired up to lift and attack life! The book absolutely exceeded expectations and the effort involved is truly impressive.
I intend to run the intermediate program you listed but I need to clarify a few items if possible.
How many weeks is the cycle? What are the percentages for the main and supp lifts? Do I use my 1 RM or a realistic number above that? Any substitution for the leg press?
Thanks in advance for your help and congrats on your success.
BAH, I'm confused. As a 19 year old newbie who hasn't arrived at a 155 bench (265 Squat, 300 Deadlift) should I continue with your previous big-15 program or use the intermediate strength program? I figured I'd incorporate your strong-15 cycle into my bench and deadlift then keep running hypertrophy on my squats, 15 -17 reps then move weight up. Extra hypertrophy on light days.
Great book, Paul. Looking forward to starting my Strong-15 routine.
So you like Brazilian women? If you choose a nice city to visit, you'll probably find a lot of women almost as hot as Adriana Lima. That's the greatest part of being Brazilian....
Without nut-swinging too hard, I'm going to echo some of the "role model" comments that others have said. I just bought the book and am only a few pages in, but already you're hitting on some things that have been weighing heavily on me as I am maturing. I'm 26, almost 27, and have just now (past year or so) begun getting my shit together after years of being sickened with my weak ass actions, so getting a book like this that confirms where I'm trying to go with my attitude/life is awesome.
I can't wait to read the rest of the book. Thanks for it and the blog.
hi paul bought the book via paypal on thursday, melbourne, australia time, im guessing when my paypal payment clears then ill get the link to download? Im fuckin hanging to read it, awesome blog as well mate dig the no bullshit straight to the point writing.
So much good stuff in this book. Just one tidbit - I've learned how to do hypers properly! No, seriously, this one matters - I had it all wrong, in exactly the way you wrote about. Did 3 sets yesterday, and yep, my lower back felt that, like it never has before.
The bench setup advice is awesome as well. And the squat advice. The good shit just keeps on coming.
Twelve pages in and I had to say thanks. The section on values (respect yourself, respect others, etc.) really hit home. This past year I have lost my grandmother, found out my wife and I are going to have our first child (baby girl), and lost my job. I was very angry at first, then realized that (as you say) the shit tide will eventually go down. I decided to write out some values for myself and I refused to stray from them no matter what. My values were almost to a "T" what yours are. I am writing this proud to say that we are getting ready to welcome our daughter into the our lives, I have a new, better job, and I am proud of the man I was during all the shit. Outstanding book. Will definitely recommend it, read it, and reread it.
YEAH BOYEE!
ReplyDeleteHELL YEAH!
ReplyDeleteJust got my copy -- looks great!
BRB, becoming the lion........
Just finished reading it, and it was fantastic! Can't wait to begin my mass gaining phase.
DeleteI love the concept of the "over warm-up" -- not only should it allow you to bang out more reps, it keeps you accustomed to the "feel" of heavy weights, which I think should make the transition back into pure strength training easier.
Bought it. Thanks, Paul for all of the excellent writing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Thanks for this Paul.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Paul, disregard my note in paypal. Didn't know the download followed right after payment. Way cool.
ReplyDeleteBought it! Reading it now. So friggin excited.
ReplyDeleteI am supremely proud of this book and the awesome man who wrote it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! When will the paper back be available?
ReplyDeleteProbably within two weeks.
DeleteIt's a good thing I managed to dodge gunshots to the chest long enough to give you my money. I can't wait to read it, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnte up Motherfuckers.
ReplyDeleteSummer is gonna be brutal.
Thanks Paul.
Chapter one is very quotable. Nice writing Paul.
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteWas about to go to sleep when I saw this and just had to buy it before doing so. I haven't read it yet, but looked through it and it looks amazing! Going to take my time to read it first thing tomorrow morning and once I finished it probably re-read it a few times to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Thanks for everything you do and all the time you put in to getting invaluable information out there for us. Really appreciate it.
Lorenzo
Each time that you give in to your fears, it makes it a little easier the
ReplyDeletenext time to do so.
Your life slips away, and so does all of the dreams you had for it.
Tisk, tisk, tisk.
Death is winning. Do something, besides getting on your knees over and over again.
I need this tattooed somewhere.
Starting page 1 now. Fuck yeah. Shoutout to Tiffany C for posting up in here too. Your husband is the shit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think he is the best....and he continues to prove it every day. :-)
DeleteYou make it easy babe! :)
DeleteJesus. Get a room, you two.
DeleteMY bad......
