Rating: 
Summary: Olympic-Style Weightlifting and Strength Training Bonanza!
Review: Since its publication in January of 1998, The Weightlifting Encyclopedia (WLE) has become recognized as the most comprehensive book on the sport of Olympic-style Weightlifting ever written. WLE, in combination with its recently released Video Companion, and the web site WLINFO, comprise the most extensive single source of information on the sport of Weightlifting available today. And while competitive Weightlifters find these resources a must, more and more strength coaches, personal trainers, academics and others involved on the leading edge of developing and delivering sports training technology are finding The Weightlifting Encyclopedia and Video Companion indispensable. But there is more... Many fitness enthusiasts are discovering that the lessons learned, and the training methods used, by the world's strongest an most powerful men and women can provide essential guidance to them in their pursuit of greater fitness. Even for those who spend more time on the couch than in the gym, perhaps no book on any sport has ever better answered the question of "How do those fantastic athletes do what they do?" Characterized by functionally developed and aesthetically appealing muscles, Olympic-style Weightlifters are among the fastest and most flexible athletes in the world (in addition to being the most powerful). Contrary to the popular perception, competitive Weightlifters do not develop the dramatic muscular appearance of the "bodybuilders" who are often seen posing on TV and on magazine covers. The focus of Weightlifters is strength and power, not sheer muscle size and definition. In this context, size really doesn't matter - you can't judge a muscle's strength by its outward appearance. Similarly, while the giants of Weightlifting - the 300+ pound "superheavyweights" - receive the overwhelming share of media attention, the vast majority of Weightlifters are of far more average size, and, because they compete in 8 weight classes (7 for women), they always compete against athletes their own size. And these smaller athletes are phenomenally strong, lifting almost as much as their giant counterparts (and far more pound for pound). For example, athletes who weigh 200 pounds lift only about 8-10% less than those who weigh 300 pounds or more, and even athletes who are as small as 120 lb. can lift nearly 400 lb. overhead (as compared with the nearly 600 lb. lifted by the greatest superheavyweights). Amazingly, most of these lifters were not "born strong". Rather, they trained intensively, consistently and intelligently to attain their great strength. Weightlifters, perhaps more than any other athletes in the world, are the product of their training more than their genes. How Weightlifters accomplish their feats is the focus of WLE. The lifting techniques Weightlifters use, the training methods they employ (for the mind as well as the body), the diets they follow and the equipment they train with are all covered in detail. Best of all, you are guided through these topics in simple and clear language, by a former world record holder, international coach and referee. Enjoy your voyage to strength and health with WLE as your guide!
Rating: 
Summary: NOT for beginners, very good for more advanced lifters
Review: The book is huge and really explains every tiny aspect of O lifting. If you are a beginner it can actually be a bad thing since you're flooded with an enormous amount of information, but when you have a solid foundation and you aren't just lifting to improve your performance but participating in the sport of weightlifting this book is for you.
Too little pictures to demonstrate technique.(there is a videocompagnon available however)
Rating: 
Summary: The book is a great resource , far exceeding my ex
Review: This book covers almost every aspect of Olympic Weightlifting that you could imagine. I am personally more interested in bodybuilding, but the exercises and techniques described in this book are useful for other bodybuilders looking for new ways to stimulate interest in their training. Like the saying goes "Any routine is good only as long as it takes your body to adapt to it." That's why lifting like an Olympic lifter would be a healthy change. Plus, Dreschler gives detailed descriptions of the exercises and the assistance exercises needed so that you could attempt most from reading the book alone. All in all, another great resource for your home library.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, solid information.
Review: This book covers almost every aspect of Olympic Weightlifting that you could imagine. I am personally more interested in bodybuilding, but the exercises and techniques described in this book are useful for other bodybuilders looking for new ways to stimulate interest in their training. Like the saying goes "Any routine is good only as long as it takes your body to adapt to it." That's why lifting like an Olympic lifter would be a healthy change. Plus, Dreschler gives detailed descriptions of the exercises and the assistance exercises needed so that you could attempt most from reading the book alone. All in all, another great resource for your home library.
Rating:
Summary: A complete guide to strength training
Review: This book isn't only a olympic weightlifting source, Drechsler cover with very good scientific vision, all the aspects of the strength training. It's a very large book, but you'll be surprised with the quality of the informations.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have book for *olympic* weightlifters of all levels
Review: When it comes to Olympic Weightlifting, this is unquestionably the most comprehensive book on the subject. Everything is here, from historical bits on the sport to sample training templates. Be warned, however, that Olympic Weightlifting is very different from bodybuilding or powerlifting. Most recreational lifters, for whom muscle-mass or general conditioning are the goal, would do better to first read the OTHER indispensible book on the topic, Stuart McRobert's "Beyond Brawn." Olympic Lifting is a different beast, emphasizing very specific strength combined with speed and coordination, and ultimately focusing on performance in two lifts: the snatch and clean & jerk. Athletes wishing to bulk up should check out "Beyond Brawn" first. Athletes who've caught the Olympic bug should make "The Weightlifting Encyclopedia" their next purchase. They won't regret it.
| 
