Bigger Leaner Stronger (FREE BOOK): The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body

Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you want to use strength training for aesthetics, Mike is your source. Read this book, and read mine too, and come away with what you need to know. The rest will be up to you."

--Mark Rippetoe, author of Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training and Practical Programming for Strength Training

"I highly, highly recommend Bigger Leaner Stronger. You don't just read it. You do it. And you see immediate changes and results."
--Hafthor "The Mountain" Björnsson, World's Strongest Man champion

"Nobody cuts through the fitness and nutrition confusion and clutter like Mike Matthews. And in Bigger Leaner Stronger, he draws on a powerful combination of time in the trenches and hard-core research to give you the straight talk about what actually works. This book is easy to read and incredibly effective. I highly recommend."
--Ben Greenfield, CEO of Kion & New York Times bestselling author of Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health & Life

"Bigger Leaner Stronger is a super well-researched and practical guide to strength training that quickly cuts through the massive amount of BS and misinformation put out by the strength training, bodybuilding, weight gain and weight loss industries. I highly recommend adding this book to your library and referring to it frequently."
--Mark Divine, founder of SEALFIT and New York Times bestselling author of The Way of the SEAL, Unbeatable Mind and 8 Weeks to SEALFIT

"Mike has written the encyclopedia of body recomposition for the twentieth century. A great book and a must-buy for beginners looking to get their feet wet."
--Martin Berkhan, fitness coach, pioneer, and author of The Leangains Method

"Mike Matthews stands alone in the fitness space. His books are based on scientific research and real-world results. Bigger Leaner Stronger changed my life. It can change yours too."
--Strauss Zelnick, "America's fittest CEO" and author of Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets to Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever

"In Bigger Leaner Stronger, Mike takes us back to the fundamentals of losing fat and building muscle--time-tested and science-backed strategies that have been obscured by a rising tide of popular hype and pseudoscience. The good news: it doesn't have to be that hard!"
--Alex Hutchinson, author of the New York Times bestseller Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

"Matthews has masterfully distilled many years of research into the essence of what makes guys bigger, leaner, and stronger. His training methods have worked better than anything else I've tried for improving my strength and physique. Get this book right now."
--Stephen Guise, international bestselling author of Mini Habits

"Mike Matthews has done it again. Great information backed by science, and complicated knowledge transformed into practical, applicable strategies. I loved Bigger Leaner Stronger. A must-read."
--Adam Schafer, co-host of top-ranked fitness and health podcast Mind Pump

"I haven't been this excited about a fitness book in years. It's required reading for all guys who want to get--and stay--in the best shape of their lives. A true classic in the making."
--Sal Di Stefano, co-host of top-ranked fitness and health podcast Mind Pump

"Would you rather spend a month of your life hoping the latest flavor of diet and exercise plan will work . . . or spend thirty days knowing your hard work will provide results you can not only see, but feel? Give me guaranteed results any day, and that's what Bigger Leaner Stronger provides--all the knowledge and motivation you need to get results for years to come."
--Jeff Haden, Inc. Magazine contributing editor and author of The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win

"Bigger Leaner Stronger is meticulously researched, clearly written, and utterly practical. Matthews has created something special here."
--Jordan Harbinger, creator and host, The Jordan Harbinger Show

"A highly actionable book that translates the latest science into a simple plan for strength. In a world filled with noise, Mike Matthews provides the clarity and practical strategies you need to get results."
--James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

"As a clinical practitioner who specializes in obesity medicine, I truly appreciate Bigger Leaner Stronger. It's simple, science-based, and most importantly, it works, and that's why I recommend it to many of my patients. Drop whatever you're doing and read this book. It can change your life."
--Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, board-certified family and obesity medicine physician and founder of RP Health

"Bigger Leaner Stronger is a great book that I'd wholeheartedly recommend. It's full of solid, thoroughly researched information presented in a way that everyone will be able to understand and implement. If you want to improve your body and your health, or just learn more about getting in shape, you should absolutely read this book."
--Greg Nuckols, former record-holding powerlifter and founder of Stronger by Science

From the Author

Interview with the Author

Q: I can't find time to exercise but want to get in shape. What should I do?

A: I don't know anybody who can find time to exercise. I've never had anyone tell me, "Mike, I have too much free time these days. I think I'll spend a few hours in the gym every day to get in shape. What should I do while I'm there?"


