Supertraining by Mel Siff is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and insightful books ever written on strength training. Covering an array of essential topics such as explosive strength, power, speed training, plyometrics, flexibility, periodization, and more, it is a must-have for anyone deeply involved in sports science, strength coaching, or athletic performance training.
Why You Should Read It:
Louie Simmons, founder of Westside Barbell, deeply admired this book and the author, Dr. Mel Siff. He credits Supertraining with shaping much of his understanding of complex training principles, particularly the integration of kinetic energy and eccentric training. Simmons speaks highly of Siff’s ability to present advanced strength training concepts like overspeed eccentrics, optimal eccentrics, and the broader notion of training optimally.
For anyone with a keen interest in unlocking the deeper layers of strength science, Supertraining delves into:
- Biomechanical and physiological foundations of training
- Plyometric and power training methodologies
- Circuit training and periodization models
- Optimal training and recovery techniques
Key Insights from Louie Simmons:
Simmons emphasized how Dr. Siff’s work opened his eyes to advanced training concepts like overspeed eccentrics and training at the optimal intensity. These insights were instrumental in the development of the Westside Barbell system. Furthermore, Simmons highlighted the influence of other brilliant sports scientists, such as Verkhoshansky, whose work is deeply woven into the book.
Details:
- Cover: Paperback
- Pages: 592
- Weight: 3.15 lbs
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate — Ideal for coaches, athletes, or anyone with a serious interest in understanding the biomechanics and physiological principles behind strength and power development.
This book is not just for beginners, but for anyone who truly seeks to understand the science behind strength training.
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Customer Reviews
Asking for a review of Supertraining two weeks after I ordered it is funny. It'll take me at least a year to read and absorb this massive tome (which is basically a college textbook). I had already read the Book of Methods and The Conjugate Method, so this was a good next step, but still a big leap in terms of complexity. That being said, this book is hard to find, looks packed with good data, and I can already see where it influenced Louie. Good price too when compared with Amazon.
Very good book
A special thanks to westside Barbell for this super fast delivery from the USA to The Netherlands wich is in Europe
I highly recommend to buy from Westside Barbell
JS van Rijsoort
Order was processed quickly. Books arrived in time. Excellent service. Thank you.
This is a book that I am carrying everywhere. This is a one stop shop for all required information related to physical development. I would recommend “special strength training for coaches” as well with this book as a more practical complement.
w
The library is truly amazing. WSB has always been humble and enthusiastic about crediting other authors, scientists, athletes, etc. who have influenced their methods and outcomes. It's great to see them making some of those great building blocks like Supertraining available to the public at a reasonable price. A lot of these books are pretty dang hard to find elsewhere. I bought a lot of books here this year and will continue to. The shipping prices are high compared to larger book distributors, but they run sales and bundles pretty often, so if there's something you really want, keep an eye on it for a couple months and it will probably drop into your price range. (Another note on shipping: it has always been fast and every book I've gotten was in perfect condition. No bent edges or water damage on paperbacks.)