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Richard Schuller
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Powerlifting Over 50: Mastering the Skills for an Empowered Body and Life Kindle Edition

by Richard Schuller (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
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Powerlifting training can skyrocket a man’s strength, health and confidence. This book is for the mature athlete or fitness enthusiast who wants to experience the huge benefits of power training. Competing is optional.
For mature athletes, there are always some risks associated with lifting “big iron”. Great gains are possible if an athlete follows the “training smart” system in this book. Training smart involves three distinct things: mastering the athletic skills needed in powerlifting; doing sport specific conditioning; and mastering proper lifting technique.
The author, a retired scientist, has been lifting weights for 60 years. He began his powerlifting career at age 48 and competed at the national and international level for 25 years. During his life, he has competed in eight different organized sports.
Based on extensive research and his long career, in this 300-page book, the author provides detailed instructions on how to master the skills of strength needed for heavy lifting; a unique conditioning program to reduce the chance of injury; extremely detailed instruction (with pictures) for properly performing the squat, bench press and deadlift; and five complete training routines for the squat, bench press and deadlift, along with dozens of tips on building a powerful body over age 50.
These are probably the most detailed instructions on optimal lifting technique available anywhere.
In addition, the author provides detailed instruction on the mental approach to training, nutrition, injury management, plus training plans and a full chapter on how to prepare for and compete in a powerlifting meet.

An Amazon review of the authors book Mastering the Squat (5 star rating) “This book is a gem… Great workout programs. Probably the most practical guide on squats written out there….”
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  1. Print length
    410 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    March 9, 2016
  5. Grade level
    10 - 12
  6. File size
    8580 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01CTDOHYA
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 9, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8580 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 410 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 152 ratings

About the author

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Richard Schuller

Richard Schuller

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Richard Schuller is a retired scientist born in 1940. He has been lifting weights and participating in sports for over 65 years. He has competed in powerlifting since 1988 at the national and international level. Notable achievements include lifting in 11 USA Powerlifting National Masters Championships. In 2005 he won a silver medal in the IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships in Pretoria, South Africa. In 2008, he won a bronze medal in the North American Championships in Aruba.

In 2009 he was elected to the Washington state Powerlifting Hall of Fame.

Over his lifetime he has competed in 8 different sports including football, wrestling, track and Olympic style weightlifting. Beginning in graduate school, he had a 22-year running career entering over 100 races at distances from 3 kilometers to 15 miles.

In his research and development career he worked extensively with nuclear technology and computer systems. He worked in Ukraine and Russia from 1995-2001 in various projects involved with nuclear security, helping the Chernobyl nuclear power station transition from a Soviet economy to a market economy, and assisting Ukrainian researchers develop commercial products for the world market.

Since retiring from his career in research and development, he has done power coaching on-line and in person. Clients have ranged from high school and college athletes to senior citizens. His present focus is helping people over age 50 experience the joy and satisfaction that can come with building strength and vibrant health.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
152 global ratings
Very Helpful Material, Read and Apply
5 Stars
Very Helpful Material, Read and Apply
Picked this book up in early April. Decided in late April to try my first USAPL meet in mid-June. Not a lot of time to do all the training phases but I already had a good base of heavy lifting. Used the suggested Peaking Phase programming and was on point in my very first meet. Even if I wasn't going to compete, the other phases will improve your strength, conditioning and flexibility IF you follow the advice and implement it in the gym. Don't over think it!I was stronger than I had projected and achieved all 27-white lights for the meet. Competed against dudes have my age and performed beyond my personal expectation. Finished with a bronze in the OPEN, not Masters, category!!
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Top reviews from the United States

