Arthur Drechster – The Weightlifting Encydopedia Video Companion

Having been an international-level athlete, coach and judge, Arthur Drechsler brings a wealth of experience and love to this book. Is it possible that too much love and experience went into this book? At over 400,000 words it’s tempting to think so,but the book’s depth of coverage isn’t a fault. It’s the text’s development and execution that are suspect here. The book is “encyclopedic,” but only in the sense that it attempts to cover every aspect of the sport of Olympic-style weightlifting (It does not run through an alphabetized list of concepts and terms.).The editors at A is A, in their zeal to publish an “instant classic” (their own Words), failed to reign in Drechsler’s prose (a good copyeditor should have lost 10,000 words) or focus Drechsler on one task (he could have written an encyclopedia and a training guide). Instead, the segment of the audience looking for a reference has to do a lot of sifting to get at the nuggets of information they want (the index helps), and those looking for a training guide would be better served to look elsewhere. This is not a gym-friendly book. Its bulk and poor design make it an unuseful practical tool, with less than adequately illustrated exercises and techniques scattered throughout the text.Yet despite these flaws, this book demands attention from all those serious about the sport. Drechsler’s sheer determination toward thoroughness drives this work. In Drechsler’s voice dedicated athletes will find an advocate that they may value; coaches and strength training professionals will find a force that they must reckon with. — From Independent Publisher

The Weightlifting Encyclopedia Lifting weights is one of the most popular and fastest-growing athletic activities in the world today. While millions lift weights, many more would do so if they simply knew how to go about it. And those who know the most about weightlifting_serious competitive weightlifters_are not very accessible to the general public. Now, for the first time, their secrets are revealed. In material culled from more than 30 years of competitive experience, a review of more than 60 years of the weightlifting literature (including hard to obtain materials from the weightlifting powers of Eastern Europe), and extensive interviews with many of the greats of the sport, the author places the methods of the champions in your hands.

The Weightlifting Encyclopedia covers these topics and many others:

– How the Strongest Men and Women in the World Trained to Get That Way – Building the Mind of a Champion – Choosing the Right Exercises – Creating Your Own Training Programs – Learning and Perfecting Technique – Selecting Equipment – The Essentials of Sports Science – How Athletes Can Gain Unique Benefits From Practicing the “Olympic” Lifts – Developing Flexibility – Preparing for Competition – The Rules of the Game – Nutrition and Weight Control – The Special Needs of Women, Young Athletes, and Mature Athletes – Beginning Weightlifting and Converting from Other Sports to Weightlifting – Dealing with Injuries

Virtually no area is left untouched in one of the most comprehensive guides ever written about any sport!

Listen to what the champions and their coaches have to say about The Weightlifting Encyclopedia:

“Artie took more than seven years to write the book which you are about to read. It is the most comprehensive book on the subject of Olympic weightlifting that I have ever seen. It covers all aspects…from novice to the world-class athlete. Read, study, and apply the information you find within these covers and you will be richly rewarded with rapid improvement on your Olympic lifts. I wish this book had been available when I started the sport of weightlifting!” Tommy Kono, two-time Olympic Champion, eight-time World Champion, established 26 World Records in weightlifting and coached Olympic Teams from 3 different countries, including the US (from the Foreword).

“Magnificent! Covers every imaginable topic in depth yet in a down-to-earth style. A great book!” John Coffee, Coach of 14 Women’s National Championship Teams and Five World Championship Teams

“The Weightlifting Encyclopedia is the most complete book on Olympic style weightlifting ever published…” Gayle Hatch, Coach of teams that have won more than 40 Junior and Senior National titles, as well as 3 Olympians

“Finally someone has published a book about weightlifting to be proud of. It’s complete, accurate, informative, and inspiring. A definite must have. This book will help every weightlifter from novice to world champion, I only wish it were available when I competed.” Bob Bednarski, Former World Heavyweight Champion and World Record Holder

“Everyone seeking knowledge pertaining to weightlifting must read this book. Every page offers new knowledge. It captures the power and complexity of this sport, yet explains the material in a simple and comprehensible manner.” Robin Byrd-Goad, 1994 World’s Champion and Former World Record Holder

“It’s unbelievable that you’ve gotten so much information on weightlifting into this one book. Congratulations!” Ben Green, World Masters Champion, Coach of 3 Olympians and Co-coach of 2 Senior National Champion Teams

The author has been an international level athlete, coach, and official in the sport of weightlifting. He was the last male from the USA to set a world record in weightlifting recognized by the International Weightlifting Federation.