Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Strength Training Anatomy

Rate this book
Discover for yourself the magic of Strength Training Anatomy, one of the best-selling strength training books ever published!

Get an intricate look at strength training from the inside out. Strength Training Anatomy, with over 850,000 copies already sold, brings anatomy to life with more than 400 full-color illustrations. This detailed artwork showcases the muscles used during each exercise and delineates how these muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures. Like having an X-ray for each exercise, the information gives you a multilateral view of strength training not seen in any other resource.

This bestseller also contains new information on common strength training injuries and preventive measures to help you exercise safely. Chapters are devoted to each major muscle group, with 115 total exercises for arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs, buttocks, and abdomen.

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

231 people are currently reading
6243 people want to read

About the author

Frédéric Delavier

114 books127 followers
Frédéric Delavier is a gifted artist with an exceptional knowledge of human anatomy. He studied morphology and anatomy for five years at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and studied dissection for three years at the Paris Faculté de Médecine.

The former editor in chief of the French magazine PowerMag, Delavier is currently a journalist for the French magazine Le Monde du Muscle and a contributor to several other muscle publications, including Men's Health Germany. He is the author of the best-selling Strength Training Anatomy and Women’s Strength Training Anatomy.

Delavier won the French powerlifting title in 1988 and makes annual presentations on the sport applications of biomechanics at conferences in Switzerland. His teaching efforts have earned him the Grand Prix de Techniques et de Pédagogie Sportive. Delavier lives in Paris, France.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,800 (52%)
4 stars
1,086 (31%)
3 stars
424 (12%)
2 stars
102 (2%)
1 star
34 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
Profile Image for Addee.
73 reviews36 followers
July 21, 2014
An amazing reference book for strength training. Got a body part or section of that just won't bulk up or strengthen. This is the book/series for you. Not only do the illustrations provide in-depth yet simple information as to the function of specific muscles in the most common exercises in the gym, but also details the correct method of performing the exercise. Whether you are just starting a gym program for the first time or a seasoned professional this book (& #2) are the ultimate reference guides to keep on hand.
Profile Image for Laura (Kyahgirl).
2,321 reviews151 followers
January 3, 2011
When I decided to brush up on weight training I got several books out of the library including this one and the one written by Delavier for women. This book was the best and I wouldn't even consider the one for women because some fool forgot to put arm exercises in that one!

This book show several different exercises using free weights or gym style weight machines for each muscle group. There are fabulous drawings of the muscles on various parts of the body, descriptions of how to slightly modify the exercise to subtly shift the muscle group, and plenty of detail of form and injury prevention. The author talks a bit out the skeletal system, tendons, ligaments, and vulnerabilities to watch out for in different parts of the body.

I gave this five stars because it was good enough to buy to keep on my shelves and I've referred to it alot.
Profile Image for Mario Tomic.
159 reviews368 followers
February 22, 2014
Amazing book for anyone involved with weight lifting. The illustrations are super simple yet have everything you need to know about the most important exercises. This is essential reading no matter if you're a beginner or advanced lifter and will help you develop a deeper understanding how your body works. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Tami.
Author 38 books85 followers
April 15, 2008
Sometimes, I get frustrated when exercising. I know that a little strength training is supposed to be good for my bones while promoting weight loss. Unfortunately, I usually only have half a clue about what I'm doing. Thus, much of my workout is spent worrying whether I'm doing the movements correctly, hoping I don't hurt myself, and wishing I had a personal trainer to tell me what to do.

Strength Training Anatomy is definitely a better alternative. This book includes 15 different strength training exercises (free weights and resistance), focusing on the arms, shoulders, chest, back, legs, and buttocks. The proper range of motion is illustrated for each exercise (including variations) with the particular muscle groups highlighted in full colour. Both male and female body types are shown. The text also includes special features about common injuries: what causes these problems and how to avoid them.

Now, when working out, I am far more confident. I know which muscle groups are supposed to be in motion. I know how to avoid potential injury dangers. I even have an understanding of how to adapt these exercises to best suit my body form and abilities.
Profile Image for Shawn.
79 reviews
September 23, 2015
Great reference for someone just getting started and looking for visual explanation of how to perform many of the common freeweight (and machine resistance) exercises. The title might be a slight misnomer as it focuses more on isolation movements that build size vs. compound movements that more efficiently improve overall strength, but that's my only real complaint. Actually, one of two: there are no females shown performing any of the exercises. Presumably the author saved those for the women's edition, but only focused on legs, butts and core - as if women just end somewhere around the waist and pick up again at the neck. But I digress.