It's always the opposite. Most of us lead busy, hectic lives and feel we don't have time for anything new. But in almost all cases, that just isn't true.


As much as some people would like to think they're too busy to exercise, when they analyze in detail how they actually spend their every waking minute every day, they discover how it could be worked out (no pun intended). And especially when they realize how little time it really takes to get fit!


The reality is people who have successfully transformed their bodies have the same 24 hours in a day as you and the rest of us, and they still have lives to live.


They still have to go work, spend time with their loved ones, maintain some semblance of a social life, and remember to decompress and have some fun now and then. The only difference is they've decided exercise is important enough to be in the plan.


For some, that means watching less TV or giving it up altogether. For others, it means waking up an hour earlier than normal a few days per week to get into the gym. For others still it means asking the wife to take the kids after dinner (a favor that can be repaid for her workouts!).


My point is: if you really want to carve out an hour a few days per week to train, I'm positive you can.



Q: I'm new to weightlifting. Is this for me?

A: Absolutely.


With Bigger Leaner Stronger, you can gain up to 25 pounds of muscle in just your first year while also dropping pounds of unwanted fat and greatly increasing your whole-body strength.


Moreover, you're also going to experience firsthand things most people will never know about effective diet and training, including how to perform key exercises with perfect form, ensure you keep progressing in your workouts, break through fat loss and muscle gain plateaus, prevent injuries, and much more.


The bottom line is by the end of your first year of Bigger Leaner Stronger, you're not only going to be thrilled with the results, but even more so with what you're going to be able to accomplish in the following year, two, three, and beyond.



Q: I'm in my 30s/40s/50s-plus. Can I do this program?

A: Definitely.


Every week I get emailed by at least a few people asking if it's too late to build muscle and get fit.


Most are very pleasantly surprised when I explain that it's definitely not too late, and that I'm regularly working with guys and gals in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s who are building their best bodies ever.


How should people in their 40s and beyond go about building a great body, though? Certainly they can't eat and train like the 20-year-olds, right?


You might be surprised to learn that not nearly as much changes as people think.


One of the first things I refer people to who are worried about age squashing their dreams of being fit is a study conducted by scientists at the University of Oklahoma, which had 24 college-aged (18 to 22) and 25 middle-aged (35 to 50) men follow the same weightlifting routine for eight weeks.


Researchers then analyzed everyone's body composition and found that the middle-aged men had gained just as much muscle as their college-aged counterparts had. Strength gains were very similar as well.


In my experience, this is equally true for women. Middle age isn't a physiological strikeout, even when compared to your 20s. You can do just fine.


People in their 60s and beyond aren't left out of the party, either. Studies show that they too can gain significant amounts of muscle and strength, and more importantly, that training and developing their muscles is a great way to fight the "dwindling health spiral" normally associated with aging.


Furthermore, despite what you've probably heard, your metabolism doesn't crater and your hormones don't implode as you get older.


Research shows that the average adult's metabolism slows by just 1 to 3 percent per decade and that the primary reason for this is muscle loss, not genetic programming.


Therefore, if you maintain your muscle as you age, you maintain your metabolism. And if you add muscle to your frame, you can increase it.


And as far as hormones go, it was once believed that the hormonal disturbance associated with aging was inevitable. We now know this isn't true. Research shows that lifestyle factors are equally causative of hormonal changes as aging itself, if not more so.


For example, here's a short list of the biggest lifestyle factors that can depress your testosterone levels:



Weight gain


Stopping exercise


Chronic illness


Use of medications


Sleeping too little


Moderate alcohol consumption


These are all under your control. Your hormone health truly is in your hands.


For example, studies show that there are plenty of ways to naturally improve your hormone profile, including staying lean, doing regular resistance training, and maintaining good sleep hygiene.


You'll also be happy to know you don't need stellar hormone levels to get fit. If you're willing to work hard, you can have below-average hormones and a far-above-average physique.


All that said, there are several key differences between college-aged and middle-aged bodies that make fitness a little harder as you get older.


Research shows that after about age 50, your muscles recover slower from exercise and that you begin to lose muscle over time (if you don't do anything to stop it).


Your tendons and ligaments also become stiffer and recover slower, which can increase the risk of injury.


Overall, though, the science is clear: you can stay in remarkably good shape well into old age if you stay active and take care of your body, and that's just as true for men as it is for women.