DeleteHow much willz da paperback cost?
ReplyDeleteNevermind Paul, the download email was in my junk email.
ReplyDeleteWe're all good.
Paul, will this ebook download onto an I-pad I wonder!!?? Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreg
Yes, I believe so. It's PDF.
DeleteI purchased mine on my iPad, you're good. It'll save into iBooks.
DeleteCool, I was able to get it on my I-pad! Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreg
OK... 3 things real quick.
ReplyDelete1) I just bought the book and my Tshirt will be here tomorrow! Like Christmas (only better!).
2) I did hit my PR on the Klokov tonight. 185! I didn't drop my asshole out but my vision did start to go dark. Whew!
3) Although a part of me is ashamed to admit it... I went to see Rock of Ages tonight. It was a hell of a fun movie. Oh, and did I mention Julianne Hough?
Thanks for all you do for us Paul!
Steve
Nice job on the PR. No idea about the movie.
DeleteAnd my pleasure.
Paul quick question..I'm on the chapter about you training your daughter and I noticed you said she couldn't incline the bar for one rep at the beginning of the 'cycle' and by the end she could do it for 5. How did you train her to do so if she couldn't lift the bar? Did you do negatives or something? I find this info useful for helping me train a girl that has about the same strength level (cant do a rep on the incline).
ReplyDeleteThey had some fixed bars that were shorter and lighter. Like 10, 15, 20, 25....etc. And we started with the 20 I believe. Now she inclines 85. :)
DeleteAh gotcha. Thanks Paul. Book is amazing so far. Love the new big-15 and bodypart specialization since I mostly focus on bodybuilding. Awesome, awesome material.
DeleteAm already in the works on it so I will get it out as quickly as possible....
ReplyDeleteI'm about to purchase it right now! I hate reading on the computer too so I will probably purchase both.
ReplyDeleteBut first I just wanted to say congratulations Paul. As a business owner, husband, father of 3, and lifer, I know that putting yourself out there like this is one of the most fulfilling and manliest things a person can do. It's like the best PR you can set.
I hope to do the same for myself and family.
Keep it up. Thanks.
Hey Paul,
ReplyDeleteWith the new big-15 program, it runs over 6 weeks, but that means your staple #1 gets 5 hits and your staple #2 gets 4, both lower and upper.
Or do you stretch it over 6.5 weeks?
6 weeks is always an assessment mark of where you are mentally/physically. There is nothing magical about making sure both get hit an equal number of times.
DeleteA ton of material to digest and great presentation (design is very pro). It was totally worth the wait. Great book Paul!
ReplyDeleteRead maybe 40% of it to date and I can already safely say that this is an extremely well put together book that doesn't seem to have any irrelevant pages whatsoever. An absolute steal at $25 IMO.
ReplyDeleteMost importantly, the material can be used to help people with their training goals for a lifetime. None of this 'get strong/ripped in 12 weeks' BS.
You are to be commended Paul Carter.
That was the goal, Pat.
DeleteI write professionally myself Paul so I appreciate the effort that went into making the book. Trying to write a novel myself (63,000 words in) though there is an absence of weightlifting in it :-)
DeleteThanks Pat. I actually wrote a novel 4 years ago (never published) and that's how I ended up getting started in this whole writing thing. I applaud your efforts. I know what an undertaking that can be.
DeleteYou said it! Did you ever consider going down the self-publishing route? There are a litany of sites that do it nowadays. We no longer have to rely on the stuffy publishing industry. The caveat is of course we still get shafted when it comes to royalties.
DeleteI will be having this bad boy published by the same folks who do Wendler's stuff.
DeleteGood stuff and I hope you make a mint from it. I know that really isn't your motivation but it would be good to see a Grade A book get the rewards it deserves.
DeleteLikewise, Pat. From one writer to another, people never really understand how much of yourself you pour into a work like that.
DeleteThanks Paul! I'll quit pestering you with comments barring this one just to say that the introductory chapter is a fitting prelude. Inspirational.
DeleteNo pester at all. And again, that was the goal. So thanks!
DeleteJust wanted to say great work Paul. It is clear that you have put so much into this product and it is top notch. Very inspiring. Lots of home truths and great training info. Many thanks for a timely kick up the rear.
ReplyDeleteThanks man!
DeleteHi Paul, just a quick question. With the lrb template do you start the first wave at 85%, hitting 100% at 18 weeks on completion of 3 waves? Just trying to figure a reasonable increase to shoot for. Thanks again for the product and your time.
DeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteBeen planning to purchase this for some time now, I get a ton of great info from your blog, very inspiration and affirmative. Thanks for that.
Is there a hard copy version coming? If so what is the timeline? I would prefer that. Cheers
Yes, I have a hard copy coming. Maybe a couple of weeks?
DeleteAn excellent body of work Paul, one of which you should be very proud. The hardest part for me now is I want to do all of it!
ReplyDeleteBig picture! Do what you NEED to do, not want.
DeleteI'm coming off 2+ years working 531 & feeling pretty beat up all the time from the max rep sets @ 85-95% of 1RM. would love to jump into a full blown mass gain but need to lean out first. Will work your conditioning plan with 2 lifting days, using Big-15 for the main lift. At least I think so!
DeleteA BigStrongLeanConditioned-15 program does sound nice, though..........
DeleteDid you know your boy Jamie is a fucking cock blower?
ReplyDeletehttp://queermenow.net/blog/musclebound-tucker-james-bottoms-for-dean-coxx-at-club-dean/
http://www.reddit.com/r/fitnesscirclejerk/comments/vslgg/jamie_lewis_responds/
Apparently he dealt with it on reddit.
Deletedid you know you didn't have enough nuts to post with your real name? I mean, if you're going to have the balls to basically throw someone under the bus, at least man up about it.
What Jamie does with his life, doesn't effect me. I'm sure all your friends are the holiest of the holy, as you are, however most people I know have done things in their life they regret, or they live via a different moral compass than I do, or you do.
Jamie did some gay for pay, and I'm sure he'll get beat on about it. However he's a grown man, and makes decisions he has to live with. Is it the same ones I would make? Obviously not. Jamie and I have obviously taken very different paths in life, and have different moral codes. But Jamie has been a good friend to me, and until he crosses me in a way that would end that friendship then I don't really care about things that affect me not.
Thanks for answering. Posting with real names is not an option for everyone. Never said I was perfect or implied it. I am far from it.
DeleteKeep that attitude, good on you.
I guess my thing about being perfect is, I'm positive you have done things you regret, or wish you could change. You'd probably appreciate if someone who claimed to be a friend, would remain one when the shit storm arose over those choices.
DeleteEspecially when those choices never affected them in any way.
Know what I mean?
If Jamie had killed or raped someone, then that would be different. What he did, he did to himself. So he has to live with those choices. Not me.
Of course. The shit just took me by surprise. I don't dick around too much online and when I saw that I was pretty surprised.
DeleteI'm not really surprised by anything anymore. This is not the first time I have found out someone I knew did this. And Jamie is pretty crazy, and has hinted he's pretty much open to anything.
DeleteIs this shit really necessary in Paul's book release post?
DeleteI expected it. Some people have no idea about time or place for things, and I addressed it. No skin off my teeth.
DeleteI think we have a topic for the next podcast.
DeleteIronically, this just makes him _more_ similar to old-school strongmen.
DeleteI'm sure that by the time Monday rolls around, C&P will have a heavily footnoted post about how the occasional same-sex dalliance boosts testosterone production, and how oldtime strongmen and Spartan warriors used to do it all the time, and how if you don't do it you'll never have an Elite total + abs like he has......
DeleteNow that's fucking hilarious.
DeleteHey PC,
ReplyDeleteI bought the book and I love it. The strong-15 program was exactly what I was looking for in the big lifts. I do have a question though that may or may not come off as complete Matt Douche.
Are the training templates a guide or are they more or less set in stone? I only have a bar and squat rack so I am a bit limited but don't want to change the program so much that it becomes something else.
So is the main goal to do the strong-15 and then just some solid assistance after, like 5/3/1?
Thanks
Adam - Ahhh you mean with the stuff to do after? No man, you can only work with what you have. So use the support work with what you have.
DeleteJust finished the book Paul. This was great. I really enjoyed that you went above and beyond just training advice and put in some really meaningful life advice in there too. Ever since I started reading your blog, you've been a role model for me and I just wanted to say thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the biggest compliments I could ever get Alex. Thanks a ton and I hope the book helps you tremendously in life and training.
DeletePaul, just picked up the book and spent the last 30 min skimming over it. Looks tremendous, congrats on getting it done and getting it out there. In keeping with your material on psychology, I believe one of the traits of a real man is being able to set himself a task and see that through from vision to completion. Again, kudos.
ReplyDeleteBTW a lot of the stuff about prehab/rehab, specifically tailored towards lifters, I've never seen anywhere (and I've been in the game nearly 20 years) - and very simple and straightforwardly presented.
