New Rules vs. Muscle Logic

[gobbla]

What are we looking at?

New Rules of Lifting AND Muscle Logic

Where can I get it and how much does it cost?
Muscle Logic = $12.00
New Rules of Lifting = $17.00

Review:

Layout\Format\Binding
The biggest separator between these two books is that NROL is hardback vs. the soft back of ML. The paper quality is similar, the design is similar, the pictures are the same black and white, they’re close

The SECOND separator which isn’t entirely obvious at first glance is that ML has 63 pages of content at 220pg book. That other 150pgs are examples of workouts with a picture of a dude doing them. That’s a LOT of example folks.

Content Usability
Both are very accessible and anyone that picks them up should be able to use them. At the heart of things the books are supposed to present workout plans and they both do.

Thoughts:
I think I'm the one person on the planet that “got” EDT on T-Nation. Muscle Logic explains it a little further and hand holds if you just can't figure out what a non-competing super set is, past that it doesn't have anything to offer. It does what it set out to do and it's a very reasonable price. If you want to add EDT to your list of tools, go ahead and pick it up. If you're expecting anything beyond what you've already read then you're going to be disappointed. There really wasn't enough content to warrant a book and that's painfully obvious in the 150pgs of two exercise per page examples. The real kicker to this one is that the workouts will burn you out. It says they will. So you're not going to use the “system” for more than about 8 weeks at a go, then you have to find something else. For a generic mass published book this is crazy. I'd much rather see a far more detailed application level EDT manual with specific instruction on when\why\how to use the system than this watered down book that warns that by following simple instructions you're going to push yourself too hard.

NROL is more complete in the aspect that it includes energy system work, nutrition (neither of which are included in ML), and routines for Strength, Hypertrophy, Fat Loss. There isn't a feeling that the information is stretched or tossed in as filler. The book presents the workouts in a modular fashion so you can mix and match as you want to giving what could be workouts for the rest of your life.

Closing:
NROL wins this matchup hands down. For the price ML is a reasonable buy. Don't confuse that with “good”. NROL is “good”. It'll give 90% of the people everything that they need to have a lifestyle change for the better with interesting reading and programming.

[jj]

Great side-by-side Gobbla. Thanks for the time and effort. I have a copy of both now. I am just reading as much as I can to "know" more. Thanks again!

[Mahler]

Thank god. The last year and a half of my life has not been wasted.

[mom2w]

Thanks Gobbla! Many times these books are only availalbe online or aren't readily stocked at the BNs closest to me. I don't mind putting out money on good products, but it adds up and if they aren't helpful, it adds up with pain.

[Bill2380]

I have both and agree with you completely.

[RacerBill]

Good info, Gobbla. Thanks!

One question, though: what led you to pair these two books? Are they really targeted to the same audience?

I'd say NROL is intended for the beginner or typical gym-goer who hasn't read much about training before (not that intermediate/advanced won't gain quite a bit from the book, too), while ML give me the impression it's more for the person who has trained consistently for a while and wants a different program to change things up.

[tkinsley]

Originally Posted by Bill2380

I have both and agree with you completely.

Me too. Tony has a way of distilling things to their respective essences, stripped of bullshit. Very refreshing.

Thanks, G.

[GG300]

I really liked the EDT workouts but I also found the book to be short on content. I guess that is what I liked about the whole system is that it works and it is just not that complex. On the other hand it would be pretty difficult to stay on the NROL program and not have the book as your guide. Nice review of the books and as far as the workouts go I guess it would come down to different strokes for . . .

[Chris Correia]

Originally Posted by RacerBill

Good info, Gobbla. Thanks!

One question, though: what led you to pair these two books? Are they really targeted to the same audience?

I'd say NROL is intended for the beginner or typical gym-goer who hasn't read much about training before (not that intermediate/advanced won't gain quite a bit from the book, too), while ML give me the impression it's more for the person who has trained consistently for a while and wants a different program to change things up.

I don't have ML, but I can understand G's review. One might tend to think as you do, Bill. However, I've got the EDT DVD (got it for free from Julianne -- thanks Jules) and I found it to be very basic and, in retrospect, would not have wanted to pay for it. The main reason is that some of the discussion about it is a bit like beating a dead horse. Then, after the discussion, the remaining half the disc is watching someone do an EDT workout. Exciting.

So, ML might be for people who already work out and are looking for an alternative or a next step. But, if it's like the DVD, then it's too basic in content, too much hand holding. OTOH, perhaps it's that way in case a beginner tries it and can't quite grasp the concept. However, it seems even in that case, the DVD, and perhaps the book, beat the horse a bit too much. Maybe I just don't like watching dudes working out and getting sweaty.