They illustrations in this book are the biggest feature for me. Each details the muscles engaged(much like the little red-highlighted doodles on most resistance machines) while showing the lifter in the correct form for the exercise. It's worth opening for the images alone - check out the preview here or thumb through a copy on the shelf.
Profile Image for Andy.
110 reviews
June 23, 2010
Found a book about lifting weights that I really liked. Each page is dominated by a drawing of the body, and each muscle is labeled. Very cool. Each exercise is explained in the simplest of terms in combination with a smaller picture showing the muscle contracted and in a state of rest.

You could learn to draw using this book, or you could, like, lift weights.
Profile Image for Andres Barreda.
79 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2021
Excelente libro para constatar la fisiología y anatomía de los movimientos de musculación. Muy recomendado para atletas activos que busquen la hipertrofia.

El libro es muy ilustrativo y descriptivo, todos los movimientos vienen acompañados de dibujos. Además, es muy breve, Delavier se salta toda la información detallada. Para las personas que solo quieren conocer lo general está muy bien, pero hubiera sido muy útil incluir el grado de tensión involucrado en cada uno de los músculos.
4 reviews
November 28, 2023
I Love going to the gym and working out it is Something that i enjoy so much being able to build my body step by step i also enjoy the discipline and the challenge to achieve such level of body physique.

this book give me a glimpse into the human anatomy and how each muscle work and it's function.
I have learned so much about my body from this book probably the most important thing i have learned is the proper technique to perform each exercise seafly.
Building mucel is not easy it takes alot of discipline and a long time but at the end it is worth it.

"to get some thing you never had you have to do some thing that you never did"
"dreams with out gols are just dreams"
"Consistency is the name of the game"
"ONE DAY OR DAY ONE"
Profile Image for Eric Drake.
68 reviews
August 26, 2023
Was a good book to refresh myself on functional musculoskeletal anatomy. I'd say some of the tips in the book regarding injuries is antiquated and should be removed. Nonetheless, it was an easy read and I found value in it. Lastly, I thought the artwork and figures in the book were quite extraordinary.
Profile Image for Blair Armstrong.
4 reviews
December 11, 2010
found this book to be very comprehensive and valuable in its simplicity and clarity. Understanding how each muscle works and what is proper movement and form when pushing weights is what this book is all about.
Profile Image for Philip.
434 reviews65 followers
September 18, 2021
This is a fantastic reference book for pretty much anyone who works out - regardless of your reason or level. Instead of selling you a bunch of bullshit, Delavier delivers understanding in an easily accessible package. No frills, no short-cuts, just great information.
170 reviews
Read
April 3, 2022
It’s basically a text book so weird to rate? I will be reviewing it again to keep myself posted
Profile Image for Ehab Fathy.
442 reviews215 followers
June 2, 2015
Very useful reference , It helps me to improve my hobby the bodybuilding.
A lot of informations and details about our body , Actually i benefited from the training techniques and the explain about it .
1 review
January 16, 2025
Intro:

Frederic Delavier’s Strength Training Anatomy is an average resource for anyone who wants to comprehend the intricacies of strengthening from an anatomical and practical standpoint. The book is unique because it combines thorough descriptions of how different workouts target particular muscles with intricate anatomical images. Because of Delavier’s method, which demystifies the frequently complex body mechanics involved in strength training, the book is helpful for both novice and experienced lifters. Through meticulously detailed illustrations and thoroughly researched explanations, Delavier gives readers the information they need to maximize their training and reduce their chance of injury.

Body:

After reading Frederic Delavier’s Strength Training Anatomy third edition book, I have to say it is an average muscle anatomy book. It was published in 2012, so I do have to give some leisure to it being a relatively old book. As though I do appreciate the book, I do think logic and 2012 to 2025 created a lot of more up-to-date and sophisticated research on muscle anatomy. I do however appreciate the diagrams on each page of each different exercise you could perform for that targeted muscle and some pages include a photograph of the initial position of the exercise and than the end position so you know readers that use this as a exercise tool, they perform the exercise correctly and end in the position as the diagram suggests. I also appreciate the pages having a full description of how to complete the exercises.

I will say though, I did learn more on this specific topic than I had previously researched about this topic. For example, there is more to the pectoral muscles than most people know. It’s not just 3 parts of the chest and call it a day. What I learned the most is definitely more about stretching the specific muscle you're targeting, in a deeper sense so that there is no excess tension created during the workout. Also I learned about injury. The most common chest injury is from the bench presses. According to Delavier’s study, to reduce the risk of injury, “It is possible to perform the bench press by bringing the hands closer together. Because this variation limits the lowering of the arms, it reduces the stretch of the pectoralis major and limits the risk of injury.”(pg 71) Although i do not completely recommend this variation to do if you’re trying to target the pectoralis, because the closer grip switches more tension over to the triceps and considering they are a smaller muscle compared to the chest, it will be forced to take over and do most of the work which will then limit the amount of weight you’ll be able to press.

