5/3/1 for Powerlifting: Simple and Effective Training for Maximum Strength by Jim Wendler (2011) Paperback

I read the original 5/3/1 (1st edition) a while back (about a year ago?), and I liked the program and have been loosely using it since. I finally found out that there was a new edition just for powerlifters, and I am glad I picked it up. Unlike the original, it contains information specific to geared lifters (but it is not entirely for geared lifters). It also had some useful recommendations regarding how to modify the program to fit your needs and how far out from a meet you are. Where the original contained a lot of things that any powerlifter should already know (like how to perform basic lifts), this edition replaces it with information that is of special interest to a powerlifter. While this book makes references to the original, the references are explained enough that this one can stand on its own just fine. Like the original, it makes for easy, short reading. If your interest is the sport of powerlifting, you can skip the original and just buy this one. Personally, I got more value out of it then I did the original.J.Ja

Jim did a great job on this follow-up to his immensely popular 5/3/1/ book! I highly recommend this book for both powerlifters and people just looking to use 5/3/1 to get strong. He spends a lot of time explaining key concepts and going into more detail about topics first introduced in the original 5/3/1 book. As has been mentioned elsewhere, 5/3/1 will keep you lifting and progressing for a lifetime, not just one or two cycles.One of the best things about the program is its flexibility, not only to the daily ups and downs of life but also to different lifters needs. I am 32 years old and fly every week for work, yet I still manage to use the 5/3/1 program for my training (hint: the two days a week method works great).As an aside, I will suggest a bundle package for anyone buying this book:1) 5/3/1 - The original2) 5/3/1 For Powerlifting3) Starting Strength - Basic Barbell Training by Rippetoe4) A prowler5) A spittoon (you'll know why after pushing the prowler and running the big mother hill)

I have seen people complain that Jim Wendler's books are too expensive for what they contain, but I have to disagree with this assessment. His programs are well-recognized, have thousands of success stories behind them, and are simple enough for any lifter to follow. Hell, there's even a free app to track 5/3/1 training. So the information in the books is generally well worth the price. This book is no exception. He spends very little time outlining the basics of the program, instead focusing on the modifications and specific concerns of the powerlifter versus people training for any other reason. Gear concerns, tapering a program for meet preparation, and other concerns specific to the powerlifter's goals are the focus of this book.Now, for the negative. I am pretty sure that no one edited this book at all. There are not only basic misspellings rampant throughout the book, but there are also numerous places where random symbols are inserted in the middle of a line. It looks as though it was composed in one format, then copy/pasted into a document in another format, and some kind of translation incompatibility replaced a lot of punctuation with other inappropriate symbols. At times, it actually makes comprehension of a sentence pretty difficult, but generally speaking, it is little more than an annoyance. How much of an annoyance is up to you entirely, but to me it reeks of amateurism.

I enjoy Wendler's simple style. The best systems, of just about anything, have a basic structure, but allow for flexibility within that structure. There is nothing magical or mysterious about 531. Far too many of us get caught up in assistance exercises, gimmicks and techniques too advanced or implemented wrong and never progress in our primary lifts. By providing a basic structure that stresses the Deadlift, Squat, Bench Press and Overhead Press and a simple progression scheme that a majority of trainees are lacking coupled with multiple ways to individualize or add variety, Wendler offers a system that is pure gold. He reviews the basic system and then tweeks things a bit to gear it to powerlifting, and offers meet prep framework. That said, this is not a "get strong overnight" or fad program. It is for the long haul, so if you want to get off your hampster wheel, stop the "insanity", prep for a meet, or just structure your training and actually make some progress...do it! Just for the record, women are not immune to the benefits of 531!

Purchased this book as well as Jim Wendler's other book. Been following his advice for several months and have seen some nice gains. Slow steady progress coupled with conditioning work will get you results. Nothing fancy, just hard work and no BS. Especially liked the section on Mr. Grey Pubes. At 49 I’ve been killing myself for the better part of a year with no results trying to get back in shape. It took Jim’s poignant writing ability to make me realize I would get better results with less. I am after all an old man, but have taken enough out of this book to train hard, get conditioned, recover and repeat. I have been following the conditioning program, program (powerlifitng for lazy fat bodies) with excellent success. The book is filled with excellent programs and even better advice. I would recommend this book for anybody serious about training. I have purchased several books on lifting and have given away all but Jim Wendler’s two and Starting Strength.

this is a great book but if you're new to strength training I would recommend something like 5/3/1 second edition (which I also own) or starting strength, I personally liked 5/3/1 better because it gave me the ability to choose from different types of accessory work so I never got bored, while still getting stronger.

Grandson enjoys the book.

The cover was a little bent and looks second hand. but other then that, Its alright.