For most of us in the gym are strength fluctuates, We can never keep riding that train of strength gains without hitting an inevitable plateau. Maybe it's caused by our obsession with higher reps and bodybuilding training or lack of consistency in tracking are improvements. Most people get into a habit of staying in their comfort zone and never going beyond or even trying to increase the weight. We've all seen that person in the gym year after year that looks the same.

Lucky for us in this day and age we have plenty of resources of tried and tested methods written by some of the strongest and most knowledgeable people on the planet! Having a program is one of the best methods where you can have a proven template you can stick too and incrementally improve performance. It also gets us out of the rut of instinctive or unorganised training and gets us into a habitual state where we are accountable and have to track progress so we can improve.

Here is a list we have chosen as some of the best training books out there. Don't expect to here any fads here about gaining 50 pounds in your lifts in a week. These books are no BS no excuses. They will add significant strength but you have to earn it and stick to the plan!

Please note that these books are in no particular order. They are all great in their own right. It's up to you to decide which one is congruent with your goals.

Jailhouse Strong – October 1, 2013

by Josh Bryant (Author), Adam benShea (Author)

Jailhouse strong is written by Josh Bryant the youngest man at 22 to bench press 600 pounds. He's a speed, strength and conditioning coach and trains some of the strongest athletes in the world.

This book explains the secrets of inmates and their routines to create freakish physiques and astonishing strength. It contains interviews ranging from ex-inmate Olympia's such as Dorian yates and also the way the Crips st gang used to train. the book comprises of bodyweight training exercises, heavy weight training, nutrition, mindset and even fighting advice.

This book is meticulous and also raw. I love how Josh Bryant will explain the reason behind training in such a fashion and then back it up with proven science. He also gives us an insight into the reality of what it takes and the animalistic mindset in which you will have to approach the task at hand.

If you want to truly experience the grit and no frills approach to getting stronger and bigger. Give this book I read!

5/3/1: The Simplest and Most Effective Training System for Raw Strength

by Jim Wendler (Author)

Number 4 on our list is 531 by Jim Wendler. Not only is gym Wendler a highly decorated hero in powerlifting but he has made a world renowned program that has propelled 1000's of people's strength.

In 5/3/1 the approach by Jim Wendler is simplistic and results driven. He works out his overall goal reverse engineers it and works out how to execute it. The program isn't like a peaking program where your strength will spike and then retreat down to your mortal self. It keeps you progressing for the long term while also keeping it fresh and fun (especially when crushing your personal bests) The program is based around compound lifts (being multi-joint exercises like bench) and gives you the know how to correctly perform and improve your strength output in that movement.

Highly recommend to give this one a read as it is definitely one to keep in your tool belt to even revisit when you are in a rut and strength is plateauing

Insane Training: Garage Training, Powerlifting, Bodybuilding, and All-Out Bad-Ass Workouts – September 30, 2014

by Matt Kroczaleski (Author)

Insane training is one book that doesn't babble on. It gets straight to the point and is a recipe book for some of the best training programs and routines an athlete could do. The diversity in this book is refreshing as it caters for power builders, powerlifter and bodybuilders. In essence creating a body that is extremely functional but aesthetic to look at.

Some of Matt kroczaleski feats should be enough to check the book out as he is an NPC bodybuilder and a world record holding powerlifter.

Some of the stand out parts in the book are the 1000 rep arm workout. He's extremely well thought out bodybuilding program and his strength program which helped him attain hes world record goals.

This book is great not only to have a plan to stick to but to also try out a random arm program for the day!

Size and Strength Blueprint: The Ultimate Encyclopaedia of Proven Workouts BY Josh Bryant

This book really is the holy grail of some of the best strength workouts and bodybuilding workouts. Not only can you learn to build quality lean muscle in weeks but also the functionality and strength to back it up. These workouts have been tested on some of the strongest/biggest men in the world in cluding ifbb pros johnny jackson and branch warren also powerlifter and world record holder jeremy hoonstra.

This book not only contains detailed programs in gaining all round strength on the big three lifts. It contains knowledge on including explosive power. Specific bodypart training for bigger arms/back/legs or chest and also takes from styles and techniques of old school bodybuilders and strongman which you can employ to create monstrous physique and performance.

Give it a read here. plenty of value for a small price:

Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training, 3rd edition By Mark Rippetoe

Anyone can pick up a weight and get it to A to B but if you want to reach your potential and move substantial amounts of weight there is technique and positioning behind it. This is why Starting Strength is such a important and resourceful book. Mark Rippetoe is at the fore front of biomechanics. He goes into great detail of how to properly peform lifts so you can execute the lift safely and with optimal force.

It's important to have good workouts and programing for your strength but even more important to get to the nuts and bolts of it all and specifically learn the movements piece by piece. Not only is this crucial for your performance but also will help your strength, power, balance, levereage and most importantly safety. Many people just go through the motions with no thought about how they perform the exercise and unfortuanately are cheating there potential.

In conclusion I Feel Starting Strength By Mark Rippertoe is a great book to optimise your lifts and bring in some awareness and attention to detail to perform basic powerlifting techniques in a safe and correct manner.

Check out the book here:

Thank you for reading BeastLiftz "Top 5 strength training books" I hope these books give you some inspiration and knowledge in your strength endeavours. As we go on our journey in training it is important to seek knowledge from people who know and have walked the road already. I feel all these books have so much value and something you can learn and apply every day to become your best self. BeastLiftz is always trying to find new science-backed gym related content, So stay tuned to expand your knowledge and crush your goals with us!