Is the concept OK in and of itself? Sure. Would a book or DVD explaining it and demonstrating it briefly be useful? Sure. But what I've seen is too much fluff and filler, IMO. Someone else, however, might think it's great.

[Lisa~]

I don't own ML, so I can't comment on it. But I do own NROL and I agree that it's a lot of substantial content for a very low price. It's inexpensive enough that everyone interested in fitness should read it. It's a fun, easy to read book thanks to Lou Schuler's entertaining writing style. The book explains the concepts behind the included programs in beginner language so the reader learns the how and why (at least to some extent) behind the system. It's a book that teaches instead of just offering routines.

It's a great book for a beginner, but I got a lot out of it too. As a trainer, I liked seeing how Alwyn put together the programs. I enjoyed reading Lou's writing and learn a few excellent ways to express certain concepts to beginners. It's a great book to recommend when a beginner asks what they should buy. It covers all the basic concepts and sets them up with the ability to judge new information they read later.

[lance02]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

I don't own ML, so I can't comment on it. But I do own NROL and I agree that it's a lot of substantial content for a very low price. It's inexpensive enough that everyone interested in fitness should read it. It's a fun, easy to read book thanks to Lou Schuler's entertaining writing style. The book explains the concepts behind the included programs in beginner language so the reader learns the how and why (at least to some extent) behind the system. It's a book that teaches instead of just offering routines.

It's a great book for a beginner, but I got a lot out of it too. As a trainer, I liked seeing how Alwyn put together the programs. I enjoyed reading Lou's writing and learn a few excellent ways to express certain concepts to beginners. It's a great book to recommend when a beginner asks what they should buy. It covers all the basic concepts and sets them up with the ability to judge new information they read later.

I agree with Lisa. I consider myself to be a beginner to intermediate, in terms of lifting -- been doing it regularly for the last couple of years. This book (NROL) really helped me to understand more of what I could get out of lifting, and it is presented in a very easy and fun to read format.

[MindPower]

Originally Posted by gobbla

The SECOND separator which isn’t entirely obvious at first glance is that ML has 63 pages of content at 220pg book. That other 150pgs are examples of workouts with a picture of a dude doing them. That’s a LOT of example folks.

I have picked up ML at the book store a heap of times, but this is one of the reasons why it never makes it out of the store with me.

thanks Gobbla

[BamaDave]

Of course, for only $12.... That's dirt cheap compared to some of the products advertised around here. I spend almost that much on a Meat-n-4 and an unsweet tea for lunch.

On the other hand, I also saw ML in the bookstore the other day and didn't buy it.

NROL is definitely the bargain bomb of info. and workouts.

[gobbla]

Originally Posted by RacerBill

One question, though: what led you to pair these two books? Are they really targeted to the same audience?

Someone asked if I would do ML and I thought a comparison might be fun. I just looked at the shelf and picked the 2nd at random.

IMO they're pretty much the same audience...everyone. What one person gets out of reading one and reading the other might be different (different application), the target is still "general public".

*note*
The review and such is in no way meant to pick on the people that have trouble wrapping their mind around EDT.

[Lost Dog]

I bought both. I learned enough from ML to make it worth the $12. I think there's been a lot of EDT discussion here, but a lot of people just don't get it. The book helps, and most people like sample workouts.

NROL is more complete, in the sense that you can sort of make a whole new lifestyle from it.

[GG300]

I think that the reason that some people don't get EDT is that it is so simple(not easy but simple). After reading about tempo, rest, intensity and volume in articles and books you find it hard to believe that lifting can be this simple but still effective.

Like LD mentioned NROL is much more inclusive pretty much covering a program for any goal that you have choosen for your lifting program.

P.S. If anyone is interested in EDT and does not believe how simple it is I will send them my DVD (free) and it shows 2 complete workouts.

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

NROL is more complete, in the sense that you can sort of make a whole new lifestyle from it.

That is a great observation, and that's what happened to me. I would drift in and out of self-designed workouts that kept me in fair shape, but I never made any advances. I wouldn't stick with anything over 2-3 months. Now, I've been doing NROL for 6 months, and I'm planning on going through all the workouts which will get me through the end of the year (or at least close). I'm always excited about my next trip to the gym, especially when doing the Strength programs. And the chapter on clean eating gives you enough guidelines to eat wisely, but I like the fact that it is not a meal-by-meal planner.

I love it.