The Muscle Ladder: Get Jacked Using Science

If you’ve been burned by over-hyped fitness books before, Muscle Ladder is the palate cleanser you need. From the moment you crack open the chunky, photo-packed pages, you can tell Jeff Nippard actually cares about getting the science right and making it usable. Need a quick cue for squats or a tweak for your pull-day split? Flip to the ladder stage you’re on and boom—there’s the answer in plain English, with illustrations that finally make sense of “where the bar should sit on your back.” What I love most is how down-to-earth Jeff keeps it. He never promises you’ll look like Thor in 90 days. Instead, he breaks down what real, research-backed progress looks like, why progressive overload isn’t optional, and how to spot the sneaky form mistakes that stall gains. It reads like good gym talk with a knowledgeable friend: honest, a little nerdy, but never preachy. Apply even half of his tips and you’ll feel the difference. Bonus points for the physical book itself—it’s legit nice. Sturdy cover, clean layout, full-page visuals you can actually reference mid-workout. Reviewers worldwide are stuffing theirs in plastic bags just to keep it pristine. Whether you’re brand-new, stuck at an intermediate plateau, or an old hand like me wanting a refresher, this is the one fitness guide you’ll keep grabbing off the shelf—and, judging by the wall of five-star reviews, you won’t be the only one.

This book is fantastic. The overall book is based an a ladder, with each chapter being one rung of this ladder. Each chapter builds upon the previous, meaning that it order to get the best out of the information contained within, the reader should go through each chapter step by step. Each chapter contains a good amount of well researched and referenced scientific material. There are several studies sited within each chapter and thankfully these are referenced at the back of the book, (this reader knows of several books, which claim to reference scientific studies, but fail to site them). The chapters of proper technique (chapter 3), which exercises are best suited for your intended outcome (chapter 4) and organising your training over prolonged periods of time (chapter 13) are of particularly good quality. That being said, each chapter is very well written and presented. The author thankfully is not some self absorbed gym-bro personality, so references to how amazingly ripped the author is are thankfully rare. If this reader was to criticise, then they would say that this book is physically big and heavy. This is not the type of book you would want to be carrying around with you or try to read on an over crowded train or bus. And it's not exactly the cheapest book as well. But that's it really. Overall, this is a fantastic book and definitely should be on any weight or strength lifters' wish list.

This is a comprehensive guide for beginners and intermediates, and I would even say advanced athletes who want to refine or review exercises, postures, periodization, and much more. The illustrations are fantastic!

This is a high-quality resource for anyone looking to learn about training for muscle growth. The book is beautifully made, and it's clear that Jeff Nippard has put a great deal of care into ensuring both the physical quality and the information are outstanding. I was initially hesitant about the high price. However, after receiving the book, I can say the premium qualities—such as the clarity of the text and images, the vibrant colors, and the thickness of the pages—do justify the cost. The content itself is well-structured and easy to understand. I especially appreciate the attention to detail throughout. Each section is supported by numerous photos and diagrams that clearly illustrate techniques and key points. It’s obvious that a lot of time and effort went into producing these visuals, which adds significant value to the learning experience. My only minor gripe is not with the book itself, but with the storage and packaging quality. While preserving aesthetics isn’t a huge concern for me personally, it’s something that should be improved. As shown in the pictures I provided, there was some exposure to humidity, causing slight warping of the paper. Additionally, there was minor denting on all 4 corners—likely due to insufficient packaging from Amazon. A bit of extra protection during shipping would help prevent these issues.

The Muscle Ladder: Get Jacked Using Science takes a refreshing, evidence-based look at muscle building. The book breaks down complex training concepts into clear, actionable steps, focusing on progressive overload, recovery, and nutrition without unnecessary fluff. It’s well-structured for both beginners and seasoned lifters who want to train smarter, not harder. Straightforward, motivating, and grounded in real science—it’s like having a knowledgeable coach guide you toward sustainable muscle growth.