Strong Enough? Thoughts on Thirty Years of Barbell Training

By: Mark Rippetoe

Narrated by: Mark Rippetoe

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

There are lots of things about weight training in general and barbell exercise in particular that can only be learned by spending way too many hours in the gym. And honestly, unless you're a gym owner, this is a really weird way to spend 75 hours a week. 

Mark Rippetoe has been in the fitness industry since 1978 and has owned a black-iron gym since 1984. He knows things about lifting weights and training for performance that most other coaches and professionals have never had the chance to learn. This book of essays offers a glimpse into the depths of experience made possible through many years under the bar, and many more years spent helping others under the bar.

©2010 The Aasgaard Company (P)2018 The Aasgaard Company

I get 'Stronger' just by listening to this.

I started lifting in 2016. Read, listen & watch so many gurus but none compare to the intelligent, sarcastic, well-spoken Mark Rippetoe. He is a gem! (In case you wonder, I only laugh at sarcastic jokes.)

Good listen if you want to get stronger

Like most collections of essays, they are hit and miss. Some are great, some are just Rip being Rip. But don't underestimate him or this book. A lot to be learned here.

Wish I read this 20 years ago

Mark Rippetoe has an entertaining communication style and great attention to detail in how the body should correctly move during strength training. If you're on the fence about getting this book, watch some of his YouTube videos and you'll see the value.

Very good.

Mark Rippetoe has a huge knowledge base and decades of practical experience. Well worth the purchase!

Great Content but Title is Irrelevant

Great content given in a straight forward no silly bs way. However, f you’ve read his other books I’d save the time and money on this one.

Loved it.

This guy is a legend, and his narration adds to the flavor. Enjoyable, informative and witty.

another awesome round of Rip

Rip has such an amazing voice and amusing writing style; I wish he'd record all of his books. This one covers a lot of the same territory as the blue book and several of the articles & podcast episodes, plus some new content, but it's nice to have all of that wisdom collected into one location. It really is "thoughts on 30 years of barbell training" - and what an incredible 30 years it's been! My absolute favorite section is Chapter 16: Good Form, because the material is given in such a unique way that you can't help but pay closer attention - which is good, because it's valuable info to know.

I love listening to Mark

I could listen to this guy talk about strength all day long. I do believe I own every book he has ever released, and I listen to his podcasts every week as well. The guy is simply hands-down, the best in the business, and he has been for many many years.

Loved it

The more I learn about Rip and the more of his stuff I read, the more I like him and the more I find we have in common. Great book. Read it several times.

Waste of my time

I've always respected Rip's style of coaching and his intelligent programming. That said, this was painful to listen to. I got halfway through before I had to stop. There's only so much "I know better than doctors, better than other trainers, better than anyone..." I could take. This was a waste of an audible credit.

Repetitive, uninformative and a little ignorant

Mark shows his age a lot in this book. Claiming sports like Rugby and Olympic Weightlifting don't incorporate strength training at the elite level which is nonsense. In this day and age almost all sports include barbell training as part of their strength and conditioning programmes.


Repeats himself constantly which shows the book really doesn't't have that much content.

Unless you are absolutely new to strength training I would not recommend this book. Even then you'd be better off reading starting strength.

This book is just the ramblings of an old man who's opinions on the fitness industry are out of date

Talking about strength training...

can be pretty dull when it gets bogged down in the science. Mark is anything but dull. In fact I think he should narrate more books other than his own, he could probably make The Anatomy of Melancholy a pleasure to listen to.

Brilliant!

If you have a sense of humour, are a beginner or expert in strength or physical training you must listen to Mark read this book.

I said ‘oh no’ out loud when it finished…

my favorite narrator

he could read the phone book and I would read it.
Strong content as usual.

Timeless training wisdom

Covers lots of typical Rip topics - nothing that I haven't heard before, just good solid common sense. Strength making everything better. Old people can't progress as fast as young, spot fat reduction is bs, abs & muscles are side effects. Barbells are best.
Rips narration makes what would be slightly dry topics very entertaining.

Another review claims that Rip says that olympic weightlifting and rugby don't use barbell training. This isn't what he says. Just that he believes that they are not emphasised enough. It should be noted this was written in 2007 (audio produced was recorded much later) and the critical review was written in 2019. Seems a bit unfair to give a 1* review to a 13 year old book by saying it's not up to date.

Best Coach Ever.

Love all of Marks books. Just superb and so educational. He has a knack of teaching with such precision and leaves no stone unturned.

He has inspired me and more importantly my form is superb due to his teaching. This has enabled me to lift heavy yet safely. Can’t thank him enough. Thanks Mark you are the best.

Excellent

Can highly recommend if you're interested in strength and fitness. No punches pulled in this book.

Superb

Mark Rippetoe at his finest. Clear, concise, and valuable advice throughout. Simple but effective, backed by research and logic. I’ve personally followed his programming and have found it very effective for myself and clients.