Rob
Thanks Rob. I hope you guys benefit from all the year of fucking myself up.
DeleteAnd you're right about seeing things through........
Weak fuckers care about what others choose to do with their lives. As long as no one is hurt, who gives a shit?
ReplyDeleteThe book looks interesting. I'm gonna have to buy it and learn from you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, diggin' the blog. Very inspirational.
Hey i just purchased your book and think of trying out your "Man Maker" programm. I recently stalled on bench press and overhead press in 5/3/1 and squat also gets really hard so i think now is a good time to try it out. Have some maybe stupid questions. You use the Strong-15 Cycle to progress on your main lifts and don't use pause squats on squats? Would it be ok to add in some rotator
ReplyDeleteand ab work?
Greetings,
Andreas
Ab and cuff work is always ok.
DeleteWith the man-maker the strong-15 is a great idea.
I just finished the book last night and I can't remember the last time I was this fired up to lift and attack life! The book absolutely exceeded expectations and the effort involved is truly impressive.
ReplyDeleteI intend to run the intermediate program you listed but I need to clarify a few items if possible.
How many weeks is the cycle?
What are the percentages for the main and supp lifts?
Do I use my 1 RM or a realistic number above that?
Any substitution for the leg press?
Thanks in advance for your help and congrats on your success.
The intermediate program isn't run in a cycle. It's a program for a guy to us until he feels like he can move on from it.
DeleteRead the part again where it's not just about numbers on the bar. There are many other things involved in moving through those transitions.
BAH, I'm confused. As a 19 year old newbie who hasn't arrived at a 155 bench (265 Squat, 300 Deadlift) should I continue with your previous big-15 program or use the intermediate strength program? I figured I'd incorporate your strong-15 cycle into my bench and deadlift then keep running hypertrophy on my squats, 15 -17 reps then move weight up. Extra hypertrophy on light days.
ReplyDeleteAm I overthinking this?
Just see it out. After that, go back to the intermediate program if you think that's what you need to do. Be your own judge in this case.
DeleteFantastic job Paul! Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteJust wanna say that im from Brazil and you sir are my role model!
ReplyDeleteLoved the book! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Peace
Thanks Harry. I love Brazilian women! I want to come visit there.
DeleteThis book won't make we want to a guys dick for money, will it? No, wait: that was Jamie. My bad.
ReplyDeleteWrong blog idiot.
DeleteNice book really covers everything. Look forward to trying the "overwarmup"
DeleteGreat book, Paul. Looking forward to starting my Strong-15 routine.
ReplyDeleteSo you like Brazilian women? If you choose a nice city to visit, you'll probably find a lot of women almost as hot as Adriana Lima. That's the greatest part of being Brazilian....
Without nut-swinging too hard, I'm going to echo some of the "role model" comments that others have said. I just bought the book and am only a few pages in, but already you're hitting on some things that have been weighing heavily on me as I am maturing. I'm 26, almost 27, and have just now (past year or so) begun getting my shit together after years of being sickened with my weak ass actions, so getting a book like this that confirms where I'm trying to go with my attitude/life is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the rest of the book. Thanks for it and the blog.
That's awesome Alex. It's this kind of thing that makes me smile, and why I do this.
Deletehi paul bought the book via paypal on thursday, melbourne, australia time, im guessing when my paypal payment clears then ill get the link to download? Im fuckin hanging to read it, awesome blog as well mate dig the no bullshit straight to the point writing.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is you paid via e-check? If so, it takes a few days to clear.
DeleteSo much good stuff in this book. Just one tidbit - I've learned how to do hypers properly! No, seriously, this one matters - I had it all wrong, in exactly the way you wrote about. Did 3 sets yesterday, and yep, my lower back felt that, like it never has before.
ReplyDeleteThe bench setup advice is awesome as well. And the squat advice. The good shit just keeps on coming.
Thanks for getting it out there.
Twelve pages in and I had to say thanks. The section on values (respect yourself, respect others, etc.) really hit home. This past year I have lost my grandmother, found out my wife and I are going to have our first child (baby girl), and lost my job. I was very angry at first, then realized that (as you say) the shit tide will eventually go down. I decided to write out some values for myself and I refused to stray from them no matter what. My values were almost to a "T" what yours are. I am writing this proud to say that we are getting ready to welcome our daughter into the our lives, I have a new, better job, and I am proud of the man I was during all the shit. Outstanding book. Will definitely recommend it, read it, and reread it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new baby girl, and even more so, staying true to your code when things were tough.
DeleteNice job, Dave.