kenpo saber
5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and easy to read.
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am 60 and have enjoyed powerlifting from a very young age. I enjoyed reading this book as there is practical information in it, some things that I had forgotten such as "pressing against the pins" I remember an article from BILL STARR regarding that technique to work past sticking points. Also a warmup technique that I did not know about; walking with a raised dumbell in hand to warmup and strengthen the shoulder-rotator cuff area prior to training. The information contained is useful, the book is easy to understand and follow, oftentimes people tend to overcomplicate things, when that happens I lose interest. Awesome book!
3 people found this helpful
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Y.Pruitt
5.0 out of 5 stars I learned proper mindset and techniques to get started
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2022
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This book got me started in the "iron game", so to speak. I have been an exerciser, but to gain strength on this level has opened a new world of function. And I gained a good perspective from the book on training but not too hard, and not expecting to function and train like you would 20 or so years ago. And the supplementary exercises are good.
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Eric S.
4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for any lifter
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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This was an informative, no-nonsense, down to earth book, no frills, nothing for the steroid users that puts unrealistic expectations on the reader. as a man of 50 who lifts heavy, i found this book very useful and informative.
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J. Kevin White
5.0 out of 5 stars It was fun, but I did not want to hurt myself ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
I started doing squats along with a lot of core work (bridges, planks, side planks, bird dogs, single leg raises, etc.) in physical therapy to recover from sciatica and a back injury. As my pain decreased, I decided to increase the amount of weight I was using for squats. It was fun, but I did not want to hurt myself again. This book showed me the safe and correct way to do squats. I have been steadily adding 5 pounds each week to my squats. I am getting much stronger and may eventually consider competitive powerlifting. As I quickly learned from reading this book, most so-called "personal trainers" know almost nothing about doing squats, deadlifts, and bench presses - particularly when it comes to breathing. For anyone interested in powerlifting or just getting stronger, I highly recommend this book whether you are 25 or 65.
21 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful Material, Read and Apply
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
Picked this book up in early April. Decided in late April to try my first USAPL meet in mid-June. Not a lot of time to do all the training phases but I already had a good base of heavy lifting. Used the suggested Peaking Phase programming and was on point in my very first meet. Even if I wasn't going to compete, the other phases will improve your strength, conditioning and flexibility IF you follow the advice and implement it in the gym. Don't over think it!
I was stronger than I had projected and achieved all 27-white lights for the meet. Competed against dudes have my age and performed beyond my personal expectation. Finished with a bronze in the OPEN, not Masters, category!!
Customer image
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful Material, Read and Apply
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
Picked this book up in early April. Decided in late April to try my first USAPL meet in mid-June. Not a lot of time to do all the training phases but I already had a good base of heavy lifting. Used the suggested Peaking Phase programming and was on point in my very first meet. Even if I wasn't going to compete, the other phases will improve your strength, conditioning and flexibility IF you follow the advice and implement it in the gym. Don't over think it!
I was stronger than I had projected and achieved all 27-white lights for the meet. Competed against dudes have my age and performed beyond my personal expectation. Finished with a bronze in the OPEN, not Masters, category!!
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13 people found this helpful
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Sheila K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2022
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I'm following this plan to train for my first meet. Mr. Schuller outline and explains everything I need to lift big iron. He writing studies easy to follow and his descriptions and explanations are clear. It is also interesting.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn from a master
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018
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I'm following the program in this book and getting a tremendous amount out of it. What you'll learn in this book is straight out, no-nonsense wisdom gained from the author's several decades of experience as a competitive powerlifter and a national powerlifting referee. You'll learn proper form, something few lifters actually know. You are given detailed training plans. I like how the author adds in classic kettlebell moves for adjunctive conditioning. The author's story is very inspiring. Although advanced in years, he is extremely healthy and strong. I want to thank him for writing this book.
6 people found this helpful
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EL
4.0 out of 5 stars Very well composed and well written book, enjoying it with a few minor reservations
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book gets into the inner game of heavy, lifting in a way that I have yet to see in any other book, it is particularly this, that I appreciate about how the author wrote. He makes a very consistent and thorough point about the internal bracing and locking down of Support muscles so that one gets 100% or at least close to 100% of the force of the muscles involved in a particular lift. I have yet to see this degree of emphasis on this matter and it did add to my understanding of how to be a power lifter.

I gave it four stars rather than five only because there are some Technical details about actually conducting the lifts that I thought the book needed, which Would have made it a five star. For that you’ll need to look at starting strength, which dives into every aspect of the biomechanics of the lifts.

But for the right mentality towards training and a intelligent but simple program to follow with articulate and clear writing, yes. I did appreciate this authors work, and it’s on my shelf as one of my guides to being a better older power lifter.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ivor skillern
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I’m learning so much from this book I recommend it for anyone young or old you’re not going to waste your money in anyway.
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FDM
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book!
Reviewed in France on April 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
Probably in my top three favourite books on weight training. Sound advice fit for any age lifter.
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Peter Klein
5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gutes Buch
Reviewed in Germany on May 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
Der 75-jährige Richard Schuller erklärt hier die Übungen des Kraftdreikampfs (Bankdrücken, Kniebeuge, Kreuzheben). Die Hauptübungen, sowie unterstützendes Training/Übungen, sind gut, ja man muss sagen bis ins Detail erklärt. Gute Ratschläge für über 50-jährige fürs Training, Verletzungsprofylaxe, Ernährung, Supplements. Dazu kommen noch die verschiedenen Trainingspläne. Ein Buch für alle die mal über den Tellerrand des Bodybuilding/allgemeinen Krafttrainings sehen wollen und dies auch für Leute unter 50.
Wie gesagt ein sehr umfassendes, detailliertes Buch, bei dem man merkt, dass der Autor eine Menge Erfahrung hat.
3 people found this helpful
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Miriam
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have!
Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
I initially bought a kindle version of this book but liked it and refer back to it so much that I ended buying the paper version as well because I wanted to highlight things, flag the most relevant sections and just browse through. It's full of useful information. I'm not over 50 yet (43) but I'm coming back to powerlifting after 20 year break and needed advice on how to adapt my training as I simply can't train the way I used to 20 years ago... This book is perfect!
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Miriam
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
I'm "only" 42 but I found this book to be a great resource! I used to compete in power-lifting in my late teens/early twenties but then stopped. I started again about 2 years ago and have since bought and read quite a few of the most popular books on strength-training but this one is by far the best. Most books are really not very relevant for the "mature athlete" while this is the exact opposite. It's inspiring and full of tips on technique as well as training while taking into the account the fact that we age and cannot forever train like 20-year olds. I would recommend it to anyone interested in power-lifting, whether you are planning to compete or not.
3 people found this helpful
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