If you've become cynical and bitter about pretty much any book in the lose weight/get healthy genre, or if you're just getting into healthy eating and exercising and aren't sure where to start, then you need to read this book.

Here's what sets this book apart:

1. Everything is clearly explained and backed up by scientific research. There's no suspension of disbelief or faith required. It's just a logical, simple system that's been proven to work.

2. The diet is simple, practical, and effective. Unlike most diets, which require you to cut certain foods or food groups, take particular supplements, only eat at certain times, and so forth, you're free to eat what and when you like, so long as you eat the appropriate number of calories and macros (carbs, protein, and fat). The book also walks you through exactly how to build a meal plan of healthy foods that you enjoy, and teaches you how to measure portions properly WITHOUT a scale or measuring cups.

3. The exercise plan is easy to understand, easy on your joints, and actually enjoyable. You only need to do three workouts per week, with each workout taking around ~40 to 50 minutes. The author also provides three different workout routines for beginners, intermediates, and advanced gymgoers, and separate plans for men and women. This makes the program much more fun and keeps it challenging and engaging (you always have a new goal to strive toward).

Finally, the author also has a proven track record of helping people lose weight, build muscle, and get healthy, and he walks the walk. I have trouble taking any health and fitness advice from people who clearly can't keep their own body healthy and fit, which is one of the reasons Mike's advice really resonates with me. Buy the book, implement what it has to say, and decide for yourself what you think, but if you read any health and fitness book in 2022, it should be this one.

I recently read "Muscle for Life" by Mike Matthews and found it to be an incredibly helpful and informative guide to building muscle and achieving a fit, healthy body. The book is well-written and easy to understand, and it is filled with practical advice and tips that anyone can follow.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is that it is based on sound scientific principles and research, but it is also written in a way that is accessible to anyone, regardless of their level of fitness or experience. The author provides clear explanations of the various exercises and techniques he recommends, and he also includes detailed workout plans and nutrition guidelines that are easy to follow.

I also appreciate that the book is not just about building muscle, but also about overall health and wellness. The author covers topics such as stress management, sleep, and recovery, which are all important for achieving and maintaining a healthy body.

Overall, I highly recommend "Muscle for Life" to anyone who is looking to build muscle, improve their fitness, or simply learn more about how to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. It is a great resource that is both informative and practical

What a great book, simplified, easy to follow, easy to understand, allows you to get right to it!!!

Muscle for Life is an easy to read and understand guideline to help the people at all ages and levels of experience; a good starter for the novice and a good refresher for the intermediate and advanced body builders. I've read Mike's other books and found value in them all.

Muscle for Life inspired me to start on the flexible diet to help me cut body fat by giving me very practical guidelines and the rationale for doing so. Mike cuts dispels misinformation and shares facts backed up by research studies. I am only in week one of the diet, but I'm optimistic that I'll reach my goal of cutting body fat from 25% to 15%.

I've been a fan of Mike Matthews since I encountered his social media presence and his Bigger Leaner Stronger about four years ago. I was mid 40s then, needed to get in shape, and Mike made the difference. The thing I love about him is that there's no BS, no fads, no gimmicks, just science and common sense. Mike is real, and sincere (he has a disclaimer on his supplement store page at legionathletics.com saying you don't actually need supplements--who does that)?

Matthews makes it simple: Here's how you need to eat (total calories as well as macros like protein fats carbs) depending on your goals (fat loss, muscle gain, both), here's how you need to train (weights with some versions of cardio, depending). I knew how to lift and lift hard from my time as an athlete (football and hockey) long ago, but no one ever explained to me the basic knowledge of diet--and its supremacy for health. Once I got that from him, it was on to the mental game. Here too Matthews is great: no hype, just wisdom to help you become who you want to be.

There's some things in this book (Muscle for Life) that are in his prior books. We'd expect that, because the science hasn't changed much in the several years since he wrote Bigger Leaner Stronger several years ago, and because he's trying, I think, to address a wider audience with this one. But there's a lot in here that's new, and especially helpful for us middle-aged folk who'll never grace the stage of a bodybuilding competition but who want longer, healthier, happier lives of vitality.

The proof is in the pudding: following Matthews' principles, I went from 320 to 226 over the course of ~15 months, nearly 100 pounds, while gaining strength and seeing my bloodwork improve from borderline dangerous to normal/healthy. I'm back up a bit now (thanks COVID and my darling children!), but I'll go into a cut again and keep pressing down to my goal weight.

Bottom line: If you need to get in shape, this is the first, and maybe only, book you need. Pairs well with Matthews' Shredded Chef and Little Black Book of Workout Motivation.

I've read Bigger Leaner Stronger (BLS) and Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger (BBLS), both of which are written by Michael Matthews.

This book is for people who are completely new to weightlifting and a macronutrient-based diet, but it presents the same information found in BLS. What makes it for new weightlifters the difficulty of the exercises in the workout plans, the amount of workouts per week, and the tone of the writing.

Michael's writing quality has improved with each of his books. I find his writing easy-to-read and to-the-point. If you are serious about a lifestyle change but have never weightlifted before and are nervous about getting injured, this book is for you!

If you have already read BLS, you won't find much new information in this book. If you are looking for new information, I recommend BBLS.

Overall, I think this is another good book from Micheal Matthews, but if you are already familiar with Bigger Leaner Stronger or Thinner Leaner Stronger you probably do not need Muscle for Life.

Mike's writing style and approach to the material in this book are both spot on for a guy like me. I've gone through dozens of "programs" and books about the best way to do everything from exercise execution to meal planning, but the simple way that he lays out the information and the building block style he uses to build on concepts is exactly what I needed. I have already made changes based on what I've read and can see a long, productive way forward for me using the information he shares in the book. Highly recommend!

Great book for getting fit enough to start the Bigger, Leaner Stronger book workouts!

This book is fantastic. I enjoyed reading it but more importantly I am loving the work outs. I am on week 15 and have not skipped a session. I am due to have surgery soon so Iemailed Mike for advice on what to do while I cant train my legs. He emailed me back with in a week ! Thank you Mike, I have lost 3 inches off my waist so far :)

Lovely book it have everything you need to become a complete healthy person and transform your body.

Thank you Michael Matthews

Great fitness book, educational and inspiring. Lots of great practical information

Excelente