The Most Detailed Maximum Strength Feedback To-Date
Written on February 17, 2009 at 11:00 am, by Eric Cressey
I received this email from Kevin Miller, a high school strength and conditioning coach in Pennsylvania, who recently completed the Maximum Strength program:
I recently completed the 16 week Maximum Strength program by Eric Cressey, and I wanted to give my review on the program. I am 37 years old. I played H.S football and baseball and had good strength and speed. From 1995-2004 I switched gears and became an Endurance athlete (marathons and Iromans). I had great endurance and could run forever but I went from probably a 28-29 inch vertical to probably a 19-20 inch vertical.
Over the past few years I have jumped back and forth from endurance to strength programs. I saw results in both but I never stuck to one program. Two years ago I purchased Inside-Out by Mike Robertson and Bill Hartman. I thought it was a great program, so I started to read more about Mike, and in turn, Eric – and was instantly impressed with what he had to say, as I’m a volunteer sports performance coach at the high school where I teach. Over the past year I have read his articles and watched his DVDs, so, when Max Strength came out I was hooked and decide to STICK to a program. Below are my results (Pre and Post)
PRE——————————————————————————————POST
BW 146 lbs 151 lbs
Broad Jump 88 inches 94 inches (6 inches)
Bench Press 195 220 (25 lbs)
Box Squat 255 325 (70 lbs)
Deadlift 275 315 (40 lbs)
Three rep Chin up BW + 44 lbs BW + 58 lbs (19 lbs)
Notes/Comments:
Overall, I was very pleased with the results. As far as BW, I was happy to gain 5 lbs, to be honest. I am a father with two kids and a third on the way. I never get to slow down. After school (I trained in the morning before school), I’m in the weight room with high school kids for 2 hrs (boys and girls). Although I am not “training,” I probably do 100 body weight squats plus several other movements because the kids need to see what I’m recommending.
Physically although I only gained 5 lbs I look bigger, but not bulky – just thicker and more athletic
Overall, out of a rating of 10. I would give this program a 10. Here is why:
1. If you follow it, you will get STRONGER. The book is MAXIMUM strength, and it does what it says it does.
2. I feel really strong. Before, I had decent strength, but now I just feel a lot stronger
3. The mobility part is excellent. I knew what to expect here since I have several of Eric’s products but this is where so many people can benefit (especially high school kids). I never stretched a day in my life in hs. Now, I would never start a workout with doing mobility work.
4. As a coach, I became a better coach by doing this program. Plain and simple, I now know how it feels to get under the bar with 325 lbs on my back. I realize that’s a warm-up for some people but for me at 150 lbs it’s a lot.
5. The progressions are excellent.
6. Nutritionally, there is some great advice in the book. To be honest, I think I’ve always had a good diet but for anyone who doesn’t there are some great points.
Who can benefit from this book?
1. Any high school kid or “Mom/Dad” looking for strength and results.
2. Any high schools coach (football, track, hockey,etc). As much as we would like to “customize programs” for each athlete, it’s impossible at the high school level. I train 50-60 kids at 3 pm, and at my school, I don’t have the time, manpower, or money to make up individual programs. Sure, I can screen kids and put in groups, but I believe if high school kids followed this for 16 weeks, it would be better than 95% of the program they are currently following
Favorite exercises I never did before I read this book:
- Rack pulls: I loved the feeling I got in my posterior chain
- Pallof Press: Much harder than it looks
- Anderson squats: I loved this type of front squat.
Overall, great book, and if you follow this program, you will get stronger
Kevin Miller
CSCS
Click Here to Purchase Maximum Strength!
Category Blog | Tags: Bench Press, Building The Efficient Athlete, Deadlift, Inside-Out, Magnificent Mobility, Maximum Strength, Mobility, Rotator Cuff Exercises, Rotator Cuff Rehab, Shoulder Exercises, Shoulder Health, Shoulder Impingement, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Rehab, Unstable Surface Training, Weight Lifting Program, Weight Lifting Routine, Workout Program, Workout Routine
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February 17th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hats off to you Kevin!
I’ll chime in here for anyone else needing a review. I can safely say that this book is the best and most complete program I’ve seen on sale for that price. And I have a lot. I say that because there are no glaring, questionable inclusions in this book, like you’d see in others. Even though I’m a beginner, I can decipher what makes sense from a biomechanical standpoint, from years of reading books and articles by different experts. So even if you just like to understand what exercise is all about, and get an insight into safe, performance enhancing strength-training, this book is well worth the money.
Could I ask you Eric, as a beginner, should I be trying to get in a few months of 15-20 rep sets to benefit my ligaments, tendons etc before starting this program? Or is that just a bit of a myth?
February 18th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
congrats Eric, I keep seeing your book pop up everywhere.
I think Im gonna pick it up this week!
-Justin
March 10th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Eric Creesey is the man!!! I turn to the Bible of “MAXIMUM STRENGTH” every time I need to know something about conditioning. I am getting stronger following his program. I train hard…maybe too hard at times for know I have an injury setback(strained hamstring), from going too hard on DB bulgarian split squats. But overall this is the best most comprehensive strength trainning book available…BAR NONE.
April 15th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Just finished with the Maximum Strength Program
I’m 6′ and started and finished at 170 lbs.
Here are my results. I basically increase everything by 50 lbs. besides my dead lift. First couple times I did deads my lower back killed me.
Broad Jump 96″ –> 100″
Bench – 185 –> 235
Squat – 215 –> 265
Deadlift – 315 –> 355
Three Chin UP – 35 lbs –> 55
January 30th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
This book is great. I recommend to anyone who wants to get sexy for the summer or someone who wants to just get or someone who just feels like going to the gym 4 days a week to say they have gone to the gym.. They will still get results.. I went from 164 body weight to 187.6 and still climbing I believe. I completed the book once.. and well you see.. I’m doing it again because it’s great, fun and gets me results.. I am only 5’11 but I could still out lift a lot of bigger guys in my gym. I highly recommend this book. Don’t go and do “bodybuilding” workouts. They aren’t for real men. This book is, and it is more ideal for the real world. “be strong and fit, not big and useless” “fear prevents us from moving forward!”