Q: I'm an experienced weightlifter. Is this for me?

A: Probably.


With over 400 pages of practical, science-based information on the inner and outer games of getting and staying in the best shape of your life, even the most veteran gym rats can learn a thing or two from Bigger Leaner Stronger.


And if nothing else, it'll serve as a powerful refresher on the 20% of diet and exercise information and strategies that delivers 80% of the results.



Q: How long does it take to see results?

A: One of the best things about Bigger Leaner Stronger is how quickly it works.


You'll see marked improvements in the gym and mirror within your first month, and it'll only get better and better from there.



Q: Do I have to take a bunch of supplements to follow the program?

A: No.


You don't have to take any supplements if you don't want to, because the vast majority of pills and powders are a waste of money.


If you have the budget and inclination, however, certain supplements can help you gain muscle and strength, lose fat, and get healthy faster. You'll learn all about this in the book.



Q: I'm short on time. Can I still do the program?

A: Absolutely.


Bigger Leaner Stronger comes in three flavors--5, 4, and 3 days per week--and individual workouts range from 45 to 70 minutes.


The bottom line is if you can dedicate 3 to 6 hours per week to Bigger Leaner Stronger, you can build the body you've always wanted.



Q: I follow a special type of diet (vegan, vegetarian, Paleo, food sensitivity/allergy, etc.). Can I still do the program?

A: Yup.


The diet principles are very flexible and can accommodate any and all food preferences and limitations.

From the Inside Flap

No matter how old you are, no matter how bad you might think your genetics are, and no matter how lost you might feel after trying and abandoning past diets and workout programs . . .
you absolutely, positively can have the big, lean, and strong body you dream about.

What if I gave you a science-based, doctor-approved formula of eating and exercising that makes adding 15 to 25 pounds of lean muscle while also shedding handfuls of unwanted body fat a breeze . . .

. . . and what if it produced dramatic results in the mirror in just the first 30 days?

What if you didn't have to starve yourself, put in long hours at the gym, or do grueling cardio workouts that turn your stomach?

What if you could still indulge in the "bad" foods that you love, like pasta, pizza, and ice cream?

And what if I promised to be at your side the entire way, helping you discover what you're truly capable of, helping you overcome obstacles and setbacks and avoid pitfalls, doing everything I can to see you achieve your fitness goals quickly and painlessly?

Imagine, just 12 weeks from now, waking up every morning, looking in the mirror, and feeling downright excited by your reflection.

Imagine being constantly complimented on how you look, loving how your clothes fit, and having dawn-till-dusk energy to do all the things you want to do.

And imagine being able to take your shirt off at the pool or beach with confidence.

You can have all these things, and it's not nearly as difficult or complicated as you probably think.

It doesn't matter whether you're 21 or 41 or whether you're in shape or not. No matter who you are, I can prove that you have the power to transform your body and life.

Just ask the thousands of men whose lives have been changed by my work. They accepted my help, and now they look and feel better than ever before. They are the proof that this book can help you look and feel your best, too.

So, would you like my help?

If you answered "Yes!" then you've taken a leap, not a step, toward the new you--the bigger, leaner, stronger, and happier you who loves his body, inside and out.

Your journey begins as soon as you order your copy of this book.

From the Back Cover

I want to make sure that you get as much value from this book as possible, so I've put together a number of additional free resources to help you, including:


* A savable, shareable, printable reference guide with all of this book's key takeaways, checklists, and action items.

* Links to form demonstration videos for all Bigger Leaner Stronger exercises.

* An entire year's worth of Bigger Leaner Stronger workouts neatly laid out and provided in several formats, including PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets.
If you'd prefer the workouts in a digital or hard-copy book, check out The Year One Challenge for Men (biggerleanerstronger.com/challenge).


* 10 Bigger Leaner Stronger meal plans that make losing fat and gaining muscle as simple as possible.

* A list of my favorite tools for getting and staying motivated and on track inside and outside of the gym.

* And more.



To get instant access to all of those free bonuses (plus a few additional surprise gifts), go here now:

⇒ biggerleanerstronger.com/bonus

Also, if you have any questions or run into any difficulties, just shoot me an email at mike@muscleforlife.com and I'll do my best to help!

Mike

About the Author

Mike Matthews is the #1 bestselling fitness author in the world, with over 1.5 million books sold, as well as the founder of the #1 brand of all-natural sports supplements, Legion.