Conclusion: In conclusion, I would give this book an average rating of 7/10. My reasoning behind that relates back to the first body paragraph. Thus my appreciation towards this book and the excellent job in the way it was published, the scientific research on muscle anatomy has been more up to date now than back in 2012. Everything the book explains is what people still use today in the real world, but a little differently than it explains in the descriptions of how to perform each individual exercise. I would still recommend this book to beginner and early intermediate lifters/athletes.
Profile Image for Nahid.
94 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2017
Undoubtedly, Delavier is a gifted artist with an exceptional knowledge of human anatomy. Many health and fitness books explain what muscles are used during exercise, but no other resources bring the anatomy to life like Strength Training Anatomy. This book is expertly drawn illustrations (over 600) that reveal the primary muscles worked along with all the relevant surroundings structures, including bones, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue. The major muscles of body parts being worked are colored in red and clearly labeled. The bones, muscle fibers and muscular attachments are also beautifully illustrated.

The book is divided into seven sections: Arms, Shoulders, Chest, Back, Legs, Buttocks and Abdomen. A page is devoted to each exercise, and a small amount of text accompanies each illustration, explaining proper form and giving additional tips or precautions. Sidebars show exercise variations, start and finish positions and additional details (such as deep muscle anatomy with the exact muscle tendon insertions on the bone). There are also common injury sections (yellow colored pages) presented in a clear way to show how the injury happens and how to overcome them.

All the primary and secondary barbell and dumbbell exercises are included along with some stretches for major muscle groups. There are also useful machine and cable exercises are mentioned throughout the book.

This is an anatomy book. All body parts are depicted, in places. If almost or half naked body parts bother you, then you might want to take a pass.

Men and women of all ages from any demographic will benefit from this book. This book is an invaluable reference guide for beginner to advanced trainees and fitness professional. However, this book does not contain any workout programs. it focuses solely on individual exercise instruction and exercise anatomy.
Profile Image for Asiful Nobel.
27 reviews
May 31, 2020
This is a very good reference book for people who want to know more about exercises and their target muscle groups. But what makes it different than googling an exercise or watching a video is that most of the search result content or video content do not show in detail why an exercise is better for strengthening a muscle group over another. This book shows that by depicting the targeted muscle groups in very detailed images.

The author also talks about common injuries and things to avoid while performing an exercise for certain muscle groups. Additionally, since it references the common exercises for all muscle groups, if one does not know how to exercise targeting a muscle group, they can just look it up in this book instead of googling and getting overwhelmed by hundreds of different exercises with thousands of variations with no explanation why people are doing the same thing a million different way.

Lastly, I would like to say again that this is a reference book and not a book that you need to read from start to finish in one go. This is also not a book for people looking to get information about nutrition plans.
Profile Image for Rob.
677 reviews40 followers
April 18, 2020
An excellent compliment to Arnold's Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. Arnold gives you the motivation, excitement, passion and his list of exercises and routines with real world pictures. Delavier gives us incredible anatomical sketches and a no-nonsense description for a comprehensive list of strength exercises by body part. More than just the correct movements for each exercise, I learned about injuries, proper stretching, and different body morphologies and their impact when performing a lift. Variations are also noted to work a muscle group slightly differently - and all have great illustrations. Delavier's books are likely staples on every gym trainer's bookshelf. Should be on yours as well. A no doubt 5 star rating for anybody who trains with weights.
Profile Image for Carola.
300 reviews
March 17, 2017
Aunque yo no puedo hacer pesas ni ir al gimnasio, recomiendo esta lectura a todos aquellos que practican algún deporte o disciplina como, por ejemplo, Pilates. Aprendí mucho de anatomía y sobre todo cómo un simple movimiento de pies hacia la derecha o izquierda puede hacer trabajar uno o varios músculos distintos sin cambiar la pose en su totalidad. Este libro es bueno para aprender a prevenir lesiones y trabajar correctamente el cuerpo. Además, muchos de los ejercicios ilustrados aquí se pueden hacer sin peso o con muy poco, y utilizando materiales caseros: algo tan sencillo como una botella (1 litro) rellena de arena o agua es bienvenida.
Profile Image for Christopher Murtagh.
110 reviews2 followers
December 17, 2019
I bought this book as an artist studying human anatomy. I am unsure on how useful it is for building muscles, though it seems a classic in that sphere. It's quite eighties though, so I'm unsure if the lifting heavy things advice is up to date.

