Weightlifting Programming: A Winning Coach’s Guide by Bob Takano is the most thorough English-language book available on the subject of program planning for Olympic-style weightlifting. Takano covers the theoretical and practical issues, the biological and mathematical underpinnings, and provides a straightforward process for developing training programs with plentiful examples.



“For a systematic approach to designing programming for competitive weightlifters, there is nothing better in the English language than this book. All coaches serious about developing elite level weightlifters must have this book on their shelves.”
—Greg Everett, author of Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for Athletes & Coaches

“The age of the internet has brought us a lot of phony weightlifting experts, self-created gurus who have a list of actual lifting accomplishments that you could fit on a postage stamp. Bob Takano is a true weightlifting master from the old school, and his knowledge is a benefit to anybody who wants to improve in this great sport.”
—Matt Foreman, author of Bones of Iron

“Bob Takano’s book, “Weightlifting Programming: A Winning Coach’s Guide” is excellent. As I looked at it page by page my reaction was “WOW!” What an Olympian task, so much great, detailed information. What I liked best was all the detailed programs, lift by lift, set by set, rep by rep, day by day, workout by workout. And the information on the Eastern European workouts and training methods is explained as well as I’ve ever seen. This book has so much great information, every Olympic-Style Weightlifting coach should buy it read it and use it as a reference in their coaching. Lifters that like to know the “nuts and bolts” of weightlifting should read this book.”
—Jim Schmitz, US Olympic Weightlifting Team Head Coach 1980, 1988, Assistant Coach 1992, President of USA Weightlifting 1988—1996, Member of IWF Executive Board 1992—1996

“Bob Takano is a legend in strength athletics. Whether you are a recreational lifter or a coach in a competitive gym, you will use this book as much as you will enjoy it.”
—Robb Wolf

“Bob Takano is one of the best weightlifting coaches I have ever known. I have had the opportunity to know and talk weightlifting with him for many years. His knowledge of the history and technical aspects of the sport are second to none. I highly recommend this as part of your weightlifting library. Bob is one of my "go to coaches" when I have a question."
—Patrick Cullen-Carroll CSCS, USA Weightlifting International Coach

“Coach Takano has distilled over 40 years of knowledge gained as a weightlifter and hall of fame coach and over 20 years of knowledge gained as a biology teacher to create a truly unique addition to any weightlifting coach’s library. Weightlifting Programming: A Winning Coach’s Guide provides a clear and concise overview of the developmental process as well as specific information needed to design training programs to develop world-class weightlifters. This book is a MUST HAVE for all weightlifting coaches. You will not find a better book on weightlifting programming anywhere.
—Sean Waxman, Waxman’s Gym

“Bob Takano has packed this book with the all the basic tools one needs. He sets the scene with the scientific and sport history and follows up with a logical and scientific method to achieve success in Weightlifting. His book explains all the aspects of athlete development and that sets it apart from other texts. It deals with the science of sport, and keeps it easy to comprehend. This is a "must have" and will be exposed to numerous readings as the coach digs deeper into the process.”
—Brian Derwin, 1980 Olympic Team, National Champion, and former president of USA Weightlifting