His simple and science-based approach to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy has helped tens of thousands of people build their best body ever, and his work has been featured in many popular outlets including Esquire, Men's Health, Elle, Women's Health, Muscle & Strength, and more, as well as on FOX and AB

Top reviews from the United States

Mr. S. Ball

5.0 ou🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥t of 5 stars🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 a very good complete training book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

Been training for years. Messed around with a lot of different training methods in the gym and found the method mentioned in this book (Which is common sense) to be the most effective for gaining muscle mass. After following it for 6 months, I have gained more size than I have in the past 2 years of training. Goes into detail about meal planning, nutrition and training. All in all, a very good complete training book, which is easy to understand and common sense; will use it as reference for my training for the rest of my life.

GDM

3.0 out of 5 stars🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 is useful. If you follow his workout plans

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2018

Verified Purchase

I'm giving this book three stars because I want to be fair, here. The information contained within, if you can stomach the endless sales pitch, is useful. If you follow his workout plans, nutritional advice, etc, I'm sure you'll achieve the results you're looking for.

That being said, I'm shocked I got through the introduction without closing out of the book and hitting "Remove From Device". It is basically a 300-page infomercial. When I fully realized this is how the entire book was going to be, I couldn't NOT read this book in Don Lapre's voice.

Mike, buddy, pal... we bought the book. You closed the deal. Continuing to bash us over the head with your "What if I told you"'s or headlining sections promising SECRETS is just unnecessary. We're in. You have our money.

I wouldn't buy this book again. If an abridged version without all the bs was to be released, I could maybe recommend that, but until then, I'd look elsewhere.

Ammar

5.0 out of 5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥like to exercise but never saw results because they did ...

Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

I have been wanting to write this review for over a month now but I always get distracted because I start reading the negative ones and then forget why I logged in to Amazon in the first place.
I am a physician, I am 35 and I started working out at the age of 21 and I have been following this book’s recommendations since August 2017. I started out at 172 lbs with a body fat % of 16, now I am 164 lbs and Fat % of 10 being committed by about 90% ( I take 36 hours shifts once or twice a week and I will need a couple days to recover before I can work out, but my diet however is fairly committed).
Who is this book for? In my opinion, mainly for those who have no problem committing, like to exercise but never saw results because they did not know what the right things are regarding exercise and nutrition.
For beginners, this book is not enough, it is great and you should apply the concepts in it because you will maximize your gains without wasting time and effort but it won't tell you how exactly to perform the exercise itself and what the right technique is ( solution: search youtube for proper X exercise form and decide which one works the best for you, another solution is to work with a personal trainer solely for the technique and not for the program).
If you are a seasoned lifter, know how to bulk and cut and get your body fat % to below 10 , then you probably do not need this book, however, you can use it as a summary of all what you know.
Regarding the style, Mike is a talented writer and a smart salesman, he will try to sell you his products but he clearly states you do not have to. You will feel tempted though because things will work for you and you will want more.
The nutrition and the work out programs are all there in the book but they are kinda dispersed and you have to do a little extra homework so you build your own, BUT IT IS ALL THERE IN THE BOOK.
Some pieces of info are too basic for me but it is probably because of my medical background, it annoyed me a little bit because I could not skip it yet I did not want to hear it.
The articles that Mike will email you almost weekly or twice weekly are simply great, mostly revisions of sections in the book ( magnified if you will) plus additional stuff.
The negative reviews are true but I do not see them as necessarily negative points, yes the info are there online for free but so scattered and you will never know what to choose on your own.
The book serves as a great educational tool that will enable you to filter what is out there, whether products, exercises nutrition or supplements.

Brad

5.0 out of 5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥At the risk of being dramatic, this book and ...

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

At the risk of being dramatic, this book and its author's online content basically changed my life. By opening my eyes and showing me just how simple (I said simple, not easy) weight loss is if you put in the work and practice some willpower. Using the methods in this book, i was able to lose 109 lbs and as of today have maintained this body for 2 years now. At the age of 41 mind you. My outlook on life has changed DRASTICALLY over these 2 years and a large part of it is due to this book. Thank you, Mike. From the bottom of my heart! I wish you much success in the future.

Wag

5.0 out of 5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Excellent, but no magic pages!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

I have been a regular gym goer for several years but have never been entirely happy with my progress. This was not a book I had been looking for, rather than I came across it by accident. Right book, right time perhaps.