If you are looking for many many depictions of all the muscles, bones, tendons and veins then this is the book for you.

It must have been a lot of fun for the illustrator who did a lot of these pictures, I think at some point he got a little bored of drawing muscle bound gym rats as some monkey illustrations have been thrown in for good measure. Also, some of the ladies are a little sexualized.

Would recommend.
Profile Image for Dymphy.
274 reviews5 followers
February 13, 2017
(Andere editie gelezen)

Dit boek had ik geleend omdat ik interesse had in afvallen. Inmiddels ben ik een stuk verder en had ik besloten om juist mijn spieren te trainen en niet zozeer te focussen op afvallen, maar om een gezond lichaam te creëren.

En dat is ook het uitgangspunt voor dit boek. Dit boek is onderverdeeld in drie delen: een deel met informatie over je lichaam tijdens sporten, een deel met oefeningen opgedeeld per lichaamsdeel en een deel met trainingsschema's.

Het boek is zeer informatief en de trainingsschema's zijn zeker waard om eens naar te kijken.
Profile Image for Rock.
10 reviews5 followers
September 26, 2019
If you want to become a superhero like me, you have to be a superhero on the inside and the outside. This book is about that outside part. Author and illustrator Frederic Delavier not only provides fine drawings of the human anatomy in action, he also details step by step the various weight training exercises to gain the strength to lift mountains and deflect the course of planet-shattering asteroids. Whether your fitness goals are fighting crime, saving the world, or beating up bad guys as compensatory revenge against haunting childhood inadequacies, this book is a great place to start.
Profile Image for Aaditya Prakash.
6 reviews
May 9, 2020
This is an excellent book which serves as a reference material while working out. Author has done a marvelous job of dividing the workouts by region and the kind of muscles. Every exercise is further delved into variations and how it impacts various muscles.
Author is also aware of several mistakes people do and what injuries can happen from those mistakes. Most exercises have cautions and some of them have detailed explanation of injuries.
This is a must-have for anyone working out on their own to prevent any injuries and to learn about new moves and exercises.
54 reviews
December 22, 2024
Very pretty book to look through. It shows lots of nice sketches of muscles used in various workouts. I did notice some less optimal examples for deadlift setup and positioning. It does feel like it's missing more to make this more usable. Referencing which exercises are best to target which muscle somewhere would be helpful. As kinda have to go through the book to try and pick out what looking for. I guess it's more of a reference to help focus on what muscle should be engaged. Very nicely done book.
Profile Image for Peter.
14 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2017
Great book for beginners - although it's written from a bodybuilding perspective, it gives you an understanding of Human Anatomy and a pretty good look into different exercises. However, if you're serious about lifting (and every single aspect of it) you probably know everything there is in this book. I'd recommend buying "Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning" by Gregory Haff. That's pretty much the bible of S&C and will tell you everything you'll ever need to know.
1 review
May 9, 2021
Online Peptides store in Europe - wide selection, quality assurance, affordable prices.

Our online store offers to buy peptides its customers a wide range of peptides that meet the highest requirements of quality, effectiveness and safety.
Here you can buy peptides that will help you quickly achieve various results not only in sports and bodybuilding, but also in cosmetics and will help you feel much better, more vigorous and younge

PeptidesHGH
Profile Image for Sebastian Siles Ramirez.
2 reviews
October 9, 2023
It gives to reader a Visual and Anatomy example of what part of body the selected exercise works . I think is a great option to anyone how is interest in how the body functions and what those excerise are good for a group of muscle.
It has the exercise and how if you have incorrect form can hurt your spine(like a deadlift or Squat) and gives to reader how to preform the exercise in a correct way...
Profile Image for Chitranshu.
21 reviews18 followers
October 29, 2018
A must have for every lifters' shelf. This book explains almost every muscle group associated with an exercise with intrinsic details. After reading this book I now have better understand of human anatomy and lifting technique as I know exactly which lift is going to hit which muscle group and which part of that muscle group.
28 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2021
The book is filled with visuals of different body parts and the associated muscles. Most major exercises are illustrated in the book along with the muscle group they target. The actual names of muscles are used every in the book. For instance, trapezius for traps, Brachii and Brachialis for biceps.

The information is extremely useful but the presentation style is unimaginative and insipid.
Profile Image for Mateja.
48 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2023
Super helpful. Along with Zyzz's Bodybuilding Bible, I believe that this is the best source of information for the beginners, or even advanced lifters who want to focus on improving and growing specific muscle groups but don't know how. The illustrations are excellent and simplified, with amazingly detailed descriptions and instructions which are very easy to follow. Would recommend to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.