A long time ago, when the internet was new, there was an email list called "The Strength_List". I'm no longer even sure it exists or is active anymore. The Strength_List consisted of a group of people, many of whom were powerlifters, and many of whom had very little contact with other strength enthusiasts. It allowed discussion of varied and esoteric topics that mattered little to anyone but a fellow enthusiast.
I met many people on the list that I still correspond with today, and many folks whom I've sadly lost touch with.
One of the people on this list was Glenn Buechlein, aka "Power B". Glenn was somewhat an enigma, and at the time was considered one of the best bench pressers in the world. His training advice was somewhat sparse but always interesting and useful.
Fast foward a few years.
I was reading articles on EliteFTS.com, and noticed that Glenn Buechlein had started to submit an occasional piece. Some good, some made me think "WTF?". What shone through most of the pieces he wrote was a love and passion for training, just for training's sake, and this would usually make me get off my ass and head to the gym.
A few weeks ago, I noticed Glenn had left a message on my blog, and we swapped an email or two, and I ended up sending him some money for his new book.
I'm going to tell you this: I like this book. A lot. I've read through it twice. Maybe you won't. It's very dependent upon how you think about training and lifting, and maybe a bit about how you think about life. It's available over on EliteFTS and from Glenn himself.
I don't know how to recommend this book. If you go over to EliteFTS, you can look up all of Glenn's articles. If you read them, and like them, then you will probably like this book.
Articles by Power B
Jim Wendler expresses very similar feelings in his blurb about Glenn's book here:
The Tao of B
The Tao of B by Glenn Buechlein
This book is incredible. I have been lucky enough to see this book come
to life the past year; Glenn has emailed me chapters as he finished
them and he has achieved a cult-like status amongst many of my friends.
I would forward this stuff to people I knew would appreciate it. This
book is about Glenn's passion; training like an animal. He weaves
stories into the book that will have you laughing for hours and
retelling around the dinner table, the weight room and whoever is
willing to listen to you when you are drinking beer.
This book covers his evolution as a lifter and as a person. As he
transforms into the Power B, you become witness to some of the most
unique training you have ever witnessed. This includes:
* Bench Press technique
* Max Effort Training
* Repetition work (some really different ideas on this one!)
* Triceps/Lockout work (Triceps Death, Beekers, Triceps Death variations, etc.)
* 10 week training program for the bench press
* Insane training for the back.
* Strongman training
* Conditioning work that you have never thought of or seen
* Odd lift training
* Bench Press challenges
* Kettlebell challenges
Get this book. One of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommended. - Jim Wendler
This manual includes detailed weightlifting regimens and techniques,
humorous anecdotes, motivational strategies, and words of wisdom—not
only about weightlifting but also about life. The reader can clearly
see the connection between power lifting and hard work in the gym
(literally blood, sweat, and tears) and living a powerful life outside
the gym with dedication, laughter, and camaraderie. This book serves as
a fire under the proverbial tail. It demands action and provokes
thought. And the author is inspiring, instructive, thoughtful, funny,
and extremely knowledgeable.
99 pages