The book is full of fact, science, research and experience from an author who has been there and done that. Bearing in mind the fact content, it’s very easy to read.
The stuff about nutrition is so useful, what you put in the tank is so important. I can now see that this has been part of my problem up till now.
I’m in my mid 50’s and I am now half way through my third week of the plan and have lost a few pounds and I am feeling stronger. Playing football for many years has not done my knees any good, but they do not give me as much pain now. They still creak, but its now not a painful creak! This is probably because of the fact I am now doing the right exercises, properly.
Admittedly the squat is still beyond me, so alternatives have had to do until my knees are strong enough, but I will get there.
It takes time to set everything up for the nutrition and exercise programs, but once you’ve done it, it’s easy.
Less time at the gym, but more time resting between reps takes getting used to. It’s hard work, but I feel it’s working for me.
Finally, this book does not have magic pages, so do not expect to look down after you have finished reading it to see a six pack and bulging biceps! If only…

RedRushFan

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Everything you need to know in one place to build the body you deserve.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great book. This guy tells it straight. Training, supplementation, mind-set. He even tells you when it's his personal view or when the science leaves the picture unclear. He cites many sources - both those that support other views and those that support his own. Knowledge is power they say and if you want to REALLY, TRUELY know how to get stronger and build muscle, this book empowers by giving you all the details and studies to become informed. Each chapter finishes with a shortened version of what you need to understand or do. He tells you how to get a starting point for your caloric needs and how to split the macronutrients of protein, fat and carbs to meet those totals. He gives links to web resources for recipes, training advice and even the option of a custom dietary plan taking into account your training goals, time and food preferences. He details training protocols for any age and gives options for 3 - 5 workouts a week. Each taking no more than 40 minutes. I have trained with weights for 35 years and I am not a beginner. I have read a great deal about the subject and most of the advice in this book I have read before. The extensive list of studies that he compares and explains however is a frankly brilliant approach as it has crystalized my own approach. I am doing less of little benefit and concentrating on heavy, progressive free weight workouts. I am over 50 and look physically bigger. I am increasing my 1 rep maximum across my compound movements at a rate of between 10 and 15% per month. This is startling for someone already lean with a good strength to weight ratio. The book takes away the guesswork and has allowed me to simplify my approach. The extra focus is what I believe is getting the new wave of results. By focus I mean not doing anything that doesn't get me closer to the shape I want. With 35 years of experience, I don't really need help with the training movements or exercises, but having the understanding that allowed me to get more done in less time, reduce my overtraining and get my diet improved has been invaluable. I wish I could have had this knowledge 20 years ago.

RedRushFan

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Everything you need to know in one place to build the body you deserve.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great book. This guy tells it straight. Training, supplementation, mind-set. He even tells you when it's his personal view or when the science leaves the picture unclear. He cites many sources - both those that support other views and those that support his own. Knowledge is power they say and if you want to REALLY, TRUELY know how to get stronger and build muscle, this book empowers by giving you all the details and studies to become informed. Each chapter finishes with a shortened version of what you need to understand or do. He tells you how to get a starting point for your caloric needs and how to split the macronutrients of protein, fat and carbs to meet those totals. He gives links to web resources for recipes, training advice and even the option of a custom dietary plan taking into account your training goals, time and food preferences. He details training protocols for any age and gives options for 3 - 5 workouts a week. Each taking no more than 40 minutes. I have trained with weights for 35 years and I am not a beginner. I have read a great deal about the subject and most of the advice in this book I have read before. The extensive list of studies that he compares and explains however is a frankly brilliant approach as it has crystalized my own approach. I am doing less of little benefit and concentrating on heavy, progressive free weight workouts. I am over 50 and look physically bigger. I am increasing my 1 rep maximum across my compound movements at a rate of between 10 and 15% per month. This is startling for someone already lean with a good strength to weight ratio. The book takes away the guesswork and has allowed me to simplify my approach. The extra focus is what I believe is getting the new wave of results. By focus I mean not doing anything that doesn't get me closer to the shape I want. With 35 years of experience, I don't really need help with the training movements or exercises, but having the understanding that allowed me to get more done in less time, reduce my overtraining and get my diet improved has been invaluable. I wish I could have had this knowledge 20 years ago.