The Purposeful Primitive: From Fat and Flaccid to Lean and Powerful - Using the Primordial Laws of Fitness to Trigger Inevitable, Lasting and Dramatic Physical Change

I learned so much from this book about health and fitness, sports psychology, and nutrition. My only complaints would be that it strictly talks about men the entire book and never specifies how anything applies to women. The author frequently told personal stories which didn't always relate to the topic-- I skipped through lots of that. Some parts exude fragile masculinity, especially his rants where he makes fun of "politically correct sissies", so much that it became amusing and humorous. On the other hand, I feel a lot more confident and informed to continue my fitness journey, and it was just the kind of book I was looking for. I'm sure the world of powerlifting and meat heads doesn't produce many literary geniuses, but this book came pretty close. There was no question the author was qualified in his expertise, and he explained intricate theories very well. The section on nutrition was nothing extraordinary, but still surpassed most information you find nowadays on the topic. It was very refreshing to learn from someone who has had decades of experience in the field, rather than from the multitude of novice personal trainers on instagram that are spewing out loads of misinformation.

Fantastic book. The sections on nutrition and cardio alone are worth the price. My single complaint (and it isn't really a complaint, more a matter of taste) is that Marty's writing style is a tad bombastic and over-the-top, at times. I'm a dry, boring guy that enjoys dry, boring books. But as I said, more a matter of taste than an actual criticism. I'm not sure I've ever read a more informative and useful book on training and nutrition. The stories and anecdotes are priceless. There's a lot to be learned from the masters. They reached the top of their respective disciplines for a reason, and Marty does a great job of presenting the information in a clear, understandable way for us mere mortals. I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone in the iron game. My compliments, Mr. Gallagher! Thanks for a great book.

Being a fan of Olympic Weightlifting and Power lifting, I really enjoyed the historical perspective of this book. The author does a great job of educating the reader about some of the greats in the sport. There are also some interesting articles on diet and the mental aspects of the weight training. Overall, this is a very complete book. The author also provides the reader with numerous training templates that were used by the greats or based off of how the greats worked out. I found this to be interesting on an academic level as well as useful. Only have two days a week to work out? There is a program for you. Are you new to weight training? There is a program for you. In fact, Coach Gallagher has included programs that should cover almost any situation. The only reason that this book is getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt that the instructions on how to perform the lifts were a little bit lacking. Brass tacks: if you are serious about weight training this book needs to be in your library.

this is an amazing book and extremely helpful for the someone who wants to lay down slabs of extremely functional strength. Great methodology, thorough information and surprisingly well written. Whenever I felt lazy and didn't want to work out a session I just picked it up read a few pages and I was immediately inspired to head over to the woodshed to push some weight. Keep in mind this is not your standard fitness book. This is about really pushing yourself to the limit in a safe manner and might come off too tough guy for some. There's a purpose to the stories but some might be turned off (choke slamming yuppies anyone?) by the slabs of machismo, even though at it's base this is a very unisex book (deadlifting grannies!). Want to get size, confidence and feel great? Pick up the book. If it's not your bag then give it to someone with more chutzpah. They'll love it.

Some of the other reviews were too preoccupied with the authors ego to see the literal mountain of useful training data. The author was humble in my opinion. He helped several world champions and was world class power lifter himself at one time too its only natural that he brags a little. Overall this book is the one of the best fitness related books I have ever read. he gives living examples of very effective exercise theories that produced the best powerlifters and bodybuilders in the world. it would have been a good book if he stopped there but no he went on to do the same thing with cardio related theories, nutrition and even the mental side of it. it was definitely worth the price. it helped me compose my next 14 week workout schedule based on my goals. Again take the useful info for what it is... useful info. don't over scrutinize the frivolous.

First of all Marty Gallagher is an experienced and talented writer who appearsto have known just about everyone who had an offbeat idea on physical training and profiles them all to advantage. The book presents a simple, functional program for conditioning and discusses the resistance training, cardio, nutritional, and psychological aspects of the program. I have read portions more than once. Marty sounds like someone that I would love spending a few days just hanging out and talking.

One of the great classics. Not only are you getting to know some of the masters of iron and their methods. Not only do you get a tour through a sizeable part of the history of strength sports. You are very entertained during your trip. I actually still read parts of this book for entertainment and not alot of books, especially not alot of training books, warrant that. Gym mullets, geeks, lasses and rats rejoice! Because this is the closest thing we Iron heads get to a bible.

I liked this book. Ya, there's no mention of "roids" in it, but that was a "no kidding" for me. And a few of the stories seem to glorify the bully behavior of male youth, but that didn't bother me. I grew up a bean pole and lived through that stuff. I think it toughened me up. So no foul for me. I found this book to be an outstanding journey with some of the best of our recent strong men telling about their trials and techniques on the way to become the best at their sport. I came away learning some things that I've been able to apply to my workouts that have helped be grow bigger and stronger almost immediately after incorporating them into my routines. And at 60 years old, that's saying something.

Very interesting historical review of different approaches to improving fitness, bodybuilding and physical power as well as nutrition and the mental game. The older I get the more obvious it becomes that the simple straightforward no-bs methods are the way to go. Highly recommend for both beginners and experienced guys. Very cool stories of the legends you've probably heard about as well as tons of inside knowledge about men who deserve more recognition.

I have two guys that I love whatever they write. Marty is one and Dan John the other. An awesome book that I would, if I could, give everyone in the world one when they first touch a weight. The world of weights and nutrition- would be a far more balanced because of it. Ian Duckett trainer author bodyindesign.co.uk

Dieses Buch ist im Grunde alles was man braucht um stark zu werden und zu bleiben. Marty Gallagher ist ein von Grund auf schonungsloser Typ, der einen auf den Pfad des wahren Kraftsports bringen will. Hier gibt es keine Abkürzungen, keine Schmeichelleien und kein dummes Bodybuilder Gebrabbel über Körperfettanteil, Supplemente und Medikamente. Dieses Buch zeigt einen den Weg zu Blut, Schweiß und Tränen. Einmal den Weg eingeschlagen gibt es kein zurück mehr. Dieses Buch macht Männer, Männer des Eisens. Die Wahrheiten, die dieses Buch transportiert sind alt, aber sie sind aktueller denn je. Der menschliche Körper hat sich nicht wesentlich verändert in den letzten Jahrhunderten, genauswenig die Weisheit um aus Normalos Ein-Mann-Abrißkommandos zu machen.

Good book

Great all round overview on many fronts and should be a part of every library of exercise and training resources