High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way Paperback – Illustrated, January 3, 2003

If you are curious about high intensity training, this book is a great starting point. I was very skeptical at first as I only ever knew the high volume approach to weight training, but as I've started training with this method, I can definitely feel and see a difference and I no longer feel drained from marathon workout sessions. This type of training would benefit almost anyone I think but can be especially helpful if you have low recovery ability, are a slow gainer, or are even pressed for time (what led me to try it eventually).The first part or so of the book may be boring and slow for some readers, but I would say bear with it because you really need to grasp the principles Mike taught to get the full effect of the workouts. Anyone who says they didn't see results with his program, I believe either they never tried it or they did try it but weren't doing it correctly.As others have said, I appreciate how Mike also emphasized building character. I was very surprised to read how well he spoke about Arnold after their rivalry. It made me respect him even more.Give this book a shot if you are into bodybuilding or weight training. Even if you don't fully subscribe to Mike's school of thought, there is still a lot of good information in this book.

Mike Mentzer's "High Intensity Training" is a game-changer for anyone serious about their fitness journey. His innovative approach to strength training emphasizes efficiency over volume, advocating for brief but highly intense workouts that deliver impressive results. Mentzer's clear explanations and scientific backing make the concepts easy to understand and implement, regardless of your fitness level. The transformative impact on my workouts has been incredible; I've seen significant strength gains and muscle growth in a fraction of the time compared to traditional routines. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to maximize their training without spending hours in the gym. Highly recommend!

Think of this book as Mentzer's High Intensity Training book #s 1 and 2 with Mentzer's latest findings prior to his death. I have read all of Mentzer's books and can tell you first hand, this is the only book you need to buy of Mentzer's as it encompasses all his work from his own words. This book is still in print and can be bought at a reasonable price. Books I and II are out of print and will cost you a fortune used and do not contain all of Mentzer's evolution in the Science of Bodybuilding. All of it is Mentzer's words and the last of his words prior to his death. Little's contribution was in photo selection and structure and getting it to the Presses. Little made a point to preserve Mentzer's words, philosophies, doctrine and work out routines as Mentzer wrote them. Book is written in first person point of view by Mike Mentzer and was his last great book. The Forward is written by Little. This book contains the evolution of Mike Mentzer's work as an Olympian bodybuilder and coach of bodybuilders. (When I was in college, I followed the traditional doctrine of 5-6 day, split routine workouts as done by Colombo and Schwarzenegger, but Mentzer talked about a different way that minimized or even eliminated the potential to over train). Thus, was the introduction by Mentzer of High Intensity Training which revolutionized bodybuilding and muscle development). Mentzer was a genius and a practitioner of the Science of Bodybuilding having won a Mr. American Title with a perfect score and placing 5th in Mr. Olympia; his training philosophy revolutionized training forever and what could be accomplished. This last book Mentzer wrote with John Little captures this and is the evolution of his life's work on the subject. Everything contained in his previous books and the resulting evolution of Mentzer's philosophy and doctrine are contained in these pages. It is an outstanding book and reference manual with the latest practical knowledge on not just bodybuilding but in nutrition, competition and Bodybuilding Science. It is as the book title reads, "High Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way!" An A++ book and reference manual; perhaps the best on bodybuilding and Anaerobic Weight Training! (Purchased on Amazon, it arrived ahead of time and well packaged to protect it! A+ to Amazon).

This book has a lot of good information. For new lifters, it will help you avoid wasting time on fad ideas. Some of the information is outdated, and science has proven otherwise. But there is no bad information here.

I recently (after 10 yrs :) ) got back into fitness and love this book. I bought this book in 2019 but didn't read all the way through till 2024 and that's when I implemented it and have seen very good results in 3 months!Prior to this book, I spent close to 10 yrs following workout routines found every where including Arnold's book which recommend working out 4-5 times a week and doing 8-12 sets per body part! I hardly ever made progress using those workouts.When I got back into fitness recently, I decided to do a very deep dive into Mike Mentzer. I watched every interview of his on YouTube TWICE and read all other of his books such as Heavy Duty 1 and 2. This book was written as the last book and Mike died before this book was finished. But this book has all the stuff you need to know about Mike and his famous HIT workouts.Mike's approach is very opposite to what you hear being talked about every where. He promoted 1 workout every 4-6 days in which you do ONE set per body part.....Yes you read that right...ONE set!If you are looking to validate Mike's theory then i recommend that you watch some of his interviews on YouTube to get a sense why he recommended such a low volume and why that is the right way to go. While you are at it, you might as well look up Arthur Jones who invented HIT and inspired Mike.God bless Mike and may his soul RIP!